Patents Issued in May 21, 2013
  • Patent number: 8443642
    Abstract: A method of forming a tubular member with portions having finished corners formed in a hydroforming operation by initially forming a pre-form that includes sharp corners. The pre-form includes bulges of the tube material between the sharp corners that flow toward the intended corner locations as the tubular member is hydroformed. The bulges may be external ribs or internal recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Sergey Fedorovich Golovashchenko
  • Patent number: 8443643
    Abstract: A burr removing method includes: pressing, by using a work pressing device (7), the upper surface of a work (W) around a work edge (WE), along which a burr occurs, so as to be relatively freely movable, the work (W) held on a work table in a plate material processing machine so as to be freely movable in X- and Y-axis directions; when the work (W) relatively moves with respect to the work pressing device (7) in the X- and Y-axis directions, vibrating a striker (35) vertically, the striker (35) provided at a position below the work pressing device (7) so as to be freely vertically movable; and, when the striker (35) moves upward, crushing the burr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Endo
  • Patent number: 8443644
    Abstract: A rotary-draw bending die with eccentric clamping for bending elongate workpieces such as pipes, wires, profile strands, etc. The die having a twistable bending mandrel, and an associated clamp die. The clamp die can be moved relative to the bending mandrel and brought from an opened position remote from the bending mandrel. A workpiece to be bent can be inserted between the bending mandrel and clamp die to a clamping position on the bending mandrel or vice-versa and is freely twistable about a swivel axis which is offset eccentrically in relation to the rotational axis of the bending mandrel. The swivel axis is disposed on a rotary plate which is rotatable relative to the bending mandrel. The clamp die is freely twistable about the swivel axis and can be moved between its clamping position and its opened position by twisting the rotary plate relative to the bending mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Wafios Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Juergen Wolf
  • Patent number: 8443645
    Abstract: A bending method and a bending apparatus are provided for bending a medical suturing needle into different curved shapes by using one bending roller. The bending apparatus comprises a reciprocally rotatable bending roller, and a belt having such a flexibility as can be wound on the outer circumference of the bending roller. The bending method curves a medical suturing needle by sandwiching and constricting a material for the medical suturing needle between the bending roller and the belt and by rotating the bending roller reciprocally in the winding direction and in the rewinding direction. In the bending method, the curved shape of the material is changed by changing the winding angle of the belt to be wound on the outer circumference of the bending top thereby to change the area for constricting the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: MANI, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuaki Kato
  • Patent number: 8443646
    Abstract: An adjustment compensator device for a press brake die includes an elongate engagement member, an elongate die holder, an elongate primary adjustment wedge and at least two elongate secondary adjustment wedges. The elongate primary adjustment wedge is positioned between and extending along at least a portion of the elongate engagement member and the elongated die holder, and at least a portion of primary adjustment wedge is adjustable in a direction transverse to an elongate length of the engagement member. The at least two elongate secondary adjustment wedges have a length wherein each of the secondary adjustment wedges is less than a length of the primary adjustment wedge. The elongate secondary adjustment wedges are positioned end to end in a direction along a length of the die holder and positioned between the engagement member and the die holder. Each of the elongate secondary adjustment wedges is adjustable in a direction transverse to the elongate length of the engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Bruno J. Pelech
  • Patent number: 8443647
    Abstract: A multi-sensor as disclosed herein can include a substrate and at least three sensing elements disposed on the substrate. Each sensing element includes two electrodes separated by a distance and a nanowire mat adjacent to and in contact with the electrodes. The nanowire mats include nanowires which define a percolation network. The density of the nanowires in the nanowire mat of one sensing element is different than the density of the nanowires in the nanowire mat of either of the other at least two sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Southern Illinois University
    Inventors: Andrei Kolmakov, Victor V. Sysoev
  • Patent number: 8443648
    Abstract: A continuous emissions monitoring system is in fluid communication with a flue stack conducting exhaust gas from a combustion source. The continuous emissions monitor system comprises an analyzer for measuring concentrations of an analyte present in the exhaust gas. A probe is in fluid communication with the flue stack to acquire a sample of exhaust gas from the flue stack. The probe is also in fluid communication with and located upstream of the analyzer. The probe tends to remove analyte from the sample. A calibration checking system is in fluid communication with the probe. The calibration checking system includes a source that provides a flow of a known concentration of calibration material to be measured by the analyzer. The calibration material is the same as the analyte. A humidifier is associated with the source to provide moisture to a flow of calibration material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Holt, William Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 8443649
    Abstract: In a mass flow controller verifying system, there are provided a verifying gas line arranged in parallel to influent flow gas lines and joined into a post-confluent flow gas line, a reference volume calculating portion adapted to calculate a reference volume determined for a specified piping of a gas piping system, a verifying parameter calculating portion adapted to calculate a verifying parameter based on time series data of a measurement pressure measured by a pressure measurement unit during a control of a flow rate by a mass flow controller to be verified, and a comparing portion adapted to compare a reference parameter set based on the reference volume and the verifying parameter, whereby the verifying system can be introduced into an existing gas piping system used in a semiconductor manufacturing process and so forth at a low cost and is capable of verifying a mass flow controller quickly and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Horiba STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Yasuda, Yuji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8443650
    Abstract: A temperature compensated pressure switch (“TCPS”) with thermal lag compensation, trend indication, and forecast analysis. The TCPS has a first control unit, a pressure sensor connected to the first control unit outputting a first pressure data, a temperature sensor connected to the first control unit outputting a first temperature data, and a first storage unit connected to the first control unit storing: minimum and maximum pressure data corresponding to temperature data and rate of temperature change values. The first control unit can substitute a second temperature data, for the first temperature data for a period of time. The first control unit also outputs a first signal indicating the amount of material is acceptable when the first pressure data is above the minimum pressure data and outputs a second signal indicating the amount of material is unacceptable when the first pressure data is not above the minimum pressure data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Mass Systems, A Unit of Ameron Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdul N. Sitabkhan, Michael A. Mallari
  • Patent number: 8443651
    Abstract: A drop test device for testing a corner portion of a work piece, includes a bottom board, a support pillar, and a hanging mechanism. The support pillar is mounted on the bottom board. The hanging mechanism is mounted on the support pillar and is located above the bottom board. The hanging mechanism includes a support member. The support member includes a triangle base. Angles and sides of the triangle base hold the work piece thereon to have a corner of the work piece directed towards the bottom board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yin Le, Yu-Lin Liu, Qiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8443652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for sensing a fluid, such as in a ventilation duct, comprising a sensing element (6), a first housing portion (27) adapted to be arranged outside said object and accommodating the sensing element (6), a supply opening (13) and an outlet opening (37), which openings provide communication between the said first housing portion (27) and the object containing the fluid that is to be sensed. The device (1) further comprises a second housing portion (28), adapted to be arranged outside said object and accommodating electrical connection components, wherein said first and second housing portions (27, 28) are arranged and configured such that they may be connected to each other in geometrically different configurations by use of mechanical fastening means (22) and electrical interconnection means (19, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Calectro Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Jörgen Sahibzada
  • Patent number: 8443653
    Abstract: A breakaway tooling apparatus connectable to a manipulator and at least one tool for limiting the amount of damage to the associated manipulator and tool when the apparatus accidentally engages an obstacle. The detection mount has a narrowed neck region and stepped throughbore adjacent the narrowed neck region for creating a weakened portion that will fracture upon the realization of a predetermined force to the detection mount. An air passageway extends from an outer portion of the detection mount to an inner portion of the detection mount, wherein the air passageway is connectable to a supply of pressurized air. A blocking member prevents the pressurized air from passing through the air passageway in the detection mount when the detection mount is not fractured at the weakened portion, and the blocking member allows pressurized air to flow through the air passageway in the detection mount when the detection mount is fractured at the weakened portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Norgren Automation Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth P. Dellach
  • Patent number: 8443654
    Abstract: A device monitors an obstruction of two fluid filters of a fluid circulation system of a gas turbine engine of an aircraft. A first obstruction sensor sends a first detection signal of an obstruction of a first filter. A second obstruction sensor sends a second detection signal of an obstruction of a second filter. A processor includes a monitoring input to measure the first and second detection signals. The first obstruction sensor includes a Wheatstone bridge including a strain gauge resistor. The second obstruction sensor is connected in parallel with the strain gauge resistor. The first detection signal is sent over a first predetermined variation range. The second detection signal is sent over a second predetermined variation range, distinct from the first variation range. The processor identifies the obstruction of one of the fluid filters as a function of one of the variation ranges of the detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Nicolas Alain Bader, Thierry Poix, Nicolas Potel
  • Patent number: 8443655
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel composition learning includes steps of monitoring changes in airflow within an engine to determine steady state conditions. The method further includes steps of initiating a fuel composition learning process during steady state conditions. A current fuel component concentration factor is updated using a temporary fuel component concentration factor. The temporary fuel component concentration factor is calculated as the average of an air/fuel correction factor. Once the current fuel component concentration factor is updated, the temporary fuel component concentration factor is reset. The air/fuel correction factor is reset to reflect any difference that existed between the temporary fuel component concentration factor and the air/fuel correction factor at the update time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji David Matsuura, Todd Robert Luken, Hirokazu Toyoshima
  • Patent number: 8443656
    Abstract: The invention provides an inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance abnormality detection device for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, in which when abnormality detection processing of detecting an inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio imbalance abnormality on the basis of revolution speed fluctuations of the multi-cylinder internal combustion engine and ignition timing control for controlling the ignition timing so as to restrict revolution speed fluctuations in the multi-cylinder internal combustion engine are implemented, the implementation of the ignition timing control is restricted when the abnormality detection processing is implemented, and an abnormality detection method to be used in such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Hakariya, Yoshihisa Oda, Tatsuro Shimada
  • Patent number: 8443657
    Abstract: A radiator grille tester of the present invention includes two adapters, a transparent tube, and a detector. The transparent tube and the detector are located between the adapters. The adapters, the transparent tube, and the detector are serial connected and define a channel. The adapters can be connected to an engine and a radiator respectively. Therefore, water in the engine and the radiator can flow passing through the transparent tube and the detector via the adapter. User can observe the water flow directly so as to check whether the engine and the radiator are malfunctioned. Observation and examination procedures are simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Cosda Manu Facturing Company
    Inventor: Lai-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8443658
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (50) for inspecting a running surface (35) of a cylinder liner (25) of a combustion engine (10) comprising an inspection tool (65), a control device (55) and connection means (60) for power supply and transmission of measuring data and control signals. The inspection tool (65) comprises a bearing rail (70) and mounted thereon a rotary table (80) and tools (90, 96) for measuring the inner diameter (d) and running surface (35) of the cylinder liner (25) and for visual inspection of the surface condition. The inspection tool (65) has a size that allows its introduction into the cylinder liner (25) through an aperture (30) in the cylinder liner (25) to be inspected. The invention is particular suitable for the inspection of a cylinder liner (25) of a reciprocating piston combustion engine (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Waertsilae Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Jan Willem Vroege, Gregory Sudwoj
  • Patent number: 8443659
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener tool (101, 102) for fastening a transmission shaft (1), the tool being arranged at a free end (2, 3) of the transmission shaft (1), and also to a balancing bench (B) including the fastener tool (101, 102). The fastener tool is provided with centering elements (110, 110?) for centering the transmission shaft (1), which centering elements are deformable by centrifugal forces so as to come into contact with the transmission shaft as from a determined speed of rotation of the fastener tool (101, 102) about its axis of rotation (AX).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Lucien Mistral, Philippe Hollier-Larousse
  • Patent number: 8443660
    Abstract: An apparatus ascertains a contact area length of a vehicle tire. The apparatus has a transmission unit which has a resonator and which is set up to transmit a sensor signal at a defined frequency. A change in the frequency of the sensor signal on the basis of mechanical excitation of the resonator is indicative of a contact area length for the vehicle tire. Furthermore, the apparatus has a contact area length ascertainment unit which is set up to receive the sensor signal and to take the change in the frequency of the sensor signal as a basis for ascertaining the contact area length of the vehicle tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Grande, Mario Haselsteiner, Otto Müller
  • Patent number: 8443661
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring swelling changes consists of a cylindrical cell assembly (80) capable of withstanding high pressure and high temperature with a wafer holder (48) containing a wafer (42) of solid sample. A sensor rod (56) moves in response to expansion or contraction of the sample wafer (42) and its movement is measured by either an LVDT sensor (66) or a magnetometer (116). Heat is provided via a heater (30) and pressure is controlled via a pressurization inlet (16) or pressurization fluid (68).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Hongfeng Bi
  • Patent number: 8443662
    Abstract: System and method for geo-location of a device (such as a tag) using barometric pressure readings taken in the vicinity of the device and correlated to datasets of barometric pressure that have pressure gradients over time and space. The readings taken in the vicinity of the device may be correlated to the datasets using an iterative Bayesian approach to determine a geo-location of the device with a high degree of confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Lane, Catherine L. Slesnick
  • Patent number: 8443663
    Abstract: An embodiment of concentrically-mounted disks, designed for sailing, which can be used in conjunction with a navigational chart and/or a compass to calculate boom/mainsail angles in degrees relative to a sailboat's course heading, calculating all sailable compass headings. Calculations factored by transitioning boom/mainsail angles, apparent wind ratios, angle of attack, and the areo-hydrodynamics of sailing. Further providing depictions of course heading, relative position of boom/mainsail, apparent wind direction, and coordinates relative to a navigational chart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Randall Anthony Kramer
  • Patent number: 8443664
    Abstract: An equalizing tank for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, with a housing including a housing upper part and a housing lower part, and with a device for monitoring the fluid level in the equalizing tank, the device including a switching unit which is fastened to the housing and has a plug-in connector and a contact carrier, a portion of which projects into a guide pipe which extends into an interior space of the tank, and a sensor element or switching element which is arranged on the contact carrier in the region of the guide pipe and which can be switched by a transmitter in a switching point at which the switching unit generates a signal for an electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Johann Ludwig, Hans-Jürgen Neumann, Swen Ottmann, Christoph Schiel, Peter Tandler, Werner Krebs, Barbara Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8443665
    Abstract: A micro gyro consisting of a vibrating micro scale structure produces a signal whose characteristic frequency shifts in proportion to the applied angular velocity. The vibrating structure consists of a suspended proof mass resonator supported on springs and connected to at least one detector resonator. The structure can be made with multiple semiconductor materials such as silicon, poly-silicon, silicon dioxide, and silicon nitride, using one of many MEMS fabrication processes. The proof mass resonator is designed to have two closely coupled resonant frequencies, with one resonant mode for the drive motion and the second resonant mode for the sense motion. Detector resonators are connected to the vibrating structure such that when the proof mass resonator oscillates due to the Coriolis force in its sense mode, the connections to the detector resonators are stressed by the proof mass resonator, thus changing the resonant frequency of the detector resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Ying W. Hsu
  • Patent number: 8443666
    Abstract: A rate-of-rotation sensor having a substrate and a first Coriolis element are provided, an excitation arrangement being provided for the excitation of vibrations of the first Coriolis element in a first direction, a first detection arrangement being provided for detecting a first deflection of the first Coriolis element in a third direction running generally perpendicular to the first direction; characterized by the first Coriolis element being developed as balancing rocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Sebastian Gracki
  • Patent number: 8443667
    Abstract: The current invention is a novel gyroscope design, which yields devices robust to fabrication and environmental variations, allows flexible selection of operational parameters, and provides increased bandwidth with minimized sacrifice in gain regardless of the selected frequency of operation. The gyroscope has a single degree-of-freedom (DOF) drive-mode and a 2-DOF sense-mode. The drive-mode operational frequency and the sense-mode bandwidth can be selected arbitrarily in the proposed design, relaxing the tradeoff between the gain, die size, and detection capacitance. The symmetry of the structure ensures the optimal location of the drive-mode resonance relative to the sense-mode operational region, even in presence of fabrication imperfections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Alexander Trusov, Adam Schofield, Andrei Shkel
  • Patent number: 8443668
    Abstract: A yaw rate sensor having a substrate, a first Coriolis element and a second Coriolis element is described, the first Coriolis element being excitable to a first vibration by first excitation means, and the second Coriolis element being excitable to a second vibration by second excitation means, and the first and second Coriolis elements being connected to one another by a spring structure, and the spring structure also including at least one rocker structure, the rocker structure being anchored on the substrate by at least one spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Torsten Ohms, Burkhard Kuhlmann, Markus Heitz, Robert Sattler, Daniel Christoph Meisel, Thorsten Balslink
  • Patent number: 8443669
    Abstract: A servo accelerometer has a pair of housings having a tubular part, one end opened and the other end closed with a closing part. A frame that supports a pendulum is held between the housings. A permanent magnet is attached to each of the closing parts with a bottom pole piece interposed therebetween. Coils arranged in annular magnetic gaps are attached to the pendulum. The closing part has a recess, and the bottom pole piece is disposed in the recess. The outer circumference of the bottom pole piece faces the inner circumference of the recess with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventor: Shuichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8443670
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel three-axis capacitive-type accelerometer implemented on SOI wafer. The accelerometer consists of four springs, one proof mass, four pairs of gap-closing sensing electrodes (each pair of gap-closing sensing electrode containing one movable electrode and one stationary electrode), and several metal-vias as the electrical interconnections. The movable electrodes are on the proof mass, whereas the stationary electrodes are fixed to the substrate. The three-axis accelerometer has five merits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Chia-Pao Hsu, Weileun Fang, Ming-Ching Wu
  • Patent number: 8443671
    Abstract: A micromechanical structure includes: a substrate; a seismic mass movable relative to the substrate along a first direction parallel to a main plane of extension of the substrate; a first electrode structure is connected to the substrate; and a second electrode structure connected to the substrate. The seismic mass includes a counterelectrode structure having finger electrodes situated between first finger electrodes of the first electrode structure and second finger electrodes of the second electrode structure, along the first direction. The first electrode structure is fastened to the substrate by a first anchoring element in a central region of the micromechanical structure, and the second electrode structure is anchored to the substrate by a second anchoring element situated in the central region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Classen, Christian Bierhoff
  • Patent number: 8443672
    Abstract: Sensors for monitoring shock or vibration of an object are provided. The sensors include a proof mass, at least piezoelectric device, and an electronic circuit connected to the piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device generates a current when the proof mass imparts a force on the piezoelectric device in response to the proof mass being subjected to a transient acceleration when the object is subjected to a shock or vibration. The electronic circuit is at least partially controlled in response to the current generated from the piezoelectric device due to the shock or vibration. Embodiments of the sensor provide multi-axis sensing capabilities. Methods of making the sensors and flexible circuits are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Erklin Seeley, Eladio Clemente Delgado
  • Patent number: 8443673
    Abstract: A geophone including a plurality of ferromagnetic masses (e.g., magnets) disposed to oscillate on one or more compliant elements (e.g., springs) in a manner that produces a steep flux gradient at one or more conductive coils is disclosed. The magnetic masses are positioned with like poles facing each other so as to compress the magnetic field gradient. The coils may be positioned in the flux gap either between the magnets, in close proximity to the magnets, or surrounding the magnets. Vibration measurements may then be detected from the movement of at least one of the magnetic masses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Lumedyne Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Brad Chisum, Mark Fralick, Richard Waters
  • Patent number: 8443674
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound inspection device for the inspection of tubular workpieces, where the ultrasound inspection device can be coupled to the workpiece by means of a fluid medium, the workpiece and the ultrasound inspection device can be moved relative to each other, a transducer unit substantially disposed in a cluster housing is provided, where the cluster housing includes a wear sole which is adapted to the respective diameter of the workpiece and which can be placed on an outer lateral surface of the workpiece and is configured such that a chamber forms between the workpiece and the transducer unit, at least one fluid inlet channel, which, with a fluid inlet opening, opens into the chamber, at least one fluid outlet channel for venting and draining the chamber, which opens into the chamber where the mouth of the fluid outlet channel and the fluid outlet channel are configured and disposed such that a filling process of the chamber and of the fluid outlet channel can be carried out starti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Damian Meinert, Stephan Falter, Dieter Lingenberg, Reinhard Prause, Rainer Vierhaus
  • Patent number: 8443675
    Abstract: A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of a first object to be measured; a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of a second object to be measured; a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the pressure sensor and the pressure sensor; a first correcting portion for executing a correction that eliminates a fluctuation portion, due to a change in temperature, from the detection signal of the pressure sensor, and for outputting the signal, after the correction, as a measurement signal for the first object to be measured; and a second correcting portion for executing a correction that eliminates a fluctuation portion, due to a change in temperature, from the detection signal of the pressure sensor, and for outputting the signal, after the correction, as a measurement signal for the second object to be measured; wherein the temperature sensor is integrated with the pressure sensor and the pressure sensor so as to be in a state of mutual contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Kasai
  • Patent number: 8443676
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure sensor, especially for measuring pressures exceeding 100 bar, with a diaphragm (1, 1?) that can be deflected and/or deformed as a result of pressurization. It has an enclosed hollow volume (6) that is disposed below the diaphragm and in particular is at least partly filled with a gas or a mixture of gas. A supporting frame (2) for the diaphragm sealingly closes the periphery of the diaphragm relative to a base member (3), and at least one pressure transducer converts the deflection and/or deformation of the diaphragm into at least one electric quantity. It uses a capacitive, piezoresistive or any other principle or at least one strain measuring strip, in which case the pressure sensor is sealingly encapsulated on all sides and has no electric contacts or lines leading to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Roland Burghardt, Carsten Zahout-Heil
  • Patent number: 8443677
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a hydraulic jack is provided having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion attached to a first section of a structure and the second portion attached to a second section of the structure. When a pressurized fluid is forced between the first portion and the second portion, a load is transferred to the first section and the second section by the pressure of the fluid on the first portion and the second portion. The first section and the second section are forced apart by the load, thus creating or enlarging at least one void in the structure. The pressurized fluid fills or partially fills one or more of the at least one void, thereby increasing the surface area effectively normal to the direction of the load in contact with the pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Loadtest, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Hayes, William G. Ryan, Nicholas K. Yankopolus
  • Patent number: 8443678
    Abstract: A bending test fixture for test coupons includes a test region for receiving a test coupon and first and second supports on opposed sides of the test region. One of the first or second supports includes a first pair of spaced-apart support points and the other of the first or second supports includes a second pair of spaced-apart support points that are narrowly spaced relative to the first pair of spaced-apart support points. There is a load shaft for applying a load to the second support and an articulated joint between the load shaft and the second support for uniformly distributing the load to the first support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrant Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron T. Nardi, Blair A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8443679
    Abstract: The invention relates to a testing device for the static and dynamic testing of workpieces, comprising a first clamping device and a second clamping device for the workpiece, and a drive for the cyclical displacement of the second clamping device, wherein the drive has a rocker arm on which the second clamping device is pivotably mounted and the two ends of the rocker arm are connected in each case to a pivotably mounted link, and the free ends of the links are coupled in each case to a crank drive, wherein the links protrude from the ends of the rocker arm in the same direction in the basic position of the testing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Thilo Trautwein
  • Patent number: 8443680
    Abstract: An arrangement of elements which are used to restrain and deflect a pipe specimen to a prescribed form with precisely controlled loads. A rigid frame includes a movable pipe bending form to which one end of a pipe specimen is connected and a rotating table to which the second end of the pipe specimen is connected. Means for assessing the drive torque used to draw the pipe specimen over the pipe bending form is provided in the form of a load cell. The rotating table is used in combination with a travelling pipe end truck foundation to generate a bending moment in the pipe specimen in the same plane as the pipe specimen is being bent by the pipe bending form. By the use of precise loads on the pipe specimen, computer analysis of the simulated reeling of the given pipe construction will produce predictions of the reeling tension, shear, and bending moment in the pipe at the point of the travelling pipe end as this point on the pipe approaches contact with the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: J. Ray McDermott, S.A.
    Inventors: Leland Harris Taylor, Jr., Luca Suschitz
  • Patent number: 8443681
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and a method to use such an apparatus for visualizing the contraction stress from curable materials. Particularly, a simple test device has been designed and fabricated and a method of using such a device, which allows a user to easily distinguish the curable materials that can generate contraction stress in different magnitudes. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a simple and effective way to make the complicated contraction stress due to polymerization (curing or setting) visualizable and audible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: DENTSPLY International Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Jin, Louis Bertrand, Qizhou Dai, Bill Martin, Nils Classen, Nikki Sparacino
  • Patent number: 8443682
    Abstract: A rotational cup anemometer with an improved design for the cups is herein disclosed. The anemometer has a rotational assembly with essentially identical cups. Each cup is asymmetric to the plane of rotation. Each cup has a central axis parallel to the plane of rotation. Each cup is asymmetric to the central axis of the cup. Each cup may have a lower surface extension that provides a lifting surface, contributes to an upward force as the rotational assembly is rotated or affects presented frontal area at wind angles. A rotation rate of the rotational assembly as a function of wind angle is closer to the ideal cosine curve as compared to a standard anemometer, for a range of wind angles. Rotating the rotational assembly in a wind parallel to the plane of rotation produces a net upward force on the cups that offsets the weight of the rotational assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Met One Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Seung-Ho Hong
  • Patent number: 8443683
    Abstract: Provided is a control moment gyroscope, in which a pair of momentum wheels are symmetrically disposed, thereby reducing torque noise and vibration, increasing output torque, and reducing its size. The control moment gyroscope includes a gimbal rim, a wheel frame having a first wheel frame located inside the gimbal rim and a second wheel frame having the same structure as the first wheel frame and symmetrically coupled with the first wheel frame, a first momentum wheel coupled to the first wheel frame, a second momentum wheel coupled to the second wheel frame corresponding to the first momentum wheel, a gimbal motor installed on an outer circumference of the gimbal rim and connected with first ends of the first and second wheel frames, and an angular velocity sensor installed on the outer circumference of the gimbal rim, connected with second ends of the first and second wheel frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Aerospace Research Institute
    Inventors: Seung-Wu Rhee, Jun-won Son, Seung Hyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 8443684
    Abstract: The subject is a rotary drive device (1), which has a device housing (7) in which drive means (2) are disposed that are in driving communication with a rotatably supported power takeoff part (4). The power takeoff part (4) has a power takeoff disc (5) that is received at least partly in a bearing receptacle (25) of the device housing (7), the power takeoff disc being surrounded by an annular roller bearing unit (33). The roller bearing unit has a bearing assembly (34) with rolling elements (35) and with one inner and one outer running surface arrangement (37, 38), and the entire bearing assembly (34) is disposed inside the bearing receptacle (25) and is surrounded radially outward by a boundary wall portion (27) of the device housing (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Thorwart, Rainer Armbruster
  • Patent number: 8443685
    Abstract: A safety mechanism for an electric linear actuator is disclosed. The linear actuator has a guide screw and a telescopic tube. The safety mechanism includes a nut, a nut sheath, a sleeve, and a torsion spring. The nut connects the guide screw. The nut sheath is fixed on one side of the nut to form an integer and is provided with a plurality of bumps. One end of the sleeve is put around the nut sheath and the other end thereof is connected to the telescopic tube. The sleeve is provided with a plurality of rabbets corresponding to the bumps. The torsion spring is disposed around the nut sheath and the sleeve. When the guide screw is rotated, the nut sheath is engaged with the sleeve by embedding the bumps into the rabbets. When the sleeve stops, the bumps and the rabbets depart from engagement to make the nut sheath and the nut freely rotate against the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Timotion Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chou-Hsin Wu
  • Patent number: 8443686
    Abstract: A transmission connectable to an input member and having an output transfer gear, first and second transmission input shaft members, first and second countershaft members, an idler shaft, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the transmission input members and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Tejinder Singh, Patrick S. Portell
  • Patent number: 8443687
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a dual clutch transmission includes a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, first and second actuator control devices in downstream fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, and first and second clutch control devices in downstream fluid communication with the source of pressurized hydraulic fluid. A valve is in downstream fluid communication with the first and second actuator control devices. Selective activation of combinations of the control devices allows for a pressurized fluid to engage the dual clutch and an actuator in order to shift the transmission into a desired gear ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Steven P. Moorman
  • Patent number: 8443688
    Abstract: A method of learning an initial capacity point of a clutch in a dual clutch transmission includes identifying when the dual clutch transmission is operating in a steady state gear condition with a first clutch continuously transmitting torque to a first shaft. When the dual clutch transmission is operating in a steady state gear condition, a second clutch is sequentially positioned in each of a plurality of application positions (Pn, Pn+1, Pn+2, . . . , Pn+i). The second clutch is configured to transmit torque to a second shaft. The second shaft is positioned in a geared state in each of the plurality of application positions. The first application position (Pn+i) in the sequence of application positions in which the second shaft is not successfully positioned in the geared state is defined as the initial capacity point of the second clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthew D. Whitton, Brandon E. Hancock
  • Patent number: 8443689
    Abstract: A rack shaft support device includes: a rack shaft support member that slidably supports a rack shaft; a sealing member fixed to an inlet port of a retention hole formed in a housing; an intermediate member that is interposed between the rack shaft support member and the sealing member; a torsion spring that couples the intermediate member so that torque is transmitted to the intermediate member; a torsion amount adjusting member that is attached to the sealing member in such a manner that a position of the torsion amount adjusting member with respect to the sealing member is adjustable and adjusts a torsion amount of the torsion spring; and a cam mechanism that converts a rotation force of the intermediate member induced by untwisting of the torsion spring into a force by which the intermediate member pushes the rack shaft support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: JTekt Corporation
    Inventors: Akitake Kawakubo, Yoshinori Suzuki, Hirofumi Ishimi
  • Patent number: 8443690
    Abstract: A speed reduction device for a power seat includes a worm gear, a helical gear, a casing including a casing body and a casing cover, and a motor fixation device. The motor fixation device includes a first fitting portion provided at a housing, a first engagement portion formed at the first fitting portion, a second fitting portion formed at the casing body and to which the first fitting portion is fitted, a second engagement portion formed at the second fitting portion and arranged to overlap the first engagement portion in a direction perpendicular to the output shaft of the motor in a case where the first fitting portion is fitted to the second fitting portion, and an engagement projection formed at the casing cover and engaging with the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion in a case where the casing cover is tightened to the casing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Koga
  • Patent number: 8443691
    Abstract: A vehicle reversing apparatus includes a reverse drive gear, a reverse gear, a shifter gear, a shifter gear slide mechanism, and lost motion mechanism. The reverse drive gear is configured to rotate by a starter motor or an internal combustion engine, and the reverse gear is configured to reverse the vehicle. The shifter gear is configured to be mounted circumferentially rotatably relative to a reverse shaft and to transmit rotation of the reverse drive gear to the reverse gear. The shifter gear slide mechanism is configured to slide the shifter gear through rotation of a shifter motor to enable the shifter gear to engage the reverse drive gear and the reverse gear. The lost motion mechanism is configured to coaxially connect a rotation shaft of the shifter motor and the reverse shaft to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Ono, Atsuo Ota