Patents Issued in December 17, 2013
  • Patent number: 8607581
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a transport package which efficiently maintains payload temperature within a predetermined temperature range during delivery through regions having ambient temperatures outside the desired range. The transport package is used for transporting temperature sensitive materials and thermally protecting the materials from cold and hot ambient temperatures in a manner that does not require a power source or other mechanical devices. Aspects of the invention relate to a temperature maintaining packaging system having an outer container, thermal insulation materials and two or more different phase change materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Entropy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Preston Noel Williams, Henry Adolf Cousineau, III, Arnold Charles Hillman, Christian Peter Kramer, David Nicholas Legas
  • Patent number: 8607582
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for a container for refrigerating chilled cargo includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator connected in series. The system further includes a heater and sensors configured to sense the temperature of the supply air and the temperature of the return air. A controller is programmed to determine one of a requirement for heating and a requirement for cooling based on the temperature of the return air and the temperature of the supply air. The controller is programmed to activate the evaporator fan when a requirement for heating is determined and to increase the speed of the evaporator fan when increased heating is determined. The controller is also programmed to activate the compressor and the evaporator fan when a requirement for cooling is determined and to increase the power supplied to the compressor and maintain the evaporator fan at a first speed when increased cooling is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Thermo King Corporation, Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ole Thøgersen, Allan Dyrmose, Dan Vad Steffensen
  • Patent number: 8607583
    Abstract: A portable, combination dehydrator, dry return air and condensed water generator/dispenser configured to alternately provide water from a reservoir of condensed water or from an alternative source of water. In one embodiment, the alternative source comprises a five-gallon bottle of water and the mounting for the bottle includes a removable cover for preventing contamination of the system when the bottle is not in place. In one embodiment, the system provides purified dry make-up air to a home or office air conditioning system and dehydration cabinet, while producing pure atmospheric condensation from humidity found in the air and purifying the air and water for breathing, dispensing and drinking purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: H2OLiquidair of Florida, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Morgan, Janet S. Morgan
  • Patent number: 8607584
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a sub door which reduces energy loss and a method of manufacturing method the sub door. The refrigerator includes a main body provided with storage chambers formed therein, doors opening and closing the storage chambers, and provided with an opening, a sub door to open and close the opening, and a cooling unit provided on the rear surface of the sub door. When the sub door is opened, cool air of the cooling unit is transmitted to a stored article put on the rear surface of the sub door, and when the sub door is closed, relatively uniform temperature distribution in the storage chamber is achieved and thus storage performance of the refrigerator is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo Hee Song, Jeong Wook Lee, Ha Jin Jeong
  • Patent number: 8607585
    Abstract: Disclosed related to a refrigerator according to the present invention comprising a main body in which a cold air storage is provided; a door connected to the main body; a dispenser assembly mounted on the door; and a tray assembly selectively protrudably connected to the dispenser assembly therefrom in a front direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Heon-Jae Jang, Min-Bon Koo, Chang-Bong Choi, Youl Kwon
  • Patent number: 8607586
    Abstract: An aircraft galley refrigeration system is provided which, in one embodiment, includes: first and second galleys; a first chiller for providing a first heat transfer fluid to the first galley; a second chiller for providing a second heat transfer fluid to the second galley; and a heat exchanger including a first circuit and a second circuit, the first circuit connecting the first galley with the first chiller, and the second circuit connecting the second galley with the second chiller. In another embodiment, the system includes a first cooling subsystem with a first heat transfer fluid, a second cooling subsystem with a second heat transfer fluid, and a heat exchanger that thermally couples the first and second cooling subsystems for distributing heat between the first and second heat transfer fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiao Lu
  • Patent number: 8607587
    Abstract: A refrigerated point-of-use food holding cabinet keeps food products cold in compartments having cross sections that are substantially U-shaped. Food products are kept refrigerated using heat-absorbing, heat-exchangers thermally coupled to the U-shaped compartment. Refrigeration is provided by either a conventional reversed-Brayton cycle, one or more Peltier devices or a chilled, re-circulating liquid that does not change phase as it circulates but which is chilled by another refrigeration system, such as a conventional refrigeration system. An optional cover helps prevent food flavor transfers between compartments. Semiconductor temperature sensors and a computer effectuate temperature control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Prince Castle LLC
    Inventor: Loren Veltrop
  • Patent number: 8607588
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator comprising a main body provided with a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber; a receiving member provided to be able to be drawn in and out to the main body and receiving foods; fixing members disposed on right and left sides of the receiving member and supporting the receiving members; entrance guide members provided between the receiving member and the fixing members and guiding sliding movement of the receiving members; and shaking prevention members provided on right and left sides of the receiving members and preventing a right and left shaking phenomenon of the receiving members. With the present invention, a shaking phenomenon is prevented in drawing in and out a receiving member, so convenience of use may thereby be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kyong-Sok Oh
  • Patent number: 8607589
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for annealing a glass sheet, which can sufficiently reduce I/T formed in the glass sheet, are provided. In the method for annealing a glass sheet G of the present invention, in a state that a heated and bent glass sheet G is placed on a forming mold 16, first, a region of the glass sheet G to be lifted up is cooled by cooling devices 20, 22, to make the temperature of the region to be lifted up to be a temperature of at most the strain point. Next, in this state, a lift-up member 36 is operated to lift up the region of the glass sheet G to be lifted up, by rods 38, to separate the glass sheet G from the forming mold 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamakawa, Akira Sugahara, Yasumasa Kato
  • Patent number: 8607590
    Abstract: Methods for separating glass articles from strengthened glass substrate sheets and strengthened glass substrate sheets are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes forming at least one groove on at least one surface of the glass substrate sheet and strengthening the glass substrate sheet by a strengthening process. The groove defines the glass article and partially extends through a thickness of the glass substrate sheet. The method further includes generating an initiation defect on the groove at an initiation location to cause a through crack to self-propagate through the glass substrate sheet along the groove, thereby separating the glass article from the glass substrate sheet. In another embodiment, a strengthened glass substrate sheet includes a strengthened glass having a glass article groove and an initiation groove on a surface, the glass article groove defining a glass article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Glaesemann, Xinghua Li, Daniel Duane Strong
  • Patent number: 8607591
    Abstract: The device for manufacturing glass, in which bubble formation on precious metal components is prevented, has a precious or refractory metal wall (12, 43) at least partially surrounding a glass melt from which the glass is made, a first electrode pair (20, 21) for measuring oxygen partial pressure at an interface between the glass melt and the wall to obtain an actual value, a second electrode pair (12, 43, 20) for measuring an oxygen partial pressure in the glass melt to obtain a set point value and a regulating system (39, 45) for adjusting the oxygen partial pressure at the interface according to a comparison between the actual value and the set point value, so that the oxygen partial pressure at the interface is within a safe range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Lautenschlaeger, Thomas Pfeiffer, Andreas Roters, Gernot Roeth
  • Patent number: 8607592
    Abstract: An optical fiber manufacturing apparatus including: a heating furnace in which an optical fiber is formed by melt-drawing an optical fiber preform; a sealing mechanism which is provided on an opening portion located at an upstream of the heating furnace and seals the heating furnace with an inert gas; a first pipe which is connected to the heating furnace and introduces the gas into the heating furnace; a second pipe which is connected to a lowermost compartment closest to the heating furnace among the compartments and introduces the gas into the lowermost compartment; and a gas flow rate control unit which controls a total sum of a flow rate of a gas supplied from the first pipe into the heating furnace and a flow rate of a gas supplied from the second pipe into the lowermost compartment to be substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Okada
  • Patent number: 8607593
    Abstract: A method for making a seamless knit belt including forming two longitudinal rib sections that are formed from a different material than the body of the belt. The rib sections are formed during the tubular knitting process and then the body of the knit composite is run through a polymeric treating system. After the body is treated, the rib sections are trimmed from the edges and the resulting product is a coated seamless knit belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventor: Eun Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 8607594
    Abstract: A circular knitted head cover, used to cover the user's bead, has a long cylindrical cap, integrally circular knitted, flexible, and in the shape of a hollow cylinder. The relative two ends of the long cylindrical cap are respectively formed with an upper cap opening and a lower cap opening. At least one eye through-hole is provided, being an opening integrally knitted on one side of the long cylindrical cap. The eye through-hole enables exposure of the user's eyes when wearing the head cover. An interlaced mouth and nose vent is provided in the shape of interval holes, integrally knitted on one side of the long cylindrical cap and located on a position spaced from the eye through-hole. The interlaced mouth and nose vent enables ventilation of the user's mouth and nose when wearing the head cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Textraordinary Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Cheng Huang, Chin-Lung Huang
  • Patent number: 8607595
    Abstract: A washing machine having a control unit that implements a spinning profile wherein a loosening step is employed by stopping the drum at specific intervals wherein wrinkles formed in clothes are shallow creases that are easy to iron out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Aysegul Ayday Besikci, Ebru Gungor, Feryat Yildirim
  • Patent number: 8607596
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine, including a housing, a spin tub to hold laundry to be washed, the spin tub rotating with respect to a horizontal axis of the washing machine, and a ball balancer coupled to the spin tub to compensate for a dynamic imbalance during rotation thereof, the ball balancer including a first plastic member and a second plastic member joined to each other to define a closed internal space in which a plurality of balls and viscous fluid are accommodated, the first plastic member having an open side, and the second plastic member adapted to cover the open side of the first plastic member. The first plastic member includes a plurality of supports formed on an outer surface thereof to establish contact with the spin tub, and the ball balancer is fastened to the spin tub via a plurality of screw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo Young Ryu, Ja Young Kim, Ito Michiaki, Myung Sun Kang
  • Patent number: 8607597
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine including a housing, a spin tub, and a ball balancer coupled to the spin tub, the ball balancer including a first plastic member and a second plastic member joined to each other to form an annular-shaped race, the first plastic member including a first side wall, a second side wall and a connecting wall to form a three-sided annular-shaped structure having an open side, and the second plastic member adapted to cover the open side, the three-sided annular-shaped structure having a U-shaped cross-section with a first rounded inside corner formed between the first side wall and the connecting wall and a second rounded inside corner formed between the second side wall and the connecting wall. A radius of curvature of each of the first and second rounded inside corners is greater than a radius of curvature of opposite diagonal inside corners of the annular-shaped race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo Young Ryu, Ja Young Kim, Ito Michiaki, Myung Sun Kang
  • Patent number: 8607598
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine including a housing, a rotating spin tub to hold laundry to be washed and a ball balancer coupled to the spin tub to compensate for a dynamic imbalance during rotation thereof. The ball balancer includes a first plastic member and a second plastic member joined to each other to form a closed internal space in which a plurality of balls and viscous fluid are accommodated, the first plastic member includes a first side wall, a second side wall and a connecting wall to form a three-sided annular-shaped structure having an open side, and the second plastic member is adapted to cover the open side of the first plastic member. A diameter of each of the balls is smaller than a depth of the three-sided annular-shaped structure measured from the connecting wall to a top of the first side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo Young Ryu, Ja Young Kim, Ito Michiaki, Myung Sun Kang
  • Patent number: 8607599
    Abstract: A method for ensuring valid participation of a plan participant in a defined contribution pension plan provides data query for identifying the plan participant. A pension debt coverage policy protects an outstanding balance of a defined contribution plan loan secured by participant's plan assets, eliminating adverse tax consequences to the plan beneficiary in the event of the death or disability of the participant and ensuring that the full plan account balance passes intact to beneficiary in such event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Pentech, LLC
    Inventor: John A. Martin
  • Patent number: 8607600
    Abstract: A locking device includes a shaft, a locking head joined to the shaft, and a lock body having a lock opening for receiving a locking end of the shaft. A latch member is disposed within the lock body and includes a shaft aperture for receiving the locking end of the shaft therethrough. The shaft aperture includes an edge portion spring biased radially inward of the lock opening to engage the recessed portion with the edge portion when the locking end of the shaft is disposed in the lock opening. A locking member is disposed within the lock body. Rotation of the locking member from a locked condition to an unlocked condition moves the edge portion of the shaft aperture out of engagement with the recessed portion of the shaft to permit withdrawal of the shaft from the lock opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Gary Burmesch, D. Scott Kalous, Dean Paulson
  • Patent number: 8607601
    Abstract: A lock is provided including a lower housing including an engagement member attached thereto, a shaft engaged with the engagement member opposite the lower housing, a ratcheting mechanism operably connected to the shaft to control the rotation of the shaft and a locking mechanism operably engaged with the ratcheting mechanism, the locking mechanism being selectively operable to control the operation of the ratcheting mechanism and the rotation of the lower housing and engagement member with regard to the shaft and ratcheting mechanism to engage the lock over an opening in a container to selectively prevent access to a material held therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Launce Wickesberg
  • Patent number: 8607602
    Abstract: Passenger portable safety brake, a safety devise for passenger to control the speed or stop a car driven by a student driver. The passenger portable safety brake includes a handle, elongated tube and U-shaped tip with a latch. This device is designed to easily and temporarily attached to the car brake and controlled by the passenger, driving instructor, parents or any one that is helping the student driver with on the road instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Godwin Okoye, Mathias Okoye
  • Patent number: 8607603
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for bending an elongate member used in association with a medical procedure. In one form, a device for bending an elongate member includes a support platform and a plurality of engaging members positioned on the support platform. Each of the plurality of engaging members includes at least one engaging portion configured for positioning in contact with the elongate member. Each of the plurality of engaging members is movable in at least three directions relative to the support platform to form one or more bends in the elongate member. In one aspect, the elongate member is formed of a heat deformable material and the device includes a heating member configured to apply heat to one or more portions of the elongate member to facilitate bending. However, other embodiments, forms and applications are also envisioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff R Justis, Hai H Trieu
  • Patent number: 8607604
    Abstract: A bolt has a male screw with a surface hardening portion that has an increased surface hardness and that is applied with a compressive residual stress. The male screw is formed by cutting the bolt, and performing a process to provide at least on the surface of the male screw of the bolt the surface hardening portion that has increased hardness and that is applied with a compressive residual stress. As a result, the fatigue resistance of the male screw is improved and the bolt is effective for use in a portion where the male screw is subject to a repetitive stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
    Inventors: Norikazu Tezuka, Kazuharu Hirokawa, Keisuke Ihara, Kei Osawa, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Taiji Torigoe, Ryuichi Yamamoto, Yukihiro Hashimoto, Nobuyuki Izutsu, Koji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8607605
    Abstract: A spring wire is subjected to a first shot peening process and a second shot peening process. In the first shot peening process, a first shot is projected on the spring wire at a first projectile speed. High kinetic energy of the first shot produces compressive residual stress in a region ranging from the surface of the spring wire to a deep position. In the second spring wire process, a second shot is projected at a second projectile speed lower than the speed of the first shot. The kinetic energy of the second shot is lower than that of the first shot. The low kinetic energy of the second shot increases the compressive residual stress in a region near the surface of the spring wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Tange, Hideki Okada, Motoi Uesugi, Yosuke Hisano
  • Patent number: 8607606
    Abstract: The inventive method involves deforming the extremities of a plate, which has a rectangular edge and is disposed between the working surface of strikers, by ultrasonic forging with the aid of the strikers, simultaneously moving the plate in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axes of the strikers and turning the strikers. Each striker is provided with a groove with a curvilinear generatrix which is made on the surface thereof with a variable radius R. The width of the plate is reduced by a value ?=R(1??/4), wherein R is the variable radius value at a point where the ultrasonic forging of the plate is carried out. The circumferential speed Vcirc.S of the striker rotation is chosen, during the plate displacement, as to correspond to the above-mentioned relationship. In the device, the circumferential speed of the striker rotation is synchronized with the plate displacement velocity. The groove of the striker is designed with the variable radius R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Boris Zelmanovich Boguslavsky, Boris Semenovich Litvak
  • Patent number: 8607607
    Abstract: A system and a method for feeding wire material to a rotary compaction press are provided. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of feeding a wire strand of material to a location adjacent a cutting surface; moving the cutting surface, thereby causing the cutting surface to cut the wire strand of material into a wire pellet of material; and transporting the wire pellet of material to adjacent a die table of a rotary compaction press. In some embodiments the system includes a wire exit aperture. A cutting disc may be provided adjacent the wire exit aperture and may have a plurality of wire cutting surfaces and adjacent wire notches. The cutting disc may be rotatable, thereby causing the wire cutting surfaces to sequentially pass over the wire exit aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Elizabeth-Hata International
    Inventors: Richard A. Sanderson, Scott Brady
  • Patent number: 8607608
    Abstract: A bending apparatus (1) is for bending a workpiece (object to be worked), using a bending die (2) formed in accordance with a bent form of the workpiece, and a linear die (3) linearly extended, and includes a table (10) having a work face (11a) where the bending die (2) and the linear die (3) are placed; and a pair of rollers (40, 50) configured to move along the work face (11a), wherein each of the rollers (40, 50) is configured to move from one end side of the bending die (2) and the linear die (3) to the other end side thereof in a state of pinching the bending die (2) and the linear die (3) in a die closing direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to configure the bending apparatus (1), to make a work space small, and to improve the work efficiency of the bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Works Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Shioya, Kouichi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8607609
    Abstract: A rolling mill, which can use work rolls of a smaller diameter for rolling a hard material and a thin strip material, and can decrease edge drops and improve surface gloss, is provided. For this purpose, a rolling mill, which includes upper and lower work rolls (2) as a pair for rolling a strip (1), upper and lower intermediate rolls (3) as a pair for supporting the upper and lower work rolls as the pair, and upper and lower back-up rolls (4) as a pair for supporting the upper and lower intermediate rolls as the pair, is configured such that the upper and lower work rolls as the pair are supported by a plurality of supporting bearings (8a to 8f and 9a to 9f) arranged vertically zigzag on an entry side in a rolling direction, and a plurality of supporting bearings (10a to 10f and 11a to 11f) arranged vertically zigzag on an delivery side in the rolling direction, at positions outward of a rollable strip width, and the plurality of supporting bearings lap over each other vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi-Hitachi Metals Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Norikura
  • Patent number: 8607610
    Abstract: A tube support mechanism is adaptable to a respective tube diameter being transported, and includes an articulated link chain that rests against a circumference of a tube, and includes chain links. The chain links are disposed in at least two planes, overlap one another from plane to plane in overlap zones, and are pivotably connected. Facing ends of the chain links of a given plane of chain links have identical gear wheel contours that mesh with one another. Adjustment of the tube support mechanism from one nominal diameter to another is effected by a pressure effect, onto the tube support mechanism, of a conical tube transition piece that results during the change in diameter during continuing operation. An angle of contact of the tube support mechanism against a tube successively changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Inoex GmbH
    Inventor: Jörg Klever
  • Patent number: 8607611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a press brake for bending metal sheets, said press brake having an upper and a lower table, one of which has two slots, and having at least one pair of wedges, each wedge being disposed in a respective one of the two slots; and a primary control lever that is common to the wedges of the pair of wedges and that is suitable for moving said wedges of the pair of wedges in their respective slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Amada Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Philippe Jacquet
  • Patent number: 8607612
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a reversible-binding sensor for detecting an analyte includes: (i) varying the temperature of a first calibration solution from a first temperature (T1) to a second temperature (T2) while the first calibration solution is in contact with a sensing region of the sensor; (ii) determining the sensor output for the first calibration solution as a function of temperature; (iii) varying the temperature of a second calibration solution from a third temperature (T3) to a fourth temperature (T4) while the second calibration solution is in contact with the sensing region, the second calibration solution having a concentration of analyte which is different from that of the first calibration solution; (iv) determining the sensor output for the second calibration solution as a function of temperature; and (v) using the determined sensor output from steps (ii) and (iv) to calibrate the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Lightship Medical Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Paul Barwell, Peter Edgley, Alasdair Allan Mackenzie, William Paterson, Barry Colin Crane
  • Patent number: 8607613
    Abstract: A method for independent alignment of an inertial measurement unit for a stand-by instrument in an aircraft includes: determining a status of the aircraft, that is to say whether or not the aircraft is in flight, and in the case where the aircraft is detected as being in flight, carrying out a flight alignment, and in the case where the aircraft is not detected as being in flight, determining a stability of the aircraft, that is to say whether the aircraft is on the ground or at sea, and in the case where the aircraft is detected as being on the ground, carrying out a ground alignment, and in the case where the aircraft is detected as being at sea, carrying out a sea alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Anne Kerbiquet, Johan Bresciani, Gaël Mulhaupt, Phillippe Chesne
  • Patent number: 8607614
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for characterizing and quantifying certain attributes of antiperspirants and deodorants is provided, such as payout, friction, and flakeoff. The apparatus is capable of reproducibly applying antiperspirants and deodorant to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: John P. Rouse
  • Patent number: 8607615
    Abstract: A two-dimensional gas chromatography system having first and second separation columns, a thermal modulator disposed between the first and second columns and having a plurality of stage channels, and a micro heater monolithically integrated in the thermal modulator. The thermal modulator is operable to trap and focus gas/vapor species within the plurality of stage channels upon cooling and release the gas/vapor species to the second column upon heating by the micro heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Sung Jin Kim, Katsuo Kurabayashi, Kensall D. Wise, Edward T. Zellers, Bruce P. Block
  • Patent number: 8607616
    Abstract: A particle sensor is disclosed capable of sensing airborne particles larger than about 10 nm in an airflow passing through a passage inside the sensor. The sensor comprises a high-voltage discharge electrode for generating airborne unipolar ions that charge the airborne particles in the airflow. The generated ions are furthermore used to set-up an ionic wind between the discharge electrode and a counter electrode inside the sensor. The ionic wind is the driving force for maintaining the airflow through the sensor and allows sensor operation to occur free of audible noise. The presence of charged particles in the airflow is measured by an electrical current meter in the particle sensing section which measures the particle-bound charge that precipitates per unit time on the surface of a precipitation electrode after all airborne ions have been removed from air by a separate screening electrode positioned upstream of the particle sensing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Marra
  • Patent number: 8607617
    Abstract: Apparatus for remote inspection of oxygen containers includes an electronic circuit in communication between each container (or at various locations along a pipeline) and a remote central station. The electronic circuit is adapted to issue a signal to the remote central station that includes information about predetermined internal and/or external conditions such as the level of oxygen stored in the tank, a pressure condition of material stored in the tank, a lack of presence of the tank in an installed position, or the presence of an obstruction restricting access to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: en-Gauge, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. McSheffrey, Jr., Brendan T. McSheffrey
  • Patent number: 8607618
    Abstract: Determination of hydraulic properties such as porosity and permeability of soil is of paramount importance in hydrology and civil engineering. In order to achieve greater accuracy in determination of permeability of soil using falling head permeameter, the two important known constraints of human monitoring error in noting the falling water level between two selected levels and elapse time between these two levels had overcome through electronically sensing the levels between two selected points and activating the timer clock automatically by the pulses coming from senor. The precision in measurement of time lapse in 1/100th of a second enables greater accuracy in estimation of permeability. Provision of perforated Teflon disc above and below the soil core facilitates in application of water uniformly over the entire surface area of soil core at top and similar way permeated water leaving the soil core uniformly without any obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Devanatha Muralidharan, Nanduri Purushotham Rajendra Prasad, Rallapalli Suryanarayana Kanaka Srinivasulu
  • Patent number: 8607619
    Abstract: A device for detecting a property of a fluid includes a body region and a flexible element having a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly located on the body region. The flexible element is arranged to move from at least a first configuration to a second configuration via bending of the flexible element. The flexible element includes an actuating portion arranged to move the flexible element between the first configuration and the second configuration. The device also includes a movement detector for detecting movement of the flexible element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Microvisk Limited
    Inventors: Vladislav Djakov, Ejaz Huq, Paul Vernon
  • Patent number: 8607620
    Abstract: After a target compound is captured by an adsorbent within a trap column (7) held by a column rack (8) in a substantially vertical position and the column is filled with water to wash its inside, dichloromethane is slowly introduced from an inlet end (7a) on the lower side by a pump (5). The water within the trap column (7) is pushed upward by dichloromethane and exits from an outlet end (7b), to be disposed of via a two-way selector valve (12) and a disposal passage (14). Dichloromethane elutes the captured target compound. Therefore, when the eluate, which initially consists of water, changes via an emulsion to dichloromethane, the eluate contains an adequately high concentration of target compound. At this point, the two-way valve (12) is switched to a preparative separation passage (13). As a result, a solution that is adequately free from water and yet contains the target compound can be collected into a collection container (17), and the target compound in solid forms can be quickly obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Kono, Masayuki Nishimura, Bob Boughtflower, Przemyslaw Stasica
  • Patent number: 8607621
    Abstract: Systems and methods used to monitor a fluid where it is important to know the size, concentration and nature of particulates in the fluid. For example, the systems and method can be used to diagnose contamination issues in fluids such as fuel, lubrication, power transfer, heat exchange or other fluids in fluid systems, for example diesel engines or hydraulic systems, where contaminant particles in the fluids are of concern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry M. Verdegan
  • Patent number: 8607622
    Abstract: An AFM based technique has been demonstrated for performing highly localized IR spectroscopy on a sample surface. Such a technique implemented in a commercially viable analytical instrument would be extremely useful. Various aspects of the experimental set-up have to be changed to create a commercial version. The invention addresses many of these issues thereby producing a version of the analytical technique that can be made generally available to the scientific community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Anasys Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandre Dazzi, Rui Prazeres, Kevin Kjoller, Michael Reading
  • Patent number: 8607623
    Abstract: A method for detecting the blending level of biodiesel fuel in an internal combustion engine includes setting at least two post injection fuel quantity reference values respectively for known biodiesel blending percentage levels. A post injection fuel quantity value is evaluated and is compared with the at least two post injection fuel quantity reference value. A predetermined correlation set of values between the post injection fuel quantity value and a biodiesel blending level expressed by biodiesel percentage with respect to the petro-diesel is used to determine the biodiesel blending level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Claudio Ciaravino, Giovanna Massetti
  • Patent number: 8607624
    Abstract: A sensor system for determining at least one parameter of a fluid medium flowing through a channel, in particular of an intake air mass of an internal combustion engine. The sensor system has at least one sensor chip situated in the channel for determining the parameter of the fluid medium. The sensor chip is accommodated in a sensor carrier that extends into the channel. The sensor carrier has an inflow edge situated transversely to the flow of the fluid medium, which on its part has at least one turbolator, which is equipped to develop turbulences in the flowing fluid medium in the area of the sensor carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Erhard Renninger, Achim Briese, Hans Hecht, Ulrich Wagner, Uwe Konzelmann, Christoph Gmelin
  • Patent number: 8607625
    Abstract: A service procedure to test the SCR device involves turning on an upstream and downstream SCR NOx sensor, turning off an NH3 injector, running the engine until enough upstream NOx mass has been generated by the engine to deplete any NH3 load remaining in the SCR device, determining the operational status of the NOx sensors as follows: if 1?downstream NOx ppm/upstream NOx ppm=approx. 0; then the downstream NOx sensor is reading the same as the upstream NOx sensor and the downstream NOx sensor is determined to be good and the SCR device may have to be replaced; and if 1?downstream NOx ppm/upstream NOx ppm>approx. 0; then the downstream NOx sensor is reading high and the downstream NOx sensor is determined to be bad and downstream NOx sensor may have to be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Janean E. Kowalkowski, John Coppola
  • Patent number: 8607626
    Abstract: A test system includes a platform having a movable endless belt. A restraint is configured to restrain a test article in a selected vertical position relative to the moveable belt. The restraint includes at least a pair of axially rigid supports wherein at least one rigid support is provided on each side of the movable belt and has an end configured to be secured to the test article, and wherein each support extends from a stationary portion, relative to the belt, of the platform over at least a portion of the movable belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley C. Litz, Thomas R. Kerns, Jay S. Warner, Armin-Otto Michelbach
  • Patent number: 8607627
    Abstract: A wheel includes a tire, an electrical device requiring power for operation, and a conversion system for providing electrical energy for powering the electrical device. The electrical energy is obtained from conversion of a difference between pressure of a gas confined under pressure within the tire and ambient pressure of air outside the tire. The conversion system includes an inlet nozzle fluidly connected to the gas confined under pressure in the tire, an outlet nozzle fluidly connected to the air outside the tire, a movable arm configured to be moved by gas expanding while flowing from the inlet nozzle to the outlet nozzle, and an electromechanical transducer capable of converting mechanical energy from movement of the arm into electrical energy used to power the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Thierry Hilt, Bruno Mourey
  • Patent number: 8607628
    Abstract: A method for determining properties of a formation is described herein. The method includes disposing a well-logging tool in a borehole. The well-logging tool includes a device for varying temperature of the formation and two acoustic logging probes located symmetrically along the well-logging tool length relative to the device for varying temperature of the formation. During the logging tool movement in the borehole, continuous varying of the formation temperature, continuous acoustic logging, and continuous measurement of formation temperature are performed. Dependencies of the measured velocity and attenuation of the Stoneley waves as functions of the measured temperature of the formation are obtained. Based on the obtained dependencies, properties of the formation are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Marwan Charara, Anton Vladimirovich Parshin, Evgeny Nikolaevich Dyshlyuk, Oleg Mikhailovich Zozulya, Sergey Sergeevich Safonov
  • Patent number: 8607629
    Abstract: A method for assessment of force properties generated by the fiber tip of one or more fibers, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a fiber sample of one or more fibers, the fiber sample having a free portion and an end; (b) suspending the fiber sample over a tactile sensor at least 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Masato Higaki, Naohiro Morita, Yoko Osada
  • Patent number: 8607630
    Abstract: A vibrating nano-scale or micro-scale electromechanical component including a vibrating mechanical element that cooperates with at least one detection electrode. The detection electrode is flexible and is configured to vibrate in phase opposition relative to the vibrating mechanical element. Such a component may find, for example, application to resonators or motion sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives, STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventor: Fabrice Casset