Patents Issued in November 16, 2010
  • Patent number: 7832246
    Abstract: An installation for processing material in strip form, such as a sealing strip that has been removed from a roll of material, comprises a rotary head, by means of which one end of the material in strip form can be grasped and on which said material in strip form can be wound, and guide means for guiding the material in strip form in the peripheral direction during winding. The guide means have a movable guide section that can be shifted between an open and a closed position, respectively, such that in the open position the wound-up material in strip found can be removed from the guide means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Tebulo Industrial Automation B.V.
    Inventors: Johan Spaans, Hendrikus Wilhelmus Maria Olivier
  • Patent number: 7832247
    Abstract: Disclosed therein are an apparatus and method for manufacturing a sprocket segment, which can manufacture the sprocket segment through a simplified process including hot precision forging, through hardening and painting, thereby reducing manufacturing period and cost and securing competitive power. The sprocket segment manufacturing method includes: a primary hot forging process of putting a heated billet in a booster die (10) mounted on a forging press to perform a distribution of volume; a secondary hot forging process of putting the hot forged material (M) in a blocker die (11) to form a rib face (4); a tertiary hot forging process of putting the secondarily hot forged material (M) in a finisher die (12) to keep right angles and planes of a toothed face (6) and the rib face (4); and a process of putting the tertiarily hot forged material (M) in a product guide die (22) of a trimming-piercing-coining die (13) to eliminate a flash and form bolt holes (7) simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Daechang Forging Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bum Je Cho, Young Jin Jegal
  • Patent number: 7832248
    Abstract: A one-piece hanger is formed with a pair of spaced segments or legs joined by an end wall. Each segment has a recess formed in an edge which is open towards the recess on an edge of the opposite segment. The two recesses are aligned so as to create a substantially full opening to receive a pipe. The hanger may be positioned on a pipe with the segments extending substantially parallel to the pipe axis, and the hanger can then be rotated about 90° so that the pipe extends through the substantially full opening formed by the recesses. The hanger end is formed with mounting holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nibco Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Heath
  • Patent number: 7832249
    Abstract: A can assembly includes a can body, and a cap that is seamed to the can body, and a bag. The bag, which may be formed by a thermoforming process, includes a thickened portion as part of a peripheral flange that terminates in a bulb. A throat that receives the bulb is formed by necks on the body and cap such that the bulb is spaced apart from the seam. A constriction formed by the neck radially inboard from the bulb receives the thickened portion of the bag. The process for forming the can assembly includes forming the seam and thermoforming a billet into the bag. At least part of the flange is formed between matched portions of mold flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald C. Schumann, Joseph J. Domijan
  • Patent number: 7832250
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for manufacturing sinuous springs wherein each spring comprises a discrete length of sinuous spring wire having parallel straight bar segments interconnected at their opposite ends by oppositely directed curved connecting segments. This apparatus is operable to adjust the length of the sinuous spring wires exiting the machine without turning off or stopping the machine. An operator need only rotate a handle outside a housing of the machine to increase or decrease the length of the sinuous spring wires exiting the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Kelly M. Knewtson
  • Patent number: 7832251
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for imprinting a pattern on a medical device to provide a surface with greater surface area and improved adhesion properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Victoria M. Gong
  • Patent number: 7832252
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a gas chromatography instrument by forcefully shooting a measured droplet which securely passes through a confined passageway without direct intervention of human hands into the entry throat of the instrument so as to avoid contaminating the apparatus or impairing the accuracy of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Gary W. Watson, Robert E. Pearce, Salin M. Motiwala, Frank E. Zuhde
  • Patent number: 7832253
    Abstract: A portable weather resistant gas chromatograph system with a gas chromatograph enclosure having a body and a movable door and a seal, a gas chromatograph with a frame assembly removably secured in the enclosure, a plurality of exhaust gas lines connected to the gas chromatograph, an explosion proof terminal box with circuit breakers and terminals mounted to the enclosure, a communication conduit and armored power cable between the explosion proof terminal box and the gas chromatograph, a purge gas conduit port for the gas chromatograph, a pedestal for the enclosure, and at least two lifting eyes connected to the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Solarcraft, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell N. Haun, Donald N. Haun
  • Patent number: 7832254
    Abstract: A sensor for determining the concentration of particulates in gas mixtures is described, a soot sensor in particular, having a ceramic sensor body surrounded by a metallic housing and having a first and a second measuring electrode. In this instance, the first measuring electrode is connected to the metallic housing of the sensor or the metallic housing of the sensor is designed as the first measuring electrode. By additional electrodes on the ceramic body, the sensor is operable also as a lambda sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Guenschel, Uwe Glanz, Stefan Zimmermann, Leonore Schwegler, Juergen Sindel
  • Patent number: 7832255
    Abstract: An inner sealing portion seals a tubular port, which is provided to a receiver that receives water, at a first location of the tubular port. An outer sealing portion seals the tubular port at a second location of the tubular port spaced from the first location on an outer side of the inner sealing portion. A sealed space is formed between the inner sealing portion and the outer sealing portion. A tracer gas for performing a leak test of the outer sealing portion is enclosed in the sealed space. An amount of outwardly leaked tracer gas, which leaks from the sealed space through the outer sealing portion, is measured with a leak test device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Sasaki, Yasutoshi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 7832256
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of an undesirable fluid, such as water, in a pipeline and for removing the undesirable fluid are disclosed. A detecting substance, for example, sugar, naphthalene or a pigmented solid is carried by a sweeping pig. The sweeping pig is inserted into the pipeline, propelled along the pipeline and recovered from the pipeline. The detecting substance is examined upon recovery of the sweeping pig to determine whether the undesirable fluid is present in the pipeline. The pipeline can be swept multiple times until examination of the detecting substance indicates that the undesirable fluid is not present in the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Taras Makogon
  • Patent number: 7832257
    Abstract: Controlling a well injection operation, such as a well fracturing operation, includes identifying a flow characteristic of a fracturing fluid, identifying a flow characteristic of a base fluid used for forming the fracturing fluid, determining an amount of friction reduction change of the fracturing fluid, and adjusting the amount of friction reduction of the fracturing fluid to coincide with a selected friction reduction amount. Identifying a flow characteristic may be performed by a rheology measuring device including a measurement tube, a first pressure sensor disposed at a first position on the measurement tube, a second pressure sensor disposed at a second position on the measurement tube, a flow meter disposed at a third position along the measurement tube, a temperature sensor disposed at a fourth location along the measurement tube, and a control unit interconnected to the first and second pressure sensors, the flow meter, and the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Weightman, Bruce Lucas
  • Patent number: 7832258
    Abstract: An atomizer monitoring system monitors parts or components that are utilized in atomizers for flue gas desulfurization or in spray drying applications, taking into account each part's longevity, installation date, and expiration period, using wireless sensors and radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology, whereby small, inexpensive RFID tags are placed on, or embedded in the atomizers, for example, in an atomizer wheel. The monitor system can avoid failure of parts within an atomizer and costly downtime associated with removal and replacement of parts that have reached their useful life. The preferred embodiment utilizes radio frequency identification (“RFID”) technology which is linked to a web-based data base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: RPM Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Mudge, Shawn M. Veurink
  • Patent number: 7832259
    Abstract: Combustion within an internal combustion engine is diagnosed and includes monitoring crankshaft angular velocity and generating a combustion phasing value for a combustion chamber based on the crankshaft angular velocity. The combustion phasing value is compared to an expected combustion phasing value based on a predetermined start of injection crank angle and combustion phasing differences greater than an allowable combustion phasing difference are identified based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Ibrahim Haskara, Chol-Bum M Kweon, Frederic Anton Matekunas, Paul Anthony Battiston
  • Patent number: 7832260
    Abstract: An abnormality diagnosis apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an abnormality diagnosis unit, an other fuel contamination determination unit, and a misdiagnosis prohibition unit. The abnormality diagnosis unit determines whether there is an abnormality in a fuel system based on an output from an exhaust gas sensor mounted on an exhaust duct of the internal combustion engine. The other fuel contamination determination unit determines whether an other fuel contaminates a supply fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine. The misdiagnosis prohibition unit conducts one of (a) changing an abnormality determination condition for the abnormality diagnosis in the fuel system and (b) prohibiting the abnormality diagnosis in the fuel system, when the other fuel contamination determination unit determines that the other fuel contaminates the supply fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7832261
    Abstract: A device for determining the saturation point of a vacuum brake booster having a vacuum chamber and a working chamber that are separated from one another by a membrane. The reaching of the saturation point can be recognized simply and precisely if the vacuum prevailing in the vacuum chamber is measured using a pressure sensor, and the output signal of the pressure sensor is evaluated by an electronic evaluation system that calculates the saturation point using a mathematical function, taking into account only the pressure prevailing in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kaestner, Thomas Bruex, Andreas Grimm, Otmar Bussmann
  • Patent number: 7832262
    Abstract: In a method of detecting an occurrence of hydroplaning of a tire of a vehicle travelling on wet ground, a tread of the tire of the vehicle is equipped with one or more sensors each capable of measuring a compression experienced locally by the tread when the tire is rolling on the ground and of producing a signal corresponding to these measurements. According to the method, measurements are obtained of a compression when the tire is rolling on the ground; a signal corresponding to these measurements is produced; a portion of the signal relating to a passing of one or more sensors into an apparent area of contact between the tire and the ground is extracted; an instantaneous value (?E, Rz), corresponding to a presence of an indirect contact region of the apparent area of contact between the tread and the ground, is determined from the extracted portion of the signal; and an alarm is triggered when the instantaneous value satisfies a given relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Frederic Spetler
  • Patent number: 7832263
    Abstract: A sensor system for obtaining data from an elastomeric article includes at least one wireless sensor. The sensor length-scales range from nano- to micro-scale devices that are small enough to avoid becoming occlusions within the article. The article may include sensors embedded within one of the materials of the article, a layer of sensors built into the article, and a string of sensors disposed within a component or embedded within a component of the article. The sensors may be configured to provide data related to one or more of temperature, pressure, sidewall flex, stress, strain and other parameters. The sensors may be LCD sensors, and/or conductive polymer sensors, and/or bio-polymer sensors and/or polymer diodes suitable for sensing data during the operation of the tire. A power circuit using energy generated by the tire may provide power to the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: John D. Rensel, Paul B. Wilson, Francis L. Merat
  • Patent number: 7832264
    Abstract: The position of the rotation of a tire complicates the establishing of a wireless connection between a sensor unit attached to the tire and a sensor control unit attached to a vehicle body. A reflection plate is attached to an inner surface of a wheel housing at a position different from that of a sensor control unit. A transmission electromagnetic field from the sensor control unit is reflected by the metal reflection plate and transmitted to a sensor unit rotated to a position to which the field does not readily reach directly from the sensor control unit. The sensor unit varies an impedance of a coil antenna in accordance with transmission data, and generates a variation in the transmission electromagnetic field. The variation is detected via the reflection plate as a variation in a transmission load of the sensor control unit, and the transmission data from the sensor unit is detected in the sensor control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirohisa Suzuki, Eiichiro Kuwako, Takashi Kunimi
  • Patent number: 7832265
    Abstract: A sports arena comprised of a vertical wind tunnel modular unit capable of conjoining with a multitude of vertical wind tunnel modular units joined in tandem for the purpose of levitating humans in a sports arena. The vertical wind tunnel sports arena is designed so that a single vertical wind tunnel modular unit can be utilized as a self contained sports arena or multiple vertical wind tunnel modular units can be combined together in tandem to form an expansive arena where various competitive sports can be played while the athletes are levitating in mid air. The arena contains two separate target systems, each suspended twenty feet above a trampoline safety net, disposed at polar opposite ends of the sports arena. A ball striking a button in the middle of a backboard on the target system will cause a fireball or Tesla coil report to discharge indicating a field goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Stewart Gong
  • Patent number: 7832266
    Abstract: A resin weathervane having a weathervane tube mounted within a resin weathervane figurine with stabilizing support rods coupled to an upper portion of the weathervane tube and a belt of fiberglass material wrapped at least partially around the tube and the stabilizing support rods wherein a resin mixture poured into a mold forms a resin weathervane of a desired configuration with the resin bonding the tube, the stabilizing support rods and the fiberglass wrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: William H. McElvain, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7832267
    Abstract: A method for generating temporal solar irradiance values for a selected area. Binary format hillshade files are generated for selected azimuth and altitude points on the Sun's path for selected time points for the area. Data in the hillshade files is reclassified into reclassified files, on basis of the selected time points relative to the solar radiation data. The reclassified files are then summed to generate a set of normalized reclassified files, each representing a selected intermediate interval. The values for each corresponding one of the cells in the set of normalized reclassified files are summed to generate an irradiance-weighted shade file. The hillshade files are summed by inclusively OR-ing corresponding values for each of the cells in each of the hillshade files to generate respective composite files for each said selected intermediate interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ecometriks, LLC
    Inventor: Aaron William Woro
  • Patent number: 7832268
    Abstract: The level sensor arrangement comprises a paddle directly driven by a stepping or stepper motor to rotate in use unless the paddle is arrested in use by a material level, the arrangement including a sensor to determine paddle rotation and the sensor providing a signal to a controller indicative of paddle rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Synatel Instrumentation Limited
    Inventor: Adrian Peter Morris
  • Patent number: 7832269
    Abstract: A combinational sensor system for measuring multiple measurands includes a flow transducer, a pressure transducer and a humidity transducer. The pressure and humidity transducers are provided with independent access to sensed media and are ratiometric to a supply voltage, whereas the flow sensor is sensitive to openings to the flow path. The combinational sensor system utilizes elastomeric seals that include patterned electrically conductive and non-conductive seals. An ASIC is generally associated with the combinational sensor, and is located on a patterned electrically conductive substrate lead frame or for signal conditioning in order to detect any of the sensed measurands. The transducers can be arranged in a manner that distributes the transducers to optimize the accuracy and response time of the combinational sensor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul P. Bey, Jr., Craig S. Becke, Jamie W. Speldrich, Christopher M. Blumhoff
  • Patent number: 7832270
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring rotational imbalance of a turbocharger core assembly, comprising a base frame (30) having a housing (31) in the form of an exhaust duct. Attached by leaf springs (33) to the housing (31) is a support part (35) and a co-axial adaptor (36) to which a turbocharger core assembly (38) is removably attached by quick-release clamps (37). An air inlet (40) receives air to drive the turbocharger core assembly via a volute within the adaptor (36), and any imbalance of the turbocharger core assembly, causing oscillatory vibration via the leaf springs (33) is measured by an accelerometer (40) mounted on the support part (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Turbo Technics Limited
    Inventor: Geoffrey Kershaw
  • Patent number: 7832271
    Abstract: To provide a compact and high performance gyroscope. A gyroscope (10) comprises an outer frame (11); an inner frame (12) positioned inside the outer frame and supported to be movable in one reciprocating direction; a plurality of proof masses (15) positioned inside the inner frame and supported to be movable in the direction orthogonal to the one reciprocating direction; a plurality of outer support suspensions (13) which connect the outer frame and the inner frame; a plurality of inner support suspensions (14) which connect the inner frame and each of the proof masses; actuators (16) for accelerating each of the proof masses; and detectors (17) for detecting displacement of the inner frame against the outer frame. The actuators oscillate the plurality of proof masses in-phase, and wherein Coriolis forces induced on each of the proof masses are summed up in the inner frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventors: Makoko Mita, Hirobumi Saito, Hiroshi Toshiyoshi
  • Patent number: 7832272
    Abstract: A tuning fork vibrator includes a vibrating body having the shape of a tuning fork as a whole. The vibrating body includes legs having a meandering shape and a base coupled to an end of the legs. A support is formed so as to extend between the legs from the base. Two electrodes arranged separately in the width direction are formed on one of the legs, and two electrodes arranged separately in the width direction are formed on the other of the legs. The outermost electrodes on each of the legs are connected to a connection electrode formed on the base. The connection electrode is formed so as to extend toward the support. The innermost electrodes on each of the legs are formed so as to extend toward the support through the base. A common electrode is formed on a second principal surface of the vibrating body. A vibratory gyroscope can be formed using the tuning fork vibrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Fujimoto, Masato Koike
  • Patent number: 7832273
    Abstract: A sensor device includes an ultrasonic sensor and a sensor cover in the form of a foil, the ultrasonic sensor having an oscillatory sensor element, which is affixed inside a housing, having an end face, of the ultrasonic sensor, the ultrasonic sensor being able to be accommodated in a recess or bore hole of an external vehicle component, and the sensor element and the housing being able to be covered by the sensor cover on the outside, the sensor cover being mountable directly on the ultrasonic sensor and forming an at least essentially planar surface whose outline is adapted to the outline of the end face of the housing and coincides in an essentially flush manner with the end face of the housing of the ultrasonic sensor, and the sensor cover reflecting light having a color spectrum in the range of chrome color and a reflection capacity in the range of polished chrome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gunther Schaaf, Nils Janke
  • Patent number: 7832274
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting scour conditions adjacent a pier has a pipe with a plurality of holes formed through a wall of the pipes in spaced relation to each other along a length of the pipe, a plurality of porous plugs affixed respectively in the plurality of holes, a plurality of tubes connected respectively to the plurality of porous plugs, a pump connected to the tubes for passing compressed air through the plurality of tubes to the plugs, and a monitor connected to the tubes for measuring a rate of pressure bleed-off from the plurality of tubes. The pipe extends in a vertical orientation adjacent to the bridge pier and extends into the earth adjacent the bridge pier. The plurality of porous plugs are spaced at equal intervals from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Edward J. Mercado
  • Patent number: 7832275
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection system utilizes a tunable digital filter with 4× interpolation. The system is used for scanning objects to be tested and includes a transmit/receive device to generate a test signal and receive an echo signal. A signal processing circuit processes the echo signal with one or more digital to analog converters for converting an analog version of the echo signal to a digital echo signal in the form of streaming digital data which is stored in a memory. The data is stored at a first data rate and read out at the second, slower data rate. An averaging decimator receives and processes the data from the memory and supplies it to an IIR filter and subsequently to an FIR filter and ultimately to a box car filter to effect processing thereon which increases the perceived resolution of the data by a given factor, preferably by a factor of 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus NDT
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas, Steven Besser, Jason Toomey
  • Patent number: 7832276
    Abstract: A device to measure a fluid pressure comprises a pressure sensing element 10 and a pressure readout element 20. The pressure sensing element 10 comprises a cavity 11 capped by a flexible membrane 13, the cavity having a length d that varies with the fluid pressure P1 applied on the flexible membrane 13. The pressure readout element 20 comprises a light source 24 for providing an incident beam of a determined wavelength range directed towards the cavity and an optical spectral analyzer 25 for measuring a power spectrum of a return beam reflected by the cavity, and processing means 27 for determining the cavity length d and the fluid pressure P1 based on the power spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Xu Wu, Arthur Hartog, Dimitri Cadere, Tsutomu Yamate
  • Patent number: 7832277
    Abstract: A battery powered wireless fluid pressure sensor has a sealed chamber which can be vented to the outside atmosphere through a re-sealable reference port to allow a user to set the reference atmosphere inside the pressure sensor enabling the pressure sensor to provide absolute, gauge and true gauge pressure readings. The sensor calculates and transmits the fluid pressure taking into account the temperature of the pressure transducer, the temperature of the electronic devices and the barometric pressure inside the sealed chamber to provide accurate pressure measurements over a wide range of operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Electrochem Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Skwara
  • Patent number: 7832278
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to packaging for multi-chip semiconductor devices as may be used, for example, in tire pressure monitoring systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Man Lung Ivan Sham, Ziyang Gao, Chi Kuen Vincent Leung, Lap Wai Lydia Leung, Lourdito M. Olleres, Chang Hwa Tom Chung
  • Patent number: 7832279
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first cavity within a semiconductor substrate and a second cavity within the semiconductor substrate. The second cavity is open to an atmosphere and defines a first lamella between the first cavity and the second cavity. The semiconductor device includes a first sense element configured for sensing a pressure on the first lamella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thoralf Kautzsch, Boris Binder, Dirk Meinhold, Ben Rosam, Bernd Foeste, Andreas Thamm
  • Patent number: 7832280
    Abstract: An annular assembly, or ring cell, is provided for testing the load bearing capacity of piles. The ring cell walls of the annular assembly can be made of stamped material. The ring cell walls can be an outer ring wall and an inner ring wall. Alternately, the ring cell walls can have a “U”-type shape cross-section including an outer ring wall, an inner ring wall, and a top wall. Fluid can be provided to the annular assembly through fluid supply lines into an expansion zone. The expansion zone can be a space having a bladder for filling with fluid. In another embodiment, the expansion zone can be a space between a filler material capable of withstanding high pressure separated with a membrane. The pressure of the fluid in the expansion zone can be monitored during testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Loadtest, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Hayes
  • Patent number: 7832281
    Abstract: A solution for monitoring a property of an object and/or an area using a Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS)-based monitoring device is provided. In an embodiment of the invention, the MEMS-based monitoring device includes a MEMS-based sensing device for obtaining data based on a property of the object and/or area and a power generation device that generates power from an ambient condition of the monitoring device. In this manner, the monitoring device can operate independent of any outside power sources or other devices. Further, the monitoring device can include a transmitter that transmits a signal based on the property. The monitoring device can be used to monitor a moving component of a machine, and can be integrated with a health monitoring system of the machine using one or more relay devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: International Electronic Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zahid F. Mian, Ryk E. Spoor
  • Patent number: 7832282
    Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement system for measuring a flow in a conduit. Spaced ultrasonic signal transmitters are configured to launch a ultrasonic beams having a center axis of maximum intensity. Receiving transducers are configured to receive modulated signal energy from the beams and are located off the center axis of the beams to increase the modulation of the signal energy and to produce receiver output signals. A processing subsystem is configured to correlate the receiver output signals to determine a time delay indicative of the flow velocity in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Xiaolei Shirley Ao
  • Patent number: 7832283
    Abstract: Fluid flow apparatus, such as a fluid flow meter, a fluid mixing device or a fluid dispersing device, includes a fluid displacement member (40) mounted in a conduit (20) and having a sloped exterior wall (48) forming a periphery on the member for deflecting the fluid to flow through a region of progressively decreasing area defined between the periphery of the member and the interior surface of the conduit. The displacement member is a hollow frustum (42) terminating at the plane of its outer peripheral edge (46) and accommodating flow measurements at or adjacent the axis of the conduit at or adjacent the plane of the peripheral edge of the displacement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: McCrometer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. W. Peters, Floyd McCall, Joyann Gongaware, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7832284
    Abstract: A detection element detects at least compression load. A first member has a surface provided with the detection element. A preload adjusting member has a tip end configured to apply pressure to the detection element. The first member and the second member are connected with each other and configured to transmit load to the detection element. The second member has a fitted portion, which has an inner circumferential periphery defining a thread groove, which is screwed with the preload adjusting member. The second member causes elastic deformation in response to adjustment of screwing of the preload adjusting member and causes change in preload applied to the detection element. A buffer member is interposed between the preload adjusting member and the detection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Hayakawa, Kenji Morikawa
  • Patent number: 7832285
    Abstract: The invention provides an electronic torque meter for measuring torque of a wrench. The torque meter includes a housing in which an operation shaft and a flexible beam are disposed. When the operation shaft is rotated, the flexible beam is flexed. A measuring element is mounted on the flexible beam for detecting and measuring flexure of the flexible beam. An electronic display unit is mounted on the housing and electrically connected with the measuring element. When measuring the torque of a wrench, the measuring element directly measures the flexure and deformation of the flexible beam to obtain precise torque value. The torque value is displayed by the display unit in the form of numerals for easy reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7832286
    Abstract: The invention seek to enable to share main components other than a tightening unit even in use for different effective lengths corresponding to ranges of tightening torques. There are provided: a tightening unit 10 such as a ratchet; a housing 20 having a two-divided structure including a front side cover part 21 and a back side grip part 22; a strain body 30 provided inside the housing 20 and replaceably coupling the tightening unit 10 thereto; a distortion sensor 40, provided to the strain body 30, for detecting the distorted amount of the strain body 30 due to the tightening force of the tightening unit 10; a microprocessor chip 100 having functions including computing the tightening torque of the tightening unit 10 based on torque reference values prepared in advance and detection results of the distortion sensor 40; and an output unit 300 for outputting such as the tightening torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Kyoto Tool Co., Ltd., Hosiden Corporation
    Inventors: Takamichi Nakagawa, Shogo Nakata, Masahiko Umekawa, Tadashi Hanai, Kouji Fujita
  • Patent number: 7832287
    Abstract: An assembly for positioning a torque sensor having a receiver and a transmitter is provided. The assembly includes a first annular member, wherein the receiver is coupled to the first annular member. A second annular member is disposed proximate the first annular member. A bearing assembly is disposed between the first annular member and the second annular member. The bearing assembly includes a first race formed to the first annular member, a second race formed to the second annular member, and a bearing disposed between the first race and the second race for allowing the first race and the second race to rotate relative to one another. A radially extending member is coupled to the second race. The receiver is radially displaced from the bearing assembly and the transmitter is mounted to a mounting surface of the radially extending member opposite the receiver at a predefined axial distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos E Marin, Micheal P Portell, Paul D. Stevenson, John R. Maten
  • Patent number: 7832288
    Abstract: A method for determining the force at the hub of a wheel of a vehicle while traveling. The wheel includes a rim and at least one deformation sensor directly associated with the rim in at least one predetermined position and arranged according to at least one predetermined orientation. The method includes the steps of detecting at least one deformation component of the rim during travel through the at least one deformation sensor; applying to the at least one deformation component, during travel, a correlation parameter characteristic of the rim, between the force at the hub and the relative deformation of the rim to determine at least one force component at the hub correlated with the at least one deformation component of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Renato Caretta, Federico Mancosu, Andrea Calatroni, Giorgio Diana, Federico Cheli, Alfredo Cigada
  • Patent number: 7832289
    Abstract: Sensors for outputting signals indicative of a rate of change of torque experienced by a magnetized member in response to a change in torque experienced by the member are described. Such sensors include at least one sense element capable of detecting a change in a magnetic parameter of a magnetized region of the member positioned proximate to the sense element in response to a change in torque applied to the member. Devices for detecting and/or measuring rates of changes in or of torque that employ one or more of these sensors are also described, as are various applications for such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventors: Ivan J. Garshelis, Ryan J. Kari, Stijn P. L. Tollens
  • Patent number: 7832290
    Abstract: Disclosed is an axial force transducer comprising a deformable element (1) which forms a measuring spring and is rotationally symmetrical to the force inducing axis as well as strain gauges (15, 18) that are arranged in pairs in areas extending in opposite directions and are connected so as to form an electrical resistance bridge. The deformable element (1) is provided with a central location hole (8) which extends radially under the effect of an axial force and whose edge (12) is connected to a deformable disk (13) via an annular rib (10), said deformable disk (13) being disposed at an axial distance from the location hole (8). The edge (14) of the deformable disk (13) radially protrudes from the annular rib (10). The strain gauges (15, 18) are applied to the face of the deformable disk (13) in pairs, inside and outside the diameter of the annular rib (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Tecsis GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Hose-Von Wolfframsdorff, Oliver Jost
  • Patent number: 7832291
    Abstract: A method of making a measurement of binding affinity of a sample comprises the steps of: introducing the sample into a well having a bottom formed as a photonic crystal biosensor, wherein a portion of the sample becomes bound to the biosensor; making a measurement of the change in the shift in peak wavelength value as a function of time (kon) from the well as the sample is introduced into the well; simultaneously dispensing the sample to the well and aspirating the sample from the well and measuring the change in the shift in peak wavelength value as a function of time (koff) during the simultaneous dispensing and aspirating, and calculating an equilibrium association constant or an equilibrium dissociation constant for the sample from the values of kon and koff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: SRU Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance G. Laing, Timothy F. Smith, John Gerstenmeier, III, Gangadhar Jogikalmath
  • Patent number: 7832292
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polar coordinate positioning system. The system can be used, for example, to sample a microtiter plate or sample tubes. In some embodiments, the system orients a sample with respect to a sampling tool using polar coordinates. In some embodiments, the sample is configured to rotate about an axis and move linearly in a direction transverse to the axis, and the sampling tool is configured to move linearly in a direction transverse to the linearly movement of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: NPE Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7832293
    Abstract: A method and device for continuously drawing and mixing liquid samples originating from at least two different containers are described. The device comprises a mixing chamber, which is connected to each of the containers. The device is characterized in that it comprises, between the container and the mixing chamber, at least one intermediate sample chamber for each container, being connected in order to transfer all or a portion of the sampled liquid to the mixing chamber. The device has a vertical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hemosystem
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Hermet, Isabelle Besson-Faure, Sébastien Ribault, Thomas Vigneron
  • Patent number: 7832294
    Abstract: A measuring probe is provided for measurements in metal or slag melts, the probe having a measuring head with an immersion end and a rear end, and having sensors arranged on the immersion end with signal lines. The sensors and signal lines are guided through the measuring head by channels, and a separate channel is provided for each sensor. A measuring probe is also provided for measurements in metal or slag melts, the probe having a measuring head with an immersion end and a rear end, having sensors arranged on the immersion end, and having lateral recesses arranged in front of the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite International, N.V.
    Inventor: Guido Jacobus Neyens
  • Patent number: 7832295
    Abstract: A submersible water monitoring probe assembly including: a cam-twist type interconnect mechanism; flexible PCBA (printed circuit board assembly) having flexible ribbon cable sandwiched between layers of an elongated circuit board, the ribbon cable extending outwardly from each end of the board and along an elongated probe-body; internal gas-permeable and generally liquid impermeable barrier assembly disposed within the cam-twist inter-connect mechanism between the elongated PCBA housed within the probe-body and an electrical connector of the cam-twist interconnect mechanism; and if used, a vented cable assembly, or other means of transmitting sensor data collected by sensing circuitry within a submersed probe-end. Also, an extender assembly for use with the submersible probe. At each end portion of the extender assembly is either a male cam-twist type interconnect piece or a female cam-twist type interconnect piece. The length-extender assembly may be electrically adapted to house one or more battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: In-Situ, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin S. Rodriguez, Bruce A. Barker, Duane B. McKee