Patents Issued in July 31, 2012
  • Patent number: 8232484
    Abstract: The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Various other embodiments and modifications to these preferred embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Wipotec Wiege-und Positioniersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Timo Hauck
  • Patent number: 8232485
    Abstract: A key assembly for use in an electronic device is provided. The key assembly includes a plurality of dome switches and a plurality of single-piece keycaps. Each keycap identifies a row of keyboard characters. Each keycap has a plurality of character-representing portions separated by deforming portions. Each character-representing portion is associated with a separate one of the plurality of dome switches. The key assembly further comprises a plurality of actuators for activating the dome switches. Each actuator has a first side which is engaged by one of the character representing portions of the keycap. Each actuator has a second side which engages the dome switch associated with that character-representing portion. In a rest state in which the keycap is not depressed, at least some of the actuators preload at least some of the dome switches by exerting a force upon the dome switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Chao Chen, Steven Andrew Prsa, Joseph Michael Hofer, Michael Welker, Todd Andrew Wood
  • Patent number: 8232486
    Abstract: A power seat control unit has a dial-type switch, a seesaw-type switch and button-type switches. The dial-type switch is ring-shaped, and allows a seat occupant to perform frontward and rearward inclining adjustments of a seat back of a power seat depending on a rotation direction thereof. The seesaw-type switch is inward of the dial-type switch and across a center of the dial-type switch and allows the seat occupant to perform a frontward and rearward displacement adjustments of the seat depending on a pushed position. The button-type switches are inward of the dial-type switch and on both sides of the seesaw-type switch, and allow the seat occupant to perform tilt-up and tilt-down adjustments of a front portion of a seat cushion and lift-up and lift-down adjustments of a rear portion of the seat cushion depending on which button-type manual switch is pushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takushi Ujimoto, Hiroshi Nakahira, Hiroshi Shimase, Tomohiro Kawasaki, Yuuki Kihara
  • Patent number: 8232487
    Abstract: A switch actuation device for use in connection with electrical switch mechanism having an actuatable structure. The device includes an actuation mechanism in operable communication with the actuatable structure for use in urging the actuatable structure of the electrical switch mechanism from a first position to a second position. An actuatable electrical switch arrangement is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Ian Blakeman
  • Patent number: 8232488
    Abstract: An operating mechanism, for a switch of a switching device disposed in a control cabinet having a door, includes a locking device having a locking element movable between a release position and a locking position. A spring device is configured to bias the locking element toward the release position. A force-transmitting member is operatively coupled to a resilient control member of the door, the force-transmitting member being configured to actuate the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Industries GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Haendler, Walter Gilgen
  • Patent number: 8232489
    Abstract: A switching device, in particular an automatic switch, a disconnecting switch or a contactor, installable according to different operating configurations and preferably for use in low voltage systems. The device comprises a case containing at least a pair of contacts, one or more accessory devices for controlling and/or setting the operation of the switching device and user interface means, capable of performing output and/or input functions relative to the accessory devices. These interface means comprise at least a display which shows information relative to the output and/or input functions according to a viewing direction. The switching device also comprises means to select the viewing direction which are operatively connected to the display. These selection means allow selection of the viewing direction on the display as a function of the installation configuration of the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Frassineti, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 8232490
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a coupling arrangement for transmission of the rotational movement of a switching shaft of an electrical switch to at least one position signalling device including a mount and including at least one coupling, which is mounted on the mount so that it can rotate, via which the switching shaft is mechanically operatively connected to a device for operation of the at least one position signalling device, when the electrical switch is in the test position or in the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Bohnen, Erhard Deylitz, Pierre Lamoth
  • Patent number: 8232491
    Abstract: A movable contact point made of a thin conductive metal sheet in an approximate dome shape is attached to the lower surface of a transparent base sheet, and the base sheet is provided at the upper or the lower surface with a fluorescent layer in the location above the movable contact point. Since, in the make-up, light can be made available for illumination in many colors other than that generated from a light emitting device, a movable contact element, as well as a switch formed using the contact element, that offers various illuminating modes can be implemented in a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Tatehata, Takefumi Inoue, Koji Tanabe, Yousuke Chikahisa
  • Patent number: 8232492
    Abstract: A keypanel assembly includes a light-emitting diode (LED) attached to a substrate. A switch is attached to the substrate. A control button is configured to actuate the switch. The control button permits light from the LED to pass through the control button to an outer surface of the control button to illuminate control symbology disposed thereon. An isolating structure ensures light emitted by the LED only illuminates the control symbology on the control button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua V. Davis, William G. Perreault, Steven W. Kramer
  • Patent number: 8232493
    Abstract: An operating device is provided having a supporting member, a button, an elastic member, and a bearing member. The supporting member has an opening which passes through the thickness direction of the supporting member. The button has a shaft and an engaging portion. The shaft is arranged such that the axial direction of the shaft is parallel to the thickness direction of the supporting member. The engaging portion projects parallel to the axial direction of the shaft. The elastic member is set onto the supporting member so as to cover the opening, and has a projecting portion which engages the end of the shaft. The bearing member is provided between the supporting member and the elastic member, which is provided around the opening and is located nearer to the shaft than the engaging portion in the direction orthogonal to the projecting direction of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Ichikawa, Akiko Ogata
  • Patent number: 8232494
    Abstract: A keyboard, wherein an opposing force generated between two magnet faces of the same polarity is used to return each key button to its original position after being pressed. As a result, the keyboard can be made capable of withstanding harsh environments while offering a satisfactory tactile response for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Dale McPhee Purcocks
  • Patent number: 8232495
    Abstract: A power button assembly includes a printed circuit board having terminals and a dome for trigging the terminals, a support base fixed on the printed circuit board, and a push button positioned between the printed circuit board and the support base. The push button is capable of moving along a first axis relative to the support base. One of the push button and the support base includes a guiding groove, and the other includes a guiding element slidably received in the guiding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zi-Ming Tang
  • Patent number: 8232496
    Abstract: A switch disconnector is disclosed. The switch disconnector has a main contact point and an arc interruption contact point, of which the main contact point opens before the arc interruption contact point during a disconnection operation and is closed after the arc interruption contact point during connection, with a stationary and a moving contact-piece arrangement, with the stationary contact-piece arrangement having a pot contact piece with contact fingers and with the moving main contact point having a contact cylinder which is connected to a contact mount, and with the arc interruption point having a contact pin as the stationary contact piece and an annular contact piece as the moving contact piece. The contact pin has a section composed of interruption-resistant material, whose external diameter is greater than the external diameter of the rest of the pin area. The contact pin has at least one slot which runs in the longitudinal direction and splits the pin into at least two pin fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Ole Granhaug, Jan-Henrik Kuhlefelt, Pal Skryten
  • Patent number: 8232497
    Abstract: A relief valve for discharging a dielectric gas between two volumes (V1, V2) of a high-voltage or medium-voltage interrupting chamber. There is used as a closure member a flexible metal blade secured to the body, the closure member therefore being opened by deformation of the flexible blade from a closed position (FIG. 1) in which it is pressed against a closure member seat formed in the body to a fully open position in which it fits closely against a stop member secured to the valve body while remaining within its elastic limit, the open passage for the gas being open in this fully open position (FIG. 1A) and the return of the blade from its fully open position to its closed position being possible because of its flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Areva T & D SAS
    Inventors: Cyril Gregoire, Roger Ledru, Wolfgang Grieshaber
  • Patent number: 8232498
    Abstract: A short-circuit device is provided for medium and high-voltage switching devices, in which at least one moving contact is moved onto a fixed contact by means of a propelling charge. Two contact arrangements are provided in series to provide a higher dielectric strength. Each of the contact arrangements includes a fixed contact and a moving contact. A first fixed contact of a first one of the contact arrangements contains a mechanical ignition device for providing a propelling charge to a moving contact of the second one of the contact arrangements, such that when the moving contact reaches the fixed contact of the first contact arrangement, the propelling charge is mechanically ignited to cause the moving contact of the second contact arrangement to be propelled toward the fixed contact of the second contact arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Dietmar Gentsch
  • Patent number: 8232499
    Abstract: A contactor assembly is adapted for switching power to a circuit having a power source. The contactor assembly includes a housing, carry contacts, and arc contacts. The housing defines an interior compartment and includes internal chamber walls that laterally extend within the compartment to define a protection chamber. The carry contacts are disposed in the protection chamber of the housing. The carry contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit. The arc contacts are disposed in the housing outside of the protection chamber. The arc contacts include conductive bodies that protrude from the housing and are configured to close the circuit. The internal chamber walls of the housing prevent material that is expelled from one or more of the arc contacts when an electric arc emanates from one or more of the arc contacts from contaminating one or more of the carry contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard Bush, Marcus Priest
  • Patent number: 8232500
    Abstract: This application relates to a plasma torch assembly comprising a plurality of tubes; a collar integral with at least one tube comprising a first abutment surface; a base for holding the tubes during operation of the torch comprising a portion for receiving the collar and a second abutment; and co-operating interlocking portions for removably urging the first and second abutment surfaces together by relative rotation of the interlocking portions wherein the first and second abutment surfaces comprise a complimentary taper for aligning the collar in concentric formation with at least one other tube on the base by co-operation of the interlocking portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Glass Expansion Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Danny Brezni, Jost Eberhard Kaiser, Bobby Brezni, David Sultana
  • Patent number: 8232501
    Abstract: A plasma arc power supply with a simple structure and its control method enable shifting from a pilot arc to a main arc. A plasma arc power supply used in a plasma arc apparatus that processes a workpiece by forming a pilot arc between a main electrode and a nozzle electrode and subsequently forming a main arc between the main electrode and the workpiece includes N direct current power supply units (N?2) having negative terminals connected to the main electrode and positive terminals to the workpiece, and a switch between the fourth power supply unit and the workpiece. The fourth power supply unit is connected to cause the nozzle electrode to have an opposite polarity to the main electrode. When the switch is open, the fourth power supply unit supplies a small current between the main electrode and the nozzle electrode while forming a pilot arc between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Sansha Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ohashi, Takayuki Nishisako, Tetsuro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8232502
    Abstract: A method for engraving an image on a surface of an article selected from a group consisting of brick, ceramic tile, concrete pavers and natural stone articles, comprising providing a laser engraving apparatus comprising a steerable laser beam, steering the laser beam continuously over a first beam path on the surface to provide an engraved image and repeatedly traversing the laser beam over a path substantially parallel to the first beam path and incrementally spaced therefrom to define a perimeter of the engraved image. The method further comprises steering the laser beam within an infill area defined by the perimeter of the engraved image to provide a plurality of engraved segments extending within infill area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Acme Services Company, LLP
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Young, Christopher Emmanuel Marzano
  • Patent number: 8232503
    Abstract: In a laser annealing system for workpieces such as semiconductor wafers, a pyrometer wavelength response band is established within a narrow window lying between the laser emission band and a fluorescence emission band from the optical components of the laser system, the pyrometer response band lying in a wavelength region at which the optical absorber layer on the workpiece has an optical absorption coefficient as great as or greater than the underlying workpiece. A multi-layer razor-edge interference filter having a 5-8 nm wavelength cut-off edge transition provides the cut-off of the laser emission at the bottom end of the pyrometer response band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiping Li, Bruce E. Adams, Timothy N. Thomas, Aaron Muir Hunter, Abhilash J. Mayur, Rajesh S. Ramanujam
  • Patent number: 8232504
    Abstract: The high efficiency welding device has two pairs of clamps mounted in two pairs of sliders movable in a reciprocating movement relative to one another. One pair of sliders is mounted at 0 and 180 degree positions around the circumferential surface of a support block and the other pair of sliders is mounted at 90 and 270 degree positions. Each pair of clamps is in the close condition while moving forward in the reciprocating movement to clamp onto selected air gaps of the welding electrode to advance the electrode towards the work piece as well as delivering the welding current to the welding operation, and it is in the open condition releasing the grasp of the welding electrode while moving backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Xue Feng Ni
  • Patent number: 8232505
    Abstract: A hair-styling device having an essentially cylindrical heating part on which at least one heatable styling part is provided for heating the hair. At least one lateral limit of the styling part is designed here as a styling edge. At least one guide means is arranged around the styling part in at least some areas, with a guide edge running parallel to the styling edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Hottenrott, Gisa Nicolin, Duy Phong Vu
  • Patent number: 8232506
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental firing furnace having a firing space and at least one carrier for dental material, in particular a muffle, which can be loaded into the firing space, and, in particular, a pressing device for pressing a ceramic blank inserted in the muffle, at least one physical variable of the firing space and/or of the carrier and/or of the muffle and/or of the ceramic blank being detected. A processing program of the dental furnace (10) that can be set is based on the detected physical variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ivoclar Vivadent AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Jussel
  • Patent number: 8232507
    Abstract: An operating device for an electric hob comprises a plurality of touch pads as touch points, in which operation takes place by applying a finger to specific defined touch points. The touch pads may be in themselves structurally movable separately of the electric hob or the operating device. The touch pads comprise individual coding circuits which can be accomplished by way of modulation of an electromagnetic field. The operating device has an electrode surface for attachment next to the electric appliance, on which the touch pads are arranged. Capacitive coupling is formed between the touch pads and the electrode surface. The operating device comprises a drive and evaluation device connected to the electrode surface both for detecting touching of a touch pad in general and for detecting and differentiating between touching of a specific touch pad and touching of another touch pad as indicated by the individual coding circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Baier, Lutz Ose
  • Patent number: 8232508
    Abstract: A water heater power control device is provided, wherein the control device includes a device outlet adapted to receive an electric plug of a water heater and a timer in communication with the device outlet. The control device may further comprise an electric plug adapted to plug into a wall outlet and provide power to the device outlet and the timer. In particular aspects of the present invention, the device outlet is changeable between an on state and an off state in response to commands from the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Loren Milligan
  • Patent number: 8232509
    Abstract: The invention provides a retainer system for retaining a positive temperature coefficient resistor in a heater housing shaft having a shaft side wall. The retainer system includes a base, a spring, and shaft engagement means. The spring is formed in and spaced apart from the base. The spring extends radially outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the base and the spring has a neck that curves radially backwardly, spaced apart from the base and toward the longitudinal axis of the base. The spring also has a contact surface presented outwardly, away from the base. The shaft engagement means are for engaging the shaft side wall and securing the base within the shaft at a desired distance from the resistor. The retainer system can be secured within the shaft with the spring flexed to a desired extent and with the contact surface urged against the resistor to retain the resistor in the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh A. Saleh, Andrea Pedrotti, Walter Sordo
  • Patent number: 8232510
    Abstract: A cooking device comprises a base and a heating element supported by the base. A cooking plate is heated by the heating element and includes at least a first cavity for receiving an item being cooked. At least a first temperature probe is disposed in the first cavity for piercing the item being cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Johnsonville Sausage, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Addesso, Hong Ji, Shelly Ann Stayer
  • Patent number: 8232511
    Abstract: A sensing system is adapted to sense a pointer and calculate a location of the pointer. The sensing system includes a panel, a reflective element, an image sensor and a processor connected to the image sensor. The panel has a first plane and a first area located at the first plane. The first area is quadrangular and has a first boundary, a second boundary, a third boundary and a fourth boundary connected in order. The reflective element is disposed at the first boundary and located on the first plane. A second plane of the reflective element which is a reflective mirror plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and mirrors the first area to form a second area. The image sensor sensing the first and the second areas is disposed at a corner at which the third boundary and the fourth boundary intersects and located on the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Cho-Yi Lin, Hsin-Chi Cheng
  • Patent number: 8232512
    Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus for integrating a quantity of light is provided with a photosensor, an integration capacitor, and a transfer amplifier. The transfer amplifier has i) an input coupled to receive a voltage determined by the integration capacitor, and ii) an output. The apparatus is further provided with a first switch to pull the integration capacitor to a precharge voltage, and a second switch to couple the integration capacitor to the photosensor, to discharge the integration capacitor in proportion to a quantity of light that is incident on the photosensor. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Arjuna Bin Marzuki, Kwai Lee Pang, Len-Li Kevin Lim
  • Patent number: 8232513
    Abstract: A projector adapted to modulate light emitted from a light source and project the light modulated, includes: a light source lighting device adapted to perform a starting operation for starting lighting of the light source; a past result information storing section adapted to store past result information when the light source lights due to the starting operation; and a starting condition adjustment section adapted to adjust an operation condition in the starting operation to be performed later, based on the past result information stored in the past result information storing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8232514
    Abstract: A pulse data recorder system and method are provided. Upon the arrival or occurrence of an event or signal, the state of a digital switch is set. Upon receiving a pulse from a readout clock, the state of the switch is stored in a buffer memory, and the state of the switch is reset. As the readout clock is run, a time history of the state of the switch is obtained. The pulse data recorder can feature a plurality of unit cells, for use in imaging or other multiple pixel applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Christian J. Grund
  • Patent number: 8232515
    Abstract: An imaging device suitable for detecting certain imaging particles and recording the detection of imaging particles, and as such can include certain recording devices such as a charge storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Z. Hossain, Patrick Mark Clopton, Clayton Fullwood, Dan E. Posey
  • Patent number: 8232516
    Abstract: A semiconductor photodetector may provide charge carrier avalanche multiplication at high field regions of a semiconductor material layer. A semiconductor current amplifier may provide current amplification by impact ionization near a high field region. A plurality of metal electrodes are formed on a surface of a semiconductor material layer and electrically biased to produce a non-uniform high electric field in which the high electric field strength accelerates avalanche electron-hole pair generation, which is employed as an effective avalanche multiplication photodetection mechanism or as an avalanche impact ionization current amplification mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Solomon Assefa, Yurii A. Vlasov, Fengnian Xia
  • Patent number: 8232517
    Abstract: A wavelength-sensitive detector is provided that is based on elongate nanostructures, e.g. nanowires. The elongate nanostructures are parallel with respect to a common substrate and they are grouped in at least first and second units of a plurality of parallel elongate nanostructures. The elongate nanostructures are positioned in between a first and second electrode, the first and second electrodes lying respectively in a first and second plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of substrate, whereby all elongate nanostructures in a same photoconductor unit are contacted by the same two electrodes. Circuitry is added to read out electrical signals from the photoconductor units. The electronic density of states of the elongate nanostructures in each unit is different, because the material, of which the elongate nanostructures are made, is different or because the diameter of the elongate nanostructures is different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Anne S. Verhulst, Wilfried Vandervorst
  • Patent number: 8232518
    Abstract: A method of characterizing surfaces comprises the steps of: directing a beam (2) of neutral atoms or molecules on a surface (3) for characterizing; and detecting in position-sensitive manner the neutral atoms or molecules of said beam that have been diffused forwards by said surface (3) for characterizing; the properties of said beam (2) being selected in such a manner that at least some of said neutral atoms or molecules that are diffused forwards are diffractive by said surface for characterizing. A device for implementing such a method comprises means (1) for generating such a beam (2) of neutral atoms or molecules and position-sensitive detector means (4) for detecting the neutral atoms or molecules that are diffused forwards by said surface (3) for characterizing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Universite Paris SUD 11
    Inventors: Hocine Khemliche, Philippe Roncin, Patrick Rousseau
  • Patent number: 8232519
    Abstract: Prior work on differential mobility analysis (DMA) combined with mass spectrometry (MS) has shown how to couple the output of a planar DMA with the atmospheric pressure inlet of an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer (APCI-MS). However, because the ion inlet to APCI-MS instruments is a round orifice, while conventional DMA geometries make use of elongated slits, the coupling of both has attained less resolving power or tolerated a smaller sample flow rate than a DMA alone. The present invention overcomes these limitations with an axial DMA of cylindrical symmetry using more than two electrodes. The configuration is related to that previously proposed by Labowsky and Fernández de la Mora (2004, 2006), where ions with a critical electrical mobility are brought into the symmetry axis of the DMA. Ions with this critical mobility are now optimally transmitted into the MS, with much higher resolution than possible in planar DMAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: Sociedad Europea de Analisis Diferencial de Movilidad, NanoEngineering Corporation
    Inventors: Juan Fernandez De La Mora, Juan Rus, Jerome J. Schmitt, Francisco Estevez-Molinero
  • Patent number: 8232520
    Abstract: The invention provides an ionization source for mass spectrometers named Universal Soft Ionization Source (USIS), wherein the ionization chamber combines various physical effects including InfraRed and UltraViolet normal or laser light, ultrasound, electrostatic potential and differential temperature to analyze polar, non-polar, low, medium or high molecular weight molecules, in order to ionize a variety of compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: I.S.B.—Ion Source & Biotechnologies S.r.l.
    Inventor: Simone Cristoni
  • Patent number: 8232521
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a device for analyzing a sample surface Comprising an outlet and a frame. The outlet is for forming a jet of gas, the jet forming a sampling region for receiving one or more sample surfaces, and the frame holding the outlet and being adapted to receive a detector means. The detector means has an inlet. In use, the jet produces desorbed sample from sample surfaces received in the sample area. At least a portion of the desorbed sample is ionized to produce one or more sample ions. The frame holds the outlet with respect to the sample ions and produce a signal indicative of the composition of the sample ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Jarrell, Michael J. Tomany
  • Patent number: 8232522
    Abstract: In the case of inspecting samples having different sizes by means of a semiconductor inspecting apparatus, a primary electron beam bends since distribution is disturbed on an equipotential surface at the vicinity of the sample at the time of inspecting vicinities of the sample, and what is called a positional shift is generated. A potential correcting electrode is arranged outside the sample and at a position lower than the sample lower surface, and a potential lower than that of the sample is applied. Furthermore, a voltage to be applied to the potential correcting electrode is controlled corresponding to a distance between the inspecting position and a sample outer end, sample thickness and irradiation conditions of the primary electron beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Go Miya, Seiichiro Kanno, Hiroyuki Kitsunai, Masaru Matsushima, Toru Shuto
  • Patent number: 8232523
    Abstract: A method of investigating a sample using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), comprising the following steps: Irradiating a surface (S) of the sample using a probing electron beam in a plurality (N) of measurement sessions, each measurement session having an associated beam parameter (P) value that is chosen from a range of such values and that differs between measurement sessions; Detecting stimulated radiation emitted by the sample during each measurement session, associating a measurand (M) therewith and noting the value of this measurand for each measurement session, thus allowing compilation of a data set (D) of data pairs (Pi, Mi), where 1?i?N, wherein: A statistical Blind Source Separation (BSS) technique is employed to automatically process the data set (D) and spatially resolve it into a result set (R) of imaging pairs (Qk, Lk), in which an imaging quantity (Q) having value Qk is associated with a discrete depth level Lk referenced to the surface S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Faysal Boughorbel, Cornelis Sander Kooijman, Berend Helmerus Lich, Eric Gerardus Theodoor Bosch
  • Patent number: 8232524
    Abstract: A detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation includes a substrate and at least one microstructure including a radiation-sensitive membrane extending substantially opposite and away from the substrate. The membrane is mechanically attached to at least two longilinear, collinear retention elements, at least one of which is mechanically connected to the substrate by an intermediate post. The membrane is in electrical continuity with the substrate. At least two collinear legs are attached to each other at the level of their ends which are attached to the membrane by a mechanical connector which is substantially co-planar with the legs and membrane. The other end of at least one of the legs is integral with a rigid cross piece which is substantially co-planar with the legs and extends substantially at right angles relative to the main dimension of the legs. The cross piece is integral with the post which is integral with the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ULIS
    Inventor: Michel Vilain
  • Patent number: 8232525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the detection of an electromagnetic radiation including: a substrate; a resistive imaging bolometer; a circuit for polarizing the bolometer at a predetermined voltage; a rejection circuit generating a common mode current, comprising a compensation bolometer thermalized in the substrate and a polarization circuit thereof; and a measuring circuit for measuring the difference between the current flowing in the imaging bolometer when it is polarized and the common mode current generated by the rejection circuit. According to the invention, the rejection circuit further comprises a current generator capable of producing a current that simulates the current induced by the self-heating of the imaging bolometer under the effect of its polarization, the sum of the current passing through the compensation bolometer and the current generated by the current generator forming the common mode current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ULIS
    Inventor: Olivier Legras
  • Patent number: 8232526
    Abstract: An analyzing apparatus includes a first optical unit that causes a terahertz wave generated by a generation unit to be condensed at a first position in an object; a second optical unit that causes the terahertz wave from the object to be condensed at a second position; a third optical unit that causes the terahertz wave condensed at the second position to be condensed at a third position; and a detection unit that detects the terahertz wave condensed at the third position. The analyzing apparatus selectively detects the terahertz wave from the first position in the object from among terahertz waves from the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeaki Itsuji
  • Patent number: 8232527
    Abstract: A first ?-ray generating in a body, caused by a PET pharmaceutical, and a second ?-ray emitted from a ?-ray source and transmitting through the body are detected with a radiation detector. The emission image information (E image information), E0, E1 and E2, at each of patient motion phases, 0, 1 and 2, which divided a respiration period, are prepared by using information obtained from the detected first ?-ray. The transmission image information (T image information), T0, T1 and T2, at each of patient motion phases, 0, 1 and 2, respectively, are prepared, by using information obtained from the detected second ?-ray. Relative displacements, ([F10], [F20]), are determined by superimposing, on T image information T0, other T image information, T1 and T2. The E image information, E1, E2, are superimposed on the E image information E0, by using this relative displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Kobashi, Wataru Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8232528
    Abstract: By simultaneously administering a chemical using a nuclear species releasing a single photon (a first chemical) and another chemical using a nuclear species releasing a positron to a subject, the cumulative distributions of the respective chemicals are monitored. A plural number of ?-ray detectors, which are circularly located, and a collimator covering some of the ?-ray detectors and rotates along the front face of the ?-ray detectors are provided. Also, an energy discriminating means for discriminating signals having a single photon ?-ray energy (first signals) from signals having annihilation ?-ray energy (second signals) among all of the signals detected by the detectors is provided. Further, the cumulative position of the first chemical is specified based on the signals corresponding to the ?-ray detectors covered with the rotating collimator from the first signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromichi Tonami
  • Patent number: 8232529
    Abstract: An idling time period after applying a bias to a conversion element until a start of an accumulation of the conversion element for deriving an image and an accumulation period from the start of the accumulation to a termination of the accumulation are measured. An offset correction of the image is conducted by using a dark current accumulation charge quantity in the accumulation calculated based on the measured idling time period and accumulation period and stored dark current response characteristics. Thus, even just after applying the bias to the conversion element, the offset correction can be properly conducted. An imaging apparatus which can execute a good radiographing without increasing costs and a size even just after applying the bias to the conversion element is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuro Takenaka, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Keigo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8232530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a neutron detector for detection of neutrons in fields with significant ?- or ?-radiation, comprising a neutron sensitive scintillator crystal, providing a neutron capture signal being larger than the capture signal of 3 MeV ?-radiation, a semiconductor based photo detector being optically coupled to the scintillator crystal, where the scintillator crystal and the semiconductor based photo detector are selected so that the total charge collection time for scintillator signals in the semiconductor based photo detector is larger than the total charge collection time for signals generated by direct detection of ionizing radiation in the semiconductor based photo detector, the neutron detector further comprising a device for sampling the detector signals, a digital signal processing device, means which distinguish direct signals from the semiconductor based photo detector, caused by ?- or ?-radiation and being at least partially absorbed in the semiconductor based photo detector, from lig
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ICx Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Guntram Pausch, Juergen Stein
  • Patent number: 8232531
    Abstract: Improved corrosion resistance for direct X-ray imaging detectors is obtained by providing a pixelated, electrically conductive barrier layer between the X-ray sensitive material and the pixel electrodes. Each barrier layer can cover part or all of its corresponding pixel electrode. In cases where pixel electrodes makes contact to underlying circuitry through vertical vias, it is preferred for the barrier layers to cover the via sections of the pixel electrodes. The barrier layers for each pixel electrode can be spaced apart from each other, or they can all be included within a continuous film on top of the pixel electrodes. Such a continuous film can be pixelated by spatially modulating its properties (e.g., thickness, doping) to significantly reduce lateral conductivity from pixel to pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: Varian Medical Systems, Inc., dpiX, LLC
    Inventors: George Zentai, Larry Partain, William Wei-Yu Yao, Richard Weisfield
  • Patent number: 8232532
    Abstract: A tool for patterning a disk such as a magnetic media disk for use in a disk drive system. The tool includes a chamber and a first and second series of magnets, each evenly spaced about the chamber wall. An ion beam source at an end of the chamber emits an ion beam toward the disk which is held within the chamber. The first series of magnets deflect the ion beam away from center and toward the chamber wall. The second ion beam source deflects the ion beam back toward the center so that the ion beam can strike the disk at an angle. In addition, to bending the ion beam, the magnets also rotate the bent ion beam so the movement of the ion beam revolves within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Robert Albrecht, Jeffrey S. Lille
  • Patent number: 8232533
    Abstract: A multilayer structure for authentication that includes an energy conversion layer, at least one stability enhancement layer and at least one blocking layer is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of creating and using the inventive multilayer structure for authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Performance Indicator, LLC
    Inventors: Edward D. Kingsley, M. Glenn Horner, Satish Agrawal, Louis Cincotta