Patents Issued in April 12, 2011
  • Patent number: 7921729
    Abstract: A sensor assembly for sensing relative movement between adjacent panels includes a base and first and second arms pivotally mounted to the base. An electrical connecting element is attached to the first and second arms and holds the first and second arms in a first position to indicate a first condition. When the first and second arms have moved relative to each other by a predetermined amount, the electrical connecting element breaks to indicate a second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick D. Conner, Andrew N. Baines, William E. Leden, Dale W. Massolle, Teddy L. Jones, Jeffrey T. Wavering
  • Patent number: 7921730
    Abstract: Disclosed are a tool and method for identifying the relative strength of subsurface intervals through which a borehole has been drilled. The tool includes a tool body capable of being moved through a borehole. The tool body has pads mounted on movable arms. Preferably the arms can be loaded independently. Each pad carries scratchers, which are pushed against the borehole wall so as to create either deep narrow or shallow wide scratches. Preferably, the scratchers comprise either a single or dual element polycrystalline compact (PDC) cutter or suitable hard, wear resistant material such as tungsten carbide or natural diamond, and are pushed against the borehole wall by resiliently loaded arms. The depth of narrow scratches is measured, for example, by two tandem powered calipers and the width of wide scratches is visualized by a borehole imager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chee Phuat Tan
  • Patent number: 7921731
    Abstract: A micro sized multi-axis semiconductor skin friction/wall shear stress induced by fluid flow. The sensor design includes a shear/strain transduction gimble connected to a force collecting plate located at the flow boundary surface. The shear force collecting plate is interconnected by an arm to offset the tortional hinges from the fluid flow. The arm is connected to the shear force collecting plate through dual axis torsional hinges with piezoresistive torsional strain gauges. These gauges are disposed on the tortional hinges and provide a voltage output indicative of applied shear stress acting on the force collection plate proximate the flow boundary surface. Offsetting the torsional hinges creates a force concentration and resolution structure that enables the generation of a large stress on the strain gauge from small shear stress, or small displacement of the collecting plate. The design also isolates the torsional sensors from exposure to the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Sateesh Bajikar, Michael A. Scott, Edward E. Adcock
  • Patent number: 7921732
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating an electromagnetic valve, associated to a gas meter, and operated to stop, or allow, a flow of gas through the meter (1) includes: an electronic consumption measuring device (4), which generates in output electric signals representing the quantity of gas, which flows through the meter (1); a central unit (C), which receives in input the electric signals generated by the measuring device (4) and includes means for transmitting the data concerning the gas consumption, by electromagnetic waves. Moreover, the apparatus includes an electric, functional connection between the central unit (C) and the electromagnetic valve (3), while the central unit (C) includes also means for receiving significant data by electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Alfa Centauri S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Tabellario
  • Patent number: 7921733
    Abstract: A magnetic flow meter includes a flowtube arranged to receive a flow of process fluid and a coil proximate the flowtube arranged to apply a magnetic field to the process fluid. A sense electrode is arranged to sense a voltage potential in the flowtube in response to the applied magnetic field. The sensed voltage is indicative of flow rate of process fluid through the flowtube. Diagnostic circuitry provides an output related to an electrical path between the coil and electrical ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot R. Foss, Robert K. Schulz
  • Patent number: 7921734
    Abstract: A magnetic flowmeter is disclosed that includes a pair of electrodes coupled to a process fluid and a diagnostic circuit coupled to the pair of electrodes to monitor a common mode signal. The diagnostic circuit is adapted to detect a poor ground connection associated with at least one electrode of the pair of electrodes based on line noise associated with the common mode signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Scot R. Foss, William G. Totenhagen
  • Patent number: 7921735
    Abstract: The measuring tube of the in-line measuring device is lined internally with a liner. The liner is made of a polyurethane produced using a catalyst that contains metal-organic compounds. The metals that are brought into the liner and remain there are chemically, especially atomically, bonded to carbon chains formed in the liner. The in-line measuring device is thus especially suited for measuring drinking water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Thomas Sulzer, Johannes Ruchel
  • Patent number: 7921736
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magneto-inductive flow measuring device (1), including: A measuring tube (2), through which a medium (11) flows essentially in a direction of a measuring tube axis (16); a magnet arrangement (6, 7), which produces a magnetic field (H) passing through the measuring tube (2) and extending essentially perpendicularly to the measuring tube axis (16); a first measuring electrode (3) and a second measuring electrode (4); wherein the measuring electrodes (3, 4) are positioned in the measuring tube (2) on a connecting line, which is directed essentially perpendicularly to the measuring tube axis (16) and to the magnetic field (H); and an evaluation/control unit (12), which ascertains, on the basis of a measurement voltage tapped on the measuring electrodes (3, 4), the volume- and/or mass-flow of the medium (11) through the measuring tube (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventor: Thomas Budmiger
  • Patent number: 7921737
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device and method for operating the device to determine a property of a fluid. The device has a tube that extends from a base and is spaced apart from a substrate surface for vibrational movement in a plane normal to the surface. The tube defines a continuous internal passage having a fluid inlet and fluid outlet fluidically connected to the base. A cantilevered member attached to a distal portion of the tube opposite the base is configured for vibrational movement relative to the distal portion. A drive electrode operable to induce vibrational movements in the tube and cantilevered member is disposed on the substrate surface. Sensing electrodes are disposed on the substrate surface for sensing Coriolis-induced deflections of the tube when vibrated, generating outputs from which a property of a fluid flowing through the tube can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Ray Sparks, Richard Thayre Smith, Nader Najafi
  • Patent number: 7921738
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) operative for purposes of detecting the presence of a coal rope within a coal delivery pipe (200) is provided. The apparatus (100) includes a rod (105) that is operative to flex when struck by a coal rope that is present inside the coal delivery pipe (200), a strain gauge (115) that is operative to produce an electrical signal based upon the amount of flexing that the rod (105) is subjected to when struck by a coal rope that is present in the coal delivery pipe (200), and a processor that is operative to determine based upon the electrical signal that is received thereby from the strain gauge (115) at least one of either the location of the coal rope within the coal delivery pipe (200) or the density of the coal rope within the coal delivery pipe (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: William P. Bailey, Richard C. LaFlesh, Jeffrey S. Mann, David H. Nilson, Joseph W. Quinn
  • Patent number: 7921739
    Abstract: A method for in situ sampling and monitoring of a fluid flowing in a flow path, whereby the fluid is to be directed to a chamber a first valve may provide a connection between an inlet to the chamber and the flow path and a second valve may provide a connection between an outlet from the chamber and the flow path, comprising the following steps: a) opening the first valve and the second valve to let the incoming fluid flow through the inlet to the chamber and from the chamber through the outlet into the continuation of the fluid path, thereby allowing fluid to circulate through the chamber for a certain time, b) trapping the fluid in the chamber by closing the second valve and thereafter closing the first valve, c) opening a valve 9 for reducing pressure, to obtain a pressure in the chamber suitable for monitoring the fluid, d) opening an access valve 11 and leading the fluid trapped in the chamber into a monitor system wherein the fluid is analyzed, and thereby providing the data representing the fluid chara
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventors: Sølve J. Fjerdingstad, John F. Reintjes, John E. Tucker, Lawrence L. Tankersley
  • Patent number: 7921740
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid sampling device comprising a port insert, a plurality of flexible conduits, and a plurality of sample containers. The port insert comprises a body having a plurality of shafts therethrough and a rotatably displaceable member for individually opening and closing any of said shafts to enable the flow of fluid therethrough. Flexible conduits (e.g., flexible tubing) are equal in number to the shafts, with each flexible conduit connected to or otherwise in fluid communication with an individual shaft. Similarly, sample containers (e.g., flexible bags) are equal in number to the conduits, with each sample container connected to an individual conduit opposite the connection to the shaft. A specific configuration for the port insert, as well as kit containing sterilized components of the fluid sampling device, are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Furey, Stephen P. Proulx
  • Patent number: 7921741
    Abstract: Model human hands (902) for use in electromagnetic (e.g., microwave and RF) testing comprise a skeleton (1200, 104) of dielectric tubes (142, 148, 166, 170, 174, 178, 206, 208, 210, 1202, 1212, 1214, 1216, 1228, 1230, 1236, 1240, 1242, 194, 195, 196) inside a glove (908) that is filled with a fluid that has electrical properties that match that of a typical human hand at a particular frequency. According to certain embodiments the model hands comprise thumbs (193, 1236) that are located out of a plane of palms of the model hands. According to one embodiment the dielectric tubes are pivotally coupled to each other and biasing means (181,702) are provided to bias the hand into a gripping position so that the model human hand is able to grip different types of wireless communication devices (802) in different ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Moller, Boris M. Rubinstein
  • Patent number: 7921742
    Abstract: A mounting and suspension system for mounting non-contact sliding measurement devices to the side of objects that slide on snow or ice like skis, snowboards, sleds, luges, and ice skates. A base component permanently attached to the sliding object allows a quick disconnect of the rest of the device. A linkage component permits the retraction of the measurement device relative to the sliding object in such a way that the measurement device remains aligned with the surface being measured while minimizing lateral displacement and fully retracted vertical height such that accurate measurement is obtained at any angle of sliding object relative to the surface of snow or ice. A bias device keeps the measurement device in firm contact with the surface without interfering with the use of the sliding object. A safety device prevents injury to user and damage to measurement device in case of impact with an external obstacle or fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Richard Kirby
  • Patent number: 7921743
    Abstract: A ball circulating member constructed in an external face of a nut is provided with ball scooping sections for scooping up balls rolling on between ball screw grooves of a screw shaft and the nut, along a line tangent to a center orbital circle of the balls. The path length of a ball scooping path section formed in the ball scooping sections is set to be ½ or greater of the diameter of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ohkubo, Atsushi Minakami
  • Patent number: 7921744
    Abstract: Rolling screw (1) comprising a first threaded male member (6), a second threaded member (3), means (5) that permit said second threaded member (3) to rotate freely in relation to the housing (2), as well as means (7) that permit to maintain fixed and constant the position of the axis of said first threaded member (6) in relation to the housing (2). Means of synchronization are also foreseen for the relative rotation between said first member (6) and said second member (3). Said screw is characterized in that at least one of the two threaded members presents a threading conformation such to permit the transmission of the rotation motion to another element without relative tangential sliding action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: ARES Engineering S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Brun
  • Patent number: 7921745
    Abstract: Noise can be effectively reduced without rotative power transmission accuracy being compromised. In a tooth 2 of a resin gear 1, a tooth face that is a predetermined area from a tooth crest 8 towards a tooth root 10 side serves as a tooth profile modification area 11. A tooth surface excluding the tooth profile modification area 11 serves as an involute profile area 12. The tooth profile modification area 11 includes a linear standard profile portion 14 formed by an involute curved line from the tooth crest 8 of the tooth towards the tooth root 10 side and a profile modification portion 16 in which a tooth thickness gradually and smoothly decreases from the standard profile portion 14 along a tooth width direction and the tooth thickness gradually and smoothly decreases from a tooth root end side 15 towards the tooth crest 8. In the tooth profile modification area 11, a contacting section becomes elastically deformed as a result of the resin gear coming into contact with a meshing mating gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Takumori
  • Patent number: 7921746
    Abstract: An actuating device (1) for a technical system, especially for selecting gears of a shift-by-wire speed-change gear includes an actuating element (2) with at least two shift positions and a locking device (8). The locking device (8) has at least one actuator (7) driven with auxiliary energy and is used to reduce the shifting path of the actuating element (2) or to lock the actuating element (2). The actuator (7) has at least three different shifting states to make it possible to embody the necessary locking functions of the actuating lever with a reduced number of actuators and hence with a comparatively low design effort. Space, weight and costs can thus be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Patent number: 7921747
    Abstract: A collapsible control lever suitable for use on a motorcycle includes a handlebar mount, an intermediate section and a lever section. The intermediate section and lever section are capable of rotation with respect to the handlebar mount between a relaxed position and an actuated position in order to provide control lever functions, such as disengaging a manual clutch. The lever section is capable of rotation with respect to the intermediate section between a normal position and a fully deflected position in order to avoid damage in the event of the motorcycle overturning. The lever section may be biased to its normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Robert L. Barnett
  • Patent number: 7921748
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pedal device which can alleviate fatigue of a driver's ankle due to a frequent acceleration by differently setting the amount of reaction force applied when the driver presses and releases a pedal, by adjusting pre-compression force against a return spring disposed at a hinged portion of a pedal arm and adjusting a friction force on a hinged portion of the pedal arm, and satisfying a user's preference by properly adjusting the reaction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Donghee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taeho Kim, Donghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7921749
    Abstract: A case includes an assembling hole portion and a snap ring preassembled hereto. When fixing a bearing to the case, a first distance between both ends of the snap ring can be expanded within the assembling hole portion. The bearing is used for supporting a rotational shaft of the case. The assembling hole portion includes dual hole portions, which open at respective positions where the both ends of the snap ring can be expanded within the dual hole portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: Aisin AI Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Wakabayashi, Daisuke Saito, Yoshiyuki Aoyama, Satoshi Munakata
  • Patent number: 7921750
    Abstract: Apparatus for securing a joint between two lengths of tubular. The apparatus has a tong arrangement comprising a rotary tong and a back-up tong. The apparatus also includes a frame having a seat for supporting the tong arrangement from beneath, the tong arrangement resting upon the seat such that the tong arrangement can be oriented in use at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the frame. A support member is provided for securing the tong arrangement to the frame at a chosen orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernd-Georg Pietras
  • Patent number: 7921751
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench includes a body having a first compartment rotatably receiving a drive member and a second compartment slideably receiving two pawls. A positioning member extends into the second compartment. A switch is slideably mounted to the body and includes two legs extending into the second compartment for moving the pawls. A restraining member is slideably received in the compartment and coupled to the legs to move therewith. The restraining member includes at least two positioning sections selectively engaged with the positioning member corresponding to at least two positions of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 7921752
    Abstract: A multi-function hand tool with a pivotally collapsible jaw-type tool that has a jaw lock which mechanically prevents the jaw-type tool from collapse. The jaw lock mechanism is contained within the jaw pivot joint of the jaw-type tool, and may be partially extended as a push button to prevent unwanted handle collapse. A plurality of blades are pivotally attached to the opposite end of the multi-function tool, which has a blade locking mechanism wherein the blade lock is pivoted about an axis located distal to the blade fastener/pivot axis. Each handle of the multi-function tool may be made of two individual handle halves that unite to form the handle, but that provide very precise tensioning, or the handles may be of a single channel shape using an infinitely adjustable threaded fastener and sleeve to provide precise adjustment of the multiple blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul W. Poehlmann
  • Patent number: 7921753
    Abstract: A screw locking tool includes a main body composed of a shank to be combined with a hand tool and a sleeve. The shank has front end continually connected with the sleeve having its surface disposed with an annular recess with an O-shaped ring fitted therein and bored with insert holes communicating with an accommodating cavity of the sleeve for receiving positioning steel balls, with an elastic element fixed in the accommodating cavity. A screwing element secured with the accommodating cavity has a shank with a minor-diameter and a medium-diameter annular recess for receiving steel balls to prevent the screwing element from slipping off. A receiving groove at the front end of the screwing element is bored with insert holes respectively for fitting a positioning steel ball and has an annular recess fitted therein with an O-shaped ring for positioning the steel balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Ho-Tien Chen
  • Patent number: 7921754
    Abstract: Woodworking machines including cutting tools and motors adapted to drive the cutting tools are disclosed. The machines also include a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, and a reaction system adapted to perform a specified action upon detection of the dangerous condition. The machines further include a control system adapted to test the operability of at least a portion of the detection system and/or the reaction system. The control system is adapted to disable the motor if the tested portion is inoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: SD3, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen F. Gass, J. David Fulmer, Joel F. Jensen, Benjamin B. Schramm, Robert L Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 7921755
    Abstract: A table saw includes a base assembly, a table assembly supported by the base assembly, a saw assembly having a blade extending through the table assembly, and a riving knife assembly connected to the saw assembly. The riving knife assembly has a removable riving knife, and a riving knife locking mechanism for locking the riving knife in the riving knife assembly. A handle is mounted to the base assembly or the table assembly, and is connected to the riving knife locking mechanism for releasing the riving knife without using additional tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Weston, Craig Carroll
  • Patent number: 7921756
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a film cutter assembly in which a blade housing slides along a pair of rails. The blade housing is formed of an upper portion for housing the blade. Either end of the upper portion has a rounded inclined shape from a bottom edge to form a sled shaped runner. The sled shaped runner extends beyond the blade such that the user is prevented from touching the blade. A lower portion of the blade housing slidables bilaterally in a cavity formed below the rails. A clearance is formed between the blade and the rails to allow the blade housing to easily slide over a film to be cut even if the film bunched or doubled over. The upper portion of the blade housing has a concave shape for allowing a user's fingers to easily grip the blade housing. Preferably, the rails are formed of a material which provides an attractive charge to attract the film to the rail and help hold the film flat before and after cutting. For example, the rails can be formed of flexible vinyl or acetal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: AEP Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Vegliante, Sean Neiberger, Rudolf Pavlik, Ian Kaiser
  • Patent number: 7921757
    Abstract: An armor plate is provided for a body jacket to include provision for electrical power. The plate includes a flexible substrate, a ceramic cover disposed on the substrate, and a battery. The cover includes cavities along the substrate, with the battery disposed within the cavities. The battery comprises sheets disposed within the cavities. The battery includes a first metal layer disposed on the substrate, an electrolyte layer disposed on the first electrode layer and a second electrode layer disposed between the electrolyte layer and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel J. Vavrick, Nicholas V. Nechitailo
  • Patent number: 7921758
    Abstract: A technique enables improved performance of oilfield service operations. A protective shield is formed with a portable stand and at least one lightweight impact panel. The one or more lightweight impact panels enable easy movement of the safety shield from one location to another at a given well site or between different well sites, thus affording protection with a minimum of labor and set up time. The safety shield can be used to provide protection during individual operations and/or to segregate and protect independent operations from each other during multiple, simultaneous operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Eden, Ronnie Stover
  • Patent number: 7921759
    Abstract: Armor systems for protecting against various threats, including projectiles and explosive devices. An armor system includes one or more ballistic panels, one or more wire mesh layers and a backing on a side of the armor system facing away from potential threats that helps to absorb force impacting on the first ballistic panel. The first ballistic panel includes a core that provides strength and rigidity for the first ballistic panel and that distributes and dissipates force impacting on the first ballistic panel, a grinding layer comprising grinding media situated within and positioned on at least one side of the core facing towards potential threats, and a bonding layer that encapsulates the grinding layer. The one or more wire mesh layers contain the ballistic panel, increasing the durability and re-usability of the ballistic panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Armordynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Warren
  • Patent number: 7921760
    Abstract: A compact gas block with rail interface has a first longitudinal bore for receiving a firearm barrel, the barrel having a gas port, the gas block having a second longitudinal bore for receiving a gas tube or operating element. The block includes a vertical bore aligned with the barrel gas port and connecting the first and second block bores and permitting passage of cartridge gas from the barrel gas port to the gas tube. The improved gas block includes a military rail, forward of the gas tube, the forward location permitting rail and accessories to lie close to the barrel, enabling handguard installation and removal, improving handling, and reducing firearm bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Jerome Benedict Tankersley
  • Patent number: 7921761
    Abstract: A gimbaled weapon system (GWS) is disclosed having a sighting system, a control unit, a weapon cradle and an operator interface for the GWS located remotely from the weapon cradle and the sighting system. The weapon cradle is elevated using a first elevation drive. The weapon cradle is co-located with the sighting system as a unit in the GWS. The GWS includes a second elevation drive elevating the sighting system independently of the elevation of the weapon cradle by the first elevation drive. A network of multiple, mobile target sensors located remotely from the GWS provide coordinates or location of a target to the control unit of the GWS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: EOS Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Quinn
  • Patent number: 7921762
    Abstract: A gimbaled weapon system (GWS) is disclosed having a sighting system, a control unit, a weapon cradle for receiving a weapon, and an operator interface for the GWS located remotely from the weapon cradle and the sighting system. The weapon cradle is elevated using a first elevation drive. The weapon cradle is co-located with the sighting system as a unit in the GWS. The sighting system includes a thermal video camera and a visible spectrum video camera, the thermal video camera and the visible spectrum video camera each producing a video output. The thermal and visible spectrum video outputs are provided to the operator interface for the GWS for display on a display included in the operator interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: EOS Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Quinn
  • Patent number: 7921763
    Abstract: The invention relates to a brake control system for motor vehicles comprising a brake pedal (1), a brake booster (4), a brake master cylinder (5). The system of the invention further comprises a simulator (3) pneumatically coupled to the piston (42) of the brake booster (4). This simulator (3) receives at least one brake command from the brake pedal (1) and in return establishes a pressure difference between the front chamber (40) and the rear chamber (41) of the booster so as to cause the piston (42) to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Chris Anderson, Raynald Sprocq
  • Patent number: 7921764
    Abstract: A rotation prioritizing valve serving as a flow rate control valve of a hydraulic pilot type is provided on the meter-in side of an arm cylinder. At the time of a combined operation of arm pulling and rotation, the rotation prioritizing valve is activated by rotation pilot pressure so that a meter-in flow rate of the arm cylinder is throttled to prioritize rotation movement. On the premise of the above, a switching valve is provided in a pilot line of the rotation prioritizing valve and switched so as to release a throttling effect of the rotation prioritizing valve when boom lowering movement is added to the combined operation of arm pulling and rotation so that a rotation prioritizing function is cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Takeshita
  • Patent number: 7921765
    Abstract: To prevent effects of small amplitude oscillations caused by pressure fluctuation, eccentric attachment of a cancel plate and biased load application of a return spring, and to achieve a long service life of the inner peripheral seal portion, a BPS (1) with a piston member (20) moving in an axial direction inside a cylinder (10) and defining a compression chamber (M) together with the cylinder (10) and a cancel plate (30) opposing to a bottom portion (11) of the cylinder (10) beyond the piston member (20) is provided with an inner peripheral seal portion (50) with a seal lip (52) slidably contacting an inner peripheral tube portion (13) of the cylinder (10) and a fitting portion (53) fitted to the inner peripheral tube portion (13) in an inner peripheral end portion (35) of the cancel plate (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventor: Kiichiro Goto
  • Patent number: 7921766
    Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials. The cartridge comprises an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, and an outlet for a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients. The cartridge comprises means for producing a jet of the beverage having an aperture in a beverage flow path linking the inlet to the outlet, and one or more microscopic projections at or in the vicinity of the aperture for contacting the beverage flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kraft Foods R & D, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Michael Halliday, Alistair John MacMahon
  • Patent number: 7921767
    Abstract: A flexible automatic broiler and method of use for variable batch cooking for particular use in quick serve and fast food service restaurants. The automatic cooking devices include a conveyorized cooking surface for alignment and discharge of food products, an altering/pulsating infrared energy radiation heat sources, and a control system. The arrangement and method facilitate a combination of batch preparation and made-to-order assembly of fast-food sandwiches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Burger King Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Cook, Robert J. Wenzel, Mark Finck, Steven M. Shei, Clement J. Luebke
  • Patent number: 7921768
    Abstract: A stand-alone oven capable of being utilized in both the horizontal and vertical orientations/positions to, among other functions, provide for rotisserie cooking of foodstuffs. The oven includes a rotisserie attachment that is adjustable to rotate in the oven in the horizontal and vertical orientation. A control panel is coupled to the oven to control the operation of the oven and includes a screen that is rotatable to be viewable in the horizontal and vertical orientation of the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Products of Tomorrow, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Fernandez, Paul McGrath, Raymond Hoi Tak Lam
  • Patent number: 7921769
    Abstract: A bowl and basket assembly (100, 200) is disclosed as including a perforated basket (104, 204) and a bowl (102, 202) for receiving said basket, the basket including a top body part (104a, 204a), a middle body part (104b, 204b) and a third body part (104c, 204c) connected with each other via a number of links (126, 205), in which the body parts are movable relative to one another between an expanded configuration in which the top body part (104a, 204a) sits on the middle body part (104b, 204b), and a collapsed configuration in which the middle body part (104b, 204b) is within the top body part (104a, 204a), and the third body part (104c, 204c) is within the middle body part (104b, 204b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kwok Kuen SO
    Inventors: Kwok Kuen So, Yiu Chung Wan
  • Patent number: 7921770
    Abstract: A can press system includes a base with a side wall, an open top and a bottom. A lid is movably connected with the base. A press, with an upper surface and a lower surface, is connected in spaced apart relation with the lid. The lower surface of the lid is smaller in diameter than the upper surface and the lower surface is connected with the upper surface by an edge such that the edge angles upward and outward from the lower surface to the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Zachary Wayne Hughes
  • Patent number: 7921771
    Abstract: A web-fed rotary printing machine has at least one printing unit and at least one turning bar that is usable to redirect a travel direction of a web that is to be conveyed. The turning bar has an effective length, for redirecting the web. A projection of this effective length corresponds with the width of the incoming web which is of at least four adjacently arranged printed pages in newspaper format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Günther Oskar Eckert
  • Patent number: 7921772
    Abstract: A cover for an automatically re-inked stamp is design to be mounted detachably on an automatic re-inked stamp and provides a function of preventing the automatic re-inked stamp from inadvertent stamping. The cover has a base having an inner surface and a surrounding edge and two mounting tabs being oppositely mounted on and protruding perpendicularly from the inner surface of the base along the surrounding edge. Each mounting tab has a pulling recess being formed in an inward surface of the mounting tab adjacent to an inner end edge. The pulling recesses make the cover easier to be detached from the automatic re-inked stamp. That makes the automatically re-inked stamp more convenient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sun Same Enterprises Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shiny Shih
  • Patent number: 7921773
    Abstract: A doctor blade system utilizes a lightweight doctor blade chamber to apply ink to an inking roller. The doctor blade chamber is removably positioned on a support plate which is, in turn, carried by linear guides on pivotable end plates. A rigid box beam is also attached to the end plates and is spaced from the support plate. A plurality of membrane cylinders are mounted on the rigid box beam and engage a surface of the support plate opposite to the surface that supports the doctor blade chamber. Through the application of suitable force, the support plate and its supported doctor blade chamber can be moved, by sliding motion on the linear slides, into uniform engagement with the surface of the ink roller. The system uses pivotable end plates which are supported by exterior plates that are, in turn, pivotably supported by press side frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ewald Röthlein, Helmut Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7921774
    Abstract: An initiator with a housing formed of plastic and a chip assembly for initiating at least one of a combustion event, a deflagration event and a detonation event. The chip assembly includes an electrically-actuated chip and a pair of electric leads that extend through the housing and are configured to couple the electrically-actuated chip to a fireset circuit. The electrically-actuated chip is partially encapsulated in the housing. A method for forming an initiator is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Reynolds Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Reynolds, Christopher J. Nance, Andrew F. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 7921775
    Abstract: A cost-effective solution is proposed to improve explosive transfer between booster and warhead that is compatible with the existing base of general purpose warheads and flexible to work with new warhead configurations. A booster lens is placed in the fuze well that concentrates the pressure wave to penetrate the fuze well with a peak pressure that exceeds the detonation threshold and detonate the warhead explosive. The booster lens can be configured to control the direction of the concentrated lobe to penetrate the fuze well where the barriers are low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: E. Russ Althof, William R. Hawkins, Henri Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 7921776
    Abstract: This invention relates to a detonating cord (10) having a core (12) of reactive material and a composite jacket around the core, and the method of its manufacture. The composite jacket includes an interior jacket (14) in contact with the core and a sacrificial jacket (20) disposed over the interior jacket. The sacrificial jacket prevents the cord from being cut off by the detonation of another detonating cord of like core load disposed adjacent thereto. The sacrificial jacket is separable from the interior jacket beneath it under the force of the adjacent detonating cord, thus absorbing energy and allowing the first detonating cord to remain intact. The detonating cord may have a core load of not more than 3.2 grams/meter (15 grains/ft) or, optionally, less than 1.25 g/m (6 grains/ft). The interior jacket may be free of metal jacket layers. Optionally, the outer cross-sectional diameter of the cord may be not more than about 3.8 mm (0.15 inch) so that it can be inserted into a standard detonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company
    Inventors: Brendan M. Walsh, P. Cary Franklin
  • Patent number: 7921777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for the production of radially perforated, cylindrical propellant tubes (1, 23, 31). The invention is based on the underlying idea that the respective propellant tube (1, 23, 31) must be fixed and centred between its own open ends and thereafter to be perforated in stages in a large number of consecutive perforation operations by means of one or more pins (13) capable of displacement in a pin die (10) relative to the propellant tube towards and at least through the major proportion of the cylindrical wall of the propellant tube. Also included in the invention is the requirement for the displacement, between each perforation operation, of the propellant tube and the pin die (10) used for the preparation operation in such a way relative to one another that the propellant tube, after a complete perforation operation, shall be covered in its entirely by perforations (32, 33, 35, 36), which lie at a predetermined e-dimension distance from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Eurenco Bofors AB
    Inventor: Johan Dahlberg
  • Patent number: 7921778
    Abstract: A single phase metal alloy usually for forming a shaped charge liner for a penetrating jet or explosively formed penetrator forming warhead consists essentially of from a trace to 90%, by weight, of cobalt, from 10% to 50% by weight, of tungsten, and the balance nickel and inevitable impurities. One preferred composition is, by weight, from 16% to 22%, cobalt, from 35% to 40% tungsten and the balance is nickel and inevitable impurities. The alloy is worked and recrystallized and then formed into a desired product. In addition to a shaped charge liner, other useful products include a fragmentation warhead, a warhead casing, ammunition, radiation shielding and weighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Aerojet - General Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. Stawovy