Patents Issued in April 6, 2010
  • Patent number: 7690211
    Abstract: To provide a refrigerating apparatus that can control the supercooling degree of liquid refrigerant irrespective of changes in circulating refrigerant amounts in a refrigeration cycle, a refrigerating apparatus includes a refrigeration cycle having one or more compressors or inverter compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator; a liquid introduction circuit that guides decompressed refrigerant obtained by extracting one part of high pressure liquid refrigerant from the refrigeration cycle and decompressing, to a supercooling heat exchanger provided in the refrigeration cycle to perform heat transfer between the decompressed refrigerant and high pressure liquid refrigerant, and then introduces the refrigerant into refrigerant for intake into the compressors or inverter compressor or an intermediate pressure part of these compressors; a controller controlling shutdown of the compressors or driving frequencies of the inverter compressor based on suction pressure detection values with respect t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Appliances, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Sakurai, Kazumasa Ohta
  • Patent number: 7690212
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ice Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramachandran Narayanamurthy, Robert Scott Hicks, Robert K. Kerrigan, Christopher A. Kay
  • Patent number: 7690213
    Abstract: A waste heat utilization device includes a refrigeration cycle having a compressor, a Rankine cycle using a condenser in common with the refrigeration cycle, and a control unit which controls operation of the refrigeration cycle and the Rankine cycle. The control unit performs a continuation control of the Rankine cycle, in which the Rankine cycle is continuously operated regardless of an operation state of the compressor, when a load of the refrigeration cycle is lower than a predetermined load. In contrast, the control unit performs an intermittent control of the Rankine cycle, in which the Rankine cycle is intermittently operated in accordance with the operation state of the compressor such that the mechanical energy recovered by the expansion unit is larger than a driving energy of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Inaba
  • Patent number: 7690214
    Abstract: A micro-spray cooling system for a plurality of heat sources includes an evaporator contacting the heat sources and comprising a plurality of actuators corresponding to the heat sources, a condenser connected to the evaporator, and at least one driving circuit connected to the actuators to drive some or all of the actuators sequentially according to a predetermined timing to cool the heat sources. The refrigerant in the evaporator is sprayed by the actuators to thermally contact the heat sources, evaporated by heat from the heat sources, condensed in the condenser and re-enters the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chun-Fu Lu, Jinn-Cherng Yang, Chun-Jung Chen, Kuo-Hsiang Chien, Shih-Kuo Wu
  • Patent number: 7690215
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device (1) for cooling metal sheets and strips during the production thereof, particularly following rolling thereof. Said device (1) comprises a feeding duct (2) for delivering a cooling medium, especially water. Said feeding duct (2) is connected to a housing (3) inside which two nozzle rails (4, 5) are disposed so as to be movable relative to one another. Said two nozzle rails (4, 5) can be arranged at a short distance (a) from each other, thereby forming a nozzle gap (6) for the cooling medium, said nozzle gap (6) having a rectangular cross section. At least one element (8) that forms a barrier for the cooling medium is placed in the housing (3) between the point of entrance (7) of the cooling medium into the housing (3) and the nozzle gap (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Bender, Markus Cramer
  • Patent number: 7690216
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oil separator for air conditioners that is capable of separating oil from refrigerant. The oil separator comprises a shell having a cylindrical space defined therein, a refrigerant introduction pipe for introducing refrigerant into the shell, a refrigerant discharge pipe for discharging the refrigerant out of the shell, and oil-drop growth accelerating member for accelerating growth of oil drops contained in the refrigerant flowing in the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Se Dong Chang, Yoon Been Lee, Baik Young Chung
  • Patent number: 7690217
    Abstract: A refrigeration system including a two-stage type compressor having independent low-pressure and high-pressure compressing portions, a heat-releasing device having independent primary and secondary heat-releasing paths, an expansion valve and a cooler. The refrigerant primarily compressed by the low-pressure compressing portion is primarily released in heat by the primary heat-releasing path. The primarily heat-released refrigerant is secondarily compressed by the high-pressure compressing portion. The secondarily compressed refrigerant is secondarily released in heat by the secondary heat-releasing path to thereby obtain a low-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant. The low-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant is decompressed and expanded by an expansion valve and passes through the cooler to absorb the heat in a room air, and then returns to the low-pressure compressing portion of the compressor. In this system, the refrigerant temperature during the heat-releasing procedure can be kept low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Koichiro Take, Etsuo Shinmura, Yuichi Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7690218
    Abstract: An ejector refrigerant cycle device includes a radiator for radiating heat of high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from a compressor, a branch portion for branching a flow of refrigerant on a downstream side of the radiator into a first stream and a second stream, an ejector that includes a nozzle portion for decompressing and expending refrigerant of the first stream from the branch portion, a decompression portion for decompressing and expanding refrigerant of the second stream from the branch portion, and an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant on a downstream side of the decompression portion. The evaporator has a refrigerant outlet coupled to the refrigerant suction port of the ejector. Furthermore, a refrigerant radiating portion is provided for radiating heat of refrigerant while the decompression portion decompresses and expands refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant radiating portion is provided in an inner heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Ikegami, Hirotsugu Takeuchi, Etsuhisa Yamada, Haruyuki Nishijima, Hideya Matsui
  • Patent number: 7690219
    Abstract: A module, such as a module configured to be used in a refrigeration system, includes a gas-liquid separator which is configured to receive a first refrigerant, to separate the first refrigerant into a gas portion of the first refrigerant and a liquid portion of the first refrigerant, and to transmit the gas portion of the first refrigerant. The module also includes a heat exchanger which is configured to receive a second refrigerant and to exchange heat between the second refrigerant and the gas portion of the first refrigerant and/or the liquid portion of the first refrigerant. Moreover, the heat exchanger is disposed within the gas-liquid separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Suzuki, Masato Tsuboi, Yuuichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7690220
    Abstract: The invention provides a personal ornament capable of reliably retaining the personal ornament with strong magnetic attraction force of metallic magnets. The magnetic attraction force is not less than a predetermined value, and hence it enhances safety against theft, and is excellent in wearing and removing by a wearer. The personal ornament comprises a string-shaped tube made of a flexible material and capable of being twisted and bent, a plurality of columnar metallic magnets inserted into the string-shaped tube, and an outer covering provided on an outer peripheral surface of the string-shaped tube. Alternatively, the personal ornament comprises a personal ornament body formed by inserting a plurality of columnar metallic magnets into a string-shaped tube, and a retainer capable of fixing one end side and the other end side of the personal ornament body in a state where both end sides are aligned in parallel with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Triple A Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Okamura
  • Patent number: 7690221
    Abstract: A method keeps the width of the manufactured sheet substantially the same by attaching edge directors for the formed sheet to the manufacturing apparatus structure instead of to the forming block. Thus, sheet glass may be manufactured to specification for a longer time with the same forming block. An additional method adjusts the width of the manufactured sheet by changing the distance between the edge directors. Thus sheet glass may be manufactured to different width specifications with the same forming block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard Bruce Pitbladdo
  • Patent number: 7690222
    Abstract: A glass gob distributor for delivering gobs of molten glass to sections of a glassware forming machine, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, includes at least one electric motor, a ball screw coupled to the electric motor and a carriage slidable on a carriage shaft and coupled to the ball screw. At least one gear rack is coupled to the carriage and at least one scoop is coupled to the gear rack for rotation around a scoop axis as a function of linear motion of the gear rack and the carriage. A pair of slides are slidably disposed on opposite sides of the carriage and are disconnected from the carriage. A pair of fluid cylinders are disposed adjacent to the slides. The fluid cylinders are responsive to an absence of power at the electric motor for pushing the centering slides toward each other to abut and slidably position the carriage on the carriage shaft, the gear rack and the at least one scoop at a home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Cramer
  • Patent number: 7690223
    Abstract: To reduce the drive power consumption of a circular knitting machine by reducing the contact area of a tool for the knitting machine with the side faces of a thin groove to suppress a rise in temperature and the thermal deformation of the knitting machine by frictional heat. A part of the stem (17) of the tool for the circular knitting machine is raised from the bottom face (20) of the thin groove (19) in which the tool for the circular knitting machine is inserted and, at the same time, sunk from the upper end face (21) of the thin groove to form float parts (22, 22A to 22L) extending parallel with the thin groove (19). When a distance (L) between the bottom face and the upper end face of the thin groove (19) is used as a reference, the float part is so formed that its raised length (L1) is 10 to 40% of (L) and its sunk length (L2) is 10 to 40% of (L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Fukuhara Needle Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsumu Abe
  • Patent number: 7690224
    Abstract: A yarn changing set for color altering heads includes a yarn splint plate, a movable cutter plate, a yarn cutting plate and a yarn changing plate positioned in an overlapped manner. A plurality of pins are coupled between the yarn splint plate and yarn cutting plate to allow the movable cutter plate and yarn changing plate to move between them. The movable cutter plate and yarn changing plate have respectively a notch at one edge opposing each other to form a confined area to limit movement of the pins when driven by a cam. The yarn cutting plate has a plurality of notches on the edges to hold the pins. Thus an open type design is formed to expose cotton accumulating portions to facilitate clearing of accumulated cotton. Therefore, smooth operation can be maintained and life span of the machine and elements increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Pai Lung Machinery Mill Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Liang Wei
  • Patent number: 7690225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible protective corrugated tube (1) comprising at least two different yarns and a plurality of larger-diameter zones (2) and a plurality of smaller-diameter zones (3) which are alternated along the length of the tube (1). The inventive tube is characterized in that first yarns (4) form a weave of weft courses combined with stitch courses. In addition, the tube can comprise second yarns (5) which also form a weave of stitch courses combined with weft courses. In this way, the tube obtained has improved flexibility, adaptability and bendability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Relats, S.A.
    Inventors: Jordi Relats, Pere Relats, Dolors Artola, Anna Fruns
  • Patent number: 7690226
    Abstract: A washing machine and a method of manufacturing a door thereof are provided. The washing machine may include a door rotatably coupled to a cabinet, and a door ring positioned on the cabinet at an external circumference of the door to reinforce a rigidity of the cabinet and to improve an external appearance of the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ji Chang Son, Hye Yong Park, Young Hoon Ha, Bo Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 7690227
    Abstract: A drum type washer is provided in which replacement of a washing ball provided in a drum lift device may be simplified, and in which a volume of the drum may be increased. The washer may include a tub, a drum rotatably provided within the tub, and a lift provided within the drum. The lift may include a base detachably coupled to an inner surface of the drum and a cover detachably coupled to the base. An exposing hole may be formed in a surface of the cover to expose a portion of the washing ball positioned between the cover and the base. A width of the cover may be gradually decreased from a rear end portion to a front end portion thereof so as to minimize a size of the lift and increase an interior volume of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Han Ki Cho, Jong Sun Yoon, Ho Sung Jang, Chang Woo Son, Jae Cheol Lyu
  • Patent number: 7690228
    Abstract: A method, a system and a pelt board for the drying of the leather side of pelts from furred animals, in which the pelt board is a hollow distension element, the surface of which has an open structure. The leather side is dried by changing the air within the distension element. The distension element is lockable in a position in which it has a first circumference, and can also assume a position or be force controlled to a position in which it has a circumference which is smaller than the first, which results in a considerably easier removal of the pelt from the pelt board. A quicker, more uniform and more effective drying of the pelts is achieved, so that “black spots” on the leather side are avoided, and the pelt is fixed in its stretched position on the pelt board without the use of clips/staples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Dansk Mink Papir ApS
    Inventor: Jens Hedegaard
  • Patent number: 7690229
    Abstract: Locking devices are provided that can be opened by alternate users with different keys. The devices generally include a lock slider anchored to an anchor tab through one or more link sliders. The sliders can be slidably mounted to a slide mount, such as, e.g., a slide shaft or slide slit in a housing. When the anchor tab, link slider and lock slider are all shackled together with, e.g., two or more padlocks, the lock bolt of the lock slider is substantially immobilized with the device in a locked configuration. When one or more of the shackles is removed, the lock slider is free to moved to an unlocked position along the slide mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Winston Lee McKee
  • Patent number: 7690230
    Abstract: A housing assembly adapted to fit into a mortised recess in a door is provided for accommodating components of an electronic lock mechanism. The housing assembly comprises a housing including opposed major side walls at least partially defining an opening into the housing. A circuit board comprising electronic circuitry for operating the lock mechanism is disposed in the housing. A bracket for holding batteries is adapted to be disposed in the opening in the housing. The bracket is accessible when the housing is in the mortised recess of the door such that the bracket is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. In the first position the bracket is in the housing and in the second position the bracket is at least partially outside of the housing such that batteries may be inserted into or removed from the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Yake Security Inc.
    Inventor: John Steven Gray
  • Patent number: 7690231
    Abstract: An electromechanical cylinder lock includes an outer lock shell and a rotatable lock barrel located therein which is controlled by dual locking features. A side bar or fence selectively blocks and permits rotation of the barrel with respect to the shell in response to insertion of a key into a keyway in the barrel. A slider bar is movable between a blocking position in which the side bar is prevented from permitting rotation of the barrel, and an unblocking position in which the side bar permits rotation of the barrel. Alternately, a blocking mechanism is provided to block motion of tumbler pins in the cylinder lock. A shape memory alloy actuator, such as a wire made of NITINOL disposed in the barrel is activated by an electric current in response to determination by an electronic control device whether an attempt to open the lock is authorized. Thermal interlock protection from external heating of the lock is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Medeco Security Lock, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Field, Duncan Kerr
  • Patent number: 7690232
    Abstract: A locking device having a locking cylinder and a key. The locking cylinder includes a cylinder core with tumblers in a cylinder core, which is rotatably mounted in a cylinder housing. Standard coding for the key is produced by a step with longitudinal profiling on at least one flat side of the edge profile of the key, said step being associated with a counter step on the tumbler. In addition to the standard coding produced by step and counter step, the key has at least one set of beveled edge coding in a corner section of the edge profile. The beveled edged coding consists of recesses in the form of beveled cuts in the corresponding corner sections of the edge profile, relative to which are provided counter touching points in the corresponding tumbler. In a section of the key shaft, either the standard coding or beveled edge coding can optionally be used, thereby considerably increasing the diversity of the locking device while retaining the space-saving design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Klein, Matthias Habecke, Dirk Jacob
  • Patent number: 7690233
    Abstract: A portable device includes a main body, which has a mechanical key retainer, and a mechanical key, which is removably retained in the mechanical key retainer. An engagement projection extends from the mechanical key in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the mechanical key is inserted into the mechanical key retainer. The engagement projection is formed from a resilient material. The mechanical key retainer includes an engagement recess for engaging the engagement projection when the mechanical key is retained in the mechanical key retainer. This structure reduces the size of the portable device and improves portability of the portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshiharu Katagiri, Takumi Tamezane, Katsushi Miwa, Jun Yamaguchi, Hironori Mizuno, Makoto Yamamoto, Takao Ogimoto
  • Patent number: 7690234
    Abstract: A tip tool guide apparatus is brought into a water chamber of a steam generator of nuclear power equipment, and guides a tip tool, such as a shot peening head, along a necessary region. For this purpose, a tip tool guide apparatus 1000 is composed of a swivel support portion 100, a slide table 200, and a manipulator 300. The swivel support portion 100 is self-supported and fixed within the water chamber, and turns the slide table 200 connected thereto. The slide table 200 connects the manipulator 300, and moves the manipulator 300 slidingly in a fore-and-aft direction. The manipulator 300 grasps the tip tool at its leading end. For bringing into the water chamber, the swivel support portion 100, the slide table 200, and the manipulator 300 are separated from each other, brought in individually, and assembled within the water chamber to constitute the tip tool guide apparatus 1000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norimasa Mori, Hironori Onitsuka, Jun Fujita, Takahiro Ohta, Yasumi Nagura, Yoshimasa Tukamoto, Osafumi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7690235
    Abstract: In a method of cooling and/or lubricating of rolls and/or rolling stock according to which a cooling medium is applied to the rolls from a plurality of nozzles/nozzle rows, on one hand, and for lubrication, on the other hand, base oil is applied to the rolling stock in front of a roll gap, wherein the nozzles/nozzle rows are adjusted separately and independent from each other the cooling medium is applied to the rolls separately from the base oil, and finally, the base oil without water as a base medium is applied directly to the rolling stock over an entire width thereof in a very small amount in comparison with a conventional amount. To this end, media separating means is arranged between the nozzles/nozzle rows for applying cooling medium to the rolls and the nozzles/nozzle rows for applying base oil to the rolling stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Rolf Buenten, Hartmut Pawelski, Ludwig Weingarten, Heiner Siebel, Hans-Peter Richter, Klaus Grimm, Dieter Daub
  • Patent number: 7690236
    Abstract: A hole punching method capable of executing hole punching with high material yield at a low load and preventing occurrence of underfill is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventor: Atsushi Otaki
  • Patent number: 7690237
    Abstract: A crimping tool is disclosed that includes a housing assembly carrying a crimping assembly having jaws with engagement surfaces designed to move in the radial direction under controlled load and controlled displacement with application of hydraulic pressure to pistons provided to load the jaws. The crimping tool is designed to be separable into two parts, which facilitates assembly and disassembly of the tool around the work piece for crimping at locations remote from the end of a continuous or long section of pipe. This tool is adapted for use in crimping end fittings onto composite pipe and for use in a field environment where the tool is manually transportable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Noetic Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice William Slack
  • Patent number: 7690238
    Abstract: A transfer feeder 41 has a lift/clamp device 80 moving a bar 14 in a lift direction and a clamp direction, a plurality of feed carriers 52 installed on the bar 14, and feeding linear motors 53 driving the feed carriers 52 in a feed direction. Since an object driven by the feeding linear motors 53 can be formed small since the feed carriers 52 are installed on the bar 14, the feeding linear motors 53 having a small capacity can be adopted to simplify the structure of a transfer press 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Shiroza
  • Patent number: 7690239
    Abstract: The sheet metal pry hooks are pry hooks having a hook end oriented in a manner to allow gripping and bending of an automotive sheet metal panel(s) in almost any situation encountered in the repair of such panel(s). As presently contemplated, the pry hooks will be made available either individually or as a kit of three pry hooks having different configurations of the hook, including at least one hook having the hook member offset from the longitudinal axis of the shank of the tool. The kit allows a user to have at hand a complete array of hooks needed for bending and orienting sheet metal panels in almost any repair situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Robert J. Griffis
  • Patent number: 7690240
    Abstract: Descriptions are provided for implementing flowmeter zeroing techniques. In operating a flowmeter, it may be the case that, if not properly calibrated, the flowmeter will produce erroneous measurements, e.g., will indicate a non-zero flow during a period of zero flow. By determining a magnitude of such erroneous measurements, calibration values may be determined, which may later be used to adjust a measurement that is output by the flowmeter and thereby improve an accuracy of the flowmeter. Such calibration values may be determined for a plurality of operational conditions associated with the flowmeter, such as densities of materials being measured, and/or configurations of flow elements associated with transporting material to the flowmeter. Then, the calibration values may be correlated with the relevant operational conditions, and stored for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Wade M. Mattar
  • Patent number: 7690241
    Abstract: A continuously operating pre-concentrator for trace gas analysis includes a flow channel, a pumping chamber, and a separation membrane between the flow channel and the pumping chamber. The flow channel has a width that decreases from the inlet to the outlet in such a way that the trace gas and the carrier gas maintain a substantially constant flow speed through the flow channel. The separation membrane is configured to allow preferential removal of molecules of the carrier gas from the flow channel, as the gas sample flows from the inlet to the outlet, thereby increasing concentration of the trace gas in the gas sample. The separation membrane includes a substantially non-adsorbing material that allows the gas sample to flow substantially continuously through the flow channel, so that a variation in concentration of the trace gas can be detected in substantial real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Eric P. Muntz, Marcus P. Young, Yen-Lin Han
  • Patent number: 7690242
    Abstract: A lighter device having a flow restrictor and associated methods for manufacturing and testing such lighter device and flow restrictor are described. The flow restrictor may be formed of a porous member to achieve a substantially fixed or varying flame height. The flow restrictor may be tested before or after assembly into a lighter housing by receiving a non-combustible fluid therethrough. The flow rate of the non-combustible fluid may be correlated to the flow rate of a combustible fluid through the flow restrictor to approximate the resultant flame height of a lighter incorporating the tested flow restrictor. The flow restrictor may also be tested by receiving a combustible fluid therethrough prior to assembling the flow restrictor into the lighter housing. In this manner, flow restrictors and corresponding lighter devices may be tested without introducing combustible fluids into such lighter devices prior to shipment. Also, a vacuum may be drawn on a fuel tank of the lighter prior to shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Zippo Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James M. McDonough, Ronald J. Meister, Michael W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7690243
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measurement of the thickness of thin layers by means of a measurement probe (11) which has a housing (14) which holds at least one sensor element (17) whose longitudinal axis lies in particular on a longitudinal axis (16) of the housing (14), in which at least during the measurement process, a gaseous medium is supplied to a supply opening (21) of the measurement probe (11) on a measurement surface (28), and is supplied via at least one connection channel (24), which is connected to the supply opening (21), to one or more outlet openings (26) which are provided on an end face (29), pointing towards the measurement surface (28), of the measurement probe (11), and in which at least one mass flow, which flows out of one or more outlet openings (26), of the gaseous medium is directed at the measurement surface (28), and in which the measurement probe (11) is held in a non-contacting manner with respect to the measurement surface (28) during the measurement pr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Immobiliengesellschaft Helmut Fischer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Fischer
  • Patent number: 7690244
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the permeability to gases of the wall of a hollow body (6) made of polymeric material, characterized: in that it comprises a first conditioning step during which a flushing gas flushes said hollow body (6), and a second measuring step during which a measurement gas is introduced into said hollow body (6); in that the flow of flushing gas is greater than the flow of the measurement gas, and; the flushing gas is sent into the hollow body (6) without mixing with the measurement gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventor: Yann Pernel
  • Patent number: 7690245
    Abstract: A device tests at least one quality parameter of a fluid in fluid apparatuses, e.g., working cylinders (10), hydraulic accumulators, valves, filter housings, pressure tubes, which at least temporarily accommodate a given fluid volume in at least one fluid chamber (12, 14). The fluid volume is stored in a storage unit (16) with the aid of a control mechanism (16) after being discharged from the fluid apparatus in order to be redirected from there into a measuring element (22, 24) to verify the respective quality parameter of the fluid. The inventive device makes it possible to specifically obtain a statement about the operability of the respective fluid apparatus within a very short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hydac Filtertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Jung
  • Patent number: 7690246
    Abstract: A system and methodology is provided for dynamically adjusting fluids that operate as a lubricant in a machine. The system includes a control module having a processor and one or more sensors providing data to the processor in situ with the machine, wherein the processor employs the data to monitor the fluid. One or more inputs are provided to receive a plurality of additives that are associated with the fluid, wherein actuators are employed by the processor to dispense the additives to the fluid. The processor dispenses the fluid based upon one or more parameters of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick M. Discenzo
  • Patent number: 7690247
    Abstract: Autonomous biobuoy for detecting a characteristic of a marine biosphere and method of assembling the biobuoy. An autonomous biobuoy is provided for detecting a characteristic of a marine biosphere, comprising a detector assembly for detecting the characteristic of the marine biosphere, the detector assembly capable of generating a detector assembly output signal responsive to the characteristic detected thereby and a transmitter coupled to said detector assembly for broadcasting the detector assembly output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David Lapota, Gregory Wayne Anderson, Stephen Lieberman
  • Patent number: 7690248
    Abstract: This is a probe that can be used to measure any curl on a stack of sheets in a sheet stacking tray. In printing systems including electrophotographic systems, sheets tend to curl on edge portions. This curl can adversely affect the final copy and copies fed to finishing stations. This probe lightly contacts the upper stack surface and detects sheet curl especially on the edge portions of the stack. The probe measures deviations of the surface as compared to a starting point defined on the terminal edge of the stack. The information provided by the probe is then fed to a user or controlled for transmission to a correcting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Moore
  • Patent number: 7690249
    Abstract: A method for detecting a jammed charge movement flap of an internal combustion engine, a volumetric air flow of the internal combustion engine being ascertained as a measured volumetric air flow and as a modeled volumetric air flow. In the event of a deviation of the measured volumetric air flow from the modeled volumetric air flow which is greater than a predefined value, a jammed charge movement flap is automatically detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Jung, Joerg Fischer
  • Patent number: 7690250
    Abstract: A method for measuring ocean surface currents using a long-range single station high frequency ground wave radar system includes the steps of forming a rectilinear grid based region, dividing the rectilinear grid into a plurality of sub-regions each having a uniform surface current flow therewithin, spanning each sub-region with a predetermined plurality of radial beam lines from the single radar station, dividing each radial beam line into a pre-selected plurality of radial sub-nodes, measuring radial surface current vector projection at each radial sub-node, inputting each radial surface current vector projection into a multiple regression model having two regressors, determining, with the multiple regression model, surface vector components along each of x and y axis, storing the surface vector components determined in step (g) to a database, and editing, with equation of continuity based algorithm, plurality of surface vector components stored in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Hickey
  • Patent number: 7690251
    Abstract: The present invention provides a marine reversing gear assembly, wherein a manual directional control valve 7a and an electromagnetic directional control valve 7b for a forward/reverse directional control valve 7 for hydraulic oil supply circuit 10 have a common structure of an oil line joint surface for the hydraulic oil supply circuit 10 for friction discs of a forward clutch 2f and a reverse clutch 2a, and the forward/reverse directional control valve 7 for the hydraulic oil supply circuit 10 can be changed to either the manual directional control valve 7a or the electromagnetic directional control valve 7b by exchanging spools 7c or 7e of the manual directional control valve 7a or the electromagnetic directional control valve 7b. Therefore, the operational manner of the forward/reverse directional control valve for the hydraulic oil supply line of a marine reversing gear assembly can be changed quite easily between the manual directional control valve and the electromagnetic directional control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Harada, Yoshiaki Terasawa, Naoyuki Oga, Hideo Misao
  • Patent number: 7690252
    Abstract: A flooded bin measurement system is provided that includes a submarine sampler for ascending and descending within a liquid of a bin and for measuring the depth of fluid at the submarine sampler's location. In one embodiment, the submarine sampler may ascend and descend along a vertical guide based on adjustments to it buoyancy compared with the liquid in the bin, which may be controlled manually and/or automatically. The measurement system may include a bubbler system for measuring hydrostatic pressure at the submarine sampler for determining its depth within the fluid of the bin. The submarine sampler may include a device having a hollow interior, an open bottom and an air supply line connected to the hollow interior. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the submarine sampler may be fixed to a line that is connected to a counterweight at its opposite end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Mosaic Company
    Inventor: Victor M Reeves
  • Patent number: 7690253
    Abstract: A fall detecting method and a device for detecting a fall with high accuracy even when an object touches a human or a thing while falling. The fall detecting device has an output detecting part for generating an acceleration detection output after comparing the magnitude of acceleration detected by a three-axis acceleration sensor with a certain threshold, an output interruption correcting part for generating an output interruption corrected acceleration output which is corrected for an interruption when a fall acceleration output recovers within a first predetermined time after the fall acceleration output interrupts, and an output continuation time judging part for generating a fall judgment output when the output interruption corrected acceleration output continues for a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Noda, Isao Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 7690254
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) includes a housing defining an enclosed cavity, stator tines extending from the housing into the cavity, a MEMS device located within the cavity, the MEMS device including a proof mass and rotor tines extending from the proof mass, each rotor tine being positioned at a capacitive distance from a corresponding stator tine. The rotor tines include a first section extending a first distance from an insulating layer of the rotor tines and a second section extending a second distance from the insulating layer in an opposite direction from the first section. The stator tines include a first section extending a first distance from an insulating layer of the stator tines and a second section extending a second distance from the insulating layer in an opposite direction from the first section, the stator tine first distance being greater than the rotor tine first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jorg Pilchowski, Uwe Pilchowski, legal representative, Michael J. Foster, Shifang Zhou
  • Patent number: 7690255
    Abstract: A three-axis inertial sensor and a process for its fabrication using an silicon-on-oxide (SOI) wafer as a starting material. The SOI wafer has a first conductive layer separated from a second conductive layer by an insulative buried oxide (BOX) layer. The SOI wafer is fabricated to partially define in its first conductive layer at least portions of proof masses for z, x, and y-axis sensing devices of the sensor. After a conductive deposited layer is deposited and patterned to form a suspension spring for the proof mass of the z-axis sensing device, the SOI wafer is bonded to a substrate that preferably carries interface circuitry for the z, x, and y-axis devices, with the SOI wafer being oriented so that its first conductive layer faces the substrate. Portions of the BOX layer are then etched to fully release the proof masses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Evigia Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bishnu Prasanna Gogoi, Navid Yazdi
  • Patent number: 7690256
    Abstract: To provide a Colpitts oscillation circuit formed with a quartz resonator and a transistor amplifier circuit, which can secure sufficient negative resistance, obtain stable oscillation, negate the need for an amplitude control circuit, and realize stabilization against temperature variations. In order to solve the problem, a structure in which the impedance of a tuning circuit provided in a collector of the transistor exhibits inductivity at the oscillation frequency is provided. The impedance ratio at the oscillation frequency of a capacitor C2 connected between a base and an emitter to a capacitor C3 connected between the emitter and a ground, of the transistor is set at 3 to 1 or more. Furthermore, the impedance of capacity C2 connected between the base and the emitter at the oscillation frequency is set at 300 ? or more. A bias resistance R1 connected between the collector and the base of the transistor is set at 3 k? or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehito Ishii, Shunichi Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 7690257
    Abstract: In a method and a device for testing a weld seam (8), located on the inner surface of a reactor pressure vessel (2), by which the outer circumference of an instrumentation nozzle (4) leading into the interior of this reactor pressure vessel (2) is welded onto the reactor pressure vessel (2), an ultrasound test probe (20) with a linear ultrasound transducer array (30) is inserted into the instrumentation nozzle (4), which ultrasound transducer array (30) is parallel to the central axis (12) of the instrumentation nozzle (4) in terms of its longitudinal direction, and is used to couple a transmitted ultrasound signal (S) into the instrumentation nozzle (4) in the region of the weld seam (8) and to receive a reflected ultrasound signal (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Intelligendt Systems & Services GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Meier, Thomas Rehfeldt, Peter Kaluza
  • Patent number: 7690258
    Abstract: An impact elastic wave test is conducted to measure propagating waves in a pipe to be examined, a frequency spectrum of the propagating waves is analyzed, and at least a spectral area value in a first frequency region and a spectral area value in a second frequency region of the frequency spectrum are evaluated, thereby determining a type of a deteriorated state of the buried pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., Gifu University
    Inventors: Takushi Minagi, Hiroshi Iida, Masanori Asano, Toshiro Kamada
  • Patent number: 7690259
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which permit inspection of uniquely shaped structures such as fuselage frames and shear ties. Probes may be constructed from rapid prototyping. Inspection may be performed manually and may use a portable function support system for delivering fluid couplant, controlling transmit and receive functions of the inspection sensors, and delivering immediate visual analysis for an operator. Integrated ultrasonic inspection apparatus, systems, and methods facilitate fast and efficient custom inspection devices and inspecting otherwise difficult-to-inspect structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Hien T. Bui, Fred D. Young, Mark A. Lee, Richard C. Krotzer, Clyde T. Uyehara, Barry A. Fetzer
  • Patent number: 7690260
    Abstract: A system for ultrasonic profiling of a weld sample includes a carriage movable in opposite first and second directions. An ultrasonic sensor is coupled to the carriage to move over the sample as the carriage moves. An encoder determines the position of the carriage to determine the position of the sensor. A spring is connected at one end of the carriage. Upon the carriage being moved in the first direction toward the spring such that the carriage and the sensor are at a beginning position and the spring is compressed the spring decompresses to push the carriage back along the second direction to move the carriage and the sensor from the beginning position to an ending position. The encoder triggers the sensor to take the ultrasonic measurements of the sample when the sensor is at predetermined positions while the sensor moves over the sample between the beginning and positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Ford Motor Company, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: James Panyard, Timothy Potter, William Charron, Deborah Hopkins, Frederic Reverdy