Patents Issued in May 11, 2010
  • Patent number: 7712320
    Abstract: A compressor is controlled by generating and storing a compressor operation log. In addition, a compressor operation is selected from the compressor operation log in response to a sensor failure. Furthermore, the compressor is modulated according to the selected compressor operation in response to the sensor failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Bair, III, Bryan M. Elwood
  • Patent number: 7712321
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a chilled or partially frozen beverage is provided. The system includes a beverage hopper (32) a chilling unit (44), a rotatable mixing member (38), a sensing member (230) for detecting an occurrence of a rotation reversal condition, a controller for generating a rotation reversal signal in response to the sensing member, and a drive motor (36) coupled to the mixing member for rotating the mixing member in a first direction and a second, reverse direction in response to a rotation reverse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey W. Kadyk
  • Patent number: 7712322
    Abstract: A device for sensing a level of ice stored in a bin of an automatic ice maker includes a bail arm and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism is constituted by a shape memory alloy that, upon application of a voltage, contracts to move the bail arm to a raised position prior to initiation of an ice harvest cycle. After completion of the ice harvest cycle, the voltage is discontinued, allowing the shape memory alloy to relax, causing the bail arm to return to a lowered position. The bail arm includes a sensing member that extends into the bin and, depending upon the level of ice, prevents the bail arm from contacting a sensing switch, temporarily halting ice production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce A. Kopf
  • Patent number: 7712323
    Abstract: The device comprises a basin-like container in which partitioning baffles define a plurality of cavities or moulds open at the top, intended to hold a respective quantity of water put into them by means of a solenoid valve, for the formation of corresponding ice cubes. An ejection device includes an electric motor device to which a rotatable shaft is coupled, from which stretch a plurality of ejector elements capable of provoking the expulsion of the ice cubes formed in said cavities or moulds as an effect of the rotation of the shaft. Control devices are associated with the motor device and with the solenoid valve, and comprise two cams operatively driven in rotation by the motor at different speeds. These cams have respective enabling and control profiles engaged operatively by the same feeler that cooperates with an electric switch in such a way as to define, in the operating cycle of the device, at least one time interval of predetermined duration for the opening of said water feed solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Elbi International S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pietro Villani
  • Patent number: 7712325
    Abstract: A modular electronic cooling system with moving parts, composed of a base unit and individual modules inserted into this base unit in respect to the expected upper limit of the heat load may utilize thermoelectric power generation and the heat load itself to allow for operation independent of any external power source. By the same mechanism the cooling system scales within a range automatically reacting to and dissipating a dynamic heat load via forced convection, and doing so passively, without the need for specific programming. This cooling system uses porous material or multi-layered mesh parts, thermoelectric components, a modular assembly system and independent enclosure parts for described porous material or multi-layered mesh, an electronics control system that may be passively activated, and a motor assembly. Altogether the system provides maximum efficiency in terms of form factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Leonid A Shapiro
  • Patent number: 7712326
    Abstract: An energy transfer system includes an energy transfer device, a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe. The water inlet pipe may be connected to a water inlet of the transfer device to extract water from a water source. The water outlet pipe may be connected to a water outlet on the energy transfer device to discharge water to the water source. The water inlet pipe may extract water from a predetermined extraction depth, and the water outlet pipe may discharge water into the water source at a predetermined discharge depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Cotherm of America Corporation
    Inventors: Tadeusz Frank Jagusztyn, Donald James Hay, Don Franklin Murphy
  • Patent number: 7712327
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and method for defrosting a heat exchanger is disclosed and which includes a heat exchanger having a fluid receiving conduit, and at least one space which is defined, at least in part, by the fluid receiving conduit, an expandable and contractible heating element which is received within the space, and which is located in heat transmitting relation relative to the fluid receiving conduit, and a biasing member mounted on the heat exchanger and the heating element and which longitudinally, and resiliently restrains the movement of the heating element relative to the heat exchanger during the expansion and contraction of the heating element relative to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Colmac Coil Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce I. Nelson, John L. Wold, Roger B. Williams, Jeremy P. Olberding
  • Patent number: 7712328
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and beverage dispenser on both the front and the back of the refrigerator improves efficiency and utilization of the refrigerator. Home floor plans include passageways through interior walls whereby a user can access a second dispenser of the kitchen refrigerator from an adjacent room, thus increasing access to the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Teresa L. Harris
  • Patent number: 7712329
    Abstract: A compressor system includes a first compressor, which has a first low side oil sump, in a first shell and a second compressor, which has a second low side oil sump, in a second shell. The first and second compressors are connected in series. There is an oil transfer conduit connected between the first low side sump of the first compressor and the second low side sump of the second compressor. The system also includes a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit. A method for effecting oil balance in a compressor system, the method includes establishing a first compressor in a first shell having a first low side oil sump and establishing a second compressor in a second shell having a second low side oil sump. The first and second compressors are connected in series. The method also includes positioning an oil transfer conduit between the first low side sump and the second low side sump and positioning a normally open check valve in the oil transfer conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: David Shaw
  • Patent number: 7712330
    Abstract: A receiver dryer for storing and drying a refrigerant for an air conditioner is integrally fixed to a condenser to form an assembly. A condenser has refrigerant flow passages, and also has an opening portion for assembling a receiver dryer. In a body of the receiver dryer, a desiccant and members such as a filter are inserted. The refrigerant flows into the receiver dryer from the flow passage through a hole, and flows out to the outflow passage side through a strainer. A ring-shaped protruding portion is formed on the body by bulging, and the body is fixed to the condenser by a C ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Hosokawa, Takuji Furuta
  • Patent number: 7712331
    Abstract: A system is set forth to increase the capacity of an LNG-based liquefier in a cryogenic air separation unit wherein, in a low production mode, the nitrogen that is fed to the LNG-based liquefier consists only of at least a portion of the high pressure nitrogen from the distillation column system while in a high production mode, a supplemental compressor is used to boost the pressure of at least a portion of the low pressure nitrogen from the distillation column system to create additional (or replacement) feed to the LNG-based liquefier. A key to the present invention is the supplemental compressor and the associated heat exchange equipment is separate and distinct from the LNG-based liquefier. This allows its purchase to be delayed until a capacity increase is actually needed and thus avoid building an oversized liquefier based on a speculative increase in liquid product demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Paul Dee, Jung Soo Choe, Donn Michael Herron
  • Patent number: 7712332
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a bearing, a pendant, and a supporting component. The bearing rotatably engages the pendant. The supporting component engages a portion of the bearing. The bearing rotates relative to the pendant upon movement of the supporting component with respect to the pendant and the bearing to maintain the alignment of the pendant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen G. Wright
  • Patent number: 7712333
    Abstract: To provide a method for smoothing a surface of a glass substrate having a concave defect, such as a pit or a scratch. A method for smoothing a surface of a glass substrate having a concave defect thereon, comprising: forming a film on the surface of the glass substrate having the concave defect by a dry deposition method, the film comprising a glass material having a fluid point Tf of 150° C. or above and of not higher than a strain point Ts (° C.) of the glass substrate; and heating the film of the glass material at a temperature of not lower than Tf and not higher than Ts to put the film in such state that the film of the glass material can flow so as to bury the concave defect, followed by cooling the film of the glass material, thereby to smooth the surface of the glass substrate having the concave defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Uno, Yoshiaki Ikuta, Mika Yokoyama, Ken Ebihara
  • Patent number: 7712334
    Abstract: There are the steps of conveying a glass plate by a roller conveyor including a plurality of rollers; and moving a roller in contact with the glass plate in conveyance to position the glass plate so as to conform a posture of the glass plate to a reference posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Ryo Kanno, Toshimitsu Sato, Takashi Hirotsu, Tomohiro Suwa, Isao Saito
  • Patent number: 7712335
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve a known quartz glass cylinder for the production of an optical component, comprising an inner drilling, which is mechanically machined to size and provided with an etched structure by means of an etching treatment, subsequent to the mechanical machining, such that in the application thereof for production of pre-forms and optical fibers, few bubbles arise along the boundary surface between core and sleeve. Said aim is achieved, whereby the etched structure comprises striations with a maximum depth of 2.0 mm and a maximum width of 100 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinz Fabian
  • Patent number: 7712336
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an industrial fabric comprising the steps of knitting a first fabric strip portion having two widthwise edges and a width that is narrower than the industrial fabric to the desired length of the industrial fabric, forming the first fabric strip portion into an endless loop by joining the widthwise edges with a CD seam, placing the first fabric strip portion around two rotatably mounted rolls and knitting a second fabric portion to the desired length of the industrial fabric, where knitting of the second fabric portion proceeds along the first edge of the first fabric portion and is a knitted continuation thereof. Alternatively, knitted fabric strips can be joined together in a spiral fashion to create a full width industrial fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph Gerald O'Connor, Maurice Paquin, Dana Burton Eagles, Francis L. Davenport
  • Patent number: 7712337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device, comprising an optical sensory array for determining changes in the position of a drum which is mounted in a washing machine at least so as to be pivotable about a swiveling axis. The sensory array is provided with at least one light sensor, at least one modifiable light passage, and at least one light source. The light sensor is directed to portions of light which are emitted by the light source, are dependent upon changes in the light passage, and impinge the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Stefan Glueck
  • Patent number: 7712338
    Abstract: An inventive electric washing machine is configured so that a gas to be used for performing a specific process (decontamination process) on laundry is prevented from leaking to the outside. In the electric washing machine, a packing (120) to be brought into intimate contact with a door (12) for sealing a gap defined between the door (12) and a peripheral edge of an outer tub opening (118) when the door (12) is closed is opposed to a housing opening (14) with a space (129) defined between a lower edge portion of the housing opening (14) and the packing (120). If the door (12) is closed with laundry protruding through the lower edge portion of the housing opening (14), the protruding laundry is caught between the door (12) and the packing (120), so that the packing (120) is not brought into intimate contact with the door (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tanaka, Yoshikazu Banba
  • Patent number: 7712339
    Abstract: A jointed bar lock having a lock body and a jointed bar hoop which has a first end and a second end, said first end being permanently connected to the lock body and said second end being connectable to the lock body at a latching region of the lock body, with a bolt provided at the lock body selectively being movable into a latched position in which the bolt engages it the second end of the jointed bar hoop when it is connected to the lock body or is movable into a release position in which the second end of the jointed bar hoop is released for a removal from the lock body. The lock has an actuation device which is coupled to the bolt via a connection section and by which the bolt is movable from the latched position, into which the bolt is biased, into the release position. The lock body accommodates a combination locking mechanism to selectively block or release the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
    Inventors: Andreas Hentschel, Martin Hommel, Hans-Theo Schafer
  • Patent number: 7712340
    Abstract: A lock includes a body, a key-operated core in the body, two spring-biased plates slideable on a recessed portion of the body, and a locking crutch to be fastened to the body with the spring-biased plates. The body has crutch embedding holes on two sides of the core; the core has a plate part, and force is applied to the spring-biased plates through the plate part when the core is turned. The locking crutch has a groove on each of two ends to engage a corresponding plate. The plates are biased to engage the locking crutch when the core is in the locking position; and, the plates are forced to disengage from the locking crutch by turning the lock core to the unlocking position. Saw-resistant pins are inserted in receiving holes formed on a periphery of the lock body to protect the lock against a saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Wen-Kwei Chang
  • Patent number: 7712341
    Abstract: An electronic combination lock includes a door handle having a code entry button and housing a lock assembly and an electrical circuit. The lock assembly includes a lock body, a rotating cylinder, spring loaded lift lock pins and corresponding key pins, a reset cam path and a programming cam path formed on the cylinder, a lift comb for lifting the lift lock pins, a latch for latching the lift comb and a magnet being selectively activated to cause the latch to release the lift comb. The electrical circuit receives a first input signal indicative of an input code entered at the code entry button and a second input signal from a program switch actuated by the programming cam path and is operated to store an entry code when the program switch is actuated and to activate the magnet when an input code matching the stored entry code is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventors: Fritz Hugo Johansson, James P. Davidson
  • Patent number: 7712342
    Abstract: A process for opening a combination lock having a known opening sequence with a tool having a driven portion operable only upon receipt of an authorization, the process including associating the tool's driven portion with the lock such that the driven portion automatically calibrates with the lock irrespective of the initial position of the lock and authorizing the driven portion to proceed through the known lock opening sequence of a predetermined series of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations to unlock the lock. A method of opening a combination lock with a tool, the combination lock having an opening sequence consisting of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of a non finger manipulable lock opening component, the method including mating the tool with the lock opening component and operating the tool to rotate the lock opening component through a series of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations corresponding to the opening sequence to unlock the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Stanton Concepts Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Loughlin, John Loughlin, Arthur L. Arledge
  • Patent number: 7712343
    Abstract: A deadbolt mechanism including a lock out mechanism that functions to disable the operation of the deadbolt from at least one side of the deadbolt mechanism. The deadbolt mechanism includes a deadbolt, key cylinder, housing, turn knob and a shaft that connects the key cylinder and turn knob. To place the deadbolt mechanism in lock out mode, a release mechanism is actuated and the turn knob is pulled outward away from the door. By pulling the knob outward, the shaft engages a portion of the housing which prevents rotation of the shaft and thereby prevents movement of the deadbolt from the lock-out position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Smith, Mike Enslow, Dean D. Hacker, John Weber, Tim Ebner, Jesse Marcelle
  • Patent number: 7712344
    Abstract: The invention relates to a key-changeable lock including a lock housing and a lock cylinder provided within the lock housing. The lock cylinder includes a shell for the lock cylinder, a locking hole into which a key can be inserted and a locking block mounted on the shell. A sliding block and a toothed piece are provided in the shell. The locking block is abutted against the sliding block. Several toothed slides are slidably provided within the sliding block. The locking block can be located at two working positions. At a first working position, the locking block is not held in the block groove and the teeth of the toothed piece engage with those of the toothed slide. At a second working position, the locking block is held in the block groove and the teeth of the toothed piece disengage from those of the toothed slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: AOBA Security Technology Pte, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yang Shen
  • Patent number: 7712345
    Abstract: A main beam fabrication procedure and system for making main beams for warehouse framework through feeding, auto-forwarding and flattening, punching, roller shape-forming, cutting-off and finished product collection steps, in which the punching machine comprises an upper mold holder, four upper punching dies arranged in two longitudinal rows on the bottom side of the upper mold holder and adjustable to change the transverse pitch between the two longitudinal rows of upper punching dies, a bottom mold holder, and four bottom punching dies arranged in two longitudinal rows on the top side of the bottom mold holder and adjustable to change the transverse pitch between the two longitudinal rows of bottom punching dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Chun-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 7712346
    Abstract: A slide driver assembly for use in a multi-station or a single-station progressive tooling die includes die sections that are operative to move between an open position and a closed position to perform a first operation on a work piece located between the die sections. A slide driver performs a second operation, such as a trimming operation, on the work piece as the die sections move between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Trusted Tooling, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel B. Kanouse
  • Patent number: 7712347
    Abstract: A self-diagnostic measurement method to detect microbridge null drift and performance. An ASIC can be designed to include a self-diagnostic feature that automatically occurs at start up or upon command in Normal Operation whereby the temperature compensated microbridge null can be measured in a state of very low thermal energy and allows for the tracking of microbridge null stability versus time. An Airflow Combi-Sensor ASIC (Heimdal) with its strategic partner ZMD can be developed and can be implemented in the form of a self-diagnostic feature that occurs when power is first applied to the ASIC or upon command. When the self-diagnostic is initiated, power is removed and after the electronics have settled, a small power can be applied to the microbridge to measure the bridge null with reduced sensitivity to flow due to self-heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lamar F. Ricks, Paul P. Bey
  • Patent number: 7712348
    Abstract: A device for the selective determination of the quantity of oil mist includes an impactor (1) with a micronozzle (4) for dispensing a predetermined volume of a gas to be tested, a baffle plate (5) arranged downstream of the micronozzle (4) for depositing oil particles. A window (7) is provided on the side of the baffle plate (5) facing away from the micronozzle (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Christian Luebbert, Harald Heyer, Andreas Mohrmann
  • Patent number: 7712349
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a gas sensor in which a gas detection element is mounted on a wiring substrate; in which a protective cap having gas inlets formed therein is attached to the wiring substrate; and which has a structure capable of effectively preventing emanation of gas from the wiring substrate and the protective cap. A gas sensor comprises a gas detecting element on a writing board where a protective cap with air vents is mounted. The sensor effectively prevents a gas from emanating from the wiring board and the protective cap. The wiring board where a plurality of gas detecting elements (8,9) are to be mounted is formed of a ceramic wiring board (2) excellent in heat resistance. The protective cap (3) having air vents (31 to 39) is formed of a metal excellent in heat resistance. The metal protective cap (3) is fitted to the ceramic wiring board (2) instead of using adhesive. In this way a gas sensor (1) is manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Katsuda, Youichi Hattori, Yuichi Kouyama, Takio Kojima
  • Patent number: 7712350
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the density of insulation in a cavity of a structure that senses a force of the insulation against the sensor. The force is used to determine the density of the insulation, which, in turn, is used to determine the thermal resistance or R-value of the insulation. The apparatus may include a fixture for supporting the sensor and holding the sensor in the substantially fixed position. A method for determining the density of loose-fill, blown-in-place insulation in a wall cavity by the use of a sensor is that measures a force exerted on the sensor by the insulation. The measured force is used to determine the density of the insulation. The thermal resistance of the insulation is determined from the known cavity depth and insulation density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Captial, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. O'Leary, Steven G. Schmitt, Jacob T. Chacko
  • Patent number: 7712351
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device 100 for the testing of a packaging material comprising a housing 101 with an opening 104, a holder 105, whereby the holder 105 is positioned in a inner chamber 106 with an in- and outlet and means 103 for applying a vacuum in the inner chamber 106. The vacuum means apply a vacuum on a material to be tested, which when having defects (like undesired pores) will not withstand the vacuum and generating to a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Everhard Vissers
  • Patent number: 7712352
    Abstract: An intrinsically safe, precise, and cost effective storage tank leak detection system. Embodiments include a highly precise quartz crystal type pressure transducer, secured in a vacuum and held at a constant temperature. Said transducer is used in combination with data correction and regression techniques to yield a storage tank leak detection system with an extremely low leak detection threshold. The storage tank leak detection system is thought to be most useful for detecting very small leaks in very large storage tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Mass Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Wolford, Bernie Wolford, Clark Lockerd, Ricky Slaughter
  • Patent number: 7712353
    Abstract: In a system and process for ultrasonically treating a liquid having a thermal conductivity, an elongate treatment chamber housing has an inlet and an outlet such that liquid flows longitudinally through an interior space of the chamber from the inlet to the outlet. At least part of the interior space of the chamber housing is filled with a bed of particles having a thermal conductivity substantially greater than that of the liquid whereby a ratio of the thermal conductivity of the particles to the thermal conductivity of the liquid is in the range of about 2:1 to about 400:1. An elongate ultrasonic waveguide assembly extends longitudinally within the interior space of the housing and is operable at a predetermined ultrasonic frequency to generate mechanical ultrasonic vibration within the housing in direct contact with the liquid flowing therein as the liquid flows through the bed of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Allen Janssen, Thomas David Ehlert, John Gavin MacDonald, Earl C. McCraw, Jr., Patrick Sean McNichols
  • Patent number: 7712354
    Abstract: Method and apparatus of easily controlling the Z-position of the probe used in a microprobe analyzer. The apparatus has: (A) a holder, (B) a reference body having a reference surface that is at the same height as a surface of a sample, the reference body being placed on or in the holder, (C) a probe-positioning device for bringing the probe into contact with the reference surface, (D) a controller for controlling motion of the probe-positioning device in the Z-direction, (E) position-measuring apparatus for measuring the Z-coordinate of the probe at which it is in contact with the reference surface, (F) a memory for storing a positional coordinate outputted by the position-measuring apparatus, and (G) probe contact detection apparatus for detecting that the probe is in contact with the reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Jeol Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Nokuo, Jun Toyaba
  • Patent number: 7712355
    Abstract: A displacement detector capable of making a measurement in two directions of measurement 180 degrees different from each other without the need of a switching operation has been disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryo Takanashi
  • Patent number: 7712356
    Abstract: An internal-combustion-engine misfire determination system includes: detection sections that detects the rotational speeds of the output shaft and the downstream shaft; a rigidity estimation section that performs a rigidity estimation process in which frequency components caused by a resonance due to torsion of the torsion element are extracted from the rotational speeds, and the rigidity of the torsion element is estimated based on a value obtained by comparing amplitudes of both of the extracted frequency components and on the detected output shaft rotational speed; a resonance influence component calculation section that calculates a resonance influence component caused by an influence of the resonance on the output shaft rotational speed; and a misfire determination section that determines the occurrence of the misfire in the internal combustion engine based on a rotational speed for determination that is obtained by subtracting the calculated resonance influence component from the output shaft rotational
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7712357
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine includes determining at least one characteristic of rough road performance based on at least one driveline characteristic and receiving crankshaft acceleration data. The method further includes comparing the received crankshaft acceleration data and determined characteristic, inhibiting the misfire counter based on the comparison, and operating the engine based on the disabled misfire detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ningsheng Qiao, Jeff Naber, Marvin Lynch, Karen Skalny, Alan Chewter
  • Patent number: 7712358
    Abstract: A drive line (A) for testing a component (D) of a drive train of a vehicle comprises a torque sensor. The torque sensor measures AC variations in torque due to the operation of the component (D). The component (D) is coupled to the drive line by an adapter having a coupling for coupling the drive line to the axle. The torque sensor may output both AC and DC components of measured torque variation. A servo controller controls the drive line so that the drive line is driven into abutment with the axle and then backed off by a small preset distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Geo Kingsbury Machine Tool Limited
    Inventors: Richard G. Kingsbury, John R. White
  • Patent number: 7712359
    Abstract: A dispensing measuring device. The device correlates the relative proximity between a Hall effect sensor and a magnet. One is held stationary, while the other is movable in response to ordinary actuation which occurs during dispensing. Detection of changes in the proximity are correlated to the amount of material dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Livingston Joyce, Kelly Stewart Teegarden
  • Patent number: 7712360
    Abstract: An air bubble separator is provided for ophthalmic surgical systems, which includes a housing 102 having a diagonally-oriented flow channel 110 and a vertically-oriented flow channel 130 adjoining the diagonally oriented channel. The diagonally-oriented flow channel 110 has a downstream portion 112 disposed downstream of the vertically-oriented flow channel 130, and an upstream portion 118 disposed upstream of the vertically-oriented flow channel 130. The downstream portion 112 of the diagonally-oriented flow channel 110 has a cross-sectional area 114 that is greater than that of the upstream portion 118. The downstream portion's cross-sectional area 114 is greater than the upstream portion's cross-sectional area 124 by an amount or percentage that is sufficient to slow fluid flow through the diagonally-oriented flow channel 110, so as to cause air within the fluid to rise and flow into the vertically-oriented flow channel 130.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
    Inventors: Ross Peter Jones, Mark Ian Lutwyche
  • Patent number: 7712361
    Abstract: A flow rate measuring apparatus can reduce flow rate detection errors resulting from a temperature difference between an inside and an outside of piping. A base has a base main body which is formed at its base end with a connector protruding to the outside of the piping, and a flange which is formed on the base main body and is fitted into an insertion hole in the piping. A plate made of PBT resin is arranged on the base, and a flow rate detection element is formed on the plate so as to be exposed therefrom. A circuit board is arranged at a side of the plate opposite to the connector. A housing has a fluid passage groove that cooperates with the plate to form a measuring passage in which the flow rate detection element is disposed, and an enclosure portion enclosing the circuit board. A cover closes the enclosure portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Uramachi
  • Patent number: 7712362
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid surface detection device 1 in which corrosion is restrained even when liquid having conductivity is used so that a longer lifespan is achieved, including a liquid surface detection sensor 2 that outputs a signal indicating a variation in liquid level as a variation in resistance value by the sliding movement of a contact point 2a on an electrode connected to a resistor 2b, and a control unit 4 that controls supply and stops a supply of electric power to the liquid surface detection sensor 2 at predetermined intervals, in which a vehicle state determination unit that determines a state of a vehicle is provided and the control unit 4 controls the duration to stop the supply of electric power to the liquid surface detection sensor 2 when the vehicle state determination unit determines that the vehicle is in a traveling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Enomoto, Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 7712363
    Abstract: A liquid state detecting sensor is provided in which a level detecting unit for detecting the level of a liquid and a concentration detecting unit for detecting the concentration of a particular component contained in the liquid are integrated. In a liquid state detecting sensor 100 capable of measuring the level and a urea concentration of a urea aqueous solution, a level detecting unit 70 and a liquid property detecting unit 30 are connected in an insulated state. An outer cylinder electrode 10 and an inner electrode 20 for forming the level detecting unit 70 form a capacitor, and level detection is performed on the basis of the electrostatic capacity which changes in response to the level of the urea aqueous solution which is present therebetween. A holder 120 for holding a ceramic heater 110 is fitted to a leading end portion 21 of the inner electrode 20, and the holder 120 is supported inside a leading end portion 11 of the outer cylinder electrode 10 by a rubber bushing 80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Sasanuma, Yoshikuni Sato, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7712364
    Abstract: A level sensing apparatus and method of use for use with a beverage server to indirectly sense the level of beverage retained in the server. The server having a body for receiving and retaining beverage with an opening in the body for receiving the level sensing apparatus and beverage there through. The level sensing apparatus includes at least one capacitive sensing probe assembly retained in a housing to separate the probe assembly from contact with beverage. The housing containing the capacitive sensing probe assembly being disposable into the opening in the body of the server. The capacitive sensing probe indirectly sensing at least one level of beverage retained in the beverage server. A separate display assembly is provided and selectively couplable to the capacitive sensing probe assembly. A power source is provided and coupled to the display assembly and to the capacitive sensing probe assembly to provide power to sense and display the level of beverage in the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: Suresh Radhakrishnan, Scott Allan Woods, Scott Biba
  • Patent number: 7712365
    Abstract: A method for communicating data is provided that includes collecting data associated with an individual using an accelerometer. The accelerometer is operable to monitor activity associated with the individual. The method also includes communicating the data to a computing device, which can receive the data and perform any number of operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Terry L. James
  • Patent number: 7712366
    Abstract: A capacitive transducer a first part containing a first set of capacitor plates and a second part relatively movable in a plane to the first part. The second part contains a second set of capacitor plates. Both sets of capacitor plates are built on a substrate, wherein the capacitor plates form a plurality of capacitors. The second part is relatively movable in all six degrees of freedom. One set of the plurality of capacitors measures displacements in a plane and a second set of the plurality capacitors measures displacements perpendicular to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Eth Zuerich
    Inventors: Felix Beyeler, Bradley J. Nelson, Yu Sun
  • Patent number: 7712367
    Abstract: An electric motor is equipped with an interface module, which is used to calculate the remaining service life of a bearing. The interface module can be integrated into the motor or can be fitted to the latter. The remaining service life of the bearing can be estimated from the signal of a rotary transducer and optionally a temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Eckert, Karl-Heinz Filbry, Ulrich Höhn, Markus Platen
  • Patent number: 7712368
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for detecting an object includes: a substrate; a transmission device for transmitting an ultrasonic wave; a plurality of reception devices for receiving the ultrasonic wave; and a circuit for processing received ultrasonic waves, which are received by the reception devices after the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission device is reflected by the object. The transmission device and the reception devices are integrated into the substrate. The dimensions of the sensor are minimized, and detection accuracy of the sensor is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Makiko Sugiura, Takahiko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7712369
    Abstract: A method and an array-based system for inspecting a structure are provided that can identify unacceptable levels of porosity, microcracking or defects attributable to thermal damage. The inspection system includes a two-dimensional array of ultrasonic transducers, and an array controller configured to trigger at least one ultrasonic transducer to emit an ultrasonic signal into the structure. The array controller is also configured to receive data representative of backscattered signals preferentially received by at least one ultrasonic transducer from a portion of the structure offset from the at least one ultrasonic transducer that was triggered to emit the ultrasonic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gary E. Georgeson
  • Patent number: 7712370
    Abstract: Sticking of a substrate occurs in a reaction chamber for processing the substrate placed on a surface of a substrate-supporting device provided with lift pins for moving the substrate up and down with respect to the surface of the substrate-supporting device. A method of detecting the occurrence of the sticking of the substrate includes: monitoring a vibration propagating in or through the reaction chamber by a sensor, which vibration is indicative of or specific to sticking of the substrate on the surface of the substrate-supporting device when being moved up from the surface of the substrate-supporting device with the lift pins; and initiating a pre-designated sequence if the vibration is detected while processing the substrate in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: ASM Japan K.K.
    Inventors: Kazunori Furukawahara, Katsutoshi Ishigami