Patents Issued in March 6, 2012
  • Patent number: 8129623
    Abstract: The invention relates to a resin film having a high adhesiveness to other materials, an adhesive sheet, a circuit board and an electronic apparatus in which an adhesive layer and the resin film are firmly adhered. A resin film (1) includes a plurality of projected portions (10) each having a filler (9) in an apex portion (10a) and a resin material. The projected portions (10) are formed on at least one surface of a sheet portion (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Nagasawa, Masaharu Shirai, Kenji Kume, Yutaka Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8129624
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sense element port, a support ring and a plurality of interference fit slits to provide a flexible interference fit between the sense element port and the support ring to form a substantially flush lap joint. The sensor also includes an electronics board inside the support ring and attached to planar mounting tabs which provide a stable mounting. Gel flow barriers protect electronics board features from unwanted non-conductive gel. Double-ended symmetrical, tapered contact springs provide manufacturing cost savings and contribute to improved alignment of an interface connector of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Willner, Lauren Snedeker, Brian Wilkie, Gifford Plume, Prasanth Ambady
  • Patent number: 8129625
    Abstract: In a core substrate 30, a ground through hole 36E and a power through hole 36P are disposed in the grid formation, so that electromotive force induced in X direction and Y direction cancel out each other. As a result, even if mutual inductance is reduced and a high frequency IC chip is loaded, electric characteristic and reliability can be improved without generating malfunction or error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: IBIDEN Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinobu Kato
  • Patent number: 8129626
    Abstract: A multilayer wiring substrate having no core substrate is provided. The multilayer wiring substrate includes: a laminated body includes: a plurality of insulating layers; and a plurality of wiring layers. The laminated body has: a mounting surface on which a semiconductor element is mounted; and a bonding surface to which external connection terminals are bonded. At least one of the insulating layers contains a glass cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Natsuko Ueda, Yuji Yukiiri
  • Patent number: 8129627
    Abstract: A circuit board includes a semiconductor chip having an upper surface and side surfaces connected to the upper surface. A bonding pad is disposed on the upper surface of the semiconductor chip. A bump is disposed on the bonding pad and projects from the bonding pad by a predetermined height. A circuit board body has a recess part, and the semiconductor chip is positioned in the recess part so that the circuit board body covers the upper surface and the side surfaces of the semiconductor chip while exposing an end of the bump. A wiring line is disposed on the circuit board body and part of the wiring line is positioned over the bump. An opening is formed in a portion of the part of the wiring line over the bump to expose the bump. A reinforcing member physically and electrically connects the exposed bump and the wiring line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Woong Sun Lee, Qwan Ho Chung, Ki Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8129628
    Abstract: The multilayer wiring board is provided with a lower layer wiring (8), and an upper layer wiring (10) formed on the lower layer wiring (8) through an interlayer insulating layer (9). On the interlayer insulating layer (9), a contact hole (11) is provided for interconnecting the upper layer wiring (8) with the lower layer wiring (10). A region surrounded by an inner wall (13) which forms the contact hole (11) is permitted to have a linewidth region wherein a wide line region (13A) and protruding regions (13B, 13C) as regions having different linewidths are connected. Thus, film thickness distribution of an ink baked product (12) formed at the contact hole (11) rises at the protruding regions (13B, 13C), and highly reliable multilayer interconnection can be performed between the lower layer wiring (8) and the upper layer wiring (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokuo Yoshida, Akiyoshi Fujii, Tatsuya Fujita
  • Patent number: 8129629
    Abstract: An arrangement for reducing the electric field strength on the face of an electrode, wherein the face of the electrode is surrounded by at least one electric barrier, and a shielding electrode having a defined voltage potential is disposed in the vicinity of the face of the electrode. By using a retaining element that can be connected directly to the face of the electrode, the shielding wires can be quickly and easily positioned and fixed relative to the face of the electrode and the shielding electrode relative to the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jens Hoppe, Dietmar Jahnel, Klaus Müller, Johann Schlager
  • Patent number: 8129630
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, an angular seam includes a first complementary structure defined in a first shell of an optoelectronic transceiver module, and a second complementary structure defined in a second shell of the optoelectronic transceiver module. The second complementary structure is configured to receive the first complementary structure so that an angular seam is defined that is substantially non-transmissive to electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua Moore
  • Patent number: 8129631
    Abstract: An exemplary cover for a conduit body integrates a lid with a gasket. The gasket is a closed loop with an upper rim portion and a lower rim portion forming an inner groove therebetween. The lid includes a hump surrounded by a border, and the border is positioned within the inner groove to secure the lid and the gasket together. The border of the lid has a slight convexity with respect to the bottom side of the lid, providing the lid with a slight curvature toward the conduit body. As a result, the lid bows downward between two fastening points at opposing ends of the lid. The gasket preferably includes a ridge protruding down from the lower rim portion. This ridge also faces the conduit body on which the cover is removably secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Sami Shemtov
  • Patent number: 8129632
    Abstract: In order to provide a portable electronic device improved in water tightness by a simple method, the portable electronic device includes: a housing assembled from a plurality of housing pieces via a sealing member and having a built-in electronic circuit; and a flat cable group in which a plurality of flat cables having a plurality of electric signal lines aligned and connected to the electronic circuit are stacked in a thickness direction, and adjacent flat cables are bonded to each other via an adhesive material at least at a point in an overall length, the flat cable group being integrally molded with the sealing member of the housing at the point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takao Shinoda, Shingo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8129633
    Abstract: An exemplary connector assembly includes a connector body, a compression nut, a compression ring, and a sealing ring. A conduit may be inserted through the compression nut and the connector body. The compression ring may include a circumferential gap between two complementarily interfittable circumferential ends to allow it to compress, and the sealing ring may vary in diameter along its axial length. As the connector body screws into the compression nut, the compression nut presses against the compression ring, which in turn pushes the sealing ring against the connector body. The connector body may include a connector chamfer. The sealing ring pressing against the connector body, preferably against the connector chamfer, forms a seal between the conduit and the connector body. The seal resists contaminants such as dust and moisture. Compression of the compression ring around the conduit helps secure the conduit to the compression nut and the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Sami Shemtov
  • Patent number: 8129634
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a conduit connector can comprise: a body comprising a box engagement region capable of engaging an opening in an enclosure and a spring configured to engage the connector and the enclosure. The box engagement region can have a root surface, a leading tab, and a follower tab wherein the root surface and leading tab can be located between a leading edge and a secondary edge. A leading tab perimeter edge and a follower tab perimeter edge define a tab perimeter diameter that is larger than an opening in the enclosure. When the leading tab is inserted into the enclosure the spring can be disposed to engage the secondary edge and the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sigma Electric Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Robert K. Sheehan, Vinayak Manohar Chavan
  • Patent number: 8129635
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for weighing an article, such as a mail piece, while the article is moving at high speed. An article (900) is received from an intake transport (1200), and gripped in a weighing station (1310), in between a capstan roller and a pinch roller (1316), which are synchronized to minimize slipping. A first precision servo system (1252, 1250) alters the speed of the article, and in the process acquires torque data for storage and analysis (1212, 1282). A second precision servo system (1260, 1330) applies a constant force, via a tension arm (1320), urging the pinch roller (1316) against the capstan roller, independently of the thickness of the mail piece. Fourier analysis can conveniently be applied for analyzing the acquired current data and comparing to stored calibration data to determine weight. Weight is determined without regard to the actual speed of the moving article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: RAF Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan Turner
  • Patent number: 8129636
    Abstract: A weighing apparatus is described having a product transport surface (24) for transporting products thereon in a transporting direction (26). The product transport surface (24) has a plurality of grooves (28) which extend substantially parallel to each other and transversely to the transporting direction (26). In a cross section along the transporting direction (26), the upward sloping edges (32) and the downward sloping edges (30) of the grooves (28) form a saw tooth profile, wherein, when viewed in the transporting direction (26), each transition from the upward sloping edge (32) to the downward sloping edge (30) of two adjacent grooves (28) is sharp-edged. The product transport surface is particularly adapted for the transport of products having a soft, flexible and/or sticky surface. Also described are product transporting members in a weighing apparatus which are provided with such a product transport surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Multipond Waegetechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Schmidhuber
  • Patent number: 8129637
    Abstract: A switch mechanism includes a support; a plurality of switches connected to the support. An encoder rotatable about an axis of a shaft; an actuator rotatable with the shaft and tiltable relative to the shaft; and a connector assembly interconnecting the actuator and the shaft to transmit rotational movement of the actuator to the shaft and permits tilting of the actuator. Each of the switches has a central axis and an upper surface to actuate the switch. A lever engages the upper surface at a first location on the central axis and pivotably engages actuator at a second location. The pivot axis is spaced from the first location a first vertical distance parallel to the central axis. The second location is spaced from the first location a second vertical distance parallel to the central axis 52. The first distance D1 is smaller than the second distance D2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Scott Morrison, Todd List, Paul McEvilly
  • Patent number: 8129638
    Abstract: A switch is disclosed, especially a position switch including a coupling for fixing a drive head to the base of a locking ring. The switch provides a technical solution to allow for a reliable operation of the switch and to simultaneously guide potentially damaging force effects from the drive head via the coupling to the housing of the switch. To this end, in at least one embodiment, first, second and third noses are used, which have an arrangement or shape enabling an essentially non-positive force transmission to be carried out. Furthermore, improved or even optimum handling by the user is ensured, especially for replacement of the drive head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Puri, Joachim Seidl
  • Patent number: 8129639
    Abstract: An emblem-unified trunk opening and closing device may include a housing including an outer case and an inner case, wherein the outer case is attached to a stationary member and includes a guide hole and the inner case includes a guide passage, a knob attached to the outer case of the housing, wherein the knob includes an emblem configured to be movable through the guide hole of the outer case, a connector provided in the guide passage of the inner case and to which a terminal electrically contacting an outer electric source is set, a printed circuit board (“PCB”) disposed inside the guide passage of the inner case and configured to electrically contact the terminal, and a contact unit configured to selectively contact the PCB by actuation force of the emblem so as to apply an electric current to the terminal of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sun Kyoung Youn, Phil Jung Jeong, Sang Won Lee, Jae Young Kang
  • Patent number: 8129640
    Abstract: An illuminating push button switch having a mistake-proof design to avoid improper installation of a light emitting diode (LED) consists essentially of a body portion (2), a cap portion (1) attached above said body portion (2), and a LED (6) inserted into the body portion (2) from the bottom. Said push button switch is characterized in that said body portion (2) incorporates a light cap (22), and a slot (23) for receiving the LED (6). A frame portion (30) is reciprocating along the light cap (22) for activating/deactivating the switch. Said mistake-proof design is provided at an inner wall of the slot (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Hong-Ming Liao
  • Patent number: 8129641
    Abstract: An installation switching device includes a housing having a terminal connecting area and a screwless spring-loaded terminal fixed in position in the terminal connecting area, and a spring operating lever. The screwless spring-loaded terminal includes a clamping spring having a contact limb, a clamping limb having a clamping window with a clamping edge, and a curved spring rear connecting the contact and clamping limbs and configured to interact with a mount part surrounding a clamping strip, such that a connecting conductor is clampable between a rear face of the clamping strip and the clamping edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Joachim Majewski, Roland Ritz, Klaus-Peter Eppe
  • Patent number: 8129642
    Abstract: A hinge actuator includes a first part, a second part, an electric drive, a coupling, and an auxiliary coupling. The first part and second part are configured for connection via the electric drive. The coupling is provided between the first part and the second part such that, in a first position, the first part and the second part are connected via the drive and can be pivoted relative to each other via the drive, and, in a second position, the first part and the second part are not connected to each other via the drive and can be pivoted relative to each other manually. In an embodiment, first stops are included on the coupling and the auxiliary coupling, and second stops are included on the coupling and the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Frits Brouwer, Peter Alexander Hamming, Andreas Johannes Petrus Schalkwijk, Eric Gerardus Paulus van Slagmaat, Paulus Gerardus Maria van Stiphout
  • Patent number: 8129643
    Abstract: Provided is a push-type switch device including: a switch element in which a dome-shaped reversing spring is accommodated in a switch casing; a holder which is mounted to the outside portion of the switch casing so as to define a position relative to the switch casing and has a perforation hole formed at a position adjacent to a center portion of the reversing spring so as to face the center portion; and a driving protrusion which is inserted through the perforation hole so as to reciprocate and is driven to push the reversing spring, wherein when the holder mounted on an upper portion of the switch casing is attached to a predetermined position of the interconnection substrate, the switch casing is held in the interconnection substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumu Anzai, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 8129644
    Abstract: A motor operator for switchgear for use in mains power distribution systems comprising a closed cabinet (5) with an operating shaft (53) protruding there from said operating shaft being rotatable at least between two positions and has a coupling part (2). The motor operator (6, 7) comprises a housing mountable on the external surface of the switchgear cabinet. A rotatable connection shaft (51) is connected to an electric motor via a drive mechanism, and has a first coupling part (52) to fit with the coupling part (2) of the switchgear in a non-rotational interlocking manner, and further has a second coupling part (54) extending from the housing to operate the contact of the switch manually and, for which purpose, the motor operator has a release mechanism releasing the connection shaft. The motor and the drive mechanism is designed as an electro-mechanical actuator with a rear mounting (23) for mounting the actuator in the housing of the motor operator and ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventors: Bruno Christensen, Anders Lorenzen, Verner Smidt, Jens N. Paulsen, Glenn Smith
  • Patent number: 8129645
    Abstract: A dynamically self-stabilizing elastic keyswitch for a key of a keyboard includes a rigid keytop, a thin elastic sheet, and a downward-facing convex rigid key bottom. The rigid keytop has a central axis at least substantially perpendicular to a surface of the rigid keytop. The thin elastic sheet is disposed relative to the central axis, and the central axis is at least substantially perpendicular to a surface of the thin elastic sheet. The downward-facing convex rigid key bottom is disposed relative to the central axis and below the rigid keytop, and the central axis is at least substantially perpendicular to a surface of the downward-facing convex rigid key bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: QuadTri Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Shakoor N. Siddeeq
  • Patent number: 8129646
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates generally to techniques and/or equipment for validating mail items within a mail processing system. Sort scheme data and mail item identification data are loaded into the mail processing system. The mail item identification data includes a mail owner identification value and a unique mail item identifier. Then, mail item identification data is acquired from each of the mail items processed in the system and validated against the loaded mail item identification data. The method may involve storing mail item validation data. The mail items are sorted in accordance with the loaded sort scheme data. Further, the present subject matter relates generally to building reports based on the information derived from the techniques and/or equipment utilized therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Bell and Howell, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Lee, Brian Bowers, Gary Van Ermen, Steven Seburn, Paul Kostyniuk
  • Patent number: 8129647
    Abstract: An insulating nozzle is formed with a first and a second material. The first material has a lower erosion resistance than the second material. The insulating nozzle has an insulating nozzle duct. The surfaces defining the insulating nozzle duct are at least partially made out of the second material. The insulating nozzle duct is formed with a hollow cylindrical section. An inner casing surface and an outer casing surface of the hollow cylindrical section is made out of the second material at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Tommy Haberer
  • Patent number: 8129648
    Abstract: An overvoltage arrester includes at least two electrodes and a melt element that connects one of the electrodes to an outer terminal of the overvoltage arrester. An extinguishing device is designed to extinguish an electric arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Gero Zimmermann, Thomas Westebbe, Peter Bobert
  • Patent number: 8129649
    Abstract: A method for Magnetic Arc welding for metallic materials wherein at least one of the workpieces to be welded has an open cross-section. The method comprises bracing the two workpieces and moving them together, wherein the open cross-section of one workpiece is bridged by a metallic auxiliary part to form a conducting closed region, and after the activation of a magnetic field of a magnet coil system and of the current required for welding, the workpieces are placed with a defined spacing and an electric arc is ignited, the magnetic field of the magnet coil system sets the electric arc in rotation in order to uniformly heat the end surfaces to be welded, and subsequently, the surfaces, which are to be welded, of the workpieces are pressed against one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Engineering AG
    Inventor: Thomas Lohken
  • Patent number: 8129650
    Abstract: The methods and devices enable a reliable and rapid automatic threading process on spark-erosive wire-cutting machines with closed round guides without complicated entry of parameters. A heat-output control device with an optimized output characteristic curve is supplied from a DC voltage source of the erosion generator. Through an at least partial feedback loop of heating current and source voltage, the characteristic curve is modified in such a way that different wire types or different annealing lengths for the wire provide optimal results for stretching, straightening and separating the wire electrode without controlled intervention. With adaptive control it is possible to thread future wire types automatically without reprogramming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Agie Charmilles SA
    Inventors: Ernst Bühler, Dante Scricciolo
  • Patent number: 8129651
    Abstract: An adapter, and the method of using the same, is disclosed for converting a oxy-fuel cutting torch to an exothermic or air lance cutting torch. The oxy-fuel cutting torch is converted by removing the torch tip therefrom and by substituting a two-piece, adapter which enables one end of a burning bar to be inserted therein and securely positioned therein. Two different embodiments of the adapter are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Glen Thomas Skelton
  • Patent number: 8129652
    Abstract: A weld stability system for an arc welding apparatus and method of operation is disclosed. The weld stability system may comprise a shielding gas supply and a control assembly. The shielding gas supply may include a first source of gas, a second source of gas, a mixing chamber, a first valve selectively connecting the first source of gas to the mixing chamber, a second valve selectively connecting the second source of gas to the mixing chamber, and a shielding gas supply line configured to direct gas from the mixing chamber to a weld gun. The control assembly may include a controller operatively engaging the first and second valves, and at least one sensor configured to monitor a parameter of an arc welding process and communicate with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jay Hampton
  • Patent number: 8129653
    Abstract: A plasma supply device generates an output power greater than 500 W at an essentially constant basic frequency greater than 3 MHz and powers a plasma process to which is supplied the generated output power, and from which reflected power is returned to the plasma supply device. The plasma supply device includes at least one inverter connected to a DC power supply, which inverter has at least one switching element, and an output network. The output network is arranged on a printed circuit board. The output network can therefore be designed low priced and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: HUETTINGER Elektronik GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kirchmeier, Hans-Juergen Windisch, Hanns-Joachim Knaus, Michael Glueck, Gerd Hintz
  • Patent number: 8129654
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasmatron structure for heating working gas in a DC arc discharge at the atmospheric or lowered pressures and can be used for different electronic, engineering, or vehicle-building industries and for medicine. An object of the invention is to provide improved effectiveness of process gas activation and increased completeness of plasma-chemical reactions. These objects are achieved in a DC arc plasmatron comprising a rod cathode, a nozzle anode having a body member and a through axial orifice, a power supply unit connected to both electrodes, and a gas system for feeding plasma-forming gas into inter-electrode space and supplying suitably selected technologic gas or gas mixture into the anode orifice through an internal opening communicating with said orifice and positioned between its inlet and outlet parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Cheju National University Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Heon-Ju Lee, Yong-Son Mok, Valentin Anatolievich Riaby, Valdim Yu Plaksin
  • Patent number: 8129655
    Abstract: An electrophoretic medium (102) comprises a plurality of capsules (104), each capsule comprising an internal phase comprising a plurality of electrophoretically mobile particles (106, 108) in a gaseous suspending medium, and a capsule wall surrounding the internal phase. Various processes for producing such an electrophoretic medium are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Jacobson, Thomas H. Whitesides, Robert W. Zehner
  • Patent number: 8129656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing thermal energy, wherein, by means of a plasma arc which is located between a cathode and an anode, light initial material that is suitable for fusion processes is put into the plasma state by supplying electric energy. Use is made of a cathode made of a metal that is suitable for allowing the particles which are produced in the plasma to be diffused and for allowing a fusion process to take place in the metal grid. The invention has a high degree of efficiency in corresponding systems such that said methods can be used anywhere where fossil and/or renewable and/or chemical fuels are used, in order to use the thermal energy directly or by conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Purratio AG
    Inventors: Richard Reichmann, Karl-Ludwig Barth
  • Patent number: 8129657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machining head with integrated powder supply for deposition welding using laser radiation. A machining head in accordance with the invention can in particular be used for deposition welding at a high deposition rate. In the machining head in accordance with the invention, the laser radiation is directed to supplied powder and to a material surface with a focal spot. The powder supply takes place symmetrically to the axial feed direction with a plurality of channels arranged oppositely. The channels are aligned at an obliquely inclined angle so that powder discharged from them is supplied into the focal spot of the laser radiation from two mutually oppositely disposed sides over the total width of the focal spot with respect to the axial feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Steffen Nowotny, Andreas Schmidt, Siegfried Scharek, Tobias Naumann, Friedrich Kempe
  • Patent number: 8129658
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for fabricating a solar-cell assembly are provided. An example method comprises forming a series of layers and scribing a series of aligned interconnect lines in the layers prior to forming any isolation line related features. The example method provides for the use of contiguously-scribed interconnect lines as compared to an existing method where at least one interconnect line is segmented to avoid scribing through a previously-formed isolation line related feature located where an isolation line is to be scribed. The ability to use contiguously-scribed interconnect lines may improve the throughput of the fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Antoine P. Manens, Wei-Sheng Lei
  • Patent number: 8129659
    Abstract: A DC arc start function for a welder. The arc start function is realized using a universal input DC regulator coupled to a DC to DC converter that produces a regulated DC voltage that is sufficient to strike an arc at an electrode of the welder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Kevin C. Silk, Richard A. Ales
  • Patent number: 8129660
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for buffering a welding wire, whereby a wire buffer, in particular a wire buffer magazine is arranged between a wire advance device and a further wire advance device which is preferably arranged in the vicinity of a welding torch, or in the welding torch and the welding wire is run between the two wire advance devices in a wire core. According to the invention, a simple and compact a buffer device as possible and an improvement in the dynamic behaviour of the wire supply can be achieved, whereby the wire core is attached or fixed at one end and the other end thereof is free to move and the wire core with the welding wire is arranged such as to be free to move within a wire guide tube with a substantially larger cross-section than the outer diameter of the wire core and the buffer volume of the wire buffer magazine is defined by the cross-section and the length of the substantially larger wire guide tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Schörghuber, Bernhard Haidinger
  • Patent number: 8129661
    Abstract: In a professional hair iron, a unit (U) is defined by a lower support element (2) and an upper support element (3) hinged together and movable between a rest, open position and an operation, closed position. Complementary facing plates (20, 30, 300, 333) are removably fastened to the support elements (2,3). Heating electric resistors (R) are inserted within the plates and at least one plate of the plates (20, 30, 300, 333) has a perforated portion connected to a supply pipe (C) in turn connected to a steam generator (G) to supply steam to the perforated portion so as to moisten a lock of hair laid between the plates fastened to the support elements (2,3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Mauro Catini
  • Patent number: 8129662
    Abstract: A portable heater (100) is provided. The portable heater (100) comprises an air inlet (108) and an air outlet (118). The portable heater (100) also comprises a heating chamber (115) including one or more heating elements (230). A preheating chamber (114) is provided that is located between the air inlet (108) and a heating chamber inlet (116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Reliable Products International
    Inventors: Norman Cameron, Dennis Cook
  • Patent number: 8129663
    Abstract: Deterioration of an O ring due to radiation heating in a vacuum heating apparatus is prevented to allow heat treatment of a substrate with good annealing properties. The vacuum heating apparatus 1 includes a vacuum chamber 2 constituted by flanges 11 and 12 having an opening portion 9 and joined together, a turbo molecular pump 17 for exhausting gas from the vacuum chamber 2, and a heater base 3 for heating a substrate 5 placed in the vacuum chamber 2. Joint surfaces of the flanges 11 and 12 are sealed by an O ring 10. Further, bonding steps 13 are formed between the heater base 3 and the O ring 10 on the joint surfaces of the flanges 11 and 12, thereby preventing thermo-radiation from the heater base 3 from reaching the O ring 10 through the joint surfaces of the flanges 11 and 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Masaki, Yuichi Sasuga, Masami Shibagaki, Hiroshi Doi
  • Patent number: 8129664
    Abstract: An induction heater which has an electrical conductor between a heating coil and a top plate. The electrical conductor has an extended portion formed downward from its outer periphery. The extended portion has a connector at its tip for coupling to a low-potential part. A thermal-connection reducing means is provided on the extended portion. A cross-sectional shape near a bent portion of the extended portion is made uniform. With the above structure, the electrical conductor has both the functions of decreasing the buoyancy and electrostatic shielding. This structure uses a smaller number of components, eliminates the risk of electric shock to the human body, and prevents uplift of an object to be heated. The thermal-connection reducing means reduces heat conduction to a connected part. Accordingly, a highly reliable and compact apparatus becomes available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Keishima, Hiroshi Matsuo, Miyuki Kani
  • Patent number: 8129665
    Abstract: An improved heating apparatus is aimed at optimizing heat transfer and delivering an optimal heating efficiency in comparison to conventional heating apparatus. The improved heating apparatus includes tubes that generate plume arrays of a fluid (e.g., a gas, such as air) that is heated in a conduit. The tubes introduce the heated fluid into a chamber of the heating apparatus. The fluid is returned to the conduit through a return opening in the chamber. The path that the fluid travels in the chamber, from the tubes to the return air opening, is provided such that optimized heat transfer and optimal heating efficiency are facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Appliance Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R. McKee, Earl R. Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 8129666
    Abstract: Devices systems, and methods can characterize an optical surface of an object. A wavefront sensor system focuses light energy propagating from the object to form a pattern on a detector. The system maps the pattern to an array with a transform function such as a Fourier transform. The values of array correspond to characteristic locations and signals in a transform space, for example an intensity of spatial frequency signals in frequency space. The characteristic location and intensity of these signals in transform space are used to measure the optical surface. For example, a characteristic frequency of a spatial frequency intensity peak in Fourier transform space can be used to estimate the location of spots on the detector. Alternatively, the characteristics can be used to the measure sphere, cylinder and axis of a wavefront, wavefront elevation maps and point spread functions, often without locating positions of individual spots on the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: AMO Manufacturing USA, LLC.
    Inventors: Erik Gross, Charles Campbell
  • Patent number: 8129667
    Abstract: A solar collector tracking system is provided for maintaining orientation of multiple solar collectors to the sun to provide optimal focusing of solar radiation on a receiver. The system includes a local controller circuit board that contains a sun-tracking algorithm to control the movement of multiple solar collectors to keep them optimally focused on the sun. The system also comprises a separate motor controller for each collector in data line connection with the local controller, and a motor for each collector in power connection with its motor controller. This isolates the local controller from the motor and protects the circuit board against power surges. The local controller allows effective field maintenance using field-replaceable components. Its circuit board is preassembled in a rugged, weather-proof cabinet to minimize the time and work required to prepare and install it in the field. The typical service life of this durable local controller is expected to be 30 years.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: SkyFuel, Inc.
    Inventors: Coleman Moore, Randy Gee
  • Patent number: 8129668
    Abstract: A solar tracking and concentration device, including a reflecting unit, a receiving unit, a controlling device, and a plurality of photo sensors, is provided. The receiving unit is used to receive the sunlight reflected and reflected by the reflecting unit. The receiving unit and the reflecting unit face each other. The receiving unit is adapted to move along a first direction. According to the position and the time of the reflecting unit, the controlling device controls a rotation angle of a support element and controls a first moving position of the receiving unit moving along the first direction, in which the support element supports the reflecting unit and the receiving unit. The photo sensors are used to detect the sunlight reflected by the reflecting unit to the receiving unit, and are adapted to output a first feedback signal to calibrate a direction of the receiving unit facing the reflecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sunplus mMedia Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Chieh Chang, Yarn-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 8129669
    Abstract: System including first and second light sources and controller. First light source is configured to generate first light beam of first perceived color. Second light source is configured to generate second light beam of different second perceived color. Controller is configured to direct light from first light beam to an image projector during first time intervals and to direct light from second light beam to an image projector during second time intervals. First light source generates first light beam with first intensity. Second light source generates second light beam with different second intensity. Controller is configured to temporally interleave first and second time intervals such that second time intervals are longer than first time intervals. Method also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Roland Ryf
  • Patent number: 8129670
    Abstract: Improved optical vector matrix multipliers are disclosed. The multipliers comprise: a plurality of light sources, each operable to radiate light of intensity ui; fan-out optics arranged to expand the light radiated by the light sources in one dimension; a spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of light modulating zones, each zone receiving light from one of the light sources and being operable to modulate the intensity of said received light by a factor of vij; and fan-in optics arranged to focus the modulated light onto a plurality of light detectors. The fan out optics, spatial light modulator, and fan-in optics are arranged such that an intensity of light proportional to ? i ? ? u i ? v ij is received at each light detector; and the fan-out optics comprise guided-wave optical components. Specific embodiments are disclosed in which the fanout optics comprise optical splitters, or a partially guiding wedge prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventors: Leslie Charles Laycock, Vincent Andrei Henderek
  • Patent number: 8129671
    Abstract: In an optical receiver and amplifier and an optical coupler, a technique for stabilize operations at turning on/off of a power supply by a simple configuration is desired. An optical receiver and amplifier includes: a photodiode generates a photocurrent in response to a light input; an output section outputs output voltage being a low level or a high level in response to a magnitude of the photocurrent by using a power supply voltage supplied from a power supply; and an output control circuit controls an input voltage of the output section such that the output voltage is set to the low level when the power supply is turned on or off during a period where the power supply voltage is lower than a predetermined value. The output voltage can be set to the low level so that an additional circuit for preventing malfunction is not needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Shimizu, Shinya Sawamoto
  • Patent number: 8129672
    Abstract: A photosensor device with dark current cancellation is disclosed. The photosensor device comprises a first and second photosensors, a first and second current replication circuits and a digital signal generator. The first photosensor has a first dark current but does not receive any photo signal. The second photosensor has a second dark current and receives a photo signal to generate photocurrent according to the photo signal. The first current replication circuit generates a replicated current according to the first dark current and injects the replicated current into the second photosensor for cancelling the second dark current from the second photosensor. The second photosensor is coupled to the second current replication circuit which generates charge and discharge currents according to the photocurrent of the second photosensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventors: Chun-Hao Huang, Yao-Jen Tsai