Patents Issued in July 24, 2012
  • Patent number: 8225458
    Abstract: A method for controlling a door, comprising the steps of storing energy during a manual opening of a door, sensing an object within a doorway, selectively applying a force derived from the stored energy, to close the door, based on the sensing of an object in the doorway. The closure is preferably controlled by an electronic control. A door closing device comprising an energy storage device for storing energy during door opening and releasing the stored energy to subsequently close the door, a damping system for damping a closure of the door, a sensor for detecting an object within a doorway, having an output, a controllable device for selectively restraining the energy storage device from closing the door, and a control system for controlling the controllable device based on the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Steven M. Hoffberg
  • Patent number: 8225459
    Abstract: A multi-link hinge for a door includes a fastening element that is securable to a furniture body. A pivotable door bearing is movable with respect to the fastening element. The pivotable door bearing defines an opened position, a closed position, and a pivot range between the opened position and the closed position. Several levers are connected to one another in a scissored arrangement. The levers connect the fastening element to the pivotable door bearing. A spring is operably disposed between the fastening element and the pivotable door bearing. The spring is pre-tensioned to bias the pivotable door bearing into the closed position. A linear damper is operably disposed between the fastening element and the pivotable door bearing. The linear damper dampens a closing movement of the door bearing. The multi-link hinge may be employed to prevent slamming of refrigerator doors, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hettich-Oni GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter-Hermann Waltemate, Helmut Hunger
  • Patent number: 8225460
    Abstract: A vehicle door hinge assembly includes a first hinge supported to pivot about a first axis, a guide surface, a door located at a side of the vehicle, a bracket to which the door is secured, supported to pivot about the first axis and a second axis and including a follower engaged with the guild surface, and a strut secured to the bracket that extends as the bracket pivots toward an open position and retracts as the bracket pivots toward a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joel S. Hooton, Armand J. Ybarra, Raymond L Wojdacki, Jr., Douglas J Amick, Samer J Mona
  • Patent number: 8225461
    Abstract: A cable tie with a reduced band thread force is disclosed, comprising an elongate metallic strap, a metallic locking head and a metallic roller means. In one embodiment, the metallic locking head comprising a strap entry notch. In another embodiment, the metallic locking head comprises a strap entry notch and a strap exit notch. In operation, the configuration of the notches, singularly or in tandem, serve to reduce the band thread force in the elongate metallic strap when the elongate metallic strap is inserted into the metallic locking head a second (and subsequent) time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: John J. Bulanda, Scott K. Benedict, Michael G. Mayo
  • Patent number: 8225462
    Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily repairing a separated sheet of a sailing vessel, including a first inner sleeve being formed by a first pair of thin bands and having a plurality of teeth facing a first direction, a second inner sleeve being formed by a second pair of thin bands and having a plurality of teeth facing a second direction, and an outer sleeve bonded to the first and second inner sleeves, wherein the sleeves have the ability to expand when placed under a compression force in the lateral direction and contract when placed under a tension force in the lateral direction, thereby causing the teeth to bite into ends of the separated sheet when under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Ganz
  • Patent number: 8225463
    Abstract: A rope or line clamping device, including an assembly of two interfit tubular molded plastic members each having an internal web which are juxtaposed with each other and formed with elongated holes offset from the rotary axis of the members so that the holes progressively become more misaligned upon relative rotation of the members in a direction reducing the overlapping of the two holes, with a ratchet mechanism holding the members in relatively rotated positions to hold the rope or line segments clamped together until the ratchet mechanism is selectively released allowing reverse relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy Bourke, Dorothy Bourke
  • Patent number: 8225464
    Abstract: A fastener arrangement comprises: a) a fastener receiver (12) having a lip (13); b) a fastener element (14) having a body part (15) and a resiliently connected latch member (16) having a hook (17) adapted to engage the lip; c) the body part comprising a fulcrum (18) adapted to bear against the receiver at a position spaced from the lip when the hook engages the lip, with relative flexure of the body part and the latch member giving rise to a force holding the hook under the lip and the fulcrum against the receiver; d) the body part having a press-to-engage, press-to-release actuator member (19) connected to the body part on the side of the fulcrum remote from the latch member; f) the hook having a camming face which, when the engaged fastener element is tipped about the fulcrum by pressure on the actuator member, cooperates with the lip to flex the latch member away from the lip to release the latch member so that the fastener element can be withdrawn from the receiver. A no-release version is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Touac International Limited
    Inventor: Peter Maxwell Robson
  • Patent number: 8225465
    Abstract: A headset cord holder comprises a body and a first groove built into the body configured to receive and releasably hold a headset cord. In some embodiments, the first groove has a diameter less than or equal to approximately 2 mm. In further embodiments, the body is integrally formed within the teeth of a zipper. In some embodiments the body comprises one or more of rubber, plastic and metal. In some embodiments, the body comprises one or more of stamped metal and molded metal. In further embodiments, the body comprises molded plastic. In some embodiments, the body comprises one or more additional grooves configured to receive and releasably secure the headset cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Snik LLC
    Inventor: Rob Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 8225466
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slider for a concealed type slide fastener with a separable bottom end stop capable of restoring a status to a normal one when an insert pin is inserted with an abnormal status, wherein a recess is provided in a shoulder mouth of a lower blade sideways of a diamond erected from a body of the slider and a slope is formed on a side wall sideways of the diamond and a rear mouth side of the recess, and the slope of the side wall restores the fastener tape into a parallel condition quickly and after that, the insert pin can be inserted into a box, thereby attaching the bottom end stop smoothly and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Go Takani, Takanori Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8225467
    Abstract: A molded area fastener product, such as a self-engaging fastener, has a strip-form base of resin with a broad surface from which an array of discrete fastener elements extends. The fastener elements each include a molded stem extending from the broad surface of the base to a curved head that extends toward a front side of the fastener element, forms a crook and ends in a distal tip. In some examples the curved head protrudes beyond the stem on the back side of the fastener element to form an overhang defined by an overhang surface of the head directed toward the base, and the crook is defined in part by an underside head surface that overhangs a lower portion of the stem. In some examples the fastener elements are arranged to provide a high distension overlap when mated with an identical fastener product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Gallant, Mark A. Clarner, Clinton Dowd
  • Patent number: 8225468
    Abstract: A brassiere closure has a pair of closure parts each having an eye with inner and outer parallel longitudinal webs. A separation plane passes through both of the webs and the slot, and a transverse central plane perpendicular to the separation plane passing centrally through the slot and both of the webs. A bridge extend transversely from the inner web has a planar floor face lying on the separation plane and is formed offset along the separation plane from the transverse plane with a throughgoing latch opening. A hook carried on the bridge spaced has an edge formed of sections directed toward and forming a V-shaped opening with the edge of the bridge. An outer edge of the hook carries a pin engageable in the closed position through a latch opening of the bridge of the other closure part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fildan Accessories (HK) Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl Wanzenboeck
  • Patent number: 8225469
    Abstract: Artificial leather sheet material is made by hydroentanglement of waste leather fibers. A web of the fibers is advanced on a porous belt high pressure water jet heads in a number of successive hydroentanglement steps. Screens have apertures which allow deep penetration of the water jets into the web while thin screen portions between the apertures act to interrupt the jets allow deep penetration of the water jets into the web while thin screen portions between the apertures act to interrupt the jets and limit formation of furrows. Deflector plates are provided alongside water jet heads to remove re-bounding water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: E-Leather Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Graham Bevan
  • Patent number: 8225470
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a process of making a surface acoustic wave device having a series connected interdigitated transducers with center chirping. A piezoelectric substrate is provided. Two acoustic reflectors may be formed on the piezoelectric substrate to define an acoustic cavity between the acoustic reflectors. In addition, at least three beta interdigitated transducers (IDTs) adjacent one another are formed on the piezoelectric substrate in electrical series with each other and aligned in acoustic series with each other between the acoustic reflectors, such that the at least three beta IDTs comprise at least one inner beta IDT between two outer beta IDTs, a center portion of the at least one inner beta IDT being chirped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Aleh Loseu, Jayanti Jaganatha Rao
  • Patent number: 8225471
    Abstract: Embodiments of an injection molded energy harvesting device are described. In one embodiment, a piezoelectric cantilever is produced via an injection molding method to harvest vibration energy from an environment being sensed. The cantilever device consists of a piezoelectric material member, a proof mass of high density material coupled to the piezoelectric member, and a leadframe for electrical connection. The piezoelectric member is electrically attached to the leadframe with a standard connecting material. The entire assembly is then injection molded with plastic. The plastic encased piezoelectric member forms a cantilever that generates electricity in response to vibration exerted on the proof mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Brian Stark
  • Patent number: 8225472
    Abstract: Forming a thin film acoustic device by patterning a layer of non-conducting material on a first side of a substrate to expose a portion of the first substrate side; depositing layers of conducting material on the layer of non-conducting material and the exposed portion of the first substrate side; depositing a layer of piezoelectric material on the layers of conducting material; depositing and patterning additional layers of material on the layer of piezoelectric material to form a first device electrode; depositing and patterning a masking layer on a second side of the substrate to expose a portion of the second substrate side; etching away the exposed substrate portion to expose the patterned layer of non-conducting material and a portion of the layers of conducting material; and etching away the exposed portion of the layers of conducting material to form a second device electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Paul Barber, Linus Albert Fetter, Harold Alexis Huggins, Ronald Eugene Miller
  • Patent number: 8225473
    Abstract: A tire ring tool used in connection with a lock ring and a retaining ring for securing a tire on a rim, the ring tool including a handle and a working end extending from the handle adapted to manipulate the lock ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Summit Tool Company
    Inventor: Roger Kliskey
  • Patent number: 8225474
    Abstract: A crimping fixture for crimping a stent onto a balloon of a catheter is disclosed. The crimping fixture includes a flexible elastomeric body having a crimping lumen and one or more inflation lumens extending through the flexible elastomeric body. The flexible elastomeric body is elastically stretched such that a pre-crimped stent may be placed in the crimping lumen. The inflation lumens are then pressurized with a fluid to impart an inward crimping force onto the stent to crimp the stent to a balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Arcand, Ryan Welty
  • Patent number: 8225475
    Abstract: A non-conductive stabilizer bar device for aligning and stabilizing fine pitch electronic components, specifically a nanominiature connector, while these components are being mounted to a printed circuit board. The stabilizer bar device provides for alignment and stability in the all directions. The stabilizer bar device provides a series of grooves having detents that come into contact with fine pitch electronic leads and hold fast the fine pitch electronic leads providing stability by maintaining the true positioning of the terminal ends of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Omnetics Connector Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Strange, Aaron Heitzman
  • Patent number: 8225476
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hess Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: David Mayfield
  • Patent number: 8225477
    Abstract: A fairing removal tool and a method of using the tool provide for an improved method of removing a fairing from an engine inlet case. The fairing removal tool employs a hook and notch to engage the fairing and release the bonds joining the fairing to an inner structural element of the inlet case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Phillip Alexander
  • Patent number: 8225478
    Abstract: The disclosure provides bearing sleeves or bushings made of memory shape material, and processes for installing such bearing sleeves or bushings. In one process, inner and outer surfaces of a bearing sleeve, made of a memory shape material, may be compressed at least one first temperature. A bearing may be inserted in a cavity of the bearing sleeve, and the bearing sleeve may be disposed adjacent to a surface of a structure, while the bearing sleeve is at the at least one first temperature. The inner and outer surfaces of the bearing sleeve may be expanded, at least one second temperature, to abut against the bearing and the surface of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Kane
  • Patent number: 8225479
    Abstract: A first and a second object (1 and 2) are joined with the aid of a joining element (8) including at least in the region of its distal and proximal ends (8.1 and 8.2) a thermoplastic material. Two blind holes (5 and 6) facing each other are provided in the two objects (1 and 2) and the joining element (8) is positioned in the blind holes such that its distal and proximal ends (8.1) are in contact with the bottom faces of the blind holes and such that there is a gap (9) between the two objects (1 and 2). This assembly is then positioned between a support (3) and a sonotrode (4). The sonotrode (4) and the support (3) are forced towards each other, while the sonotrode (4) is vibrated, thereby liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, there, where the joining element ends (8.1 and 8.2) are pressed against the bottom faces of the holes (5 and 6) and allowing the liquefied material to infiltrate into pores of the hole surfaces or unevennesses or openings provided in the hole surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Woodwelding AG
    Inventors: Colin Clinch, Marcel Aeschlimann, Laurent Torriani, Elmar Mock
  • Patent number: 8225480
    Abstract: A device and method for producing metal panels. First a metal melt is produced, then a substrate, having a lower temperature than the metal melt, is contacted with it so that some of the metal melt crystallizes on the substrate. The substrate is then moved relative to the metal melt so that a metal foil is formed on the substrate. The metal foil is divided into metal panels. The substrate has grooves which are used to fit partitions between the panels, and grooves which are filled with liquid metal. The latter grooves provide a reinforcement for the metal panels. A pattern of recesses and/or elevations can be provided in the substrate so that the same pattern is formed in the metal foil. The pattern may include parallel grooves which ensure that the surface of the foil is enlarged. In the case of solar cells this results in greater efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: RGS Development B.V.
    Inventors: Axel Georg Schönecker, Eelko Gelbert Hoek, Astrid Gutjahr, Leonardus Jacobus Laas
  • Patent number: 8225481
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for forming a diffusion bonded composite structure. The composite structure includes at least one internal void or feature. Surfaces to be bonded are cleaned and prepared for bonding. The exposed joints of the composite structure where the surfaces interface are sealed. The composite structure is placed in hot isostatic process furnace. The furnace is pressurized to a low pressure below 1500 pounds per square inch that forces the surfaces to be bonded in intimate contact with one another. The composite structure is heated to promote diffusion bonding at the interface of surfaces in contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory F. Kayser, Daniel L. Wisner, John G. Somerville
  • Patent number: 8225482
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a waveguide structure includes forming a metal layer of a predetermined size on a substrate to form a structure, forming a lower clad layer on the structure in order to completely cover the metal layer, forming a core layer of a predetermined size on the lower clad layer at the location corresponding to the metal layer, and forming an upper clad layer thereon in order to completely cover the core layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology International
    Inventors: Sung-dong Suh, Eun-hyoung Cho, Jin Seung Sohn
  • Patent number: 8225483
    Abstract: The torque sensor includes a plurality of coil units having a substantially cylindrical shape, the coil units including a plurality of detection coils arranged to face a magnetic characteristic change portion formed on a rotary shaft. The coil units include a first coil unit and a second coil unit, and the first coil unit and the second coil unit are disposed in the axial direction of the shaft. The first coil unit and the second coil unit are fixed in an integrally molded resin. Thereby, there is provided a torque sensor having a high productivity and an easy configuration and a method of manufacturing the torque sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuji Watanabe, Yasuo Shimizu, Atsuhiko Yoneda, Tsunehiko Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 8225484
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stator includes: (a) preparing a stator core and electric wires; (b) assembling together the stator core and the electric wires; (c) welding corresponding pairs of the electric wires to form a stator coil, wherein for each corresponding pair of the electric wires, end portions of the electric wires are radially bent toward each other to have distal end surfaces thereof abutting each other at a position axially outside an annular coil end part of the stator coil, the distal end surfaces are welded together to form a weld between the end portions, and the end portions together make up a crossover part that extends to cross over the coil end part; and (d) deforming, for each corresponding pair of the electric wires, the end portions so as to reduce an axial distance between the coil end part and the crossover part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Ryosuke Utaka
  • Patent number: 8225485
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a head suspension includes a punching process, a positioning process, and an affixing process. An objective part on the head suspension to which a damper 73 is affixed includes a discontinuous section 72. The punching process punches a damper material into the damper 73 whose shape corresponds to the shape of the objective part excluding the discontinuous section 72. The positioning process positions the damper 73 to the objective part so that the damper 73 avoids and surrounds the discontinuous section 72, and the affixing process affixes the damper 73 to the objective part. The method secures a uniform damping effect among manufactured head suspensions and improves the yield of dampers and head suspensions without deteriorating the functions and performances of the head suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Umebayashi, Hiroshi Kawamata
  • Patent number: 8225486
    Abstract: In a manufacturing process of a head slider, a plurality of head elements are formed on a wafer, each head element comprising: a return pole, a coil, and a main pole. The wafer is cut into respective head elements so that individual head sliders are formed. A ratio of an amplitude of an electrical signal applied to the coil of the write head on the head slider to an amplitude of output from an independent magnetic field sensor not embedded in the head slider is calculated, where the independent magnetic field sensor is disposed near the main pole so as to be opposed to the main pole across the air bearing surface, and where the ratio is calculated while a displacement between the main pole and the magnetic field sensor is swept. A flare point height of the main pole is determined from the calculated amplitude ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Toshio Takahashi, Akihiro Namba, Masafumi Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8225487
    Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes forming a mask above a thin film sensor stack; forming an electrically insulating layer above the mask and sensor stack, the insulating layer having a portion extending along a nonhorizontal end of the mask; selectively removing the insulating layer except for the portion thereof extending along the nonhorizontal end of the mask; removing portions of the sensor stack that are not covered by the mask and the portion of the insulating layer, wherein an end of the portion of the insulating layer positioned away from the mask is about aligned with a back end of the sensor stack after removing the portions thereof; and removing the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Ying Hong, Edward Hin Pong Lee, Aron Pentek, David John Seagle
  • Patent number: 8225488
    Abstract: A method for providing a PMR pole in a magnetic recording transducer comprises providing a mask on an intermediate layer, the mask including a line having at least one side, providing a hard mask on the mask, a first portion of the hard mask residing on the at least one side and a second portion residing on a surface of the intermediate layer, the hard mask including a dry-etchable layer and a high removal ratio layer on the dry-etchable layer, removing at least part of the first portion of the hard mask, at least a portion of the line being exposed, removing the line, thereby providing an aperture in the hard mask corresponding to the line, forming a trench in the intermediate layer under the aperture using a removal process, and providing the PMR pole, at least a portion of the PMR pole residing in the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Western Digital (Fremont), LLC
    Inventors: Jinqiu Zhang, Yun-Fei Li, Ying Hong
  • Patent number: 8225489
    Abstract: An MR element includes a first exchange coupling shield layer, an MR stack, and a second exchange coupling shield layer that are arranged in this order from the bottom, and a nonmagnetic layer surrounding the MR stack. The MR stack includes a first free layer, a spacer layer, a second free layer, and a magnetic cap layer that are arranged in this order from the bottom. In the step of forming the MR stack and the nonmagnetic layer, a protection layer is formed on a layered film that will be the MR stack later, and a mask is then formed on the protection layer. Next, the layered film and the protection layer are etched using the mask and then the nonmagnetic layer is formed. After removal of the mask, the protection layer is removed by wet etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Miyauchi, Takahiko Machita, Keita Kawamori
  • Patent number: 8225490
    Abstract: A transformer transporting/assembling method comprises a transportation step of transporting a U-shaped iron core with an iron plate horizontally extending to a place near an installation site and an erection step of erecting the U-shaped iron core together with an erection tank from a state that the iron plate extends horizontally to a state that the iron plate extend vertically, with the U-shaped iron core contained in the erection tank. The erection step includes a sub-step in which a portal lifter composed of two booms which are vertically expandable and parallel movable with a predetermined distance therebetween and between which the erection tank is disposed and a beam horizontally connecting the two booms and vertically moved as the booms expands or contracts is used, the beam supports the erection tank through a flexible member at predetermined support portions, and the beam is vertically moved by expanding/contracting the booms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Keigo Shibata, Masaki Sugihara
  • Patent number: 8225491
    Abstract: A coil manufacturing method for manufacturing a wave wound coil in a substantially cylindrical shape by shaping a linear conductor with a cross-sectional shape having directionality, includes: transferring a linear wave conductor shaped in a substantially rectangular waveform, and having straight side portions extending in a wave width direction, one-side connecting portions sequentially connecting every other pair of adjacent side portions at ends on a one wave width direction side, and other-side connecting portions sequentially connecting pairs of adjacent side portions that are not connected by the one-side connecting portions at ends on an other wave width direction side; first bending the one-side and second bending the other-side connection portions so that the side portions are arranged along a coil circumferential direction, and directions of cross-sectional shapes of the side portions are in a constant direction with respect to a coil radial direction; and winding the bent wave conductor on a bobbin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Hashimoto, Masaki Saito, Masafumi Jinno, Hironao Fujiwara, Hideki Mukaizaka, Shinichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8225492
    Abstract: A method of assembling a touch panel including a support structure and a conductive membrane, the support structure having a conductive surface and a peripheral insulating spacer about the conductive surface. The conductive membrane overlies the peripheral insulating spacer separating the conductive membrane and the conductive surface thereby to define an air gap therebetween. The method comprises tensioning the conductive membrane prior to securing to the insulating spacer; and securing the tensioned conductive membrane to the insulating spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Auger, Amir Butmir
  • Patent number: 8225493
    Abstract: Before a user starts the operation of an electronic component mounting apparatus, user's input representing as to whether the user is an operator, a programmer or a manager/maintenance person is accepted and further user level information representing degree of skill of the user as to the safety measures is accepted. The power supply of a mechanical portion operating a head portion is interrupted in accordance with the state of the apparatus including at least the user level information and the open/close state of a safety cover for covering the movable range of the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Juki Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuyuki Moriya
  • Patent number: 8225494
    Abstract: A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. An alignment mechanism on each base allows for rotational alignment of the support element relative to the pallet. An error proofing mechanism compares the selected location of the support element for each of the plurality of support assemblies and provides confirmation and correction information as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nicolas Lauzier, Robin Stevenson
  • Patent number: 8225495
    Abstract: A localizing unit for an X-ray diagnostic system covered with a sterile drape is provided. In one embodiment, the localizing unit can be sterilized and has an adapter, which includes a mechanism for puncturing the sterile drape and a mechanism for temporarily securing the sterile drape on a housing of the X-ray diagnostic system. The adapter may be detachably held in predetermined holders on the housing of the X-ray diagnostic system and may be positioned on the housing in a reproducible manner. In some embodiments, the mechanism for temporarily securing the sterile drape on the housing includes an elastically deformable, surrounding seal, which upon positioning the adapter, produces a force on the sterile drape in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ziehm Imaging GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Dehler
  • Patent number: 8225496
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system that can be used to form a photovoltaic device, or solar cell, using processing modules that are adapted to perform one or more steps in the solar cell formation process. The automated solar cell fab is generally an arrangement of automated processing modules and automation equipment that is used to form solar cell devices. The automated solar fab will thus generally comprise a substrate receiving module that is adapted to receive a substrate, one or more absorbing layer deposition cluster tools having at least one processing chamber that is adapted to deposit a silicon-containing layer on a surface of the substrate, one or more back contact deposition chambers, one or more material removal chambers, a solar cell encapsulation device, an autoclave module, an automated junction box attaching module, and one or more quality assurance modules that are adapted to test and qualify the completely formed solar cell device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Z. Bachrach, Yong-Kee Chae, Soo Young Choi, Nicholas G. J. De Vries, Yacov Elgar, Eric A. Englhardt, Michel R. Frei, Charles Gay, Parris Hawkins, Choi (Gene) Ho, James Craig Hunter, Penchala N. Kankanala, Liwei Li, Wing Hoo (Hendrick) Lo, Danny Cam Toan Lu, Fang Mei, Stephen P. Murphy, Srujal (Steve) Patel, Matthew J. B. Saunders, Asaf Schlezinger, Shuran Sheng, Tzay-Fa (Jeff) Su, Jeffrey S. Sullivan, David Tanner, Teresa Trowbridge, Brice Walker, John M. White, Tae K. Won
  • Patent number: 8225497
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to rotor installation systems and, more particularly, to permanent magnet rotor installation systems, including those having an in situ magnetizer or magnet insertion device. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rotor installation system comprising: at least one magnetizer for permanently magnetizing a ferromagnetic material; and an arbor for receiving a rotor having at least one portion including a ferromagnetic material, wherein the at least one magnetizer is positioned relative to the arbor to allow permanent magnetization of the ferromagnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen Bertram Johnson, Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Chandrakant Bapurao Kirolikar, Ronald George Shillington
  • Patent number: 8225498
    Abstract: A reconfigurable harness board system is provided for assembling a wire harness for an electrical panel and comprises a plurality of sub-harness modules. Each sub-harness module defines a swappable template for a wire harness for a respective electrical component for the electrical panel. Select ones of the sub-harness modules are mounted to a frame according to a first layout of electrical components for the electrical panel to create a reconfigurable harness board system in which each sub-harness module is detachable from the frame to be swapped with a different sub-harness module in order to reconfigure the harness board system according to a second layout of electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiao Lin
  • Patent number: 8225499
    Abstract: This publication discloses a method for manufacturing a circuit-board structure.1. The structure comprises a conductor pattern (3) and at least one component (6), which is surrounded by an insulating-material layer (10), attached to it by means of a contact bump (5). According to the invention, the contact bumps (5) are made on the surface of the conductor pattern (3), before the component (6) is attached to the conductor pattern (3) by means of the contact bump (5). After attaching, the component (6) is surrounded with an insulating-material layer (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Imbera Electronics Oy
    Inventors: Risto Tuominen, Antti Iihola, Petteri Palm
  • Patent number: 8225500
    Abstract: A process to make a connector is enclosed. The claimed embodiment comprises the following steps. First, design an insulating substrate using a customer specification. Second, program a Computer Numerical Control machine tool to form holes in the insulating substrate according to the design made in step one. Third, program a computer controlled dispensing machine tool to dispense conductive polymer into each hole formed in step 2. Fourth, form holes in the insulating substrate using the programmed Computer Numerical Control machine tool. Fifth, place a pin in each hole. Sixth, using a computer controlled automated dispensing machine, dispense electrically conductive polymer into each hole around the pin. And, finally, cure the polymer to hold the pin in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Onanon Inc.
    Inventors: James J Levante, Dennis Johnson, Tom Sahakian
  • Patent number: 8225501
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a thermoacoustic device. The method includes the following steps. A substrate with a surface is provided. A plurality of microspaces is formed on the surface of the substrate. A sacrifice layer is fabricated to fill the microspaces. A metal film is deposited on the sacrifice layer, and the sacrifice layer is removed. A signal input device is provided to electrically connect with the metal film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liang Liu, Zhuo Chen, Kai Liu, Chen Feng, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8225502
    Abstract: A semiconductor device 100 has such a structure that a semiconductor chip 110 is flip-chip mounted on a wiring board 120. The wiring board 120 has a multilayer structure in which a plurality of wiring layers and a plurality of insulating layers are arranged, and a first electrode pad 130 is formed on a chip mounting side. A taper surface 132 of the first electrode pad 130 has a gradient in an orientation reduced in an upward direction toward a solder connecting side or a chip mounting side. Therefore, a holding force for a force applied to the solder connecting side or the chip mounting side is increased, and furthermore, the taper surface 132 adheres to a tapered internal wall of an insulating layer of a first layer so that a bonding strength to the insulating layer is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kentaro Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8225503
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a board with a built-in electronic element, includes providing a support substrate including a support base and a metal foil, forming a protective film made of a metal material on the metal foil of the support substrate, forming a conductive pattern made of a metal material on the protective film by an additive method, placing an electronic element on the support substrate with the conductive pattern such that a surface of the electronic element where a circuit is formed faces the conductive pattern, covering the electronic element with an insulative resin, etching away the metal foil using a first etching solution such that the protective film is not dissolved by the first etching solution or that the protective film has an etching speed which is slower than an etching speed of the metal foil, and electrically connecting terminals of the electronic element and a part of the conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kariya, Toshiki Furutani
  • Patent number: 8225504
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead for stimulation of tissue of a patient, comprises: forming a plurality of electrode assemblies wherein each electrode assembly of the plurality of electrode assemblies comprises a respective plurality of segmented electrodes angularly separated by ribs formed in one or more segments of thermoplastic tape; electrically coupling a conductor to each segmented electrode; molding polymer material around each segmented electrode of the plurality of segmented electrodes to interlock each segmented electrode with polymer material to form a distal end of the medical lead; and fusing the one or more segments of thermoplastic tape of each of the plurality of electrode assemblies with the polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Don Dye, Cory Brinkman
  • Patent number: 8225505
    Abstract: A method of forming a blade assembly for a gas turbine engine, the method comprising mounting turbine blades on a rotor in a number of radial stages. Sacrificial supports are placed on the blades, and nozzle guide vanes are located on the supports. The rotor is introduced into a casing, and the guide vanes are mounted to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce, PLC
    Inventors: Michael L Burns, Peter Broadhead
  • Patent number: 8225506
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component, the method including the steps of: providing a component having a first portion, which first portion defines a cavity, characterized by; identifying a first frequency response of the first portion and/or the entire component, and introducing material into the cavity to achieve an adjusted frequency response of the first portion and hence a desired frequency response of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Nigel J.D. Chivers, Keith C. Goldfinch
  • Patent number: 8225507
    Abstract: A hybrid rocket motor is manufactured by photopolymerizing the solid fuel grain in a stereolithography method, wherein fuel grains in a plastic matrix are deposited in layers for building a solid fuel rocket body in three dimensions for improved performance and for a compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Jerome K. Fuller