Patents Issued in March 12, 2013
  • Patent number: 8393168
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a refrigerator, including: providing a plurality of usage environment information which includes national information; selecting the usage environment information corresponding to a nation or region where the refrigerator is used among the plurality of usage environment information; and controlling operation of the refrigerator based on the selected usage environment information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Lee, Young-woon Kwon, Se-jin Sohn, Jin-kyu Jung, Yong-seok Kim, Man-ki Kwon, Sang-ho Byeon
  • Patent number: 8393169
    Abstract: A system is provided and may include a compressor having a motor and a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator and a condenser fluidly coupled to the compressor. The system may further include a first sensor producing a signal indicative of one of current and power drawn by the motor, a second sensor producing a signal indicative of a saturated condensing temperature, and a third sensor producing a signal indicative of a liquid-line temperature. Processing circuitry may processes the current or power signal to determine a derived condenser temperature and may compare the derived condenser temperature to the saturated condensing temperature received from the second sensor to determine a subcooling associated with a refrigerant charge level of the refrigeration circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung M. Pham
  • Patent number: 8393170
    Abstract: A capacity control system for a variable capacity compressor includes target suction pressure setting means for setting, based on external information input from external information detection means, a target suction pressure for controlling the pressure in a suction pressure region as a control target, suction pressure estimation means for estimating, based on the external information, a pressure that is estimated to prevail in the suction pressure region if the variable capacity compressor is operated with a maximum discharge capacity, and discharge capacity determination means for determining, based on the suction pressure estimated by the suction pressure estimation means and the target suction pressure set by the target suction pressure setting means, whether the variable capacity compressor is operating with the maximum discharge capacity or with a controlled discharge capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiko Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8393171
    Abstract: An HVAC system that uses a mechanical compressor powered by vaporized refrigerant and/or electric power, to increase efficiency in a jet ejector cooling cycle. The device is further able to convert thermal energy to electric power which may be used to meet internal or external requirements, for example, to activate control a system or charge a battery. Compatible input power includes only thermal energy, only electric energy or a combination of the two. Motive thermal energy may be input at a wide range of temperature and include both waste and non-waste heat sources such as that from an internal combustion engine and fuel-fired heater. Solar thermal and solar photovoltaic may also be used when collected from either concentrated or non-concentrated sources. Embodiments of the device are equally well suited to both mobile and stationary applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald Allen Alston
  • Patent number: 8393172
    Abstract: An heat pump drying machine has a normal dry mode (e.g., compression ratio is equal to or greater than 3) for operating a compressor at a predetermined dry operation frequency and an energy saving dry mode (e.g., compression ratio is equal to or greater than 2.3 and is less than 3) for operating the compressor at an energy saving operation frequency that is lower than the dry operation frequency. A control device is provided to control an operation frequency of the compressor 5so that the two dry operation modes are switched to each other. The control device can execute the control for increasing the operation frequency of the compressor to the dry operation frequency during the operation of the energy saving dry mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Sato, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Eiji Fukuda, Yoshiaki Noguchi, Tetsuya Masuda, Hiroyuki Kuribara, Satoshi Imai, Toshikazu Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8393173
    Abstract: A combined refrigerating/freezing and air conditioning system is provided. The system may include an air conditioning circuit, a refrigerating circuit, a freezing circuit, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The air conditioning circuit may include a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, and an indoor heat exchanger. The refrigerating circuit may include compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The freezing circuit may include a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. The refrigerant of the air conditioning circuit may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant of the refrigerating circuit in the first heat exchanger, and the refrigerant of the refrigerating circuit may be heat-exchanged with the refrigerant of the freezing circuit in the second heat exchanger to improve air conditioning efficiency and refrigerating/freezing efficiency of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Heuk Choi, Tae Hee Kwak, Yoon Ho Yoo, Do Yong Ha, Baik Young Chung
  • Patent number: 8393174
    Abstract: A setting that includes a plurality of ribs with beveled sides that divide the setting into a plurality of contiguous compartments. Posts having a first height from a top-side of the ribs, and split at a top-ends to form prongs that are bent onto a stone that is set within an adjacent compartment, securing the stone. The first height accommodates a top-section of the stone enabling setting of various cut configurations, and the beveled sides of the ribs accommodate a lower-section of the stone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Simon Ghanimian
  • Patent number: 8393175
    Abstract: Methods for extracting strengthened glass substrates from glass sheets are described herein. In one embodiment, the method for extracting strengthened glass substrates from glass sheets comprises forming a plurality of channel segments in the glass sheet. The plurality of channel segments may extend through the thickness of the glass sheet and are separated by remnant glass webs connecting the glass substrate to the glass sheet. The plurality of channel segments extend around a perimeter of the glass substrate. Thereafter, the glass sheet is strengthened by ion-exchange. The glass substrate is then separated from the glass sheet by severing the glass substrate from the remnant glass webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey Todd Kohli, Robert Sabia
  • Patent number: 8393176
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass sheet, the method including: running down molten glass along both side surfaces of a molded body; joining and integrating the molten glass just under a lower edge part of the molded body; and drawing downward and molding an integrated sheet-shaped glass ribbon, in which a guide member which contacts to an end in a width direction of a joined molten glass is provided, and a relative position and/or a relative angle between the guide member and a lower edge of the molded body is/are adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsuda, Takashi Mukai, Takeshi Naraki
  • Patent number: 8393177
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling glass flow in, for example, a downdraw glass manufacturing process (e.g., the fusion downdraw process) are provided. In certain aspects, the mass, thickness, and/or the temperature distribution of molten glass (40) on the surface of forming apparatus (60) is managed by: (A) constructing a stream-tube mapping between (i) regions (510; FIG. 5A) of a cross-section of a conduit (400) that supplies molten glass (40) to the forming apparatus (60) and (ii) regions (510; FIG. 5B) on the exterior surface of the forming apparatus (60); (B) using the stream-tube mapping to select a temperature distribution for the cross-section that results in a desired mass, thickness, and/or temperature distribution of molten glass (40) on the surface of the forming apparatus (60); and (C) heating and/or insulating the conduit (400) so as to produce a temperature distribution for the cross-section which equals or at least approximates the distribution selected in step (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Olus N. Boratav, Keith R. Gaylo, Kiat C. Kang, Bulent Kocatulum, Steven M. Milillo, Douglas G. Neilson
  • Patent number: 8393178
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the stress in, and the shape of, the glass ribbon (15) formed in a downdraw glass manufacturing process (e.g., the fusion downdraw process) are provided. In certain embodiments, the control is achieved by cooling the bead portions (21a, 21b) of the ribbon (15) at a rate which provides a heat flux Q?b at the thickest part of the bead (23a, 23b) which is given by Q?b=Q?q+?Q?, where (i) Q?q is the heat flux at a transverse position adjacent to the bead portion (21a, 21b) at which the ribbon's thickness equals 1.05*tcenter, where tcenter is the final thickness at the ribbon's center line (17), and (ii) ?Q??(tb/tq?1)Q?q+10 kilowatts/meter2, where tb is the thickness of the thickest part of the bead portion. The cooling can take place along the entire length of the ribbon (15) or at selected locations, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth William Aniolek, Steven Roy Burdette, Liam Ruan de Paor, Eunyoung Park
  • Patent number: 8393179
    Abstract: Method for producing a semifinished product from synthetic quartz glass Methods for producing a semifinished product from synthetic quartz glass by plastic deformation of a softened SiO2 mass in a melt mold are known. Starting from this, to avoid fusion defects as much as possible and to obtain semifinished products of quartz glass in a reproducibly high quality, a method is suggested that comprises the following steps: (a) providing a porous SiO2 soot body, (b) zonewise sintering of the SiO2 soot body in the melt mold at a sintering temperature and during a sintering period with formation of a completely sintered transparent quartz glass body, and directly thereafter (c) shaping the sintered quartz glass body by softening in the melt mold with formation of a viscous quartz glass mass which fills the volume of the melt mold entirely or partly, and (d) cooling the quartz glass mass and removing the mass from the melt mold with formation of the semifinished product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Sven Schmidt, Udo Peper, Andreas Helm, Juergen Roeper
  • Patent number: 8393180
    Abstract: In the description and drawings a method of forming a fiberglass mat is disclosed. A drum is rotated, a molten fiberglass material is fed through at least one orifice of a furnace while rotating the drum, and the relative position of the orifice with respect to a location on the drum is altered while rotating the drum and feeding the molten fiber glass material through the orifice to build up a fiberglass matt along a traverse length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: AAF-McQuay Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis Sanders, Christopher Erbe
  • Patent number: 8393181
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a fiber guide that can be used to feed delicate fibers into a machine, for example, the feeding of hollow fibers into a knitting machine. The disclosed guide utilizes dynamic friction and provides for horizontal and front-to-back positioning of the delicate fiber, keeping the delicate fiber vertically aligned while being fed into a machine. Utilizing dynamic friction and maintaining vertical alignment prevents damage to the delicate fiber. The guide also provides for the delicate fiber to be fed from a plurality of overhead angles from a feeding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: ALung Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Morley, William Kucic
  • Patent number: 8393182
    Abstract: Drum type washing machine including a tub having a wall for mounting a driving unit, a drum installed within the tub, a shaft passed through the tub and coupled to the drum, for transmission of driving force from a motor to the drum, at least one bearing for supporting the shaft, a bearing housing secured to a wall of the tub, a stator; and a rotor around the stator which forms the motor, wherein the stator includes an annular helical type core having multiple layers, an insulator enclosing the helical type core, and fastening portions formed integrally with the insulator which has a fastening hole at a center for fastening the stator to the wall of the tub, thereby providing a drum type washing machine of a direct coupling type of a new structure having employed a motor for reducing factors of noise, faults, energy waste, and improving washing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Soung Bong Choi
  • Patent number: 8393183
    Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance capable of indicating when a fabric load is sanitized, implementing a sanitizing by modifying a predetermined operation cycle, or implementing a sanitizing cycle after the completion of a predetermined operation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Benne, Claudia Michel, Carolyn Y. Groppel, Matthew Travis Doll, Casey J. Tubman
  • Patent number: 8393184
    Abstract: A drum-type washing machine is disclosed. The drum-type washing machine includes a case formed with an opening part for receiving therethrough laundry to be washed, a door opening and closing the opening part, a tub mounted in the case to receive wash water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and a path compensation unit disposed at an inner lower end of the tub to facilitate flow of fluid while the drum is rotating. According to this drum-type washing machine, the dehydration efficiency can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyu Hwan Lee, Hee Tae Lim, Jae Hyun Choi, Ig Geun Kwon
  • Patent number: 8393185
    Abstract: Fastening plastic drivers in a washing machine drum having at least two domes on the inside, which comprise a cavity extending along its center line, and are oriented perpendicular to the sheet casing of the drum and which serve to fasten the driver. A hole pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the domes of a driver is punched into the sheet casing of the drum. The driver is placed with its dome ends, which project beyond the contact surface of the driver with the sheet casing, onto the sheet casing so that the dome ends pass through the holes of the hole pattern. Counter holders are inserted from the opposite side into the cavities of the domes. From the fastening side, hold-down elements are driven against the sheet casing. Heated form punches are driven against the dome ends until the dome ends have mushroom-shape ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Ratfisch
  • Patent number: 8393186
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes combination discus locks and methods for using and making the combination discus lock assembly. The locks include a lock body at least partially containing a locking mechanism coupled to a plurality of engagement members with indicia disposed thereon, capable of displaying a combination. An actuator is coupled to the locking mechanism and to a locking member. The locking member is in a closed position, connected to the body, when the combination is not displayed and in an open position, at least partially disengaged from the lock body, when the combination is displayed. The actuator is manipulated to move the locking member from the closed position to the open position. The lock may also be resettable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Wordlock, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Schmidt, Kurt Kemppainen
  • Patent number: 8393187
    Abstract: A locking paddle handle assembly for closures has a housing with a paddle handle pivotally mounted therein, a latch which latches and unlatches the closure upon rotation of the paddle handle, and an exterior key lock with a movable member that shifts between locked and unlocked positions. A deadbolt lock selectively engages the closure frame in the locked position to positively retain the closure closed. The deadbolt lock is operably connected with the movable key lock member, such that movement of the latter between the latched and unlatched positions contemporaneously shifts the deadbolt lock between the locked and unlocked positions. A remotely operable controller may be mounted either horizontally or vertically relative the handle assembly and is operably connected to a multi-armed lock cam to power shift the deadbolt lock between the locked and unlocked positions from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bauer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce C. Bacon
  • Patent number: 8393188
    Abstract: A sanitary dispenser (1) has a housing (1) having an openable cover (20). A locking mechanism (7) locks the cover (20) laterally to the housing (1) and unlocks it by means of a key (25). The locking mechanism (7) has a push rod assembly (9, 14) having two centrally coupled rods (11, 16) which can be displaced in opposite directions and each of which ends at an insertion opening (6). The insertion of the key (25) on either of the two sides (4) of the housing in each case displaces both rods (11, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Hans Georg Hagleitner
  • Patent number: 8393189
    Abstract: A tubular lock has a casing, a key pin seat, a driving pin seat, at least one positioning assembly, a side pin seat, at least one side positioning assembly and a fastening assembly. The positioning assembly is mounted axially in the key pin seat and is mounted through the driving pin seat. The side positioning assembly is mounted transversely through the casing and the side pin seat. With the installation of the side positioning assembly, the tubular lock can increase the permutation combinations of all the positioning assemblies. With the positioning assembly and the side positioning assembly operating in perpendicular directions to each other, the tubular lock can increase the difficulty of unlocking. With the both features, the tubular lock can enhance safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Sheng-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 8393190
    Abstract: A tube forming apparatus performs a forwardly rotating step in which a main roll is rotated forwardly with a pair of subsidiary rolls in a forming position during a move of a contact position between the main roll and a work from a first end of the work to a central portion of the work, a feeding step in which the main roll is rotated forwardly with the pair of subsidiary rolls in a retracted position during a move of the contact position between the main roll and the work from the central portion of the work to a second end of the work, and a reversely rotating step in which the main roll is rotated reversely during a move of the contact position between the main roll and the work from the second end of the work to the central portion of the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideshi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 8393191
    Abstract: A wire forming apparatus which feeds out a wire (W) from a distal end portion of a wire guide (402), forcibly bends, curves, or winds the wire by using a forming tool (T1-T5) and forms the wire into a part with a desired shape by using a cutting tool (T0), wherein the forming tool includes a coiling tool of which a coiling spindle rotates about its central axis, a coiling tool unit (T1, T2) which rotatably supports the coiling tool and a cutting tool unit (T0) which supports a cutting blade (506) and a receiving portion (507) constituting the cutting tool so as to allow the cutting blade and the receiving portion to relatively reciprocate are attached to the tool selection table (210), and a common driving source is provided to apply driving force to the coiling tool unit and the cutting tool unit attached on the tool selection table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Itaya Seisaku Sho
    Inventor: Ichiro Itaya
  • Patent number: 8393192
    Abstract: A tooling assembly for scoring a can end is provided. First and second opposing tool members cooperate to create a depression in the can end, and to form a scoreline within the depression. A conversion press for converting a can end shell into a can end, and a method for scoring a can end are also provided. The method includes engaging a first side of the can end with a score knife, supporting at least a portion of a second side of the can end with a score anvil, depressing the can end into a cavity of the score anvil to form the depression, and forming the scoreline within the depression. The depression and scoreline are formed substantially simultaneous within the same tool station of the conversion press. A sealant, which is applied to the scoreline, forms a pool within the depression, thereby completely covering the scoreline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Craig A. McEldowney, Mark R. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8393193
    Abstract: Bending machine, in particular a folding press, including a machine frame, a press table supporting a lower die and connected to the machine frame, a press beam supporting an upper die and adjustable along a guide on the machine frame in the direction of the press table as well as at least one adjusting member for adjusting the press beam in the direction of the press table with two relatively adjustable adjusting elements, wherein a first adjusting element of the adjusting member is drive-connected by a first connecting element to the adjustable press beam. In this case a second adjusting element of the adjusting member is drive-connected by a second connecting element in or below a horizontal reference plane running through a press table bearing surface to the machine frame or the press table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Trumpf Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Gerhard Sperrer
  • Patent number: 8393194
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crimping tool (1) having crimp indentors and a through-opening for the introduction of a cable end which is to be crimped, introduction of the cable end being limited by an adjustable stop part (2) which is fixedly connected to the crimping tool (1), but is preferably operationally releasable, furthermore, the stop part (2) having different stop pins (3) which can be selectively activated by being pushed down and, if a different stop pin (3) is selected, the activated stop pin (3), which is biased into its non-activated position, having to be released from the stop position. In order to provide a crimping tool with a stop part for which there is advantageous adjustment from one activated stop pin to another activated stop pin, it is proposed that the activated stop pin (3) is retained by a spring latching means formed by a retaining spring (6), and the spring latching means can be deactivated by a release movement of the stop part (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rennsteig Werkzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Nothnagel, Gerhard Koenig, Michael Brueckner, Thomas Wagner
  • Patent number: 8393195
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing a chemical compound, typically an impurity, and for accumulating said chemical compound on a capture mass CAPT included in at least one removable adsorbent cartridge MC over a period exceeding 2 days, with a view to the external chemical analysis thereof. The apparatus ST suitable for capturing at least one chemical compound in a fluid flow for its detection and/or quantification comprise, downstream of said cartridge or cartridges, at least one device for measuring the cumulative flow which has traversed the cartridge or cartridges over a set time period. In a preferred variation of the invention, the capture mass CAPT is fragmented into a plurality of elementary masses CAPTi which allows for the spread of an irreversible adsorption front or the displacement of a chromatographic zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Olivier Ducreux, Fabienne Le Peltier, Cyril Collado
  • Patent number: 8393196
    Abstract: Between a gas sensing layer (4) and a base member (15) composed of a silicon substrate (2) and an insulating coat layer (3), there is formed an adhesion layer 7, to improve the adhesion therebetween, and to prevent separation. The gas sensing layer (4) and sensing electrodes (6) are electrically connected by abutment of a confronting surface (61) of sensing electrodes (6) confronting the gas sensing layer (4) and sides surfaces of the sensing electrodes on both sides, on the gas sensing layer (4), and accordingly the gas sensor properly senses an electric characteristic of the gas sensing layer (4) varied in accordance with a concentration variation of a specified gas. Furthermore, the sensing electrodes (6) are in contact with the gas sensing layer (4), but the sensing electrodes are not in contact with the adhesion layer (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Ikawa, Masahito Kida, Shinichiro Kito, Yoshinori Tsujimura, Takio Kojima
  • Patent number: 8393197
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention employ measurement of argon as the means to detect the presence of an atmospheric leak in a processing chamber. Argon detected inside the process chamber is conclusive evidence of a leak. Furthermore, the amount of detected argon provides information on the rate of air entering through the leak. In one embodiment, leak detection takes place in the main plasma inside the processing chamber. In another embodiment, leak detection takes place in the self-contained plasma generated in a remote plasma sensor. Additional measurements can be performed, such as measuring the amount of oxygen, and/or the presence of moisture to help in detecting and quantifying outgassing from the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pivotal Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph R. Monkowski, Barton Lane
  • Patent number: 8393198
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine analytes in a fluid. One aspect of the present invention is for the determination of the oil content of water using UV, near-IR, IR or Raman spectroscopy or radiometry. In certain embodiments, a solid membrane material absorbs analytes from fluid brought into contact with it. The membrane is subsequently placed in a FTIR spectrometer, which spectrometer is enabled to determine the concentration of analytes in fluid by calibration. Certain embodiments can determine the type of hydrocarbon present, and thus can differentiate Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) from Total Oil and Grease (TOG), without any separate sample preparation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: OronoSpectral Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler P. Martin, Luke Doucette, Dean J. Smith, Thomas P. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8393199
    Abstract: This invention is to provide a diffusion testing device to facilitate determination of diffusivity of prolonged release of drugs from transdermal therapeutic preparation. The diffusion testing device is characterized by a receptor liquid reservoir; a diffusion testing cell having a receptor chamber functioning to be full of receptor liquid and within which a stirrer be placed, a receptor liquid supply unit, a thermostat bath to hold the diffusion testing cell, a stirring apparatus located beneath the thermostat bath to cause the rotation action of the stirrer set in the receptor chamber, a sampling unit permitting sampling and storage of receptor liquid dissolving permeated drugs. Said receptor liquid reservoir, said receptor chamber, said receptor liquid supply unit and said sampling unit are connected with each other via infusion tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cosmed Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Kamiyama, Ying-shu Quan
  • Patent number: 8393200
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for measuring mechanical properties of materials using an indenter which has a predetermined geometry, a device for generating force permitting the indenter to penetrate into a material sample surface of an object of measurement, and a device for measuring the penetration depth, wherein, arranged between a force application portion on which the device for generating force is applied and a shaft with an indenter tip facing towards the material surface of the object of measurement, the indenter has at least one micro-mechanical motion actuator by which at least one radial deflection of the shaft with respect to the force absorption portion of the indenter is capable of being activated or detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Helmut Fischer GmbH, Institut fuer Elektronik und Messtechnik
    Inventors: Bernhard Scherzinger, Hans-Peter Vollmar, Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 8393201
    Abstract: A method of sensing vehicle engine ignition status is disclosed wherein samples of only the electrical system voltage levels are used. Sampling voltages that drop sufficiently (in magnitude and quantity over a period of time) will signify an “engine off” state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Webtech Wireless Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Jaffe, Jose Crisologo
  • Patent number: 8393202
    Abstract: A measuring device for a moment weighing system is provided. The measuring device includes a base plate with a plurality of fixing openings, a receiving plate, arranged rotatably on the base plate, including a plurality of receiving openings and a plurality of fixing openings, a measurement receptacle, arranged on the receiving plate for a measurement object, with the measurement receptacle engaging in part of the receiving openings, and a plurality of fixing pins which fix the measurement receptacle in a measurement position by way of engagement in part of the fixing openings in the base plate and receiving plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Baum, Ronny Jahnke
  • Patent number: 8393203
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that comprises severing an I/O channel between a brake system controller and an aircraft component; sending a test signal to the brake system controller; receiving, from the brake system controller, a feedback signal to the test signal; and determining an appropriateness of the feedback signal. A system is disclosed that comprises a brake system controller wrapped in a BITE region, wherein the BITE region comprises a testing module, a safety interlock region having an I/O channel between the brake system controller and another system, and a testing module capable of sending a test signal to the brake system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D. Cahill
  • Patent number: 8393204
    Abstract: A tire pressure measurement system (TPMS) includes a capacitor and an integrated circuit configured to receive a supply voltage. The integrated circuit includes a voltage regulator and a measurement unit. The voltage regulator is configured to be turned on and off for predetermined periods of time such that the capacitor is charged and discharged, respectively. The voltage regulator and the capacitor are connected to the measurement unit in order to selectively provide electric charge at a voltage between predetermined upper and lower limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Jan Einar Nornes, Bjorn Blixhavn
  • Patent number: 8393205
    Abstract: An inflation and pressure measurement system having over pressure protection for an attached pressure gauge. A plunger is placed within an internal cavity of a valve body where the plunger can move axially into a first and a second position. In the first position there is gaseous communication between an inflation valve and an operating port. While in the first position, a gauge port may release gas through a wiper seal. In the second position there is gaseous communication between the operating port and the gauge port. The plunger may be biased in the second position. The first and second positions may be located by a locating groove in the plunger and a locating structure passing through the valve body and contacting the locating groove. While the inflatable device can be inflated using high pressures, the pressure gauge is protected from over pressure damage. Some embodiments can inflate and monitor the pressure of multiple inflatable devices from a single position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Jonathan S. Casner
  • Patent number: 8393206
    Abstract: This invention is a ground flutter testing system without a wind tunnel, called Dry Wind Tunnel (DWT) System. The DWT system consists of a Ground Vibration Test (GVT) hardware system, a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) force controller software, and a real-time unsteady aerodynamic force generation software, that is developed from an aerodynamic reduced order model (ROM). The ground flutter test using the DWT System operates on a real structural model, therefore no scaled-down structural model, which is required by the conventional wind tunnel flutter test, is involved. Furthermore, the impact of the structural nonlinearities on the aeroelastic stability can be included automatically. Moreover, the aeroservoelastic characteristics of the aircraft can be easily measured by simply including the flight control system in-the-loop. In addition, the unsteady aerodynamics generated computationally is interference-free from the wind tunnel walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Ping-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 8393207
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use multiple sensors to measure downhole fluid properties are described. An example method of measuring a property of a downhole fluid involves obtaining a plurality of measurements for each of a plurality of sensors. Each of the measurements corresponds to a same property of the downhole fluid, and each of the sensors is differently configured to measure the property. Additionally, the example method involves obtaining a plurality of weighting values, each of which corresponds to one of the sensors. The example method also involves applying the weighting values to the respective measurements obtained by each of the corresponding sensors to generate a weight-corrected measurement for each of the sensors. Further still, the example method involves generating a value representative of a measurement of the property of the downhole fluid based on the weight-corrected measurements and outputting the value representative of the measurement of the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Go Fujisawa, Sophie Nazik Godefroy
  • Patent number: 8393208
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a level of a liquid is provided. Generally, the apparatus contains a first coaxial cable section including a first center conductor, a first outer conductor and a solid dielectric between the first center conductor and first outer conductor. The apparatus also contains a second coaxial cable section including a second center conductor, a second outer conductor and an air dielectric between the second center conductor and second outer conductor. Further, a coupling is provided between the first and second coaxial cable sections, wherein the second coaxial cable section is disposed in a liquid for determining a level of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Meggitt (New Hampshire), Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Miskell, George Ki
  • Patent number: 8393209
    Abstract: Capacitive detector and measuring device integrating it; the detector including: a ribbon made of a dielectric material, first and second electrodes in the form of combs formed on a first surface of said ribbon and a third electrode formed on the other surface of said ribbon opposite said first and second electrodes; the thickness (e) of the dielectric ribbon is less than or equal to said determined period (?) divided by four times PI, i.e.: ?/4??e; and the ratio resulting from the division, as numerator, of the capacitance (C) between two adjacent branches of said first and second electrodes in the presence of at least one fluid with a dielectric permittivity (?f) and, as denominator, by the dielectric permittivity (?f) of the fluid multiplied by the capacitance (Co) between the two adjacent branches of the first and second electrodes in the presence of the vacuum is greater than or equal to one, i.e.: C/(?f*Co)?1. Method for manufacturing a detector fulfilling the above conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Universite Joseph Fourier
    Inventor: Pierre Thibault
  • Patent number: 8393210
    Abstract: Angular rate sensors cause a stream of fluid to flow by heating the fluid. A trajectory of the stream of fluid is deflected by Coriolis forces. Apparatus according to some embodiments provides two heaters spaced apart along a channel. A stream of gas can be made to flow along the channel by operating one of the heaters. The flow can be periodically reversed by alternating operation of the heaters. Temperature sensors may be applied to detect deflection of the flowing gas. Angular rate sensors may be fabricated inexpensively by micromachining techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Simon Fraser University
    Inventor: Albert M. Leung
  • Patent number: 8393211
    Abstract: A sensor includes a detecting oscillator supported in such a manner that the detecting oscillator is allowed to oscillate; first and second electrodes; a detecting electrode facing the first and second electrodes; and signal supplying units configured to supply first and second AC signals respectively to the first and second electrodes. Either the first and second electrodes or the detecting electrode is provided on the detecting oscillator. The first and second AC signals respectively supplied to the first and second electrodes by the signal supplying units cause the detecting oscillator to be maintained at a neutral position for detection without being displaced when no physical quantity is input. When the detecting oscillator is displaced, an input physical quantity is detected on the basis of a signal corresponding to charges induced at the detecting electrode by the first and second AC signals supplied respectively to the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Kandori, Masao Majima, Kenichi Nagae
  • Patent number: 8393212
    Abstract: Micromachined disc resonator gyroscopes (DRGs) are disclosed designed to be virtually immune to external temperature and stress effects. The DRG is a vibratory gyroscope that measures angular rate which is designed to have reduced sensitivity to external thermal and mechanical stress. The DRG features an integrated isolator that may be fabricated on the same wafer as the electrode wafer forming a plurality of integrated isolator beams. In addition, the DRG may include a wafer level hermetical vacuum seal, flip chip ball grid array (BGA), and vertical electrical feedthrough to improve reliability and to reduce manufacturing cost. An additional carrier layer may be used with shock stops, vertical electrical feedthrough, and the flip chip BGA. A pyrex or quartz cap with embedded getter and shock stops can be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Howard H. Ge, A. Dorian Challoner
  • Patent number: 8393213
    Abstract: An sensor device with high detection accuracy. A time-point measurement unit is provided for measuring time-point information and adding the time-point information to an angular velocity sensing signal and an acceleration sensing signal. The angular velocity sensing signal and the acceleration sensing signal are linked by the time-point information. This structure enables output of the angular velocity sensing signal and the acceleration sensing signal linked by the time-point information. Accordingly, the angular velocity sensing signal can be accurately corrected using the acceleration sensing signal. The detection accuracy of the sensor device thus improves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Uemura
  • Patent number: 8393214
    Abstract: A rotating motion sensor includes at least one electroacoustic resonator to stimulate a surface acoustic wave. The at least one electroacoustic resonator is configured so that rotation of the at least one electroacoustic resonator about an axis of rotation causes a change in resonance frequency of the at least one electroacoustic resonator. The at least one electroacoustic resonator includes oscillating structures configured to oscillate in a first direction that is a direction of propagation of the surface acoustic wave and/or a second direction that is transverse to the direction of propagation of the surface acoustic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Werner Ruile, Anton Leidl
  • Patent number: 8393215
    Abstract: A micromechanical acceleration sensor having a substrate, a suspension, a seismic mass, and stationary capacitive electrodes, in which the seismic mass is suspended over the substrate with the help of the suspension, the seismic mass has a mass center of gravity, the suspension has at least two anchors on the substrate, the two anchors are situated on opposite sides of the mass center of gravity, the distance between the two anchors being small compared to a horizontal extension of the seismic mass, the two anchors determine a central axis, the seismic mass have recesses which are situated on opposite sides of the central axis and are laterally open outward on the sides facing away from the central axis, and the stationary electrodes at least engage in the recesses of the seismic mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Stahl, Dietrich Schubert, Lars Tebje
  • Patent number: 8393216
    Abstract: The invention provides a fatigue exciter for wind turbine blades. Wind turbine blades require excitation at or near their natural frequency to induce bending moments that simulate in service loadings and must be easily controllable and with the minimum of unnecessary added mass or force. The invention provides a device and a method by which force controlled feedback is used for finding an optimal excitation frequency. This force could be provided e.g. by a digital signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Stuart Guy
  • Patent number: 8393217
    Abstract: The present invention has a structure capable of detecting the scattered-type penetrator having oxides each with the size of several ?m sparsely and widely dispersed. Specifically, the structure includes a wave transmission unit 6 for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the welded surface of the welded portion 2 in a pipe axial direction of the pipe 1 such that the beam width of a transmission beam 8 is brought into a range from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, and a wave reception unit 7 for receiving at least a portion of the reflection wave (reception beam 9) at the welded surface. The wave transmission unit 6 and the wave reception unit 7 include transmission/reception units formed of different groups of transducer elements on at least one or more array probes 5 arranged in the circumferential direction of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yukinori Iizuka, Kazuhito Kenmochi, Hiroyasu Yokoyama, Tomohiro Inoue, Shigeto Sakashita