Patents Issued in June 18, 2013
  • Patent number: 8464540
    Abstract: A plant produces electrical energy from municipal solid waste without exhausting a carbon dioxide or other carbon based gas to the atmosphere. The plant includes a source of artificial light powered by electrical energy, and a reactor into which the municipal solid waste is fed and which is operated under temperature, pressure and flow rate conditions to produced a syngas. An electrical energy generating station at which the syngas is burned produces the electrical energy and a flue gas comprising carbon dioxide and other products of combustion. At least a portion of the electrical energy is used to power the artificial light source. A carbon dioxide collector separates the carbon dioxide from the other products of combustion in the flue gas to provide a clean carbon dioxide suitable as a nutrient for microorganisms, and a farm of the microorganisms is illuminated essentially constantly, alternately with sunlight and artificial light from said source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Pacific Waste, Inc.
    Inventors: Kosti Shirvanian, Arthur Aykanian
  • Patent number: 8464541
    Abstract: A closing system for a fan cowling on a jet engine of an aircraft that has at least one assembly including a male contrivance integral with the cowling, and a female contrivance integral with the jet engine that has a lower element forming at least one first guide ramp and an upper element forming at least one second guide ramp, with the aforementioned female contrivance being suitable on the one hand for guiding the male contrivance during the opening and/or the closing of the fan cowling, and on the other hand providing a limitation of the radial and circumferential displacements of the male contrivance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Robert Andre, Loic Dussol, Frederic Ridray
  • Patent number: 8464542
    Abstract: Cryogenic refrigeration employs a pulse tube cryo-cooler and a dilution refrigerator to provide very low temperature cooling, for example, to cool superconducting processors. Continuous cryogenic cycle refrigeration may be achieved using multiple adsorption pumps. Various improvements may include multiple distinct thermal-linking points, evaporation pots with cooling structures, and/or one or more gas-gap heat switches which may be integral to an adsorption pump. A reservoir volume may provide pressure relief when the system is warmed above cryo genic temperature, reducing the mass of the system. Additional heat exchangers and/or separate paths for condensation and evaporation may be provided. Multi-channel connectors may be used, and/or connectors formed of a regenerative material with a high specific heat capacity at cryogenic temperature. Flexible PCBs may provide thermal links to components that embody temperature gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: D-Wave Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Hilton, Geordie Rose
  • Patent number: 8464543
    Abstract: An ice level detection device of a refrigerator includes an ice level detection arm and an ice storage container detection arm, the ice level detection arm operatively connected to a mechanical motor for movement between an ice sensing position with the ice level detection arm extending at least partially into the ice storage container and an ice harvest position with the ice level detection arm being clear of the ice storage container, the ice storage container detection arm abutting the ice storage container while the ice storage container is mounted at the door. The ice level detection arm transitions from the ice sensing position to the ice harvest position for ice harvest by the ice maker. Opening the door disables ice harvest by the ice maker. Upon removal of the ice storage container the ice level detection arm transitions to the ice harvest position and disables ice harvest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jerold M. Visin, Guolian Wu
  • Patent number: 8464544
    Abstract: A refrigerator capable of supercooling a target object and a control method thereof are provided. The refrigerator includes a temperature sensor which senses a temperature of the target object in the cooling compartment, wherein the temperature sensor is prevented from being in contact with ambient cool air and is installed on a bottom surface on which the target object is placed so as to sense only the temperature of the target object. Further, the control method includes sensing a temperature of the target object at each interval of a specified time ?t, calculating a difference between two temperatures sensed at specified time intervals, and comparing the difference between two temperatures with a predetermined reference value ?Tc to determine the supercooled state of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Shik Shin, Jeong Han Kim
  • Patent number: 8464545
    Abstract: A system for extracting a target atmospheric gas from an atmosphere, including a carbon-neutral energy source and a cooling unit connected to a condenser, is disclosed. An optional collection chamber and optional reaction chamber are also disclosed. Also disclosed are a method of providing hydrocarbon feedstocks, a method of removing a gas from an atmosphere, and a method of reducing the concentration of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Dale Robert Lutz
  • Patent number: 8464546
    Abstract: A pipe structure of an electric compressor has an electric compressor disposed in an engine compartment of a vehicle and configured to be driven by a battery power source to compress a refrigerant, a harness connecting portion disposed on an upper surface of the electric compressor and electrically connecting a harness to the electric compressor, and a pipe connecting portion disposed forward of the harness connecting portion and connecting an air conditioner pipe to the electric compressor. At least a part of the air conditioner pipe is disposed above the electric compressor and forward of the harness connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Minami
  • Patent number: 8464547
    Abstract: A cooling rack structure includes a cooling plate (1), a temperature conductor (2), a centrifugal fan (3), a cooling body (4) and a thermoelectric cooling component (5). A temperature-super-conducting component (13) is disposed on an inner surface (11) of the cooling plate (1). The temperature conductor (2) is arranged on the temperature-super-conducting component (13). In addition, a heat-exhausting hole (120) is arranged on an upper side of the cooling plate (1). The centrifugal fan (3) is disposed between the temperature conductor (2) and the heat-exhausting hole (120) while the cooling body (4) is disposed between the fan (3) and the heat-exhausting hole (120). A hot side face (501) of the thermoelectric cooling component (5) closely contacts the cooling body (4) while a cold side face (500) is arranged on the temperature-super-conducting component (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: Golden Sun News Techniques Co., Ltd., CPUMate Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Hsu, Chih-Hung Cheng, Chen-Hsiang Lin, Kuo-Len Lin
  • Patent number: 8464548
    Abstract: A printed-circuit board (31) having a power element (33) and a refrigerant jacket (20) to which the power element (33) is thermally connected, with refrigerant circulating therein used in refrigeration cycle, are provided in an outdoor unit casing (70). The printed-circuit board (31) is provided in a switch box (40). A face of the outdoor unit casing (70) has a service opening (71). The refrigerant jacket (20) faces the service opening (71), being closer to the front side of the outdoor unit casing (70) than the power element (33) as viewed from the service opening (71).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Okuda, Norihiro Takenaka, Tomohiro Masui
  • Patent number: 8464549
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body portion having an air supply and an air return, a door hinged to the body portion, and an icemaking unit located on the door and having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet and air outlet are adjacent the air supply and air return, respectively, when the door is closed, to receive and return chilled air therefrom and thereto. At least a first sealing member is located at the air supply, the air return, the air inlet, and/or the air outlet. The at least first sealing member includes a first membrane with a slit formed therein, and a first projecting member. The slit and the first projecting member are configured and dimensioned such that the slit is closed when the door is in an open position and that the slit is opened when the door is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew William Davis, Wayne Edward Lawson, Krzysztof Struminski
  • Patent number: 8464550
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular an evaporator (1), with a plurality of refrigerant-carrying pipes (6, 7) which are arranged next to one another and end in at least one collecting vessel (9), and with at least one cold accumulator (4), in which a cold accumulating medium is provided, wherein the evaporator (1) has two regions arranged parallel to each other, a first region (1?) and a second region (1?), and the cold accumulator (4) is arranged in the second region (1?). In this case, the refrigerant-carrying pipes (6, 7) of the first and second regions (1?,1?) are arranged in line with one another and have a width corresponding to one another (b1, b2, b3), and the first and second regions (1?, 1?) have common, continuous corrugated rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Boris Kerler, Michael Kohl, Ralf Manski, Thomas Strauss, Christoph Walter
  • Patent number: 8464551
    Abstract: A method for liquefaction using a closed loop refrigeration system, the method comprising the steps of (a) compressing a gaseous refrigerant stream in at least one compressor; (b) cooling the compressed gaseous refrigerant stream in a first heat exchanger; (c) expanding at least a first portion of the cooled, compressed gaseous refrigerant stream from the first heat exchanger in a first expander to provide a first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream; and (d) cooling and substantially liquefying a feed gas stream to form a substantially liquefied feed gas stream in a second heat exchanger through indirect heat exchange against at least a first portion of the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream from the first expander, wherein the first expanded gaseous refrigerant stream exiting the first expander is substantially vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Adam Adrian Brostow
  • Patent number: 8464552
    Abstract: A process for the production of a self-supporting glass film is described. The method includes the steps of preparing a mixture containing a colloidal silica sol, at least one alkanolamine organic additive and an organic binder; coating the mixture onto a base material; drying the coated mixture to form a precursor film on the base material; releasing the precursor film from the base material; and firing the released precursor film to form a self-supporting glass film. Self-supporting glass films produced by the disclosed process are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Toshihiro Kasai
  • Patent number: 8464553
    Abstract: The invention proposes a process for the production of a container for pharmaceutical and medical applications made from glass, preferably from a borosilicate glass, wherein the container is produced by a press-blow process where the container is initially preformed in a pressing step, by making a ram press a dispensed glass drop into a mold that is open at its bottom, and where the parison so produced is given its final form by a subsequent blowing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Andreas Langsdorf, Juergen Thuerk, Aurel Kunz, Ulrich Lange, Joachim Kuester, Bernd Loeffelbein, Marcus Meinefeld, Uwe Rothhaar, Axel Ohlinger
  • Patent number: 8464554
    Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a flow of a viscous material, such as a molten glass or glass ceramic material in a tube or rod forming process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a stabilization member through which the molten glass is passed after leaving the nozzle of a forming vessel. The stabilization member is positioned a finite distance below the nozzle. The column of viscous material is supported by a wall of the stabilization member, or by a gaseous film disposed between the column and the stabilization member. A method of stabilizing the flow of viscous material after it leaves the nozzle during a drawing process is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Allan M. Fredholm, Laurent Joubaud
  • Patent number: 8464555
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a monolithic float glass forming chamber and its method of construction. The forming chamber being of the type that includes a bottom wall; side walls and a roof wall to form an elongated chamber, the elongated chamber including a forming section and a cooling section for a desired thickness and ribbon width of molten glass, wherein each type of wall comprises: a first refractory structure with a mixture of a castable and pumpable refractory material and an insulation material; and a second refractory structure with a castable and pumpable refractory material, the first and second refractory structures being formed at the same construction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Vidrio Plano de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Rafael Avalos-Guzmán, Humberto Valdés-Carrillo, Felipe Pacheco-Salinas, Alberto Solís-Oba, Hugo Jaime Herrera-Campos
  • Patent number: 8464556
    Abstract: Method of making a microstructured optical fiber. Silica glass based soot is deposited on a substrate to form at least a portion of an optical fiber preform by traversing a soot deposition burner with respect to said substrate at a burner traverse rate greater than 3 cm/sec, thereby depositing a layer of soot having a thickness less than 20 microns for each of a plurality of burner passes. At least a portion of the soot preform is then consolidated inside a furnace to remove greater than 50 percent of the air trapped in said soot preform, said consolidating taking place in a gaseous atmosphere containing krypton, nitrogen, or mixtures thereof under conditions which are effective to trap a portion of said gaseous atmosphere in said preform during said consolidation step, thereby forming a consolidated preform which when viewed in cross section will exhibit at least 50 voids therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Dana Craig Bookbinder, Robert Brett Desorcie, Mark Alan McDermott, Pushkar Tandon
  • Patent number: 8464557
    Abstract: A method of producing an optical fiber preform includes preparing a glass preform that has a hole extending in a longitudinal direction formed on one end of the glass preform in such a manner that a length of the hole is equal to or less than half of an entire length of the glass preform, synthesizing a porous glass preform by depositing glass particles on an outer circumference of the glass preform having the hole formed on the end, and sintering the porous glass preform after arranging the porous glass preform in such a manner that the end having the hole formed thereon points downward and the hole is open to the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taeko Shibuta, Tadashi Takahashi, Takeshi Yagi
  • Patent number: 8464558
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for manufacturing red glass containing copper that comprises the steps consisting in: obtaining a mass of colorless molten glass, free of sulfides, the iron oxide weight content of which is between 0.01 and 0.15%; then conveying said mass of molten glass in a feeder channel, in which copper oxide and tin oxide are added to said mass of molten glass, the partial pressure of oxygen in said mass of molten glass being between 10?7 and 10?4; then forming glass objects, especially bottles or flasks from said mass of molten glass; then subjecting said glass objects to a heat treatment so as to develop a red tint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Emballage
    Inventors: Sylvie Abensour, Bertrand Maquin
  • Patent number: 8464559
    Abstract: A knitting needle has multiple segments, at least one of which is relatively non-rigid, wherein the segments can be combined to produce a needle that is sufficiently rigid to be used for knitting, while also having diminished usefulness as a weapon. In three major classes of embodiments, one of the segments fits inside the other in a telescoping manner, one of the segments wraps around the other, or the two segments can fit together in some sort of slotted fashion. There may be one or more engineered points of structural failure. Segments can be held together frictionally, magnetically, threadably, using a snap or twist and lock fitting, or in any other suitable manner. Contemplated segments can have any suitable composition, including especially a bendable plastic or a foam rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: eg POP
    Inventors: Gail West, Ellery West
  • Patent number: 8464560
    Abstract: A washing machine and associated washing method are provided. The washing machine may include a cabinet, a drum rotatably installed in the cabinet, and a spray nozzle provided inside the cabinet to spray washing fluid into the drum. A spraying direction of the spray nozzle may be varied based on a rotation direction of the drum to improve washing performance of the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Woo Young Kim, Soo Young Oh, Chang Oh Kim, Kyeong Hwan Kim, Jae Won Chang, Kyung Chul Woo, Byung Keol Choi, Myong Hun Im
  • Patent number: 8464561
    Abstract: A front-loading drum-type washing machine with a housing having a front wall and a housing wall opening disposed in the front wall. A suds container is disposed in the housing, the suds container having a suds container opening. A drum is rotatably mounted in the suds container. the drum has a drum opening with an edge. A bellows seal is disposed between the suds container and the housing wall opening. A laundry deflector is disposed in an upper area of the suds container opening, the laundry deflector being directed toward the drum and extending over the drum opening edge so as to form a gap with the drum opening edge. The laundry deflector is configured such that the extent to which it extends and a corresponding dimension of the gap is variable. The variable gap dimension is controllable and adjustable as a function of a speed of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventor: Martin Brinkmann
  • Patent number: 8464562
    Abstract: An apparatus for steaming a garment comprising an expandable enclosure having a wall circumscribing a hollow space therein, the hollow space accessible through a re-closeable opening in the wall. A clothes hanging element and stretch element contained within the hollow space, the clothes hanging element for holding the garment and the stretch element for stretching the garment. A steam generator connected to provide steam to the hollow space. The steam generator has a water reservoir chamber and a steam chamber with a partition there between. At least one pair of electrodes is arranged within the steam chamber to provide an electric current that resistively heats a source of water to create steam. A water communication port in the partition allows water to pass from the water reservoir chamber to the steam chamber in a manner that self-regulates the amount of steam generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventors: Michael G. Colburn, David R. McCloskey
  • Patent number: 8464563
    Abstract: A size-adjustable apparatus for a securing a product in order to prevent theft of that product. The apparatus includes an adjustable housing, the housing having a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm. The first arm is adapted to move in a first direction and a second direction with respect to the third arm and the second arm is adapted to move in a third direction and a fourth direction with respect to the third arm, where the first direction is opposite the second direction and the third direction is opposite the fourth direction. The apparatus also includes a lock to retain the adjustable housing in a desired position. The result is a housing that can dynamically change its dimensions by movement of the first arm in a first and second direction and by movement of the second arm in a third and fourth direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Sergio M. Perez, Karen E. Bellum-Bomber
  • Patent number: 8464564
    Abstract: This invention relates to a key ring, comprising a wire (2) arranged in at least two rounds (20,21,22) providing a resilient spiral (1), said spiral (1) having a first and a second end (23,24), wherein the first end (23) by means of inertial resiliency is forced to tightly contact a first surface (21 A) of a lower round (21) and the second end (24) is forced to tightly contact a second surface (20 B) of an upper round (20) wherein at least one end (23) is openable, by means of arranging a peak (3 A) providing a compressible gap (5) between said at least two rounds (20,21,22), wherein said wire (2) in at least one of the rounds, preferably all rounds, has a cross-section wherein the thickness (h) and width (w) is such that 2h<w<15h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Drosselmeyer Designgroup Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Erik Von Shoultz
  • Patent number: 8464565
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for supplying a lubricant necessary for efficiently manufacturing high-quality seamless pipes or tubes in a piercing mill, an apparatus for manufacturing seamless pipes or tubes having the supply system, and seamless pipes or tubes manufacturing method. The system for supplying a lubricant has a storage tank of the lubricant, a plumbing extending from the storage tank to a position near disk rolls, a nozzle provided at the tip of the plumbing, a device for switching flow direction provided in some midpoint of the plumbing, a plumbing extending from the device for switching flow direction to the storage tank, and a device for releasing pressure in a plumbing, provided between the switching device and the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Hiraishi
  • Patent number: 8464566
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic valve housing by hydroforming a tube section in a die is provided. The die includes an upper part having a stamp and a lower part having a depression. The tube section is placed in the die, filled with a liquid, and subjected to a high internal pressure. Opposite walls of the tube section in a middle portion between two tube ends is shaped in that one side of the tube section is pressed inwards transversely to the axis of the tube section by the stamp to form a concave curvature, and the opposite wall is pressed into the depression in the lower part to form a flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Buerkert Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Neumann, Gerhard Koch, Robert Pop, Klaus Beck, Klaus Siegert
  • Patent number: 8464567
    Abstract: A multi-stage can necking machine having distributed drives is provided. The multi-stage can necking machine may include a plural of operation stages, wherein at least some of the operation stages may be configured for can necking operations. Each operation stage may include a main turret shaft, a transfer starwheel shaft, and a support for mounting the main turret shaft and transfer starwheel shaft. Each main turret shaft and transfer starwheel shaft may have a gear, and the gears of the operation stages may be in meshed communication to form a continuous gear train. A plural of motors may be distributed among the operation stages and mechanically coupled to the gear train, wherein each one of the motors may be capable of transmitting power to the gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Lee Saville
  • Patent number: 8464568
    Abstract: A production method of a seamless pipe or tube according to the present invention comprises the steps of applying a lubricant containing carbon to a mandrel bar, producing a material pipe or tube with a mandrel mill using the mandrel bar to which the lubricant is applied, and reheating the material pipe or tube in a reheating furnace, wherein when a temperature of the material pipe or tube is 550° C. or higher and 1000° C. or lower in the reheating step, an oxidizing gas is fed into the material pipe or tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Nakaike, Yasuyoshi Hidaka, Hiroshi Nogami
  • Patent number: 8464569
    Abstract: An internal tool for bending a strip passing in a strip-travel direction into a tube has a support juxtaposable with a face of the passing strip, at least two roller holders pivotal on the support about respective offset holder pivot axes generally parallel to the strip-travel direction, and respective rollers carried in the holders and rotatable about respective roller axes generally perpendicular to the respective holder axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: SMS MEER GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Heimann, Johannes Kamps
  • Patent number: 8464570
    Abstract: A method of making an S-shaped bent edge component comprising: placing in order an upper layer of metal base plate and a lower layer of metal base plate as well as a middle layer of heat-isolating materials in between; fixing the metal base plates with the heat-isolating materials; forming J-shaped edges on the base plates by stamping, and the J-shaped edges of the base plates are perpendicular to a horizontal portion of the metal base plates; each of the J-shaped edges of the base plates has an outwardly bent curve with a crown and a curve end; by means of a stamping step performed by an upper mold M1 with a concave surface and a flat surface and a lower mold M2 with a flat surface, the concave surface of the mold M1 exerts lateral force onto the curve ends so that the J-shaped edges of the base plates inwardly bend towards the upper metal base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Xuejun Cui
  • Patent number: 8464571
    Abstract: A calibration system for a MEMS system having at least one overdamped motion axis includes a measurement module for determining a location of a pole of a MEMS device in the overdamped motion axis, a closed-loop feedback system configured to change a first location of the pole to a second location of the pole, and a computation module for calculating a resonant frequency and/or a quality factor using the first and the second location of the pole as determined by the measurement module. The calibration system further includes a calibration module for calibrating the MEMS system based on the calculated resonant frequency and/or the calculated quality factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Sparks, Michael Judy
  • Patent number: 8464572
    Abstract: A system includes a signal source that provides a first signal for measuring a gas content of a liquid sample. The system also includes an analyzer that determines the gas content of the liquid sample using a measurement of a second signal, where the second signal is based on the first signal. The system further includes an apparatus with a walled structure having a cavity. The apparatus also includes a piston that pulls the liquid sample into the cavity and pushes the liquid sample out of the cavity. The apparatus further includes at least one measurement window having at least one inner surface exposed within the cavity. The at least one measurement window receives the first signal from the signal source and provides the second signal to the analyzer. The piston could also clean the at least one inner surface, and the piston can include a reference material for calibrating the analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell ASCA Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Krolak, Reena Meijer Drees, Frank M. Haran, Sebastien Tixier
  • Patent number: 8464573
    Abstract: A flow path from outer gas introduction apertures 144a to inner gas introduction apertures 134a has a narrower-width flow passage formed by an inner wall member 150. This structure effectively lowers the probability that a liquid, such as water, entering from the outer gas introduction apertures 144a passes through a gas inflow chamber 122 and reaches a sensor element 110, compared with a structure without the inner wall member 150. The inner wall member 150 is formed as a solid member that is capable of storing the surrounding heat. Even if there is a certain event that has the potential of causing a temperature decrease of the sensor element 110, for example, an abrupt change in flow rate of an object gas, the heat stored in the inner wall member 150 effectively prevents a temperature decrease of the sensor element 110. This structure prevents the occurrence of cracking in the sensor element 110, compared with a conventional sensor structure having a double-layered protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Sekiya, Kei Kosaka, Sang Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 8464574
    Abstract: A hydrostatic testing tool for testing containers, hoses or the like under high pressures. The testing tool having a coupling that threadably engages a threaded aperture of a test container without having to be rotated into the threaded aperture. The hydrostatic testing tool may be hooked up to a source of pressurized medium and the tool includes a container-engaging head having a plurality of collet segments that each have a threaded surface that can expand radially outward, partially due to the force of the pressurized medium, to engage a threaded aperture of the test container, allowing for the formation of a liquid and/or gas tight seal under high pressures. The testing tool further includes an actuating unit connected to the head that controls the movement of the collet segments with a piston or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Airmo, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Smida, Darrell E. Morse, Daniel L. Lozinski
  • Patent number: 8464575
    Abstract: In order to improve a device for measuring the geometry of a workpiece in such a way that the geometrical measurements are particularly precise wherein the device comprises a housing having a flow channel in which there is arranged a reference nozzle for the passage of a test fluid therethrough and a first pressure measuring device for measuring a first pressure of the test fluid upstream of the reference nozzle and also a second pressure measuring device for measuring a second pressure of the test fluid downstream of the reference nozzle, it is proposed that the device should comprise a differential pressure measuring device for measuring the differential pressure of the test fluid across the reference nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Marposs GmbH
    Inventor: Ivan Basar
  • Patent number: 8464576
    Abstract: To provide an engine oil degradation-estimating device and a device for estimating antioxidant performance of engine oil which are capable of determining degradation and an antioxidant performance of engine oil inexpensively and accurately, thereby making it possible to properly determine degradation of the engine oil and the time for replacement of the engine oil. The engine oil degradation-estimating device includes an ECU 2. The ECU 2 estimates an antioxidant performance OIT and a cleanliness preservation performance TBN of engine oil, and determines degradation of engine oil based on the estimated antioxidant performance OIT and cleanliness preservation performance TBN. The device for estimating antioxidant performance of engine oil also includes an ECU 2. The ECU 2 acquires concentration [FUEL] of fuel in engine oil, and estimates the antioxidant performance of the engine oil based on the acquired fuel concentration [FUEL].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Okuyama, Masashi Maruyama, Koichiro Aikawa, Wataru Hoshikawa
  • Patent number: 8464577
    Abstract: To provide a quartz sensor capable of detecting a sensing target with high sensitivity also in measurement in a liquid phase in which a difference in Q values at the time of measurement in the liquid phase and in a vapor phase is small. In a quartz sensor 1 including an AT-cut quartz plate 11 having a capture layer (absorbing layer) 12 formed on one surface (XZ? surface) thereof and detecting a sensing target based on an amount of change in a frequency of a quartz resonator 10 caused when the sensing target is absorbed by the capture layer 12, there are formed electrodes 13 for oscillating the quartz plate 11 on end faces (XY? surfaces) mutually opposite in a Z? direction of the surface of the quartz resonator 10 on which the capture layer 12 is formed (XZ? surface).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuaki Koyama
  • Patent number: 8464578
    Abstract: A multi-functional, composite fuel display for displaying both fuel level information and fuel economy information is provided. The fuel level is displayed using a plurality of bar segments, each corresponding to a single unit of fuel. Once a single unit of fuel is consumed, the corresponding bar segment changes size to indicate an average fuel economy for that unit of fuel. The bar segment corresponding to the current unit of fuel being consumed changes size in real time to indicate instantaneous fuel economy. An indicator is provided over the bar segments corresponding to single unit of consumed fuel to indicate average fuel economy for the current tank of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Angela L. Watson, Steven Bishop, Sohel Merchant, Craig Sandvig, Ivette Hernandez, David Watson, Engin Erdogan, Altay Jun Wakui Sendil, Susanne Stage
  • Patent number: 8464579
    Abstract: A rim mounting device configured in such a manner that, even if a permanent magnet breaks due to impact produced during mounting thereof by magnetic attraction, the rim mounting device can be handled easily after the breakage of the permanent magnet. The rim mounting device is provided to a tire testing device having a spindle for rotating a tire and is adapted that a rim is mounted to the tip of the spindle. The rim mounting device is provided with: a rim mounting section provided to the tip of the spindle, having a rim mounting surface capable of making contact with the rim, and having mounting recesses formed in the rim mounting surface so as to be arranged side by side; permanent magnets inserted in the mounting recesses, respectively, and generating magnetic force for attracting the rim to the rim mounting surface; and scatter suppressing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Maiko Nakayama, Takashi Sumitani, Mikio Kato, Masao Murakami, Hikaru Hamada
  • Patent number: 8464580
    Abstract: An apparatus to maintain optimal air pressure in a tire of a vehicle may use centrifugal force to compress air which may be delivered to the tire when the tire has low air pressure. The necessary centrifugal force to compress air may be achieved through the rotation of the tire itself. A weight may be disposed, in a chamber, near the center of rotation of a tire. The weight may be held in place with a spring or similar device. As the tire rotates, the weight may be forced outward, compressing air present in the cylinder. If the air pressure within the tire is low, the weight will compress air from inside the cylinder into the tire. The apparatus may act autonomously to add air to a low pressure tire, as opposed to simply notifying the driver that tire pressure is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel Paul
  • Patent number: 8464581
    Abstract: A passive liquid flow monitoring system includes a monitoring device made of a liquid-soluble material in which coded transponders are releasably retained. The monitoring device may be deployed proximate a region of interest in a hydrocarbon-producing well. Characteristics of a liquid flow in the region of interest may be determined based upon detection of transponders that are released from the monitoring device when the monitoring device is exposed to the liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Rytlewski, Nitin Y. Vaidya
  • Patent number: 8464582
    Abstract: A variable throat Venturi flow meter includes an upstream pipe section having an upstream cross-sectional area, a throat section having a variable throat cross-sectional area that is smaller than the upstream cross-sectional area, and a plurality of section-varying elements adapted to temporarily vary the throat cross-sectional area to allow a downhole tool to pass through the throat section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gilles Roux, Céline Gabard-Cuoq, Stéphane Chareille, Pierre Mouget
  • Patent number: 8464583
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for improving the accuracy of level measurement by reducing or eliminating receive circuit saturation in ultrasound level measurement apparatus. The method involves adjusting the transmit power in order to control echo amplitude, in particular to avoid saturation, when the surface being monitored is within a pre-defined distance from the ultrasound transducer. The particular advantage of the invention is that it may be implemented without change to the electronic circuitry embodied in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Mobrey Limited
    Inventors: Jeffery Allan Sears, Luis Filipe Da Silva Ribeiro Coelho
  • Patent number: 8464584
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser (20) has a double-walled tubular, preferably cylindrical, sensor (22) that is immersed in liquid (23), such as coffee or tea, within an opaque, stainless steel container, or beverage dispenser (25) has a double-walled tubular sensor connected via two conductive paths (24, 26) to two inputs (28, 30), respectively, of a resistance measuring circuit (32) that measures the resistance between the two inputs (28, 30) to produce an electrical, direct current, resistance output signal that varies with changes in the instantaneous resistance between the two inputs (28, 30) The resistance output signal is connected to an input (34) of an electronic controller (40) The electronic controller (40) calculates the depth of the liquid (23) based on the magnitude of the resistance output signal applied to the input (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Food Equipment Technologies Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Zbigniew G. Lassota, Andrzej Kaminski, Marek K. Kwiatkowski
  • Patent number: 8464585
    Abstract: A MEMS structure for a combined gyroscope and accelerometer unit (100) based on in-plane vibratory movements comprises a proof mass (101) and comb-drives (102) operable to cause the proof mass (101) to resonate in the x-direction, commonly referred to as the primary mode. Under the influence of a rotation ?z around the z-axis, a Coriolis force acting in the y-direction results. This excites the secondary (or sense) mode. A set of parallel-plate capacitors 103 are provided to enable position readout along the secondary axis. In addition to the above, the comb-drive capacitors (102) of the primary mode can also be used for readout of position along the primary axis, and the parallel-plate capacitors (103) for actuation along the secondary axis. This can be achieved either by time-multiplexing these capacitors (102, 103) or by providing separate sets of capacitors (102, 103) for sensing and actuation along each axis. The unit can operate in separate ?? force-feedback loops with respect to both axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: Melexis Technologies NV, Universiteit Gent
    Inventors: Johan Raman, Pieter Rombouts
  • Patent number: 8464586
    Abstract: A vibration wave output instrument and its use method are provided. The vibration wave output instrument has a base, a vibration device, a pressure device, and a position mechanism. The position mechanism brings both the vibration device and the pressure device to a target region. The pressure device pushes the vibration device to touch against the target region. The vibration device outputs vibration waves beneath the target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Min Wu, Chin-Wen Yang, Chih-Hsiung Yu, Hsiao-Cheng Lin, Hsin-Hsueh Wu
  • Patent number: 8464587
    Abstract: A sensor for examining a document of value in a detection range of the sensor has at least one electrical component for converting electrical energy into sound waves and/or electromagnetic fields, in particular optical radiation, for examining the document of value and/or for detecting sound waves and/or magnetic or electromagnetic fields, in particular optical radiation, from the document of value to generate detection signals. Additionally, the sensor has a holder for the component, having a recess or a hole for at least partially accommodating the component, in which the electrical component is held, and on or in which at least one conductive path extends to contact with at least one electrical contact of the electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Domke, Hans-Uwe Moosler, Joseph Lohner
  • Patent number: 8464588
    Abstract: Systems and methods of acoustically interrogating a packaged medical implant such as an implantable sensor are disclosed. An illustrative system includes a sterilizable package including a package tray and a cover, a sensor module disposed within the package, and an acoustic coupling member disposed within an interior space of the package tray. An external interrogator located outside of the sealed package can be used to acoustically communicate with the sensor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemaker, Inc.
    Inventors: Binh C. Tran, Thomas W. Piaget
  • Patent number: 8464589
    Abstract: A MEMS structure includes a substrate, a structural dielectric layer, and a diaphragm. A structural dielectric layer is disposed over the substrate. The diaphragm is held by the structural dielectric layer at a peripheral end. The diaphragm includes multiple trench/ridge rings at a peripheral region surrounding a central region of the diaphragm. A corrugated structure is located at the central region of the diaphragm, surrounded by the trench/indent rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Solid State System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Hsing Lee, Tsung-Min Hsieh, Li-Chi Tsao, Jhyy-Cheng Liou