Patents Issued in April 19, 2011
  • Patent number: 7926295
    Abstract: A blank, carton, package, and method for enclosing a plurality of containers in a carton is disclosed. The carton includes first and second top panels, first and second side panels, and a bottom panel. The top panels each include separation lines with one top panel disposed over the other top panel when formed as a carton. The carton is openable along the separation lines to expose the containers. The carton is capable of receiving a cooling substance therewithin when the top panels are separated along the separation lines. The carton including at least two handle tear lines with a handle disposed therebetween. The handle capable of being engaged to move the carton or package as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirsten L. Brand
  • Patent number: 7926296
    Abstract: A phase change material comprising a mixture of water and deuterium oxide is described, wherein the mole fraction of deuterium oxide is selected so that the mixture has a selected phase change temperature within a range between 0° C. and 4° C. The mixture is placed in a container and used for passive storage and transport of biomaterials and other temperature sensitive materials. Gels, nucleating agents, freezing point depression materials and colorants may be added to enhance the characteristics of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama
    Inventors: Francis C. Wessling, Jr., James M. Blackwood
  • Patent number: 7926297
    Abstract: In an input section (30), a set temperature Ts which becomes a control target temperature of a humidity controller (10), and a set relative humidity Rs which becomes a control target humidity of the humidity controller (10) are set. An air conditioning control section (42) adjusts the temperature adjusting capacity of the humidity controller (10) such that the room temperature may come very close to the set temperature Ts. Further, an arithmetic section (33) calculates, as the target absolute humidity As, the absolute humidity which becomes the relative humidity set value Rs at the set temperature Ts. A humidity adjustment section (41) adjusts the humidity adjusting capacity of the humidity controller (10) such that the absolute humidity of the room may come very close to the target absolute humidity As.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuki Matsui, Tetsuyuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 7926298
    Abstract: A refrigerator, including a cabinet having top, bottom, rear and opposing side walls that collectively define a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment, employs a cooling system and an air plenum to deliver a cooling air flow into the freezer and fresh food compartments. The air plenum includes a variable position air damper having a first, substantially straight portion and a second arcuate portion that forms an air scoop. The air damper is slidably mounted within the air plenum between first and second positions. The variable position air damper is selectively arranged in the first position to efficiently deliver a volume of the cooling air flow into the freezer compartment, the second position to deliver the cooling airflow into the fresh food compartment or in an infinite number of intermediate positions to deliver the cooling airflow into both compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven John Kuehl, James Charles Leslie Guarino
  • Patent number: 7926299
    Abstract: A control device 15 includes: a target area deciding unit 21 for setting either of binary values of 0 and 1 to plural area sections and deciding a targeted area section for air-conditioning; and an area air direction control unit 22 for carrying out control operation, so that when controlling at least one of air direction control stepping motors directed to the targeted area section for air-conditioning, a left/right air direction control stepping motor carries out control operation based on depth direction one-dimensional data obtained by calculating a logical sun of each column in depth direction of each area section in a group of area sections, and an up/down air direction control stepping motor carries out control operation based on left/right direction one-dimensional data obtained by calculating a logical sum of each column in left/right direction of each area section in the group of area sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuo Seki
  • Patent number: 7926300
    Abstract: A lighting panel system includes a lighting panel including a first string of solid state lighting devices configured to emit light at a first wavelength and a second string of solid state lighting devices configured to emit light at a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength, and a current supply circuit configured to supply a drive current to the first string in response to a control signal. A photosensor is arranged to receive light emitted by the panel, and a control system is configured to sample an output signal of the photosensor and adjust the control signal responsive thereto to thereby adjust an average current supplied to the first string by the current supply circuit. Methods of operating a lighting panel are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Keith J. Vadas, Chenhua You
  • Patent number: 7926301
    Abstract: A method of feeding a pulverulent batch material into a furnace in the manufacture of glass. The pulverulent batch material is fed from a first bulk batch feeder at a first batch feed rate, and from a second trim batch feeder at a second trim batch feed rate. The trim batch feed rate is equal to or less than 10% of the total batch feed rate. The use of trim electrodes and trim burners is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: William Weston Johnson
  • Patent number: 7926302
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a glass body for a potentiometric sensor, including: loading a first spindle of a glass lathe with outer and inner glass tubes, so that the glass tubes are arranged coaxially with one another and with the axis of rotation of the first spindle, the inner glass tube and the outer glass tube each has a media-side end, and the two media-side ends have defined axial positions relative to one another; loading a second spindle with an auxiliary glass tube, so that the axis of rotation of the second spindle is arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation of the first spindle; moving the auxiliary glass tube to be contiguous with the outer glass tube; fusion joining of the outer glass tube with the auxiliary glass tube; producing a connection between the outer glass tube, or the auxiliary glass tube, and the inner glass tube; removing a remainder of the auxiliary glass tube; producing a media-side opening of the inner glass tube; and forming a media-side edge of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Katrin Scholz, Stefan Auras, Sven Haertig, Jens Voigtlaender
  • Patent number: 7926303
    Abstract: A mold apparatus includes a first mold die, a second mold die and an interjacent mold die. The first mold die has a first molding surface. The second mold die has a second molding surface. The interjacent mold die is arranged between the first and second mold dies, and has a third molding surface and an opposite fourth molding surface. The third molding surface and the first molding surface cooperatively form a first molding chamber. The fourth molding surface and the second molding surface cooperatively forms a second molding chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keng-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 7926304
    Abstract: A non-contact method for measuring the tension applied to a drawn optical fiber includes drawing an optical fiber and displacing the optical fiber by applying a pressurized fluid to the optical fiber. The pressurized fluid may be applied to the optical fiber using a fluid bearing. The fluid bearing may include a fiber support channel. The optical fiber may be directed through the fiber support channel and is displaced relative to the fluid bearing by supplying the pressurized fluid to the fiber support channel. The displacement of the optical fiber caused by the application of the pressurized fluid to the optical fiber may then be measured. The tension applied to the optical fiber may then be determined based on the determined displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: John Joseph Costello, III, Andrey V. Filippov
  • Patent number: 7926306
    Abstract: A machine is described for producing a knitted fabric with at least partial use of fibrous material (10), in particular a circular knitting machine (1). At least selected knitting stations (6) are assigned drawing frames (8) for producing threads (11) which are formed from the fibrous materials (10). According to the invention, the drawing frames (8) lie in the reaching area of an operator (5) working on the machine (1) and can be opened downwards (arrow v) or to the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Reinhard Koenig, Georg Koenig
  • Patent number: 7926307
    Abstract: A double sided polypropylene knit loop fabric comprises at least one and preferably both of the inner and outer loops comprised of polypropylene yarn forming cantilevered loops from a knit fabric. Polypropylene has many different characteristics than those of cotton or cotton blends. Accordingly, by making at least one of the loops, if not both of the loops, and the tie yarn out at least substantially, if not principally, polypropylene, a fabric can be produced which has different characteristics than a cotton fabric of similar construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: John M. Williams
  • Patent number: 7926308
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator for jacquard thread-guide bars for warp-knitting textile machines, comprising a mounting body (6) singularly dedicated to the piezoelectric actuator (3) and onto which one piezoelectric body (8) is mounted, said piezoelectric body (8), a plurality of interface electric contacts (9) operatively connected to the piezoelectric body (8), and a connecting portion (10) apt to interface with a thread-guide portion, the mounting body (6) being configured and predisposed for being able to be removably engaged into a housing seat (5) of a supporting body (7) of a jacquard bar and to carry out an individual and removable mounting of the actuator onto the supporting body (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Santoni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Tiberio Lonati
  • Patent number: 7926309
    Abstract: A washing machine having a wireless communicating controller therein is disclosed, by which electric wires used for a controller in the washing machine are reduced and by which a main control unit is separated from an input unit or a display unit to secure a free movement and by which an installation position of an input unit or a display unit can be easily changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Soo Kim, Soung Bong Choi, Byung Hwan Ahn, Hyeok Deok Kim, Hung Myong Cho
  • Patent number: 7926310
    Abstract: Disclosed are a foreign materials filtering apparatus and a washing machine having the same. Since a filter cover unit and a filter unit are integrally modularized with each other, a user can separate or mount the filter unit from/to a washing water circulating duct by separating or mounting the filter cover unit from/to the washing water circulating duct. Accordingly, the foreign materials filtering apparatus can be easily detachably mounted at the washing water circulating duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Hee Yoo, Jong-Deuk Bae, Bo-Young Chang, Young-Bae Park, Ji-Maeng Kim, Soo-Jin Jung, Ae-Na Jo
  • Patent number: 7926311
    Abstract: The present technique provides systems and methods for integrally washing and drying laundry articles in a home application. Certain embodiments provide a home laundry machine having a drying mechanism pneumatically coupled to a laundry enclosure via an air inlet and an air outlet. The drying mechanism comprises a heating device disposed upstream of the air inlet and a cooling device disposed downstream of the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vanita Mani, Darren L. Hallman, Olga K. Zhushma
  • Patent number: 7926312
    Abstract: A washing machine having a damper-supporter, comprises: an outer case having a receiving space therein; a tub installed in the outer case; a damper having one end connected to the tub so as to perform a relative motion; and a damper-supporter spaced from the outer case so as to be vibration-isolated therefrom, for supporting another end of the damper. Accordingly, vibration and noise can be reduced by preventing vibration of the tub from being transmitted to the outer case through the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Ryong Kim, Sung-Min Kim, Kyung-Seop Hong, Gwan-Ryong Park, Seung-Chul Park
  • Patent number: 7926313
    Abstract: Device and method for detecting the unbalance of a rotatable component of a domestic appliance, in which device and method a mass, which is movable in dependence on motions of the rotatable component that are caused by unbalance, and/or a spring force which acts upon the mass, and/or a fluidic damping which acts upon the mass, is/are so defined that, above a predefined frequency, movements of the mass are substantially non-dependent on frequency, or frequency-dependent components of movements of the mass are within a predefined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: EMZ-Hanauer GmbH & Co., KGAA
    Inventors: Johann Schenkl, Tony Durfee
  • Patent number: 7926314
    Abstract: A personal property securement device mountable to a vehicle may comprise a cable housing with a safety port that defines a passage extending from internal to external the housing. A cable may be threaded through the passage with one end fixed to a cable retention knob external the housing and the other end fixed to a reel that may be disposed for rotation within the housing. A power spring may present a torque on the reel to enable retrievable winding and tensioned unwinding of the cable. The property securement device may further comprise a ratchet mechanism in cooperation with the reel to release tensioning of the cable at given incremental extractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Peak Recreational Products, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Anton Tollefson
  • Patent number: 7926315
    Abstract: An anti-panic lock assembly for a door and associated methods are provided. The lock assembly can be used to secure the door to a keeper structure mounted in a jamb of a door frame so that the assembly can be adjusted by first and second handles extending from the opposite sides of the door. The lock assembly generally includes a latch assembly with a latch member and a deadbolt assembly with a deadbolt member for engaging the keeper structure. The latch member is configured to be adjusted by a rotation of the handles between its extended and retracted positions. The deadbolt member is configured to be adjusted by a rotation of a deadbolt handle and a key lock mechanism between its extended and retracted positions. The assembly can be installed to provide an anti-panic feature from a select side of the door, by using a selective connection feature to selectively link one of the handles to the deadbolt assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Imperial USA, Ltd
    Inventor: Angelo Poletti
  • Patent number: 7926316
    Abstract: A temperature control device for a hot rolling mill, preventing a sudden change in temperature of a rolled material near the delivery side of the rolling mill and realizing precise gauge control. The hot rolling mill has rolling stands arranged in a row and cooling devices for cooling the rolled material. The hot rolling mill is operated so that the cooling devices are preferentially used, in order, from one closest to the entry side until the upper limit pressure is reached. The cooling water pressure of each of the cooling devices is computed based on the target temperature of the rolled material and the actual temperature on the entry side. The cooling water pressure of the cooling device closest to the delivery side of the rolling mill is computed based on the target temperature of the rolled material and the actual temperature on the delivery side so the difference between the target temperature and the actual temperature on the delivery side is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Tachibana
  • Patent number: 7926317
    Abstract: A press machine includes: an electric motor for raising and lowering a slide by rotating a crank shaft; a motion datum receiving module through which, by an input operation, an operator inputs a motion datum including, as input items, height positions at which the slide starts and ends an oscillation process, a speed at which the slide carries out the oscillation process, an angle at which the crank shaft is rotated in a direction during a drive-in operation, and an angle at which the crank shaft is rotated in the other direction during a return operation; a motion pattern generator for generating a motion pattern of the slide on the basis of the motion datum inputted through the motion datum receiving module; and a motor controlling module for controlling the electric motor on the basis of the motion pattern generated by the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Amada Press Technology Co., Ltd., Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Mitsumasa Soga, Hideo Itakura
  • Patent number: 7926318
    Abstract: An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 7926319
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7926320
    Abstract: Crimping apparatuses for reducing the diameter of an intraluminal medical device from a first diameter to a second diameter prior to loading the medical device into a catheter delivery system and loading apparatuses for introducing the medical device into a catheter delivery system, the devices constructed and arranged for matingly engaging one another, combinations thereof, and methods of using the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Perreault, Mark Edin, Bruce Asmus
  • Patent number: 7926321
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydraulic tool user interface. The hydraulic tool user interface includes a rocker section, a drain trigger section, and an activation trigger section. The rocker section includes a first end, a second end, and a first contact portion. The first contact portion is between the first end and the second end. The first contact portion is configured to contact a drain pin. The drain trigger section is at the first end. The activation trigger section is between the first end and the second end. The activation trigger section is configured to contact the second end. The activation trigger section is configured to contact an electrical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Nathan Rollins, Samuel Millen, David Carpenter
  • Patent number: 7926322
    Abstract: A system of measuring oxygen levels based on the intensity of a sensor material. Through use of intensity-based measurement techniques and improved light rejection, less excitation light and system gain are required as compared to certain conventional lifetime/phase shift techniques. One embodiment applies an intensity-based measuring system for taking measurements, and on an intermittent basis, using a lifetime/phase shift-type sensor in order to automatically calibrate the intensity-based measuring system in situ. A single sensing membrane may be provided while still allowing the system to be used in both the lifetime/phase-shift mode and the intensity mode. The system of the present invention may also include use of a variable thickness sensor for an oxygen sensing system, such as a portable handheld sensor and/or a sensor or controller at a fixed location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: EII, LLC
    Inventor: James C. Queen
  • Patent number: 7926323
    Abstract: A heat radiation coefficient C [=Ph/(Th?To)] from a microheater is calculated in accordance with a power Ph applied to the microheater which is supported in air and provided in an ambient gas, a heater temperature Th, and an ambient temperature To at this moment. Further, a thermal conductivity ?(T) of the ambient gas is obtained from the calculated heat radiation coefficient C based on a proportional relation [C=K·?(T)] between a thermal conductivity ?(T) of the ambient gas and the heat radiation coefficient C at a measurement temperature T [=(Th?To)/2].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Ooishi, Shigeru Aoshima, Nobuyoshi Shingyouji, Yasue Hayashi, Shuji Morio
  • Patent number: 7926324
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting ventilation of filter cigarettes FT has a plate-like packing 18a. The packing 18a covers the opening of a movable cylinder 10 and is relatively pressed with the end face of a filter cigarette FT. The packing 18a includes a hole 18c positioned to coincide with the center of the end face against the packing, an inner circular area 18f surrounding the hole 18c, and an outer circular area 18g surrounding the inner circular area 18f. The outer circular area 18g is elastically deformed more easily than the inner circular area 18f and is brought into tight contact with the outer circumferential edge of the end face pressed against the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc
    Inventor: Shinzo Kida
  • Patent number: 7926325
    Abstract: A method for differentiating between a liquid sample having clogs therein and a liquid sample having an abnormally elevated viscosity during a liquid aspiration process by relating the ratio between the maximum negative pressure during aspiration and an equilibrium pressure prior to dispensation to viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Kaplit
  • Patent number: 7926326
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing rheological measurements of interfaces located at the top of fluid sub-phases. In one configuration, a rotating rheometer is provided with a chamber wall whose inner surface defines an outer chamber radius and an inner cylinder disposed within the cylindrical chamber and having an inner chamber radius. The rotating rheometer is configured to hold a liquid sub-phase and interface layer that can be probed using a circular ribbon that is concentric with and suspended between the inner cylinder and chamber wall. The ratio of the ribbon radius, inner chamber radius, and outer chamber radius is designed to yield an average shear rate in the inner region that is the same as an average shear rate in the outer region. In one configuration, an interface-pinning feature is provided on at least one of the inner cylinder and the chamber wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Aloyse Franck, Jan Vermant, Gerald G. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7926327
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the filterability of fluids, in particular of transmission oils, has a test filter device (21) through which a sample amount of the fluid can flow, and a line system which forms a circulation circuit (1) for the fluid. The line system includes a foam tester (3) receiving the sample amount of the fluid. A circulating pump (23) removes fluid from the sample amount situated in the foam tester (3) and conveys it through the filter device (21) and back to the foam tester (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hydac Filtertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7926328
    Abstract: There is provided a sample manipulating apparatus which is an apparatus for manipulating a sample mounted on a substrate surface, in which at least position data and shape data are acquired by observing the sample. Thereafter, tweezers are positioned by moving means such that the sample is positioned between an observing probe and a grasping probe based on the two set of data. After positioning, a height of the tweezers is set to a position of being remote from the substrate surface by a constant distance by moving means while monitoring a result of measurement by displacement measuring means. Thereafter, the grasping probe is moved to a side of the observing probe while monitoring the result of measurement by the displacement measuring means at the set height and the sample is grasped while detecting a grasping start point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: SII Nano Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yasutake, Takeshi Umemoto, Masafumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7926329
    Abstract: The invention utilizes the firing order of the cylinders within the engine to identify the cylinder or cylinders that mainly contribute or, alternatively, contribute as little as possible to the production of certain harmonic frequencies in the engine's torque. In order to use the engine's torque for this purpose, the calculation of torque must take into account the non-linearities of the engine system. Thus the calculation of torque takes into account not only the properties of the engine but also the properties of the load and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: WärtsiläFinland Oy
    Inventor: Fredrik Östman
  • Patent number: 7926330
    Abstract: An air/fuel imbalance detection module includes a fueling control module, a response time determination module, and a comparison module. The fueling control module commands a fueling change according to a predetermined fueling pattern. The response time determination module determines a measured response time for a wide-range air/fuel sensor (WRAF) to output a predetermined voltage. The comparison module compares the measured response time with a reference time range and diagnoses air/fuel imbalance when the measured response time is outside the reference time range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhe Huang, Richard Hankins
  • Patent number: 7926331
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel property detector for detecting a property of fuel injected by a fuel injector into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The fuel property detector includes an injection commander, a change detector, and a fuel property determiner. The injection commander commands the fuel injector to perform a fuel injection for fuel property detection into the cylinder of the engine. The change detector detects a change in the rotational speed of the engine which is caused by the fuel injection for fuel property detection. The fuel property determiner determines the property of the fuel based on the change in the rotational speed of the engine detected by the change detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Tsutsumi, Xinyi Li, Kazuhiro Higuchi, Hironari Nakagawa, Akikazu Kojima, Youhei Morimoto, Shinya Hoshi, Hiroshi Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 7926332
    Abstract: An exhaust gas analyzer and an exhaust gas analyzing method capable of analyzing the concentration of particulate matter contained in exhaust gas from an internal combustion in real time are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamakage, Katsutoshi Goto, Yoshihiro Deguchi, Kenji Muta, Akio Kondou
  • Patent number: 7926333
    Abstract: Method for determining the oxygen storage capacity of a catalytic converter for a motor vehicle using the signals of an oxygen probe upstream and an oxygen probe downstream from the catalytic converter which has the following steps of determining of a delay time which is dependent on the oxygen storage capacity between the signal of the oxygen probe upstream and the signal of the oxygen probe downstream from the catalytic converter, determining of the phase shift which is dependent on the oxygen probe dynamics between the signal of the oxygen probe upstream and the signal of the oxygen probe downstream from the catalytic converter, and correcting the determined delay time between the signal of the oxygen probe upstream and the signal of the oxygen probe downstream from the catalytic converter by a determined phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Bodo Odendall
  • Patent number: 7926334
    Abstract: A tamperproof and calibration device comprises an adjusting member for adjusting the position of a first element in respect to a second element in a direction which is different from another direction in which a fixing member acts for fixation of the first element with respect to the second element. The tamperproof and calibration device is applicable to a turbocharger comprising a variable nozzle device coupled with an actuated member to be actuated by an actuator, wherein the tamperproof and calibration device connects the actuated member with the actuator for calibration of the relative position of the actuated member of the variable nozzle device with respect to a predetermined position of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Emmanuel Severin
  • Patent number: 7926335
    Abstract: A method for diagnosing a diverter valve of an internal combustion engine having a compressor is provided, for which diagnosis a variation over time of a charging pressure of the internal combustion engine as a result of a predefined triggering of the diverter valve is analyzed, the triggering of the diverter valve taking place in such a way that a diverter valve moved in the direction of its closing position is expected. Depending on the resulting variation over time of the charging pressure, an open jamming diverter valve is diagnosed if the variation over time of the charging pressure is not plausible with an expected variation over time for a diverter valve moved in the direction of its closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sabine Wegener, Lutz Reuschenbach, Patrick Menold
  • Patent number: 7926336
    Abstract: A dynamometer comprises a frame, an inertial flywheel, and a starter motor. The inertial flywheel is supported by the frame and the starter motor is movably mounted to the frame so as to be selectively engageable with the inertial flywheel. Means is provided for coupling an engine to be tested to the apparatus. The flywheel is brought up to speed by means of the starter motor and then coupled to the engine, which has been separately brought up to speed, via a clutch. The flywheel is supported by the frame in pressurized oil sleeve bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventors: Louis P. Vickio, Jr., Louis P. Vickio, Sr., Edward A. Vickio
  • Patent number: 7926337
    Abstract: A vehicle locking device locking a vehicle on a chassis dynamometer, equipped with rollers allowing driving wheels of the vehicle placed thereon, while keeping the driving wheels thereof placed on the rollers, was configured so as to detect angles of traction, to determine traction forces optimum for hauling the vehicle based on the detected angles, and to control the vehicle locking device based on thus-determined traction forces so as to take up a belt, aiming at readily and stably locking a test vehicle under optimum traction forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Ono Sokki Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Inoue, Atsushi Shibata, Naoki Umeda, Shuichi Tsukatsune, Haruhiko Tateno, Takahiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7926338
    Abstract: A raw runout signal of a tire is bandpass filtered utilizing appropriate, empirically determined, low and high tire order corners to determine the bandpass of the bandpass filter. A band-limited runout signal is then obtained and is examined for characteristic signal patterns of local runout which are known to exhibit periodically modulated cabin interior sound during vehicle movement, usually driving conditions involving highway speeds and smooth roads, which is audibly detectable by passengers based upon, for example, empirical analysis wherein the maximum gain of the bandpass filter is, preferably, unity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Oblizajek, John D. Sopoci, Carl T. Wright
  • Patent number: 7926339
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a wind tunnel designed to operate along a vertical section such that air currents, generated by appropriate fans, meet in a vertical area wherein the air currents are capable of lifting objects in this vertical area. the lifting effect may be seen on the outside of the wind tunnel as the tunnel is built from translucent materials. The viewing and lifting of bodies in the vertical section of the tunnel allows both their display and for measurements to be taken of the bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Voracel, S.L.
    Inventor: Miguel Angel Serrano Pellicer
  • Patent number: 7926340
    Abstract: A method for assessing the aerodynamic ground effects on an aircraft. The method includes determining the variation of at least one aerodynamic coefficient of the aircraft as a function of the height for a range of heights extending from an aerodynamically infinite height to a zero height. In the method, (i) the range of heights is subdivided into at least two consecutive sets of heights; (ii) for one of the sets of heights, the variation of said aerodynamic coefficient is determined by wind tunnel tests using a model of the aircraft; and (iii) for the other of the sets of heights, the variation of said aerodynamic coefficient is determined by digital simulation reproducing by computation the physical reality of the air flow around said aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Benoit Calmels
  • Patent number: 7926341
    Abstract: In a liquid sensing system, an RF signal is applied to a series-resonant circuit. The coil of the resonant circuit is placed proximate to a fuel tank, causing electromagnetic radiation to propagate into the fuel space. The fuel acts as an electrical load to the resonant circuit in a manner proportionate to the volume of fuel in the tank and/or to variations in electrical properties of the fuel itself. The loading effect of the fuel can change the resonant frequency and/or the Q of the resonant circuit. The loading effect of the fuel is determined by monitoring a change in one or more electrical parameters associated with the excited resonant circuit, such as a voltage across the resistor in the resonant circuit. Changes in this voltage are analyzed by a controller, the result of which is used to output a value indicative of level and/or composition of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schrader Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Idir Boudaoud, William Stewart, Alan McCall
  • Patent number: 7926342
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a pressure delivery system of a fluid sampler. The apparatus includes a housing (302) having a longitudinal passageway and defining first and second chambers (338, 348). A piston (346) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway between the first and second chambers (338, 348). A valving assembly (356) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway. The valving assembly (356) is operable to selectively prevent communication of pressure from a pressure source of the fluid sampler to the second chamber (348). The valving assembly (356) is actuated responsive to an increase in pressure in the first chamber (338) which longitudinally displaces the piston (346) toward the valving assembly (356) until at least a portion of the piston (346) contacts the valving assembly (356), thereby releasing pressure from the pressure source into the second chamber (348) and longitudinally displacing the piston (346) away from the valving assembly (356).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, Vincent P. Zeller, Charles M. MacPhail, Don H. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7926343
    Abstract: In a flow rate measuring device including a bypass channel having at least one bending portion and at least one channel portions, a detecting element is disposed in the bypass channel to detect the flow rate of measurement target fluid, a ratio L/H of a width H of the channel portion in which the detecting element is disposed, and a distance L from the bending portion at the upstream side of the detecting element to the upstream end portion of the detecting portion is set in range from 0 to 0.7, and a ratio D/H of a distance D from the wall surface of the base side of the detecting element to the center of the detecting portion of the surface of the detecting element and the width H of the channel portion is set in the range from 0.22 to 0.33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Ariyoshi, Masahiro Kawai, Koji Tanimoto, Hiroyuki Uramachi
  • Patent number: 7926344
    Abstract: An ultrasonic, non-invasive, bottom-up fluid level sensor for a container, includes: an ultrasonic transducer; and a dry couplant in acoustic communication with the transducer. The dry couplant is configured to adapt to the bottom surface of the container and the sensor contains nothing to bias the sensor against the container other than the weight of the container and fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Hyde, John A. Reyner
  • Patent number: 7926345
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the filling level in a liquid vessel, in particular in a reactor vessel of a nuclear-engineering plant, with a plurality of elongate, spaced-apart measurement tubes. Each measurement tube has a number of thermocouples which are distributed in the longitudinal direction. A thermocouple, which acts as a primary signal transmitter, is heated by a heating element and is arranged on a first measurement tube, has assigned to it on the signal side an unheated thermocouple, which acts as a reference signal transmitter and is arranged on a measurement tube which is different from the first measurement tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Areva NP GmbH
    Inventors: Sacha Kaercher, Wolfgang Vogt, Wilfried Harfst