Patents Issued in April 9, 2013
  • Patent number: 8414147
    Abstract: A solid state lighting device includes a thermally conductive plate having a subassembly mounted to at least one side of the plate. Each subassembly includes a mounting frame with a back side and an open center, and a PCB supporting a plurality of LEDs with electrical leads extending therefrom. The PCB is supported by the frame so that the back of the PCB is flush with the back side of the frame. A cup-like light diffuser having a rim is secured to the front of the frame so that it surrounds the frame and covers the LEDs. Fastening devices fasten the subassembly against the one side of the plate so that the back of the PCB is in intimate thermal contact with the plate and the diffuser rim abuts the plate so that when the LEDs are energized via their leads, a maximum amount of light from the LEDs is directed through the diffuser and waste heat from the LEDs is efficiently conducted away by the plate which may also constitute a reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: John E. Thrailkill
  • Patent number: 8414148
    Abstract: A lamp cup, adapted to be coupled with a luminous module, includes a cup body and a lens. The cup body includes a top wall and an annular sidewall extending downwardly from a periphery of the top wall. The top wall has a top surface to be joined with a circuit board of the luminous module and defines an aperture from top to bottom therein at a position corresponding to a light emitting component of the luminous module. The lens is securely mounted in the aperture of the top wall of the cup body to be aligned with the light emitting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: B&M Optics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Pin Kuo
  • Patent number: 8414149
    Abstract: An LED panel assembly includes a circuit board having a plurality of LEDs. An LED seal louver is coupled over the circuit board. The LED seal louver includes a substrate and a pliable seal membrane. The substrate includes one or more substrate cavities. The pliable seal membrane is coupled with the substrate, and the pliable seal membrane includes a pliable material partially extending across the one or more substrate cavities. One or more LED passages extends through the pliable material adjacent to the substrate cavities. Each of the LED passages is sized and shaped to receive a single LED. Bulbs for one or more of the plurality of LEDs are correspondingly received within the LED passages, and the pliable material seals around each bulb with an interference fit. The bulbs are directly visible through the LED seal louver while the pliable seal membrane is sealed around the bulbs, and the circuit board is concealed by the LED seal louver and isolated from an environment exterior to the LED panel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Daktronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Lane Nearman
  • Patent number: 8414150
    Abstract: An illumination system for creating a field of light with which the density, photometric angular distribution, of the projected light can be changed, including a series of light modules including at least one LED, a structural frame of structural rails having electrically insulating elements, within which electrical conductors pass. The structural rails are at least partially composed of a heat conductive material. There is a circuit board which has a heat conductive substrate having slots disposed about the circuit board, and including at least two electrical contact surfaces located along the slots on the circuit board. The LED is mounted to the circuit board which includes at least two electrical contact surfaces located along the slots. There are electrically conductive screws for electrically connecting the LED on the circuit board to the electrical conductors and constructed and arranged to simultaneously provide a thermal transfer from the heat conductive substrate to the structural rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 8414151
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, ovoid, egg-shaped, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Gary R. Allen, David C. Dudik, Michael J. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8414152
    Abstract: An improved heat-dissipation structure for a matrix LED lamp is disclosed. The heat-dissipation structure is a plate-shaped metal hood configured to hold an LED matrix module for heat dissipation so as to maintain the entire matrix LED lamp cool. The heat-dissipation structure is a plate-shaped metal shell having a plurality of threaded holes allowing the LED matrix module to be fixed thereto. In virtue of the tight contact between the bottom of the LED matrix module and the plate-shaped metal hood, heat generated by the LED matrix module can be quickly absorbed and dissipated by the plate-shaped metal hood, so as to prevent the LED matrix module from premature aging, thereby enlightening the service life of the LED matrix module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Hsu Li Yen
  • Patent number: 8414153
    Abstract: An LED lamp that allows for the replacement of incandescent bulbs used in various different lighting systems without the degradation of operating properties commonly associated with conventional LED replacement lamps. Regarding a conventional landscape lighting system, the system commonly comprises a transformer configured to supply power to a specific number of individual lamps having a specific bulb installed therein. The LED lamp may allow the user to selectively vary the number of individual lamps utilized in the landscape lighting system. Further, if the landscape lighting system is designed to utilize incandescent bulbs, the LED lamp may allow for the convenient and easy replacement of the incandescent bulbs to allow the user to achieve the maximum benefits associated with the use of LED lamps over conventional incandescent bulbs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Access 2 Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett Barta
  • Patent number: 8414154
    Abstract: An array of LEDs (e.g., 500 LEDs) is sandwiched between at least two transparent substrates having conductors bonded to the electrodes without wires, forming light sheets to emit light from opposite surfaces of the light sheet to create a bidirectional light sheet. The light sheet may be suspended from a ceiling to be perpendicular to the ceiling, or the angles of the light sheet may be adjusted. The suspended light sheet may form a cylinder for uniform illumination of the floor and ceiling. Lenses may be formed in the light sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Wilson Dau, Louis Lerman, Allan Brent York
  • Patent number: 8414155
    Abstract: A luminaire having a plurality of LED boards mounted within a housing is provided. Each LED board has at least one light emitting diode mounted thereon and an axis extending from a first end of the board to a second end of the board. Each LED board is adjusted about its respective axis to an orientation that is unique from at least two other LED boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Robert Catone, Charles S. Oldani, Robert F. Hammer, Timothy A. Stout, Robert Kloepple
  • Patent number: 8414156
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automated luminaire with more repeatable, identical and accurate movements by normalization for motion drive system hysteresis. The normalization system utilizes the use of multiple drivers which drive the drive system which engage in opposing movements following a movement to normalize the hysteresis in the drive system so that subsequent moves begin from the same drive system conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ROBE Lighting s.r.o.
    Inventor: Jiri Polasek
  • Patent number: 8414157
    Abstract: A portable lighting system including a housing having an elongated slot formed in a surface of the housing. The slot being sized to receive a rod therein via an opening in the slot. The system further including a retention member movable between a closed position and an opened position, wherein the closed position provides at least a portion of the retention member blocking at least a portion of the upper opening of the slot and the opened position includes the retention member not blocking the upper opening of the slot. The system also having a light source including a plurality of lights oriented in different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Light Muse, LLC
    Inventor: Russell E. Rains
  • Patent number: 8414158
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a cover; a lamp including a light emitting unit; and a doppler sensor including a receiving unit, disposed on the same side as the lamp with respect to a first plane including a surface of the cover facing the lamp. In a cross section that intersects the receiving unit and is orthogonal to a central axis of the light emitting unit, “?” between a boundary line of a detectable range of the receiving unit close to the lamp and a normal to the first plane, “d” between the central axis and the first plane, “r” of the light emitting unit; “y” between the first plane and the receiving unit; and “x” between the receiving unit and a second plane that includes the central axis of the light emitting unit and is orthogonal to the first plane satisfy the following equation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Murakami, Shigeo Gotou
  • Patent number: 8414159
    Abstract: A light combination device includes a reflective element and a first color separating element. The reflective element guides first color light beams emitted from at least a first light source and a second light source to propagate in a first direction. The first light source and the second light source are differently positioned in a space. The first color separating element transmits the first color light beams and reflects second color light beams emitted from at least a third light source and a fourth light source. The third light source and the fourth light source are differently positioned in the space. The first color separating element has a coating curved surface, and a curvature of the coating curved surface is varied according to positions of the third light source and the fourth light source to guide the second color light beams to propagate in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Young Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Fa Hsu, Chia-Chang Lee, Keng-Han Chuang
  • Patent number: 8414160
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a multi-faceted heat sink with facets in a center portion facing outward. The facets form a central enclosed portion, and the heat sink further has a plurality of fins, where each of the fins is placed between adjacent facets and protrudes outwardly from the heat sink. The lighting device also has a plurality of circuit boards with semiconductor emitters mounted thereon. Each of the circuit boards is mounted on a respective facet of the heat sink. The lighting device also has a light-diffusion housing covering the plurality of circuit boards, a power module in communication with the circuit boards and operable to convert power to be compatible with the semiconductor emitters, and a power connector assembly in electrical communication with the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: TSMC Solid State Lighting Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsuan Sun, Wei-Yu Yeh, Tien-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 8414161
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is characterized by providing an optical transfer function between a predetermined illuminated surface pattern, such as a street light pattern, and a predetermined energy distribution pattern of a light source, such as that from an LED. A lens is formed having a shape defined by the optical transfer function. The optical transfer function is derived by generating an energy distribution pattern using the predetermined energy distribution pattern of the light source. Then the projection of the energy distribution pattern onto the illuminated surface is generated. The projection is then compared to the predetermined illuminated surface pattern to determine if it acceptably matches. The process continues reiteratively until an acceptable match is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Ronald G. Holder, Greg Rhoads
  • Patent number: 8414162
    Abstract: A light guide (11; 101; 111) comprising first and second oppositely arranged faces, an in-coupling portion (13a-f) for in-coupling of light from a light-source (12a-f; 95a-f; 102; 106a-c; 112a-f), and an out-coupling portion (15a-f; 103; 113a-f) located adjacent to the in-coupling portion (13a-f). The out-coupling portion (15a-f; 103; 113a-f) is configured to out-couple a primary light beam having a direction of propagation directed from a position in the in-coupling portion (13a-f) with a lower out-coupling efficiency than a secondary light beam having a direction of propagation directed from a position in the light guide (11; 101; 111) outside the in-coupling portion (13a-f). In this manner, a good mixing of light in the light guide can be achieved without imposing any particular requirements on the collimation of the in-coupled light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Fetze Pijlman, Willem Lubertus Ijzerman, Hugo Johan Cornelissen, Marcellinus Petrus Carolus Michael Krijn, Ramon Pascal Van Gorkom, Oscar Hendrikus Willemsen, Michel Cornelis Josephus Marie Vissenberg
  • Patent number: 8414163
    Abstract: Light source apparatus whose front cover can be removed easily and which can be attached to socket easily even if the base is screw-in type. The light source apparatus includes: cylindrical body 10 having opening 11; light-emitting module 20 housed in body 10; and front cover 40 attached to opening-side end of body 10. Ring-like flange 14 is provided at opening-side end 10a of body 10. A plurality of claws 44 are provided at circumferential edge 43 of front cover 40. Front cover 40 is fitted to opening-side end 10a of body 10 such that flange 14 is covered by circumferential edge 43 of front cover 40. Flange 14 is provided with at least one stopper face 15a which, when it is in contact with at least one claw 44, restricts front cover 40 from rotating around cylindrical axis J of body 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Naotaka Hashimoto, Shinya Kawagoe, Toshikazu Endo, Kuninori Takezawa
  • Patent number: 8414164
    Abstract: A spotlight is provided with a substrate having LEDs disposed thereon and a main body casing on which the substrate is provided. The main body casing has a rear side portion having thermal conductivity, which is thermally coupled to the substrate, and is capable of changing the irradiation angle of light emitted from the LEDs. A plurality of heat-radiating fins for forming grooves operating as a plurality of convection paths along the direction of changing the irradiation angle are provided on the rear side portion of the main body casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Kozo Ogawa, Aiko Takahashi, Nobuhiko Betsuda, Hiroki Tamai, Kiyoshi Nishimura, Akiko Saito, Ryotaro Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8414165
    Abstract: A heat dissipation mechanism for LED lamp includes an LED module, a lamp holder, a thermal module, a heat transfer member, and a lamp shade. The thermal module includes a heat sink and a fan; the fan is connected at one side to the heat sink and at another side to the lamp holder. The heat transfer member is arranged between the LED module and the heat sink. The lamp shade has an open end connected to an outer periphery of the lamp holder; and the LED module, the thermal module, and the heat transfer member are received in a space defined in the lamp shade. The heat transfer member absorbs heat generated by the LED module and uniformly spreads the absorbed heat to the heat sink for dissipating into ambient air, so that an excellent heat dissipation effect can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao-Zhen Zeng
  • Patent number: 8414166
    Abstract: A lighting system for use with a watercraft comprising a light module wherein a light bulb is mounted on the front end with an on-off switch, with a handle which pivotably attaches to the light module, further comprises a rechargeable battery which is mounted to a cut-away opening in a cowling with a U-bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory James Charles
  • Patent number: 8414167
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting system for a sporting apparatus. In one embodiment, a sporting board apparatus includes an elongated board structure having top surface, a bottom surface, and edge surfaces. The sporting board apparatus further includes a light system having a plurality of light sources coupled to a power supply. In addition, the sporting board apparatus may include a switching mechanism to control the supply of electrical power from the power supply to the light sources, and a select mechanism to control one or more light programs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Seth Borges
  • Patent number: 8414168
    Abstract: A roof rack assembly for a vehicle having a roof is presented here. The roof rack assembly includes a first stanchion for structural attachment to the roof, a second stanchion for structural attachment to the roof, and a bar coupled between, and held above the roof by, the first stanchion and the second stanchion. The bar has a securing feature integrally formed therein, which holds an electric powered light-emitting component. Accordingly, the roof rack assembly employs a roof rack bar having a light-emitting element integrated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Jutila, Robert E. Boniface, Jeffrey A. Diegel, Joel T. Bachler, Ronald J. Wojciechowski
  • Patent number: 8414169
    Abstract: An assembly for creating the appearance of flames emerging from a vehicle exhaust, including a partially transparent tube connected to the vehicle, a light emitting array positioned within the tube, a plurality of reflective generally flame-shaped streamers extending at least partially into the partially transparent tube, an air pressure source operationally connected to the tube, a power source electrically connected to the light emitting array and an electronic controller operationally connected to the light emitting array. Actuation of the air pressure source waves the streamers within the tube and the streamers are visible through the tube when waving. The light emitting array is positioned to shine light onto the waving streamers and the electronic controller is operable to sequence the actuation of the light emitting array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Cary E. Gloodt
  • Patent number: 8414170
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for manufacturing a batch of motor vehicle headlight lenses, each lens comprising a lens body and a convexly curved optically operative surface. The method comprising pressing a pre-form between a first mold and a second mold, which second mold comprises a first and second mold sections. An offset depending on the volume of the pre-form a step is pressed into the headlight lens between the second mold section and the first mold section, wherein the first mold section is set back with respect to the second mold section at least in the region of the offset, and wherein the height of a step of a headlight lens of the batch differs by more than 0.05 mm from the height of a step of at least one further headlight lens of the batch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Doctor Optics GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Erward, Franz Sykura
  • Patent number: 8414171
    Abstract: A periphery of a projecting lens is heated due to radiation heat exerted by light emitted from a light source, like peripheries of the light source and a reflector. However, a lens holder holding the projecting lens is integrally molded with a heat sink member, so that a heat at the periphery of the projecting lens is well transmitted to the heat sink member by means of the lens holder, and is efficiently radiated by means of the heat sink member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8414172
    Abstract: A headlamp for vehicles is disclosed. The headlamp for vehicles includes a lamp housing having an opening; an exterior lens disposed on the opening of the lamp housing; a light source received in the lamp housing to emit light, a cooling fin received in the lamp housing to cool the light source, a conductive line connected at one end thereof to the cooling fin, and a conductive film connected to the other end of the conductive line and mounted on an inner surface of the exterior lens. The headlamp can eliminate a cooling fin or a cooling fan, thereby enabling reduction in size, weight and power consumption of a cooling device and can achieve prevention of moisture generation and immediate removal of moisture without a separate moisture removing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung Pyll Lee
  • Patent number: 8414173
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a plurality of light source units (20) each having a light guide plate and at least one light source. The light guide plate is provided with an illumination region (4) through which an incident beam of light from the at least one light source is emitted outward and a light guide region (3) through which the incident beam of light from the at least one light source is guided toward the illumination region (4), with the illumination region (4) and the light guide region (3) laid side-by-side. Light source units (20) adjacent to each other along a direction of an optical axis of the at least one light source are disposed so that the illumination region (4) of one of the light source units (20) covers at least a part of the light guide region (3) of the other light source unit (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Masuda, Yuhsaku Ajichi, Yukihide Kohtoku
  • Patent number: 8414174
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus, comprising at least one light emitting source embedded in a waveguide material is disclosed. The waveguide material is capable of propagating light generated by light emitting source(s), such that at least a portion of the light is diffused within the waveguide material and exits through at least a portion of its surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Oree, Inc.
    Inventors: Eran Fine, Noam Meir
  • Patent number: 8414175
    Abstract: A light source apparatus including a light guide plate, a first light emitting unit, and a second light emitting unit is provided. The light guide plate has a first surface, an opposite second surface, a first side surface, and an opposite second side surface. The first light emitting unit is disposed beside the first side surface for providing a first light beam. The second light emitting unit is disposed beside the second side surface for providing a second light beam. The first light emitting unit has a central line passing through a geometric center of the first light emitting unit and being perpendicular to the first side surface. The second light emitting unit has a central line passing through a geometric center of the second light emitting unit and being perpendicular to the second side surface. The central lines do not coincide with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Young Lighting Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Hung Lin, Jung-Min Hwang
  • Patent number: 8414176
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light guide plate (LGP) having a stepped portion formed at a corner of the LGP, an optical sheet disposed over the LGP and a receiving container receiving the LGP and the optical sheet. The receiving container includes a bottom plate, first through fourth sidewalls and a first LGP fixing portion. The second sidewall is adjacent to the first sidewall. The third sidewall faces the first sidewall. The fourth sidewall faces the second sidewall. The first through fourth sidewalls are extended upwardly from edge portions of the bottom plate. The first LGP fixing portion is formed at the first sidewall such that the LGP fixing portion corresponds to the stepped portion of the LGP. Therefore, a display device is easily assembled. Furthermore, a defilement that may occur during an assembling process may be reduced to enhance productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Soo Shin, Young-Jae Lee, Jeoung-Gwen Lee
  • Patent number: 8414177
    Abstract: A planar light emitting device (PLED) includes: a light guide plate (LGP) having upper/lower surfaces; a light source substrate (LSS) mounted with a point light source parallel with a side end of the LGP; a first chassis covering a back of the LSS and a lower surface of the LGP in parallel; and a second chassis having an emission opening; a light source member in a side surface of the PLED; and a fixing member on the side of the PLED with an inclined portion. The inclined portion of the fixing member is formed so pressing the fixing member moves the LGP toward the LSS, which is fixed between the side end of the LGP and the first chassis. Removing the fixing member forms a gap between the LSS and the side end surface of the LGP or the first chassis, and the LSS can exit the LSS take-out portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: NLT Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukinori Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8414178
    Abstract: A removable LED light module for use in a lighting assembly includes an LED lighting element and one or more resilient members to maintain a compression force between the LED light module and a socket and/or heat dissipating member or thermally conductive housing to provide effective heat transfer from the LED to the heat dissipating member or thermally conductive housing. One or more electrical contact members of the LED light module is configured to releasably contact one or more electrical contact elements of a socket of the lighting assembly when the LED light module is coupled to the socket to establish an electrical connection between the LED light module and the socket, said electrical contact elements positioned behind openings in a surface of the socket to partially obstruct access to said electrical contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Journée Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Clayton Alexander, Brandon S. Mundell, Robert Rippey, III
  • Patent number: 8414179
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing a powdery medium with a fluid includes a mixing vessel which can be filled with the fluid and which has a feed for the fluid, an inlet for the powdery medium and an outlet for the fluid mixed with the powdery medium, and at least one mixing screen which divides the mixing vessel into a first section which includes the feed and a second section which includes the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Tracto-Technik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Schauerte, Markus Hamers, Meinolf Rameil
  • Patent number: 8414180
    Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus for mixing a fluid in a circular container includes a circular lid for engaging the open top container. A shaft is rotatably positioned through the lid and is rotatable about a shaft axis. A mixer is attached to the shaft adjacent one end for rotating with the shaft in a plane perpendicular to the shaft axis. The mixer receives the shaft. The mixer has a fixed portion and a hinged portion hingedly connected to the fixed portion. An agitator is mounted to the shaft for agitating a fluid when the apparatus is mounted in a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Jackie R. Mattingly, Robert M. Rolfes
  • Patent number: 8414181
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing material, such as a biomass or fodder for cattle, comprises a container having a bottom and an upright wall, and at least one mixing element comprising an upright column and a mixing blade attached to the column. A front edge of the mixing element at least is proximate to the bottom of the container. The mixing element with its column is rotatably mounted in the container and can be coupled to a drive unit. The mixing blade comprises an element which is rotatably supported on a carrier that is fixed to the column. A part of the circumferential edge of the rotatable element may form the front edge and the part of the outer edge of the mixing blade that joins said front edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Trioliet Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Cornelis Hendricus Liet
  • Patent number: 8414182
    Abstract: A micromixer device has at least one fluid inlet channel and at least one fluid outlet channel. A plurality of pathways extend between the fluid inlet channel and the fluid outlet channel. The width of at least some of the plurality of pathways varies in a substantially parabolic manner along at least one dimension of the micromixer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Brian Kevin Paul, Anna Evelyn Garrison
  • Patent number: 8414183
    Abstract: An agitator (10) includes a stem (11) having a shaft coupler (12) at one end adapted to be attached to the rotatable shaft (25) of a food mixing machine. The other end of the stem (11) has a mixing blade (13) which can be in the shape of the bowl of a spoon. The stem (11) is shaped like an I-beam having side walls (20) spaced by a central wall (21). The side walls (20) have opposed notches (22) leaving a web (23) therebetween, and the central wall (21) is provided with an aperture (24) which is aligned with the web (23). Together the web (23) and the aperture (24) define a weakened area where the stem (11) will break upon a predetermined torque which is established based on the hardness of the food product (26) being mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene J. Kozlowski, Raymond Seuffert
  • Patent number: 8414184
    Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece balance (1), with inertia adjustment including a hub (2) pivoting about a balance staff (3) and a felloe (5), connected to said hub (2) by a joining surface (6). It is wherein said felloe (5) is made in a single piece with said joining surface (6) and said hub (2) in a micro-machinable material, or silicon, or quartz, or a compound thereof, or an alloy derived from MEMS technology, or an alloy obtained by the “LIGA” method, and in that it includes at least a first resilient arm (40) including coupling means (41) arranged for cooperating, in various coupling positions, with complementary coupling means (42) comprised in said felloe (5) to form, in the coupling position, a closed loop, the inertia of which relative to said balance staff (3) is variable according to said coupling positions. The invention also concerns a sprung balance or a timepiece incorporating a balance of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nivarox-FAR
    Inventors: Daniel Mallet, Frédéric Tolle, Philippe Barthoulot, Daniel Vicente, Emmanuel Graf, Philomène Berger, Pierre Cusin
  • Patent number: 8414185
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical oscillator, in particular for watchmaking, comprising a spiral spring (1) having a number N of turns, a central end (2), an eccentric end (3) and a rotary collet (4), connected to the central end (2), comprising an orifice intended to receive an arbor for rotation about an axis (A), and a balance (7), the axis of rotation of which coincides with the rotation arbor (A), the eccentric end (3) being intended to be integral with a stationary element of the “balance-cock” type, said spiral spring (1) being made up of a single-crystal silicon (Si) core (1a) and at least one peripheral coating (1b) based on a material having a thermoelastic coefficient different from that of silicon, the single-crystal silicon (Si) being oriented along the crystallographic axis {1,1,1} to optimize the temperature coefficient of the mechanical oscillator as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Manufacture et Fabrique de Montres et Chronometres Ulysse Nardin le Locle S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Gygax, Marc-Andre Glassey
  • Patent number: 8414186
    Abstract: A new step-index multimode pure silica core fiber for DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensing) system particularly useful for downhole environments is disclosed and described. The new sensor system provides optimum tradeoffs between coupling power, spatial resolution, and temperature resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: SensorTran, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung Lee, Kwang Suh, Mahesh Ajgaonkar, Kent Kalar
  • Patent number: 8414187
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes first and second lower electrodes, a ferroelectric layer having polarization, a semiconductor layer; and first to third upper electrodes. The second upper electrode is interposed between the first upper electrode and the third upper electrode in a plan view. The semiconductor layer includes a first channel disposed between the first upper electrode and the second upper electrode, and a second channel disposed between the second upper electrode and the third upper electrode. The ferroelectric layer includes a first ferroelectric part disposed below the first channel and a second ferroelectric part disposed below the second channel. A polarization direction of the first ferroelectric part is opposite to a polarization direction of the second first ferroelectric part. The temperature is calculated based on the output voltage from the second upper electrode and the voltage applied to the first upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Michihito Ueda, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Yukihiro Kaneko, Eiji Fujii
  • Patent number: 8414188
    Abstract: A stand-up pour bag has front and back panels made of a thermoplastic film and having joined longitudinal edges and upper and lower transverse edges bridging the transverse edges. An inwardly folded lower end panel made of thermoplastic film extends between and is joined to the lower edges of the front and back panels, and an inwardly folded upper end panel made of thermoplastic film extends between and is secured at joints to the upper edges of the front and back panels. A closable pourer is bonded to the upper end panel and the upper edge of the front panel at the joint between the upper end panel and the upper edge of the front panel. A carry handle made of a thermoplastic film is bonded to the back panel generally centrally and inward of the edges thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nordenia Deutschland Halle GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Koesters
  • Patent number: 8414189
    Abstract: A guide element for a corrugated tube is formed as a ring. At least one rotating roller is integrated in the interior of the ring such that the at least one rotating roller contacts the corrugated tube when the corrugated tube is passed through the ring. The at least one rotating roller rotates with a movement of the corrugated tube using the guide element. The guide element enables low-wear control of corrugated tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Groβ, Harald Neumann, Frank Rosinus
  • Patent number: 8414190
    Abstract: Rigidity and precision of a motion guidance apparatus are increased by improving track rail shape. A track rail has at least two rolling member rolling grooves (RMRGs) on the upper surface and at least one RMRG on each side surface, the RMRGs extending in the longitudinal direction. When the RMRGs are taken along a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the track rail, and two imaginary lines extending vertically downward are drawn from ends of the respective grooves located on the outer sides among upper surface RMRGs, all the side surface RMRG are positioned in the rail but outside the corresponding one of the two imaginary lines, and at least portions of the upper surface and the side surfaces of the track rail, on which the RMRGs are formed, the portions being in the vicinity of the respective RMRGs, are formed with an inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kishi, Shinya Mori, Takeshi Shimamura
  • Patent number: 8414191
    Abstract: An improved air foil bearing assembly is disclosed. The air foil bearing assembly includes a bearing housing having an axially extending bore therein and a shaft arranged within the bore for relative coaxial rotation with respect to the bearing housing. The shaft cooperates with the bearing housing to define an annular gap therebetween. A foil assembly is disposed in the annular gap, including at least one foil having at least one laterally extending tab. The tab is adapted to be received in and extend axially from the annular gap and is further adapted to be bent into frictional contact with an outer surface of the bearing housing to militate against axial movement of the foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian S. Flora, Steven L. Clark, Jon R. Sienkowski, Stephan M. Ruchenewitz
  • Patent number: 8414192
    Abstract: In the cage, on opposing edges of an outer circumferential opening of each of some of cage pockets, guiding faces for limiting the inward displacement in the radial direction of each of balls for a pitch circle diameter are provided; and on opposing edges of the inner circumferential opening of each of remaining cage pockets, guiding faces for limiting the outward displacement in the radial direction of each of the balls for the pitch circle diameter are provided, thereby making a ball guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sekimoto, Akira Koyama
  • Patent number: 8414193
    Abstract: A retaining element is disposed between two adjacent roller bodies of a roller bearing having an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring has an inner ring track with an inner radius and the outer ring has an outer ring track with an outer radius. Center points of the roller bodies are disposed along a pitch circle having a pitch circle radius. The retaining element extends radially inward from the pitch circle over at least 90% of the difference between the pitch circle radius and the inner radius and extends radially outward from the pitch circle over up to 50% of the difference between the outer radius and the pitch circle radius or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Robert Grüll, Rut Heemskerk, Stefan Pampel, Markus Volkmuth, Jürgen Reichert
  • Patent number: 8414194
    Abstract: A cylindrical roller bearing assembly capable of increasing the load bearing capability with respect to the thrust load and of easily controlling the shape of the cylindrical roller is provided. The cylindrical roller bearing assembly includes an inner ring, an outer ring and a plurality of cylindrical rollers. One or both of the inner and outer rings has/have a collar. A surface portion encompassed within the region of radial dimensions of 0.12 Da to 0.20 Da as measured from an outer diametric edge of an end face of each of the cylindrical rollers to a roller axis, wherein Da represents an outer diameter of each of the cylindrical rollers is rendered to be a crowned portion of a tapered shape inclined at an angle ?r of 0.25 to 1° relative to a plane perpendicular to the roller axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Hideji Ito
  • Patent number: 8414195
    Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly having a plurality of rollers positioned in a cage is provided. A first race washer is positioned on a first axial side of the rollers and the cage, with the first race washer including a first axially extending flange axially overlapping the cage and the rollers, and having at least one protrusion extending in a direction away from the cage. A first retention band including a first axially extending band and a first retaining flange that extends radially from the first axially extending band is provided. The first retention band has at least one recess or opening and is complementary in size to the first race washer flange and engagable thereon. Engagement is accomplished via the at least one protrusion on the first axially extending flange engaging the at least one recess or opening in the first retention band. The first retaining flange has a width that is sized to overlap a portion of the cage on a second axial side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: James Kevin Brown
  • Patent number: 8414196
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector is disclosed for use with both a hardened fiber optic adapter and a non-hardened fiber optic adapter. The connector includes a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion. The plug portion includes first and second sets of retaining features for retaining the connector. The first and second retaining feature sets retain the connector within the hardened and unhardened adapters respectively. A threaded member can be included on the connector to threadingly engage and connect the connector to the hardened adapter. A sliding lock can be included on the connector to lock the connector to the non-hardened adapter when slid into a locking position. The sliding lock can be mounted to the threaded member. The sliding lock can include protrusions that engage and lock the non-hardened adapter when in the locking position thereby locking the non-hardened adapter to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Lu, Randy Reagan, Craig M. Standish