Patents Issued in April 20, 2010
  • Patent number: 7698914
    Abstract: A padlock includes a base, a combination controlled lock unit having a shaft passing through a top hole of the base into an accommodation chamber of the base, three combination wheels rotatably sleeved onto the shaft, and three retaining wheels sleeved onto the shaft and respectively engaged with the combination wheels, a driving member connected with the shaft, two shackles having bottom ends respectively connected to the base and top ends detachably engaged with each other, and a latch connected with the shaft so as to be driven to move between a locking position where a block portion of the latch stops at least pivotable one of the shackles from movement for ensuring engagement of the top ends of the shackles and a unlocking position where the block portion moves away from the pivotable shackle for allowing disengagement of the top ends of the shackles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Sam Ma
  • Patent number: 7698915
    Abstract: A locking device includes a first and second body members that may optionally include laterally projecting arms. A retainer element has end portions respectively received in the interiors of the first and second body members and mechanically links them for longitudinal movement between collapsed and expanded orientations. The retainer element also moves between a retain position and a release position that respectively secure the body members in the collapsed orientation and allows them to move to the expanded orientation. A lock core is operative to engage the retainer element. In a locked state, the lock core holds the retainer element in the retain position and in an unlocked state that moves the retainer element to the release position. A shackle may extend between arms on the first and second body members in order to enclose a locking region when the bodies are in the collapsed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Philip W. Wyers
  • Patent number: 7698916
    Abstract: A lock with a core rotatable in an intermediate shell that is rotatable in an outer shell of the lock's body resists attack by the application of excessive torque to the keyway or drilling into the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Videx, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Davis
  • Patent number: 7698917
    Abstract: An electronically controlled lock with a single throw acting as a passage lock and also as a deadbolt lock is provided by the invention. The lock is equipped with an electronic activation device on its exterior housing and a door lever on its internal housing. A user unlocks the door from outside by touching an electronic key against the electronic activation device. After the door is unlocked, the throw acts as a passage lock. The door can be locked internally by moving the door lever from a horizontal position upwardly to a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Handytrac Systems, LLC
    Inventors: John Lie-Nielsen, Tibor Szenti
  • Patent number: 7698918
    Abstract: One embodiment of an electric door lock according to the present invention is interchangeable between fail safe and fail secure modes and comprises a housing for receiving the internal components of the door lock. A latch bolt is mounted within the housing and is movable from partially extending from and retracted into the housing. A doorknob is mounted to the housing and is rotatable to retract the latch bolt. A solenoid assembly is also mounted within the housing and can be interchangeably arranged to cause the lock to operate a fail secure mode wherein the doorknob is prevented from retracting the latch bolt when the solenoid is not energized, or a fail safe mode wherein the doorknob is allowed to retract the latch bolt when the solenoid is not energized. The solenoid is nested in place within the housing in both modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Security Door Controls
    Inventors: Arthur Geringer, David Geringer, Richard Geringer
  • Patent number: 7698919
    Abstract: Disclosed is a locking device which comprises a housing, and a cylinder device rotating within the housing, wherein the housing is provided with a protrusion therein to prevent the cylinder device from being rotated, and the cylinder device includes a motor, a cylinder receiving the motor, a tilting mechanism located at the front of the cylinder, having an upper portion tilted to be fixed to the protrusion of the housing by forward rotation of the motor and a recess released from the protrusion of the housing by reverse rotation of the motor, and a locking plate adapter fixed to the tilting mechanism, and a locking plate fixed to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Gab-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 7698920
    Abstract: The portability of a mechanical key and a locking/unlocking key having the mechanical key is improved. The mechanical key is housed in a portable device in such a manner that a key plate is folded into two at a portion formed with an inner groove. Thus, the housing space for housing the mechanical key can be reduced and the portable device can be made smaller. Accordingly, the portability of the locking/unlocking key can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Jun Yamaguchi, Noriyasu Shamoto, Toshiharu Katagiri
  • Patent number: 7698921
    Abstract: A cylinder and key combination including a pin operated cylinder including a cylinder body, a plug rotatable within the cylinder body and defining a keyway and first pin assemblies and at least one second pin assembly communicating with the keyway and being selectably positionable by key cuts on a key inserted into the keyway for positioning the pin assemblies with respect to a shear line between the cylinder body and the plug to permit rotation of the plug with respect to the cylinder body and a key, including a shank defining at least one planar surface configured to define a longitudinally extending key-cut region thereon, the longitudinally extending region having formed thereon a plurality of first key cuts configured to position a plurality of first pins at a desired shear line position and having pre-formed thereon at least one second key cut configured to position a corresponding at least one second pin assembly at a desired shear line position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Mul-T-Lock Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Avi Almagor, Dani Markbreit
  • Patent number: 7698922
    Abstract: A permanent invisible magnetic marking and positioning system of unfinished ferrous rods, bars, workpieces, and the like. A midpoint, center or other point of the workpiece is automatically located and a high-energy pulse is applied for installing an embedded magnetic marker. The magnetizing heads can also be repositioned to various points on a workpiece for imparting digital manufacturing and product identification in a data strobe pulse, that is analogous to a picket fence, where each picket provides a weighted binary representation in a data array comprised of data cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Donald M. Danko, Joseph H. Taddeo
  • Patent number: 7698923
    Abstract: A method of and an installation for exchange of roll sets (5, 6) contemplate provision of a number of separate transversely displaceable carriages (9, 10, 11), whereby individual worn-out working roll sets (6) are displaced along a single connection track (14) by a single locomotive (21) in a roll workshop (20), and a new working roll set (6a) is displaced back to an installation position, and wherein during formation of a gap (12) in front of a rolling mill stand (2, 3, 4), a withdrawn backup roll set (5) is transported by a crane in the roll workshop and back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Harald Rackel
  • Patent number: 7698924
    Abstract: A method of forming a chamfered through hole having a chamfered portion at each end thereof by: forming a prepared hole in a plate-like portion; forming a first chamfered portion by driving a first punch; forming a second chamfered portion by driving a second punch, which has a second tapered surface and a generally columnar central pressing portion protruding from the center of the second tapered surface and having an annular corner at a tip thereof, and thereby forming the second chamfered portion and a central recess recessed axially inward; and punching out an unnecessary portion protruding radially inward of the prepared hole by using a finishing punch having an outer diameter equal to or smaller than that of the corner of the central pressing portion. The punching out the unnecessary portion is performed by punching from the first chamfered portion toward the second chamfered portion using the finishing punch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Nakajima, Hideyuki Nagai, Kazushi Nagashima, Ariyoshi Terao
  • Patent number: 7698925
    Abstract: A crimper tool for closing a pipe support assembly having first and second locking members. The crimper tool includes a first member having a first handle and a first jaw with a first engagement surface for engaging the second locking member. The crimper tool also includes a second member pivotally coupled to the first member and having a second handle and second jaw with a second engagement surface for engaging the first locking member, an upper support surface for engaging an outside surface of the support assembly, a guide surface for engaging a second end of the support assembly, and a lower support surface for engaging an inside surface of the support assembly. Squeezing the first and second handles together pivots the first and second members thereby moving the first and second jaws toward one another and urging the first and second locking members together to lockingly engage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Robert B. Dodge
  • Patent number: 7698926
    Abstract: An energy harvesting system and method. An array of cantilevers with PZT films is electrically connected to an energy harvesting device that converts vibration energy to electrical energy. An AC output signal provided by the cantilevers can be rectified to a DC output, thereby avoiding impairment in total electrical output. The DC output terminals can be connected in parallel and/or in series in order to achieve a higher voltage and/or a higher current that prevents the output from different cantilevers from counteracting one another. The connection circuitry includes one or more rectifying components integrated with one or more micro-cantilevers into a single integrated circuit chip. An oscillograph can be utilized to monitor the DC output voltage signal from an associated testing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Xinhui Mao, HuaBin Fang
  • Patent number: 7698927
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring atmospheric water content, are provided. The method includes measuring a first air temperature and a first air pressure at a first location in a compressor, measuring a second air temperature and a second air pressure at a second location in the compressor, computing a ratio of specific heats from the first and second air temperatures and the first and second air pressures, and determining an atmospheric water content from the ratio of specific heats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles B. Spinelli, Brian J. Tillotson, Tamaira E. Ross
  • Patent number: 7698928
    Abstract: New methods and apparatus are described for assessing the integrity of a separation module or filtration system. A principle embodiment concerns use of a transient pulse of challenge species to probe a spiral wound module. The resulting time-dependent concentration of challenge species in the permeate is detected, recorded, and compared to a reference. An apparatus is further claimed for detecting permeate conductivity at multiple points within the permeate collection tube of a spiral wound module. Also disclosed is a process whereby the permeate stream from a filtration system is concentration by a high recovery membrane apparatus prior to measurement of challenge species concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Douglas Jons, Jon E. Johnson, Michael A. Fialkowski
  • Patent number: 7698929
    Abstract: A method for determining storage stability for a plurality of fluid lubricant samples of different lubricating oil compositions is provided. Each sample includes a combination of one or more base oils and one or more lubricating oil additives. The methods can advantageously be optimized using combinatorial chemistry, in which a database of combinations of lubricating oil additives or lubricating oil compositions containing such additives is generated. As market conditions vary and/or product requirements or customer specifications change, conditions suitable for forming desired products can be identified with little or no downtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron Oronite Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert H. Wollenberg, Thomas J. Balk
  • Patent number: 7698930
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for characterizing flow of magneto-rheological suspensions through microchannels. The apparatus includes a pump for pumping a the magneto-rheological suspension; a microchannel hydraulically coupled to the pump and configured to receive the magneto-rheological suspension from the pump; a manifold hydraulically coupled between an outlet of the microchannel and the pump; a static pressure tap configured to convey a static pressure of the manifold; a pressure sensor hydraulically coupled to the pressure tap and configured to receive the static pressure conveyed therefrom; and a magnet positioned to direct a magnetic field toward the microchannel and contents disposed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Faramarz Gordaninejad, Joseph L. Whiteley
  • Patent number: 7698931
    Abstract: A fuel pressure sensor diagnosing device for diagnosing a fuel pressure sensor for detecting pressure in a common rail in which a high-pressure fuel to be supplied to an engine is accumulated, the device comprising: fuel temperature detection for detecting fuel temperature; and failure determination, provided with the fuel temperature detection for detecting fuel temperature via subsequent to stopping of the engine, for obtaining a resting and stabilization time between when the pressure in the common rail drops and when the pressure stabilizes on the basis of this detected fuel temperature, detecting a stabilized fuel pressure via the fuel pressure sensor subsequent to lapse of the resting and stabilization time, and determining a failure of the fuel pressure sensor when the detected stabilized fuel pressure exceeds a predetermined upper limit threshold value or is less than a predetermined lower limit threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Akira Hanari, Kouichirou Yomogida
  • Patent number: 7698932
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for measuring uneven wear of starter brushes for a vehicle which can accurately measure and compare the lengths of the starter brushes and easily determine whether or not eccentricity of an armature occurs, the device comprising: a hollow support; a receiving plate formed integrally with the outer circumferential surface of an upper portion of the hollow support to accommodate a plurality of brushes; a lifting body liftably inserted into the inside of the hollow support; a plurality of detection rods slidably connected to the outer circumferential surface of an upper portion of the lifting body and moving forward or backward toward the brushes; a lift driving means for driving the lifting body; a plurality of measuring sensors for measuring the lengths of the brushes by means of the detection rods; and an LCD panel for displaying the measured lengths; and a control unit for controlling the lift driving means, the measuring sensors and the LCD panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Min-Ho Kim, Bum Soo Kim, Yu Jin Bae
  • Patent number: 7698933
    Abstract: A method and device for estimating temperature of gases arising from internal combustion of an engine at the entrance to a system for post-treatment of the gases. The post-treatment system is downstream from a system for treatment of the gases, which may include a nitrogen oxide NOx trap, an oxidation catalyst, or a 4-way catalyst. The systems connect to each other by a line, wherein the treatment system is considered as the whole of a whole finite number n of fictive elementary reactors Ri that are perfectly agitated and serially connected, wherein the total number n of fictive elementary reactors Ri is determined, in particular as a function of volume of the treatment system, and the fictive elementary reactors Ri are numbered from 1 to n in the gas flow direction along the treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Renalt S.A.S.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Poilane, Pascal Barrillon, Olivier Meurisse, Fabrice Gauvin
  • Patent number: 7698934
    Abstract: A procedure specifically for the execution of a diagnosis of an emission treatment system is being introduced. The pressure of the reagent between the first and second valve and/or between the second valve and the injector valve is measured and the pressure measuring signal are the basis of the diagnosis. The first and second valve, are opened in an alternating cycle, where the opening time, and/or the period duration of the first and second valves are set in such a way that the emerging diagnostic flow volume is smaller than the measuring flow volume. The procedures pursuant to the invention thereby reduce the influence of dynamic precursors of the reagent flow in the reagent line and enables, aside from an increase in reliability of the diagnosis results, a diagnosis possibility of small leakages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Reusing, Stefan Stein, Ralf Scholl, Guenter Keusen, Carsten Bork
  • Patent number: 7698935
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for an engine includes a pressure monitoring module that determines a plurality of first average pressure values and a plurality of second average pressure values of a fluid supply provided to a camshaft phaser. A diagnostic module identifies one of a plurality of cylinders associated with a failed variable valve lift mechanism based on the first and the second average pressure values. Each of the first and the second average pressure values respectively correspond to each of the plurality of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Donovan L. Dibble, Kenneth J. Cinpinski, Matthew A. Wiles, Vimesh M. Patel
  • Patent number: 7698936
    Abstract: Fuel gauges for fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. Each fuel gauge has a property that is readable by an electrical circuit. These properties are related to the remaining fuel in the fuel supplies. These properties include, but are not limited to, electrical capacitance, magnetic, semi-conducting resistance, bi-metal resistance, and oscillating magnetic field. These fuel gauges are functional at any fuel supply orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 7698937
    Abstract: A sensor system for detecting defects in a tubular string while positioned in the well includes a sensor tool (10) comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced sensors (40) arranged in two or more axially spaced rows. A plurality of sensors are positioned in each row, with each sensor positioned on one of a plurality of sensor support pads. Sensors within a row may include sensors with axes inclined at different angles, and each of the plurality of sensor pads may move from a radially retracted run-in position to a radially extended sensing position. A flexible line (50) may be used for lowering a sensor tool in the well and retrieving the sensor tool from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Deitmar J. Neidhardt
  • Patent number: 7698938
    Abstract: To provide a flowmeter producing stable measurement results and coincidentally achieving miniaturization, a bent portion is provided in a flow path located between an inlet port of fluids to the flowmeter and a second flow path at which a sensor detecting a flow rate is positioned, thus forming at a sensor an almost uniform flow-velocity distribution in cross-section of the fluids and a reproducible and constant flow-velocity distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Inagaki, Isamu Warashina
  • Patent number: 7698939
    Abstract: A system for sensing a fuel level includes sensors that sense the fuel level and a voltage source that applies a constant voltage to the sensors for a predetermined time. The system includes a control module that measures outputs of the sensors at a beginning and at an end of the predetermined time. The control module determines a number of the sensors that are submersed in fuel or air based on the outputs and calculates the fuel level based on the number of the sensors that are submersed in fuel or air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Lavern M. Bremmer, Michael R. Teets, Trevor L. Enge, Greg Schoenberg
  • Patent number: 7698940
    Abstract: A device for determining and/or monitoring the fill level of a medium in a container, including: a first conductive element; a second conductive element; and a sealing ceramic. The sealing ceramic being arranged in a region between the two conductive elements, for the purpose of process separation. A first seal, which is provided between the first conductive element and the sealing ceramic, a second seal, which is provided between the sealing ceramic and the second conductive element, and a control/evaluation unit, which determines the fill level of the medium in the container on the basis of a capacitance measurement or on the basis of a measuring of travel time of measurement signals are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Osswald, Ralf Reimelt
  • Patent number: 7698941
    Abstract: In a sensing unit according to the present invention, a spring portion having a support portion and a movable portion is conductive. A signal of a sensor portion provided on the movable portion of the spring portion is transmitted via the spring portion. Hence, the sensing unit according to the present invention has a simple constitution with a small number of components, and a wire does not necessarily have to be provided for each sensor portion. As a result, a reduction in manufacturing cost, simplification of the manufacturing process, and so on are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Headway Technologies, Inc., SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Sasaki, Tatsushi Shimizu, Takehiro Horinaka, Kazuo Ishizaki, Shigeki Tanemura
  • Patent number: 7698942
    Abstract: A Stall Warning System (SWS) utilizing the detection and analysis of stress waves, (i.e., ultrasound) emitted by combustion and/or turbulent flow processes of an apparatus, such as a turbine engine, for example. Upon detection of an impending stall condition, the SWS can inform the operator, inform another electronic device (computer, etc.) and/or latch the event for review by maintenance personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation
    Inventor: David B Board
  • Patent number: 7698943
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating pressure containers made of a composite material by acoustic emission testing. The method comprises the steps: (a) determining a sufficient number of internal pressure-dependent acoustic emission characteristics (AE characteristics) of pressure containers from identical production that have been classified as being without defects in predetermined phases of a time-controlled pressure acting upon the pressure container (AE test procedure) with one or more acoustic emission channels (AE channels) using acoustic emission sensors (AE sensors) of a predetermined position (one AE characteristic per AE sensor or AE channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Bam Bundesanstalt Fuer Materialforschung und-Pruefung
    Inventors: Juergen Bohse, Georg M. Mair
  • Patent number: 7698944
    Abstract: Even in measurement in which the measurement time is limited to a short time, soundness of a spot weld zone can be evaluated with high reliability without being influenced by a positional deviation between an ultrasonic probe and the spot weld zone and the coupling condition between an ultrasonic probe and a metal sheet. Specifically, ultrasonic waves propagating along the surface of a test object are transmitted in a plurality of directions from a plurality of wave sending positions outside the spot weld zone in metal sheets (1a, 1b), and ultrasonic waves propagating along the surface of the test object with propagation paths not including the spot weld zone and ultrasonic waves propagating along the surface of the test object with propagation paths including the spot weld zone are received at a plurality of wave receiving positions outside the spot weld zone to evaluate the soundness of the spot weld zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Takada
  • Patent number: 7698945
    Abstract: A method of detecting an internal flaw in a particulate filter includes a step of coupling ultrasonic transducer with the particulate filter. The method also includes a step of moving at least one of the ultrasonic transducer and the particulate filter relative to the other. Consistent coupling of the ultrasonic transducer with the particulate filter is maintained during the moving step. Ultrasonic energy is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer through a majority of a volume of the particulate filter. The method also includes a step of determining if the particulate filter includes an internal flaw using the ultrasonic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Fei, Jade Katinas, Leonard G. Wheat, Linxiao Yu, Douglas A. Rebinsky
  • Patent number: 7698946
    Abstract: Systems and Methods are disclosed for the detection and imaging of ultrasonic energy. Embodiments of the invention utilize an array of ultrasonic sensors where data from each of the sensors are processed by RMS-to-DC conversion. In addition, embodiments of the invention output a contour map based on detected ultrasonic energy and blend at least one feature of the contour map with a feature of a visible image so that a blended image can be displayed to an operator. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for repositioning an array of ultrasonic sensors with respect to target area or Unit Under Test (UUT) to facilitate a thorough and repeatable test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Burton Roland Clarke, Ryan Paul Allgaier
  • Patent number: 7698947
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which use a sensor holder constructed from rapid prototyping, such as stereolithography, and which is configured to support a plurality of inspection sensors typically arranged in an ordered matrix array and possibly with one or more additional inspection sensors aligned for inspection of difficult to inspect features of a structure such as radius corner or edge features. Rapid prototype integrated matrix array inspection apparatus, systems, and methods provide fast and efficient methods of constructing custom inspection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Dennis P. Sarr
  • Patent number: 7698948
    Abstract: Encoded transmission and reception which reduces time side lobe are realized while suppressing increase of circuit scale. Transmission signals corresponding to a composite modulation code sequence composed from two or more modulation code sequences are outputted as transmission signals. A reception means demodulates reception signals stepwise by two or more demodulators. The demodulator can be thereby divided into two or more stages, and therefore with a circuit scale corresponding to the sum of the operation circuit numbers of two or more demodulators, time side lobe reduction effect can be obtained at a level equivalent to that obtainable with a circuit scale corresponding to the product of the operation circuit numbers of two or more demodulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Asafusa, Ryuichi Shinomura
  • Patent number: 7698949
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting and monitoring bolted joints of metallic and composite structures for defects such as delamination and fatigue cracking are provided that incorporate ultrasonic transducers with load bearing washers. These active washers may be used for inspecting and monitoring a structure beneath such load bearing fasteners as bolts and nuts. Active washers may be used for continuous, periodic, and controlled inspections of bolted joints. Ultrasonic transducers may be permanently applied to a surface of a washer or recessed in a cavity on a surface of the washer. Inspection signals may be transmitted from ultrasonic transducers into a structure and reflected in pulse-echo application or received by another active washer on the opposing side of the structure in a through-transmission application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aydin Akdeniz, Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, Matthew C. Malkin
  • Patent number: 7698950
    Abstract: An absolute pressure transducer for outputting a signal indicative of an absolute pressure of a process to be measured is provided. The pressure transducer consists of a pressure-tight pressure port, which is connectable to the process, a housing accommodating pressure sensors and a common circuit board, a first pressure sensor, which analogically detects a difference between the process pressure and an ambient pressure inside the housing, a second pressure sensor, which detects the ambient pressure inside the housing as an absolute pressure, and the common circuit board, which is connected to both the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor and furthermore has a data processing unit. Here, the second pressure sensor is adapted to issue an electronic signal indicative of the ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: WIKA Alexander Wiegand GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alexander Kraatz
  • Patent number: 7698951
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus for determining the pressure of a fluid includes first and second support members. The first and second support members are configured to define at least one sealed chamber. A flexible diaphragm is disposed between the first and second support members. The diaphragm includes first and second opposing surfaces. The first opposing surface is in fluid communication with a first fluid-flow circuit, and the second opposing surface is in fluid communication with a second fluid-flow circuit. A first electronic circuit is disposed within the at least one chamber and coupled to the diaphragm for sensing a first differential pressure associated with the first and second flow circuits. The first electronic circuit is configured to produce at least one electrical signal proportional to a magnitude of the first differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Brown, Curtis Rahn
  • Patent number: 7698952
    Abstract: At least one pair of capacitively coupled electrodes contained in a structure is used to sense the deflection of a diaphragm in a pressure or force sensor for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the diaphragm. Preferably the structure has properties (such as one or more of the following: dimensions, hardness, area and flexibility) that are substantially the same as those of a real substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer or flat panel display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne G. Renken, Mei H. Sun, Aron Abramowski Mason, Lynn Karl Wiese
  • Patent number: 7698953
    Abstract: A measuring device comprising: a sensor (1) with at least one electromechanical transducer (10); at least one electrical generator connected to said transducer; and means for measuring the electrical input impedance of the transducer. Said sensor (1) has an empty space (12) passing therethrough within which a substance (14) can flow, and said transducer (10) is situated at the periphery of said empty space (12) in such a manner as to be subjected to a mechanical load characteristic of the substance (14) flowing in said space (12), the measured electrical impedance being a function of said load. The device is suitable for use in a measuring apparatus seeking to determine the density of the substance (14) flowing inside said tubular space (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Institut Francais de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer, Institut Superieur de l'Electronique et du Numerique
    Inventors: Bernard Hamonic, Max Mastail, Yves Mevel, Roland Person, Jean-Yves Ragon, Alain Loussert
  • Patent number: 7698954
    Abstract: A flowmeter is disclosed. The flowmeter includes a vibratable flowtube, and a driver connected to the flowtube that is operable to impart motion to the flowtube. A sensor is connected to the flowtube and is operable to sense the motion of the flowtube and generate a sensor signal. A controller is connected to receive the sensor signal. The controller is operable to determine an individual flow rate of each phase within a multi-phase flow through the flowtube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Tombs, Manus P. Henry, Mihaela D. Duta, Robbie Lansangan, Robert E. Dutton, Wade M. Mattar
  • Patent number: 7698956
    Abstract: A Coriolis flow meter (11) with a vibrating direction restriction means includes flow tubes (13, 13), a drive means (14) for driving the flow tubes (13, 13), and phase difference detection means (15, 15) for detecting a phase difference in proportion to a Coriolis force. The Coriolis flow meter further includes plate springs (16, 16) functioning as vibrating direction restriction means, and a flow tube fixing member (17) also functioning as a vibrating direction restriction means and serving to fix the flow tubes (13, 13) in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Oval Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakao
  • Patent number: 7698957
    Abstract: A measurement transducer includes: At least one interconnected system formed by means of at least two components, especially components of metal. At least the first component of the interconnected system is, in such case, embodied as a composite, formed part composed of at least two materials, which differ from one another with respect to at least one physical and/or chemical property, especially a material density, melting temperature, coefficient of thermal expansion and/or modulus of elasticity, etc. As a result of using at least one composite component, the at least two components of the interconnected system can be bonded together lastingly and reliably, especially by means of welding, such being true especially also for the case in which the interconnected system is a bi-, or poly-, metal, interconnected system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Wolfgang Drahm, Rainer Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7698958
    Abstract: A differential pressure system and a gas meter arrangement for precisely measuring a gas consumption by a gas meter is provided. A previously known gas meter is disposed in a bypass comprising a differential pressure system in the gas pipe for measuring a volumetric flow rate inside the gas pipe. The differential pressure system includes flow ducts having decreasing diameters as the radial position increases starting from a central axis of the differential pressure system. Examples of execution include inlet ports and/or outlet ports of the flow ducts which are provided with a specific countersink angle (?), and an equidistant, concentric arrangement of flow ducts on the cross-sectional area of the differential pressure system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hydrometer GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Matter, Thomas Kleiner, Beat Kramer
  • Patent number: 7698959
    Abstract: A torque measuring device for measuring the torque of a rotatable shaft. A sensing unit senses the torque on the rotatable shaft. The sensing unit is disposed on the outer surface of the rotatable shaft. A reporting unit is configured to report the torque applied to the rotatable shaft to a central control unit. The reporting unit is mounted at an end of the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Micro-Poise Measurement Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Raymond, Douglas Baker
  • Patent number: 7698960
    Abstract: An assembly for measuring force at a friction coupling, more particularly in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes an outer plate carrier (6) at which outer plates (7) are held so as to be rotationally secured and in a way so as to be axially displaceable, wherein at least one of the outer plates (7) comprises an outer cam (12); an inner plate carrier (8) at which inner plates (9) are held in a rotationally fast way and in a way so as to be axially displaceable; wherein the outer plates (7) and the inner plates (9) are arranged so as to alternate in the axial direction, while jointly forming a plate package (10); a force measuring device arranged in such a way that, upon actuation of the friction coupling (3), it is loaded by the cam (12) in an operating direction extending at a distance from, and transversely to, the longitudinal axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Theodor Gassmann, Nikolaus Mayr, Mark Schmidt, Ralph Mertens, Kurt Müller
  • Patent number: 7698961
    Abstract: The ability of a person to grasp an object and at the same time to feel, as well as to determine mechanical and geometric parameters of the comprehended object, makes him or her irreplaceable for many tasks, i.e. in production or in surgery. The translation of this ability into a technological system has often failed up to now due to lack of special adjusted sensors. The object of this invention is a sensory device, which fulfills the requirements for a tactile sensor system and at the same time affords a cost-effective and simple manufacturing alternative to other sensor principles. The layer structure of the sensor element is so constructed that by effect of an external force of the current by a resistive layer a path is disposed to narrowing or enlargement. The voltage drop over this resistive layer is dependent upon the acting external force and serves as signal sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Novineon Healthcare Technology Partners GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Schostek, Chi-Nghia Ho, Marc Oliver Schurr, Daniel Kalanovic
  • Patent number: 7698962
    Abstract: A sensor interface is disclosed including a flexible substrate in which are embedded sensors for measuring physical parameters such as temperature, displacement, velocity, acceleration, stress, strain, pressure and force present between objects such as a railcar bearing and a truck side frame. The substrate is positioned between the objects of interest Electronic components such as a data processing unit, a data storage device, a communication device and a power source may also be embedded within the substrate. The electronic devices communicate with one another and the sensors to process signals generated by the sensors indicative of the parameters being measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William LeFebvre, Michael J. McCann, Frank Backo, III, Andrew H. Martin
  • Patent number: 7698963
    Abstract: A force-sensing device has a yoke having a location of force introduction for a force to be measured acting in a predetermined direction. A measuring spring has a first end rigidly connected to the yoke and is elastically deformable by the force to be measured. The measuring spring has a second end arranged on a support rigidly connectable to a machine frame. First predetermined measuring locations are provided that detect and evaluate a deformation of the measuring spring caused by the force to be measured. Parallel and spaced apart bending springs are connected to the yoke in such a way that the yoke is always guided in parallel in a transverse direction that is transverse to the predetermined direction of the force to be measured. Second predetermined measuring locations are provided on the bending springs and detect a transverse deformation caused by a force in the transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Honigmann Industrielle Elektronik GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Herhaus
  • Patent number: 7698964
    Abstract: A gear having a thin-walled section formed on one end face among two end faces of a tooth in a tooth-width direction is provided. A portion of the thin-walled section is projected and formed so as to serve as an overhanging section. The overhanging section prevents backlash. A thickness T3 of the overhanging section, a thickness T2 of a tooth flank corresponding section, and a thickness T1 of a tooth crest corresponding section positioned therebetween satisfies the relation T1<T3<T2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Noritake Kashimura