Patents Issued in December 27, 2012
  • Publication number: 20120324962
    Abstract: A cable locking system is provided. The cable lock system 100 includes a base member 110 having at least one aperture 120, a device latch 130, a cable latch 140, and a lock assembly 150 that is operably connected to the device latch and the cable latch. A device 610 can be detachably attached to the device latch. A cable 300 can be detachably attached to the cable latch. The cable latch can be disposed proximate the at least one aperture. The lock assembly can have at least three modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kevin Jeansonne, Richard E. Hodges, Mark H. Ruch
  • Publication number: 20120324963
    Abstract: A lock module housing containing the components of a preferred embodiment is physically mounted to the rear of a gate drive motor of an automatic gate system. A solenoid front shaft, when the solenoid is de-energized, is pushed into a sprocket attached to the drive motor, thus preventing the motor shaft from turning. To release the drive motor, the solenoid is energized. The solenoid rear shaft contacts a limit switch to indicate to the controller that the drive motor is indeed unlocked. When the controller is about to move the gate, energizing the solenoid retracts the shaft and allows normal operation of the gate control system. At the end of the gate cycle, the solenoid is de-energized and the drive motor is once again locked. In the case of a manual release, a key lock is turned from a first position to a second position to unlock the motor shaft. A mechanical linkage arm attached to the key lock pulls the solenoid shaft to its energized position, which in turn contacts the limit switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Alex Parsadayan, Wayne C. Hom
  • Publication number: 20120324964
    Abstract: An electronic locking device secures a shipping container and includes a housing, two arms, a sensing circuit, and electronics. The pair of arms extend from the housing and couple to the hasp. The arms transition between locked and unlocked configurations relative to the hasp, with one or both of the arms pivoting relative to the other. A bolt seal locks the arms in the locked configuration. The sensing circuit, which includes sensing contacts, is in a “closed” state or “open” state depending on whether the arms are in the locked or unlocked configuration. The electronics record and report the state of the sensing circuit, thereby indicating whether the arms are locked or unlocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas R. Berger, Joseph E. Denny
  • Publication number: 20120324965
    Abstract: In a steering apparatus configured by including: a steering shaft to which a steering wheel can be fitted; a steering column supported on a vehicle body and supporting the steering shaft rotatably; and a combination switch fixedly fitted to the steering column and constructed by combining a plurality of switches having different functions into one integral unit, the improvement comprises: a spacer having an inner peripheral surface that is fixedly fitted onto an outer peripheral surface of an end portion of the steering column on a rear side with respect to a vehicle body and an outer peripheral surface that is formed to have a dimension of an outer diameter enabling an inner peripheral surface of a fitting portion provided in the combination switch to be fitted onto the outer peripheral surface; and a rotation preventive mechanism preventing the spacer from rotating about the steering column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Kou Yamamoto, Noritomo Narita, Youhei Nakazato
  • Publication number: 20120324966
    Abstract: An electronic lock is provided for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the electronic lock comprising first and second complementary cooperating member, each mounted to a respective one of the movable item and the structure and being engageable together in a lockable position and a securing assembly for securing the first and second connecting member together when engaged in the lockable position, wherein the securing assembly comprises inter alia a position detecting means, an electronic control means, an actuator, a locking aperture and a movable locking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SOCIETE DE VELO EN LIBRE-SERVICE
    Inventors: Michel Dallaire, Charles Ibrahim KHAIRALLAH
  • Publication number: 20120324967
    Abstract: An electronic and manual lock assembly having a lock housing, a mechanical lock, an electric motor, and a shackle having a pair of legs. The shackle can be unlocked relative to the housing by having one leg pivotally connected with the housing and the other leg rotated out of the housing. The lock includes a first stop member that prevents one leg from being rotated out of the housing. The first stop member is moveable as a result of unlocking the mechanical lock. The lock includes a second stop member that prevents one of the legs from being rotated out of the lock housing and is moveable as a result of operating the electric motor. The first stop member and the second stop member are independently moveable by the mechanical lock and the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: THE STANLEY WORKS ISRAEL LTD.
    Inventors: Ori Goren, Amir Katz
  • Publication number: 20120324968
    Abstract: An electronic and manual lock assembly having a lock housing, a mechanical lock, an electric motor, and a shackle having a pair of legs. The shackle can be unlocked relative to the housing by having one leg pivotally connected with the housing and the other leg rotated out of the housing. The lock includes a first stop member that prevents one leg from being rotated out of the housing. The first stop member is moveable as a result of unlocking the mechanical lock. The lock includes a second stop member that prevents one of the legs from being rotated out of the lock housing and is moveable as a result of operating the electric motor. The first stop member and the second stop member are independently moveable by the mechanical lock and the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: THE STANLEY WORKS ISRAEL LTD.
    Inventors: Ori Goren, Amir Katz
  • Publication number: 20120324969
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed towards an anti-vandalism electronic cylinder lock (10). The lock comprising a cylinder housing (30), an electronic cylinder lock mechanism, an inside knob (26), and an outside knob (100), the outside knob (100) being configured for assuming a first non-accessible, non-operable, retracted position, and a second, accessible operative position, in which the outside knob (100) projects from the cylinder housing (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: KNOCK N'LOCK LTD.
    Inventor: Ilan Goldman
  • Publication number: 20120324970
    Abstract: To provide a push button lock which includes a housing on which a plurality of depressible push buttons are located, a lock pin which moves axially with the push button and being engageable with and disengageable from the push button, a lock plate formed with a plate key hole and plate lock hole, a reset plate which is provided parallel to the lock plate, a driving cam linked to a deadbolt lock, and the security-code controller detachably attached to the housing. A mechanism and components for setting and storing a security code for locking and unlocking are assembled in a cartridge. The cartridge is detachably attached to the inside of the housing so that various surface designs are available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Nagasawa Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akemaru Watanabe, Kenji Naito
  • Publication number: 20120324971
    Abstract: Mill control system and method for metal strip rolling controlled in response to a sequence of controller scans are provided. A sensor suite is coupled to sense a plurality of parameters regarding the strip rolling. A model responsive to the sensed parameters is configured to estimate per scan at least one matrix based on the sensed parameters and indicative of state conditions of the strip rolling. A controller includes an inner control loop configured to effect a control law to generate a control vector per scan. The inner control loop may be configured to have dynamic characteristics, which remain substantially the same for each scan of the controller. The dynamic characteristics of the inner control loop are effective to determine a pointwise online control solution based on the matrix indicative of the state conditions of the strip rolling, without having to compute a Riccati control solution per scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Marwan A. Simaan, John Pittner
  • Publication number: 20120324972
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a duplex stainless steel wire product starting from wire rod, the method comprising the following steps: roughening the wire rod surface; applying a carrier coating on the wire rod surface; peeling the wire rod using a shaving die comprising cemented carbide; roughening the wire rod surface; applying a carrier coating on the wire rod surface; and drawing to final wire dimension. In the peeling step, the shaving die used has a rake face land angle ? which is 10-30°, a rake angle ? which is 10-25°, a clearance angle ? which is 3-10°, a rake face land width w which is 0.1-0.5 mm, and an edge radius which is 0.02-0.08 mm. The duplex stainless steel wire product manufactured according to the method exhibits excellent fatigue resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Per-Olov Strand, Anders Soderman
  • Publication number: 20120324973
    Abstract: A roll stand has two working rollers capable of gripping a strip to be rolled, two intermediate rollers, two bearing rollers, and at least one side bearing unit capable of laterally supporting the working rollers. At least one camber block for cambering the intermediate rollers is capable of vertical movement relative to the posts of the roll stand and of supporting the side bearing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS VAI METALS TECHNOLOGIES SAS
    Inventors: Francis Charre, Yves Guillot, Bernard Rossigneux
  • Publication number: 20120324974
    Abstract: A workpiece is press-formed into a press-formed product in a single stroke using a punch and a die by grasping a first portion of the workpiece by a blank holder at a first timing in the single stroke, and grasping a second portion of the workpiece which is different form the first portion by the blank holder at a second timing in the single stroke which is different from the first timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Naohiro Wakayama
  • Publication number: 20120324975
    Abstract: Shape memory tissue engagement elements (15) are created using shape memory alloys or shape memory (SM) composite sheets (33, 36) with one or more SM material sheets (20, 32). Arrays of the tissue engagement elements may then be inserted or molded into flexible base materials forming pads for tissue engagement. In certain embodiments, the composite sheets incorporate two SM material layers (20, 32) having differing transition temperatures to allow activation of one layer for tissue engagement and activation of the second layer for tissue release. In exemplary embodiments, insertion of interconnected tissue engagement elements (46) into a base layer (19) with slots (48) provides a completed pad array. In alternative exemplary embodiments, vacuum forming of composite sheets (51) with cutting of corrugated sides (53) to form tissue engagement elements allow production of complete arrays of tissue engagement elements. Overmolding the arrays with a flexible base material (19) provides a completed pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: MICROKOLL, INC.
    Inventor: Steven Craig Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120324976
    Abstract: A method of forging aluminum/aluminum alloys includes: providing an aluminum/aluminum alloy billet; providing a forging die, the forging die including an upper die and a lower die, the upper die and the lower die being all mounted with heating element and temperature controller; locating the aluminum/aluminum alloy billet in the forging die; heating the upper die and the lower die and making the temperature difference between the upper die and the lower die be about 100° C.-350° C.; forging the aluminum/aluminum alloy billet to get an aluminum/aluminum alloy forged piece, the temperature difference between the upper die and the lower die being kept at about 100° C.-350° C. during the forging process; and opening the upper die and the lower die to remove out the aluminum/aluminum alloy forged piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicants: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: LI LONG, CHAO-HSUN LIN
  • Publication number: 20120324977
    Abstract: A stamping tool for stamping a product having a base plate and a contact arm includes an assistant block, a supporting element assembled in the assistant block, a molding floater slidably mounted to one side of the assistant block and a pressing element driving the molding floater to slide downward to secure the base plate therebetween. A plurality of resisting sections are formed on a top of the supporting element and stretched beyond a top of the assistant block. A top of the molding floater extends to form a bending board suspended over the resisting sections. A molding punch is movably inserted in the pressing element with a bottom end thereof projected out of the pressing element for making the contact arm pass through two corresponding resisting sections to be bent towards a bottom of the bending board, wherein the resisting sections resist against the bottom of the bending board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Yong-Ping Wu, Dong-Hua Tan, Sen-Hsiung Hu
  • Publication number: 20120324978
    Abstract: A clinch-type fastener is formed by simultaneously creating an undercut during the same forging that creates the head and displacer of the fastener. A fastener blank is compressed end-to-end between top and bottom dies whereby the axial compression of a blank causes the outward bulging of the shank at its midline. Simultaneously, a tapered end point and a tangential interference band are formed provided by a curvilinear-shaped bulge in the shank. As the bulge is formed an undercut is created between the bulge and a shoulder which extends downwardly from a head of the fastener. This method of formation and the fastener produced thereby are particularly suited to the manufacture of small clinch pins having a diameter in the range of 1.0 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: PEM MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Maloney
  • Publication number: 20120324979
    Abstract: A connecting a remaining bar and a movable bar of a transfer bar includes a remaining-side clamp and a movable-side clamp. The clamps respectively have a male fitted portion and a female fitted portion that are fitted to one another around a connecting direction, defining a first connector. A male engagement portion and a female engagement portion are provided inside the clamps defining a second connector. The female engagement portion of the second connector includes a sphere in a form of a movable member moving in a direction orthogonal to the connecting direction. A movement of the sphere effects an engagement and disengagement of the female engagement portion from the male engagement portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicants: KOMATSU LTD., SR ENGINEERING CO., LTD., KOMATSU INDUSTRIES CORP.
    Inventors: Kenji Nishida, Takashi Moriyasu, Hidetoshi Akashi, Tomoya Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120324980
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed comprising an acceleration sensor operable to generate an acceleration signal, and a free fall detector operable to detect a free fall event in response to the acceleration signal. A frequency response of the acceleration signal is measured, and the free fall detector is disabled when a magnitude of the frequency response within one of a plurality of frequency bands exceeds a threshold, wherein each frequency band corresponds to one of a plurality of normal operating modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: JONATHAN V. NGUYEN, TOVIAH N. HIRSCHBERG, HIEN T. CHU
  • Publication number: 20120324981
    Abstract: A soot sensor includes a soot sensor including a first element on a first surface of the soot sensor. A soot sensing system may include a soot sensor and circuitry electrically coupled to the first element of the soot sensor. The circuitry is configured to determine an amount of soot accumulated on the first element and to control heating of the first element in response to the soot accumulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Stoneridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Kayvan Hedayat, John Hart, Eric Matson, Mark Wilson, Norman Poirier
  • Publication number: 20120324982
    Abstract: A method of detecting particulate matter on a particulate matter sensor includes the steps of measuring an electrical characteristic associated with the sensor, determining a value corresponding to the impedance across the sensor, and compensating the impedance for the temperature at which it was determined. The method further includes determining an estimate of the total amount of particulate matter accumulated while limiting the effects of large particles captured on the sensor or blown off the sensor. The information produced by the method may be used to provide diagnostic information regarding a particulate control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: LARY R. HOCKEN, CHARLES S. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20120324983
    Abstract: A non-resonant knocking sensor including a sensor body including: a metal shell having a shell-side cylindrical section, a piezoelectric element, a weight and a fixing portion having a fixing-side cylindrical section; and a resin molded body. The fixing-side cylindrical section includes crimped portions to be crimped and spaced-apart portions which are spaced apart from the shell-side cylindrical section, and a space between the outer circumferential surface of the shell-side cylindrical section and an inner circumferential surface of the spaced-apart portions are filled with the resin. Also disclosed is a method for producing the non-resonant knocking sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuki AOI
  • Publication number: 20120324984
    Abstract: A skin sample is mounted in a diffusion cell between a receptor and a donor chamber. A substance to be tested is provided to the skin sample via the donor chamber. The diffusion cell has a driver for applying pressure variations to fluid in the receptor chamber in order to cause repeated flexing of the skin sample to simulate the behaviour of living (moving) skin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY
    Inventors: James Wakefield, Robert Chilcott
  • Publication number: 20120324985
    Abstract: A fluid leak detection system is provided, and includes a fluid conduit, a fluid-cooled device having an inlet and an outlet, an inlet flow meter, an outlet flow meter, and a controller. The inlet flow meter is fluidly connected to the fluid conduit. The inlet flow meter monitors the inlet of the fluid-cooled device for an inlet temperature and an inlet flow rate. The inlet flow meter has an inlet flow meter drift versus process fluid temperature curve. The outlet flow meter is fluidly connected to the fluid conduit. The outlet flow meter monitors the outlet of the fluid-cooled device for an outlet temperature and an outlet flow rate. The outlet flow meter has an outlet flow meter drift versus process fluid temperature curve. The controller is in communication with the inlet flow meter and the outlet flow meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yili Gu, Scott Victor Annin, Douglas Scott Byrd, John Victor Hains, Abdul Khaliq, John Patrick VanDevelde, Brian James Whitright
  • Publication number: 20120324986
    Abstract: An Advanced Laser Fluorometer (ALF) can combine spectrally and temporally resolved measurements of laser-stimulated emission (LSE) for characterization of dissolved and particulate matter, including fluorescence constituents, in liquids. Spectral deconvolution (SDC) analysis of LSE spectral measurements can accurately retrieve information about individual fluorescent bands, such as can be attributed to chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), phycobiliprotein (PBP) pigments, or chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), among others. Improved physiological assessments of photosynthesizing organisms can use SDC analysis and temporal LSE measurements to assess variable fluorescence corrected for SDC-retrieved background fluorescence. Fluorescence assessments of Chl-a concentration based on LSE spectral measurements can be improved using photo-physiological information from temporal measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF
    Inventor: Alexander Chekalyuk
  • Publication number: 20120324987
    Abstract: A method for operating a debris monitoring system comprises continuously sensing the passage of particulates through a gas turbine engine to produce a time-domain sensor signal. The time-domain sensor signal is Fourier transformed to produce a frequency domain sensor signal. The frequency domain sensor signal is partitioned into bins corresponding to particulate composition categories. At least one feature is identified within each bin, and is used to determine the amount of particulate flow in each particulate composition category.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander I. Khibnik, Ravi Rajamani, Coy Bruce Wood, Rajendra K. Agrawal, William Donat
  • Publication number: 20120324988
    Abstract: A station probe employed in a gas turbine engine includes a rake portion having a plurality of sensors for sensing conditions in the gas turbine engine. An environmental container attached to the rake portion includes signal conditioning circuitry that locally analyzes sensor signals received from the plurality of sensors to generate measured values, and a communication module for communicating the measured values to a control room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce Hockaday, Thomas M. Ritter
  • Publication number: 20120324989
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for an internal combustion engine includes a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure within a combustion cylinder. An electronic controller is configured to receive a pressure signal from the pressure sensor, analyze the pressure signal by at least partially comparing the pressure signal to a predetermined pressure signal, and diagnose a failure of one or more piston ring seal(s), an intake valve, and an exhaust valve of the engine based on a difference between the pressure signal and the predetermined pressure signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Vipulkumar Patel, Lonny E. Johnson, Francis L. Clark, III, Darrel W. Berglund
  • Publication number: 20120324990
    Abstract: A sensor system for determining a parameter of a fluid medium, e.g., an intake air mass flowing through a channel, includes at least one sensor chip situated in the channel for determining the parameter, which sensor chip is accommodated in a sensor carrier which (i) protrudes into the channel and (ii) has a leading edge situated transverse to the flow of the fluid medium. At least one vortex generator is provided, at least in the region of the leading edge, and configured for forming secondary flows in the flowing fluid medium in the region of the sensor carrier, for avoiding or reducing the entry of particles. The secondary flows extend in a plane essentially perpendicular to the main flow direction of the fluid medium, e.g., facing away from the sensor area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Achim BRIESE
  • Publication number: 20120324991
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining the inertial parameters of a body, particularly a motor vehicle. Said device comprises a receiving platform (P) on which the body (F10) can be placed. The receiving platform (P) is provided with a central, especially spherical joint (G00) about which the receiving platform (P) can be moved with three degrees of freedom (x, y, by means of drive units (Z1, Z2, Z3). The invention further relates to a method for determining the inertial parameters of a body, particularly by means of a device disclosed in one of the preceding claims. In said method, a control system is provided which allows a receiving platform (P) and a body (F10) mounted thereon to be moved about a central pivot (G00) with three degrees of freedom (x, y, z).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Harald Goertz, Jan Strauch, Boris Peter
  • Publication number: 20120324992
    Abstract: A measuring method of chromium-free coating film thickness on surface of strip steel comprising selecting two water-soluble chemical substances containing elements P, Ca, Ti, Ba or Sr and not reacting with a chromium-free coating liquid; adding the chemical substances into the chromium-free coating liquid and agitating them to be homogeneous, thereafter, fabricating a reference sample of coating film; using a ray emitted by an off-line film thickness instrument to excite the two water-soluble chemical substances so as to obtain characteristic spectrums to obtain a correction function expression between the measured film thickness and the thickness correction value by fitting; adding the water-soluble chemical substance which has a weak characteristic spectrum into a chromium-free coating liquid, and using the expression to obtain the actual coating film thickness. The method is capable to monitor film thickness with no adverse effect on adhesiveness and corrosion-proof of the coating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongqiang LU, Chunguo Lv, Zhicheng Wang
  • Publication number: 20120324993
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are described relating to a sealed acoustic transducer assembly for use in a wellbore is provided. A tool body is deployed in the wellbore, having a groove and a sealed acoustic transducer assembly removeably mounted therein. The transducer assembly includes an acoustic transducer element, and an elongated fluid filled sealed container housing the transducer element. The container includes flexible portions along the length of the container which allows for volume changes when exposed to changes in external pressure and/or temperature. Acoustic measurements downhole are made using the transducer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakajima, Toshihiro Kinoshita, Takeo Fujihara, Yasuo Kanaya
  • Publication number: 20120324994
    Abstract: For calculating the fill level in a container two echo curves are acquired that image the reflection conditions along two different measuring paths. On their way to the filling material surface or the separating layer surface the corresponding measuring signals cover different electrical distances. From the two echo curves a characteristic value can be calculated that reflects a physical characteristic of the covering medium. From this, the fill level can then be determined with increased accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Roland WELLE, Karl GRIESSBAUM
  • Publication number: 20120324995
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the levels of product in a chemical dispensing system. A probe assembly is operatively disposed in a container holding product to be dispensed. A detection circuit including an oscillator sensitive to the impendence coupled to the detector is selectively coupled to the probe assembly and produces a signal in response to the impedance of the probe assembly indicating if the level of product in the container has dropped below the probe assembly. The probe assembly includes conductive probes formed from corrosion resistant material infused with carbon and separated by an angle. The level of the first and second conductive probes is adjustable to provide control over the level of product to be detected. Multiple probe assemblies may be selectively coupled to the detection circuit in a repeating sequence by a multi-probe monitoring unit to allow monitoring of multiple containers by a single remote alarm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Terry Tincher, William Sand
  • Publication number: 20120324996
    Abstract: A magnetic level indicating system includes a chamber for fluidic coupling to a process vessel. Material level in the vessel equalizes with material level in the chamber. A magnetic float in the chamber rises and falls with the material level in the chamber. A magnet actuated visual indicator is mounted to the chamber for indicating level of the magnet in the chamber and thus material level in the vessel. The indicator comprises an elongate transparent tubular housing defining an interior space open at opposite ends. An indicator assembly is mounted in the housing interior space and responsive to movement of the float and visible through the housing to indicate material level in the chamber. An end cap is received in each of the opposite ends of the tubular housing and a seal member is disposed between each end cap and the tubular housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher Ellis Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120324997
    Abstract: A measuring cup and funnel system includes a measuring cup and a funnel portion formed within the measuring cup. The measuring cup includes measurement indicators based on volume within an interior of the measuring cup considering displacement of the funnel portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Bruce Mitchell Tharp, Stephanie M. Tharp
  • Publication number: 20120324998
    Abstract: A sensor unit may include a ceramic member including a first face and a second face opposite to each other with a predetermined interval, a sensor part mounted on the first face, a plurality of metal pins fixed to the second face, a plurality of internal wirings passing through the ceramic member, each of the plurality of internal wirings connecting the sensor part with one of the plurality of metal pins, and a metal member formed on a circumferential end of the second face and joined with a housing by welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki FUJIWARA, Akihiro OOSHIMA, Tomotaka MORIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20120324999
    Abstract: Method of angular measurement by a resonator associated with a vibration setting device and with a vibration detector, which are linked to a processing circuit through which there travel control signals and measurement signals, the method comprising the steps of digitizing the measurement signals and of deducing an angular measurement from the measurement signals. The method comprises the steps of performing a spectral analysis of the digitized measurement signals so as to detect harmonic distortions therein and correcting at least some of the signals travelling through the processing circuit so as to attenuate the non-linearities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Vincent Ragot
  • Publication number: 20120325000
    Abstract: A bending vibration piece has a pair of drive vibration arms and a pair of detection vibration arms in an opposite direction thereto which are connected to a supporting part. The supporting part has recessed portions formed on both lateral parts in a direction of width, and a through-hole formed substantially at the center in a plane part of the supporting part and more toward the drive vibration arms than the recessed portions are. On a surface of the supporting part, drive electrode pads are arranged toward the drive vibration arms and detection electrode pads are arranged toward the detection vibration arms, with these electrode pads being separated from each other in a longitudinal direction by the recessed portions on both lateral part of the supporting part and the through-hole in the plane part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi SHIMURA, Takayuki KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120325001
    Abstract: Optical sensors and sensing methods are provided. A particular method includes applying light to a first end of an optical fiber. Light reflected by at least one of a first photonic crystal sensor coupled to a second end of the optical fiber and a second photonic crystal sensor coupled to the second end of the optical fiber is detected. The first photonic crystal sensor exhibits a first reflection spectrum that changes responsive a first sensed parameter and the second photonic crystal sensor exhibits a second reflection spectrum that changes responsive a second sensed parameter. A parameter value of at least one of the first sensed parameter and the second sensed parameter is determined based on the detected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Carralero, Ty A. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20120325002
    Abstract: Numerous failure modes, causes, and adverse operating conditions on scanner systems exhibit mechanical signatures that are detected by three-axis accelerometers located in the upper and lower sensor heads. A diagnostic system for monitoring the scanning system that detects characteristics of sheet materials during linear translation along a translation axis of a bi-directionally driven mobile detector device includes a vibration sensor configured to measure vibrations generated by various components of the scanning system and to generate vibration signals indicative of operation conditions of the components. Correlating the vibration signals to modes of operations of the components identifies the source, location and severity of potential problems in the scanner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Honeywell ASCa Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Beselt, Cris Andronic
  • Publication number: 20120325003
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the location of a radio-opaque marker embedded in an excised specimen includes a radio-opaque marker including an energy beacon that can be embedded in the specimen, an energy beacon controller, at least three detectors, a signal processing component, and a display device. An associated method is disclosed. A method for evaluating a radiographically labeled excised specimen involves determining the location of a radio-opaque marker embedded in the excised specimen, anatomically sectioning the excised specimen, macro-optically segmenting the sectioned specimen into an adipose tissue component, a fibrous tissue component, and an epithelial tissue component, and microscopically examining at least one of the tissue components. An associated apparatus is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
    Inventors: Andrew Berger, Thomas Foster, Rebecca Wilson, James Zavislan
  • Publication number: 20120325004
    Abstract: An apparatus for pipeline inspection is provided. The apparatus comprising a body comprising a longitudinal axis a sensor unit in association with the body, wherein the sensor unit comprises an array of ultrasonic sensors configured to inspect a pipe wall and a skid comprising an outer surface configured to run adjacent to, or in contact with, the pipe wall, wherein the array of ultrasonic sensors are arranged at a stand off from the outer surface of the skid, and a mechanism configured to bias the outer surface of the skid into contact with the pipe wall, and to move the sensor unit between a first radial position and a second radial position in response to changes in pipe diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: William HERRON, Robert PALMA
  • Publication number: 20120325005
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting ultrasonic test data from a railway wheel with an ultrasonic testing apparatus is described. The railway wheel is supported by two drive rollers, each having an indentation which engages with and rotates the wheel. An indexing transducer moves across the rotating wheel, collecting ultrasonic test data while a fixed transducer correlates a reference position on the wheel to the collected test data. To maintain the accuracy of the reference position to the collected test data, it is desirable to maintain the rotational stability of the wheel, minimizing any dynamic instability caused by dimensional tolerances in the wheel. To mitigate instabilities resulting from dimensional tolerances, the indentation of the drive rollers, which engage and drive the flange of the wheel, are variably spaced using a resilient member to maintain frictional contact between the wheel and the drive roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: AMSTED Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Oliver, John D. Oliver
  • Publication number: 20120325006
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes: laser sources; and a control unit for outputting an excitation start signal that instructs the laser light sources to start excitation, and outputting an oscillation start signal to instruct the laser light sources to start oscillation after a predetermined time has elapsed from the output of the excitation start signal, so as to generate pulsed light from the laser light sources. The laser sources include a first laser source and a second laser source of which preparation time from the start of the excitation to the generation of the pulsed light is longer than that of the first laser source. The control unit sets timing to output the excitation start signal to the first laser source to follow timing to output the excitation start signal to the second laser source according to a difference of the preparation time between the first and second laser sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120325007
    Abstract: A gage having a motion detection mechanism magnetically attached to a pressure sensing diaphragm. The motion detection mechanism is magnetically coupled to a pointer rotation mechanism configured to indicate the position of the diaphragm and the corresponding pressure sensed by the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: DWYER INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael A. Popp
  • Publication number: 20120325008
    Abstract: A gage having a motion detection mechanism magnetically attached to a pressure sensing diaphragm. The motion detection mechanism is magnetically coupled to a pointer rotation mechanism configured to indicate the position of the diaphragm and the corresponding pressure sensed by the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: DWYER INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael A. Popp
  • Publication number: 20120325009
    Abstract: A test structure for measuring strain in the channel of transistors. A method of correlating transistor performance with channel strain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
    Inventors: Jayhoon CHUNG, Catherine Beth VARTULI, Guoda LIAN
  • Publication number: 20120325010
    Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling of boreholes by enabling improved measurement of strain during drilling applications. A strain gauge is mounted on a drilling component of a drill string. The strain gauge is covered with a volume of liquid, and the liquid is enclosed at least in part with a flexible layer of material. The flexible layer of material is sufficiently flexible to provide a negligible pressure differential between the volume of liquid and the surrounding environment while drilling, thus enabling accurate functioning of the strain gauge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: FIRAS ZEINEDDINE
  • Publication number: 20120325011
    Abstract: According to a method for making a resin hollow body, in a primary-formation process, molten resin is injected into spaces defined by dies to form resin components. In a die-moving process, each component is held in at least one die. Joining edges of the components are brought close through relative movement of the dies to make a predetermined arrangement of the components. In a secondary-formation process, molten resin is injected into a region where the edges are adjacent. The edges are joined to form an outer wall, partition wall, and hollow portion of the hollow body. At least one of the edges constituting the partition wall includes a linear groove. In the die-moving process, the partition-wall-constituting edges are brought into contact to define by the groove a linear hollow cavity surrounded with the edges. In the secondary-formation process, the cavity is filled with molten resin to join the partition-wall-constituting edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki TAKIGUCHI, Akiyuki Sudou