Patents Issued in February 18, 2014
  • Patent number: 8651701
    Abstract: A light source device that irradiates a discharge vessel with a laser beam to produce radiant light that is reflected by an ellipsoidal reflecting surface efficiently utilizes the light produced by directing the laser beam through an unirradiated region where reflected light from the ellipsoidal reflector is blocked by the discharge vessel, through an opening side of the ellipsoidal reflector to the discharge vessel. The discharge vessel has an emission substance enclosed inside which is excited by the laser beam and produces radiant light, is arranged at a focal point of the ellipsoidal reflector. A planar mirror, with which radiant light reflected by the ellipsoidal reflector is reflected in a different direction has a window in an unirradiated region where reflected light from the ellipsoidal reflector is blocked by the discharge vessel through which the laser beam passes to the discharge vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, Energetio Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukio Yasuda, Taku Sumitomo, Masaki Kato
  • Patent number: 8651702
    Abstract: Self-aligning light source and detector assembly having a sensor support mounted in a predetermined, fixed position, a light source holder mounted in a predetermined, fixed position relative to the sensor support, a sensor mounted in a fixed position on the sensor support, and a lamp assembly removably mounted to the light source holder in a predetermined position defined by mating surfaces which engage each other and seat the lamp assembly in the predetermined position whenever the lamp assembly is installed in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Wynn
  • Patent number: 8651703
    Abstract: A light emitting device with at least one LED die, a filter element and a reflective element. The filter element may be configured to preferentially attenuate light passing through the filter element, such that light output has improved color uniformity when compared to similar light emitting devices without a filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kum Soon Wong, Farn Hin Chen, Kean Loo Keh
  • Patent number: 8651704
    Abstract: Systems and methods for solid-state light source heat management are provided. A solid-state light source, e.g. having one or more LEDs, can be mounted within an enclosure. In some embodiments, a heat sink associated with semiconductor material and/or power electronics can be placed on a separate side of the enclosure that is thermally insulated or separated from the state-light source. The enclosure can include a first side or portion that allows light from the solid-state-light source (e.g., LEDs) to pass through to a target area. A fluid transfer conduit may be connected to the second side or portion of the enclosure for passing a fluid (e.g., air, water, coolant, etc.) across the heat sink to transport heat generated by the power electronics and/or semiconductor material away. The heated fluid can then be routed to, as examples, an HVAC system, a vent, water heating systems, heat exchanger systems, and/or storage systems (e.g., batteries).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Myron Gordin, Joe P. Crookham
  • Patent number: 8651705
    Abstract: An LED lighting fixture comprising (a) a front-housing portion having a surrounding lateral wall defining a front cavity and extending to a front-housing forward edge at an open front-end, (b) a rear-housing portion having a backwall and a surrounding wall which define a rear cavity, the surrounding wall extending to a rear-housing forward edge, the rear-housing portion joined to the front-housing portion with the rear-housing surrounding wall substantially in alignment with the front-housing surrounding wall, (c) a cross-member secured with respect to the housing portions in a position at the juncture thereof and spanning the interior of the joined housing portions, the cross-member having a front surface facing the front cavity, and (d) an LED illuminator secured to the front surface of the cross-member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Wayne Guillien, Frank Tsao
  • Patent number: 8651706
    Abstract: An illuminator arrangement with less heat intervention includes a reflecting body having a top opening and a bottom opening, a lens assembled above the top opening, an aluminum base assembled at the bottom opening, at least one heat pipe extended from the aluminum base, a light source assembled on the aluminum base, the heat pipe being made of the material which is a good heat conductor. Under this arrangement, the aluminum base could be moved up and down relative to the top opening so that the light source on the aluminum base could move toward the lens or moves away from the lens so as to diffuse light or focus light. Furthermore, the heat pipe dissipates the heat generated by the light source away from the reflecting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Wen-Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 8651707
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical lens for guiding light of an LED to produce a quasi-elliptical light pattern, and the optical lens has a lens body. The optical lens comprises an emitting surface and an incident surface. The emitting surface is a curved surface, and an illumination side of the emitting surface is in a quasi-elliptical shape with a long axis and a short axis, and the length of the long axis is a, and the length of the short axis is b, and the lens body has a lens height c. The length a of the long axis, the length b of the short axis, and the lens height c satisfy the relations of 1<a/b?1.67 and 2?a/c?6. Therefore, an LED backlight source or a general illumination with a wide scope of applicability, a reduced number of LEDs and an improved illuminating uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: LedLink Optics, Inc., LedLink Optics (Dong Guan) Co., Ltd., Yang Zhou LedLink Optics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Te-Lung Tang, Chih-Ming Wei
  • Patent number: 8651708
    Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided for a LED lamp. The LED lamp includes a board surface to supply heat energy during an operation of the LED lamp. The LED lamp is mounted within a recessed housing that separates a first area having a first temperature from a second area having a second temperature, where the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. The system includes a thermal dissipator positioned within the second area. The system further includes a heat transfer device with a first end mounted to the board surface, and a second end mounted to the thermal dissipator, to transfer the heat energy from the board surface in the first area to the thermal dissipator in the second area, and dissipate the heat energy within the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yogen Vishwas Utturkar, Todd Wetzel, Mehmet Arik, Hendrick Pieter De Bock
  • Patent number: 8651709
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-level light fixture retrofit kit 10 that can be easily attached to a parabolic reflector 54 of an existing HID light fixture 50. The retrofit kit 10 comprises of a frame 12 with four or more sides and a center opening 18. The center opening 18 can be secured and be suspended onto the parabolic reflector 54 with or without any mounting. Housing 20 with one or more lamp sockets 22 is disposed of on each side of the frame 12. The retrofit kit 10 also includes a partition 34 cutting across the frame 12 and held together by a hinge 36 on one end and by a locking mechanism 38 on the opposite end to facilitate installation and removal of the retrofit kit 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: John Yeh
  • Patent number: 8651710
    Abstract: A detachable lamp includes a seat, a fastening mechanism and a lighting module. The fastening mechanism includes a rotary latch having a stem and a latching portion extending from the stem. The lighting module is disposed on the seat corresponding by the fastening mechanism and includes a frame and an LED assembly received in the frame. The frame has an engaging member for being fastened by the latching portion. Thereby, the lighting module can be detachably mounted on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Leader Trend Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Wang
  • Patent number: 8651711
    Abstract: A lighting system including modules containing LEDs or other electroluminescent devices and loosely constrained magnetic structures at least partially contained within cavities in the module substrate that are connected to fixtures under magnetic force. The loosely constrained magnetic structures accommodate mechanical variations in the system and provide a method to connect modules mechanically, electrically and thermally to different fixtures or positions in fixtures without tools. The relatively short distance separating magnetic structures provides high connection forces with the use of relatively small magnets. Magnets and electrical contacts are not located directly between the LED subassembly and the fixture, which provides higher thermal conductivity pathways to remove heat from the LEDs. Biasing members may be used to increase thermal contact. Magnetic structures may, but are not required, to conduct electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Rudisill, Daniel John Whittle
  • Patent number: 8651712
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lamp unit for low beam, a lamp unit for high beam, and a lamp unit for shoulder edge beam. The lamp units each are made of a semiconductor-type light source and a reflector that has reflection surfaces configured to illuminate the light from the semiconductor-type light source forward of a vehicle, as a predetermined light distribution pattern. As a result, the present invention is capable of fully utilizing the light from the semiconductor-type light source, making it possible to facilitate a light distribution design configured to form the light in a predetermined light distribution pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasufumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8651713
    Abstract: A system is for a landing site for a helicopter or a load suspended from a helicopter, where landing positioning references are visualized as a luminous pattern on the landing site, and where the landing positioning references are formed as lines of light projected on the landing site from one or more light sources arranged at the landing site. A method is for forming of landing positioning references visualized as a luminous pattern on the landing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Torgeir Espedal, Per Ingar Mortensen
  • Patent number: 8651714
    Abstract: A portable lighting device for illuminating a path engaged by a user, or enabling the user to be seen by other cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and the like is provided. Advantageously, the portable lighting device is small (configured to fit in the user's palm), light (configured to be comfortably attached to a user's bicycle frame, helmet or carried in the hand of the user) and durable (configured to be usable in any weather condition). In addition, the light is conveniently powered by an attachable battery pack and may store variable brightness and mode settings for versatile usage. Moreover, the light utilizes a EEPROM to store the user re-configured settings in conjunction with adjustably bright high-brightness LEDs ranging upwards of 3000 lumens to provide the user with an excellent lighting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Noriaki Hamasaki
  • Patent number: 8651715
    Abstract: A vehicle sun visor is provided that includes a visor body having a first side and a second side, and a vanity and lighting assembly located on the visor body. The assembly includes a lighting device located on the visor body. The lighting device is configured to provide a vanity light for a vanity mirror and is further configured to provide a dome light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Andrew Stakoe, Chi Li
  • Patent number: 8651716
    Abstract: A lighting module having a flat light emitter, a reflector (R1) determined so as to create, in a plane comprising the emitter, a hot spot (S) limited by a control curve (A) contained in the plane comprising the first emitter and constituting the front or rear edge of the spot and a lens (L) determined and arranged with the reflector so as to form the first cutoff beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Vanesa Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8651717
    Abstract: A lamp includes a projection lens, a light-emitting element disposed rearwardly of a rear-side focal point of the projection lens to be directed upward, a reflector disposed to cover the light-emitting element from an upper side to reflect light from the light-emitting element toward the projection lens, and a shade disposed with an upper end edge thereof passing closely below the rear-side focal point to block part of reflected light from the reflector. Generally the entirety of a portion of the projection lens positioned above the optical axis is cut away. A reflective surface that reflects downward the reflected light from the main reflector is formed on a rear surface of the shade. A sub reflector that reflects forward the reflected light from the reflector reflected by the reflective surface of the shade so as not to be incident on the projection lens is disposed below the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahito Naganawa
  • Patent number: 8651718
    Abstract: A vehicle light fitting unit includes two headlights which irradiate a low beam. The two headlights can each include a light emitting element, an elliptical series reflecting surface provided in a state where a first focal position is positioned near the light emitting element and a second focal position is positioned on an optical axis of the headlight, and a projecting lens provided so that a focal position on a rear side of the light irradiating direction is near the second focal position. Only a first headlight among the two headlights includes a light shielding member. The elliptical series reflecting surface of a second headlight is positioned so that the first focal position is positioned to the front of the light irradiating direction than the light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Yamagata
  • Patent number: 8651719
    Abstract: A light guide decorative plate includes a light permeable insulated decorative plate, and at least one optical fiber embedded in the light permeable insulated decorative plate. The optical fiber has one end exposed from the light permeable insulated decorative plate for guiding light emitted from a light source into the optical fiber, and another end opposite to said one end for exit of the light therethrough. A touch light decorative plate is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Sheng Teng, Yao-Han Huang, Hish-Bin Dai
  • Patent number: 8651720
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical device having a light source, a viscoelastic lightguide and a retroreflective film suitable for retroreflecting light. Light from the light source enters the viscoelastic lightguide and is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection. The transported light is extracted from the lightguide and retroreflected at a structured surface of the retroreflective film. The optical device may have a “front lit” or a “back lit” configuration depending on the relative positioning of the lightguide and the retroreflective film. The retroreflective film may include prismatic retroreflective sheeting, holographic film or film structured with diffraction gratings. The optical device may be used, for example, as a sign or marking, a license plate assembly, a tail light assembly for vehicles, a security laminate for protection of documents against tampering, or an illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Marie A. Boulos, Kevin R. Schaffer, Michael A. Meis, Thu-Van T. Tran, Ellen O. Aeling, Soemantri Widagdo
  • Patent number: 8651721
    Abstract: A planar illumination apparatus includes: a light source; a light guide plate having a light-receiving end surface arranged facing the light source, an output flat surface for planarly outputting light received through the light-receiving end surface and a reflective flat surface facing the output flat surface; a reflective sheet disposed on the reflective flat surface side of the light guide plate; and a flexible printed circuit board disposed on substantially the same plane as that of the reflective sheet, the flexible printed board mounting the light source, wherein the flexible printed circuit board has a mounting portion on which the light source is mounted and a thin portion which extends from a forward side edge and is formed thinner than the mounting portion, and wherein at least one part of the thin portion and an end portion of the reflective sheet are overlapped with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Kunimochi
  • Patent number: 8651722
    Abstract: A backlight module comprises a backplate having a baseplate and side plates, a direct-lit LED array, edge-lit LED arrays and a light guide panel. The light guide panel is located above the baseplate. The direct-lit LED array is disposed between the baseplate and the light guide panel. The edge-lit LED arrays are disposed at two sides of the light guide panel and facing light incident surfaces thereof respectively. Light scattering structures for scattering light rays are disposed on a light exiting surface or on a bottom surface of the light guide panel. With the LED arrays and the light scattering structures, the light guide panel is divided into three backlight regions. Displaying of the backlight module is controlled region by region by the light scattering structures and the LED drive circuit to improve the brightness of the backlight module and reduce the power consumption of the liquid crystal module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ruilian Yang
  • Patent number: 8651723
    Abstract: The invention relates to GLS-look-alike LED light source (100) comprising two different types of LEDs (21, 22), preferably LEDs emitting with a near UV spectrum and a blue or white spectrum, respectively. The light source (100) further preferably comprises a transparent bulb (40) with a shape similar to an incandescent lamp that is coated by a luminescent layer (30) to achieve a white lamp spectrum. The luminescent layer may contain one or two luminescent compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Juestel, Jacqueline Merikhi, Henning Ohland, Joachim Opitz, Harald Josef Guenther Radermacher, Detlef Uwe Wiechert
  • Patent number: 8651724
    Abstract: A flat panel display uses pixels (2060) that are turned on or off by the enabling or disabling total internal reflection, TIR, of a light guide (2010). A reflective surface (2070) directs the switched light towards the viewer. An optional mask may be employed to provide extremely high contrast ratios in low and in high ambient lighting conditions. The elements (2080) that enable TIR may be enabled quickly because of their small size and weight, resulting in a very fast switching speed. The fast switching speed allows colors to be generated and displayed in a sequential manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC
    Inventor: Brian E. Richardson
  • Patent number: 8651725
    Abstract: A backlight module provided includes a light source, a first light-guided plate, and a second light-guided plate stacked on the first light-guided plate. The first light-guided plate includes a plate body and an extension disposed on an edge of the plate body and extending towards the second light-guided plate aside a lateral side of the second light-guided plate. The plate body and the extension form a seamless light incident surface. The extension has a reflection surface. The reflection surface connects the light incident surface or the surface of the plate body. The light source is disposed at a light incident surface of the first light-guided plate for projecting light into the light-guided plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Global Lighting Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Jiun-Hau Ie, Tung-Chuan Su, Yu-Jeng Lin
  • Patent number: 8651726
    Abstract: By introducing a stack of alternating high and low index dichroic material layers on the exit surface of a waveguide for a wedge type directional backlight, natural reflectivity differences between polarized components can be increased, effectively reflecting the vast proportion of S-polarized light rays, while at the same time transmitting the P-polarized light rays, of light impacting the exit surface of the waveguide at an angle sufficient to exit the waveguide. This recovers polarization in wedge type backlight systems, increasing illumination exiting the waveguide. Also, on the back reflecting surface of the waveguide, a birefringent material can be added to efficiently transform S-polarized reflected light from the dichroic stack, into returning P-polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8651727
    Abstract: The present invention provides a display apparatus, a backlight module and a holder structure thereof. The display apparatus comprises the backlight module and a display panel. The backlight module comprises a back bezel, at least one light source and two holders. The at least one light source light source is disposed on the back bezel. The holders are disposed at the two opposite sides of the backlight module. Each of the holders comprises two extension holding portions and a panel supporting surface. The extension holding portions are formed at two ends of each of the holders. The panel supporting surface is formed on the holders and the extension holding portions. The present invention can reduce the number of the components and the weight thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ruilian Yang
  • Patent number: 8651728
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lighting master, which includes a base and a lighting module. A region defined between the base and a housing accommodates a power module. The lighting module is disposed over the base. The base has an outer surface to be bonded with an inner surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Chang Wah Electromaterials, Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Kuei Tsai
  • Patent number: 8651729
    Abstract: A turbine vibrator has a housing, an eccentric rotor mounted in an air chamber of the housing and two covers mounted respectively in two mounting recesses of the housing. Two threaded walls defined respectively around the mounting recesses of the housing have same threaded directions. Therefore, the mounting recesses, the air chamber and the other mounting recess are formed sequentially so axes of the mounting recesses and the air chamber are disposed along a same line. Manufacturing processes of the housing is reduced and shearing forces applied to the shafts of the eccentric rotor are reduced so the turbine vibrator has a prolonged useful life. Moreover, as a rotating direction of the eccentric rotor and the fastening directions of the covers are the same, when the turbine vibrator operates, the covers tighten against the housing. The first and second covers do not drop from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Tzu-Chuan Tsai, Chung-Wei Lu, Chao-Kai Cheng
  • Patent number: 8651730
    Abstract: A food mixing unit is equipped with a weighing system having a memory device for storing at least one recipe of foods to be loaded into the mixing unit and at least one weight detecting device to detect the weight of the foods loaded. Foods to be loaded are taken from relative stocking areas and the food weight is controlled by the weight detecting device and based on the food recipe, as foods are loaded into the mixing unit. A plurality of chemical and/or physical parameters is measured for each of the food stored in the relative stocking areas by using of a food analysis tool and the food recipe is modified according to the measured values of chemical and/or physical parameters and rewritten in the memory device of the weighing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dinamica Generale S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alberto Barbi
  • Patent number: 8651731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic mixer for viscose components in particular for the mixing of dental compositions, with a rotor (30) and a housing (2), which has front inlet openings (12, 13) for the components and at least one rear outlet opening (20) and the inner space of which includes a pre-chamber (17) and a main chamber (22), with the pre-chamber (17) opening into the main chamber (22) in a distal, tapering transition section (16). For the precise regulation of the concentration of the components to be mixed of the supplied components even with temporary concentration fluctuations of the same and in order to achieve a high degree of homogenization, it is proposed that the dynamic mixer (1) has at least one individual channel (23a-d) as a passage from the pre-chamber (17) into the main chamber (22), with the width of the individual channel (23a-d) extending over a part of the periphery of the transition section (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sulzer Mixpac AG
    Inventors: Torsten Wintergerste, Hubert Holdener, Percy Leue
  • Patent number: 8651732
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stirring device for activated sludges comprising a hyperboloid stirring body (2) attached to a shaft (1), wherein a plurality of transport ribs (3) are provided on the top (O) of the stirring body (2) running toward the circumferential boundary (UM) thereof, wherein the transport ribs (3) have an oblique course, at least in sections, relative to a radial direction, and wherein an oblique position of the transport ribs (3) is selected such that, when the stirring body (2) rotates in a predetermined rotational direction (R), a flow is generated that is directed radially outward away from the circumferential boundary (UM) of the stirring body (2). In order to improve the efficiency of the stirring device, the invention proposes that at least one propeller (6) be attached to the shaft (1) that, when the stirring body (2) rotates in the rotational direction (R), generates a flow (A) directed toward the top (O) of the stirring body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Invent Umwelt-und Verfahrenstechnik AG
    Inventor: Marcus Hoefken
  • Patent number: 8651733
    Abstract: A timepiece includes: a movement (10) that has a balance wheel/spring assembly (12) having a system for adjusting the operative length of the spring, which is rotatable; a control member (14) that is accessible, by the user, outside the timepiece; a transmission wheel (22) that is rotatably mounted, on the periphery of the movement (10), onto a frame, the movement (10) being placed inside the transmission wheel, the transmission wheel (22) being kinematically connected or connectable to the control member (14) and moreover being kinematically connected to the adjustment system; and a display part (30) that is kinematically connected to the transmission wheel (22) and drives a display member, intended for displaying the adjustment value that is applied to the operative length of the spring. The display part (30) is formed of movable parts that are mounted onto a first separate module, assembled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Paul Hartzband
    Inventor: Andre Saunier
  • Patent number: 8651734
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling a drywell including a receiver having upper and lower ends with the lower end being more insulated than the upper end having a temperature sensor in thermal contact therewith. Upper and lower heating elements are in thermal contact with the upper and lower ends, respectively. A controller includes an integrated circuit having a temperature sensor. A reading from the integrated circuit is used to control power to the upper heating element and reduce a temperature gradient between the upper and lower ends of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Allen Erik Sjogren, Eric Nerdrum
  • Patent number: 8651735
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for determining an inside temperature in a motor vehicle having a climate control device and at least a panel is at least a part of a control part of the climate control device, where the sensor arrangement includes a housing with at least a front wall and a rear wall, the housing is filled with a heat-insulating material, a first temperature sensor attached to a rear of the front wall and a second temperature sensor attached to an inner side of the rear wall, said inner side facing a rear of the front wall, and where the front wall is a part of the panel of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Preh GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Regensburger, Georg Bauer, Andreas Kramlich, Michael Reiser, Claudia Guck
  • Patent number: 8651736
    Abstract: A temperature measurement system includes a temperature probe including a temperature sensor. The system also includes a reader, and a controller in communication with the temperature sensor and the reader. The system further includes a container housing a plurality of probe covers associated with the temperature probe. The container includes an information feature providing information related to the plurality of probe covers. The reader is configured to read the information and direct a signal to the controller indicative of the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Mullin, John A. Lane, Scott A. Martin, Craig M. Meyerson, David E. Quinn, Ray Douglas Stone
  • Patent number: 8651737
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes sensing device embodiments. One sensing device includes a heater layer, a resistance detector layer, constructed and arranged to indicate a temperature value based upon a correlation to a detected resistance value, an electrode layer, and a sensing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Barrett E. Cole, Robert Higashi, Peter Tobias
  • Patent number: 8651738
    Abstract: A high-temperature plug (10) is provided for a heating element and/or thermocouple or a temperature sensor with at least one wire section (18) embedded in an insulating manner within a metal jacket (16) with a wire end (14) led out from the metal jacket (16) on the front side. The high-temperature plug (10) has a connection sleeve (11) made of metal, into which the at least one wire section (18) embedded in an insulating manner within the metal jacket (16) opens. At least one contact element (12) is in electrical contact within the connection sleeve (11) with the wire end (14) led out from the metal jacket (16) on the front side. At least the end section, facing the at least one wire end (14), of the at least one contact element (12) is embedded in an insulating compound (13) or a metal oxide, such that the embedding fixes the contact element (12) in the connection sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Türk & Hillinger GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Schlipf
  • Patent number: 8651739
    Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) for a phosphor storage plate (20), having two openings (14, 44) for inserting the phosphor storage plate (20) into the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) and for withdrawing the phosphor storage plate (20) arranged in the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) from the cassette. Two flaps (18, 48, 54, 80, 84) are also provided for closing the two openings (14, 44). The invention also relates to a system (10) comprising said type of X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) and a reading out device (34) for reading out the phosphor storage plate (20) arranged in the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82). The reading-out device (34) comprises a feeding element (32) for feeding the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) into the device. Said feeding element (32) is designed in such a manner that if the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) is fed into the feeding element with one of its openings (14), the other opening (44) of the X-ray cassette (42, 50, 78, 82) is accessible to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Agfa HealthCare NV
    Inventor: Anton Pirmann
  • Patent number: 8651740
    Abstract: A radiography system is provided. The radiography system includes a radiographic device arranged in a movable manner, a measuring device to measure at least one of external force and torque applied to the radiographic device, and a drive device to move the radiographic device based on a direction and magnitude of the at least one of the force and torque measured by the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-Sang Yang, Woo-Sup Han, Hyun Woong Hwang
  • Patent number: 8651741
    Abstract: A bearing housing of a hydrodynamic foil bearing assembly has an opening for allowing flow of a fluid into the bearing housing. Also included in the a hydrodynamic foil bearing assembly is at least one foil having at least one opening and defining a cylindrical hollow space for receiving a rotating shaft therein. Fluid is supplied from the opening of the bearing housing to a gap between the at least one foil and the rotating shaft through the at least one opening of the at least one foil to form a pressurized fluid film therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Vitaly Malinin
  • Patent number: 8651742
    Abstract: A sliding bearing 1 is formed cylindrically of a pair of half bearings 11 and 12. A dust pocket 4 formed of a recess part is formed in the inner peripheral edges of joining surfaces 11A and 12A of the half bearings 11 and 12, and foreign-substance discharge grooves 5 and 5? are formed in a sliding surface 3 continuing from the dust pocket 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Kondo, Kenji Watanabe, Yukiyasu Taguchi
  • Patent number: 8651743
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to tilting superhard bearing element bearing assemblies and apparatuses. The disclosed assemblies/apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly may include a support ring and a plurality of superhard bearing elements each of which is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the support ring and distributed circumferentially about an axis. Each of the superhard bearing elements includes a bearing surface and a base portion. The base portion of the at least one of the superhard bearing elements may include a tilting feature configured to allow the at least one of the superhard bearing elements to be tiltable about a tilt axis. The bearing assembly includes retaining features that secure the superhard bearing elements to the support ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: S. Barrett Peterson, Craig H. Cooley, Timothy N. Sexton
  • Patent number: 8651744
    Abstract: Provided is a roller bearing device, which is suitable for preventing misdetection of a rotation sensor when a moment load is applied. A thin motor 100 includes a cross roller bearing 14 having an inner ring 14a and an outer ring 14b, a stator 22 supported by the inner ring 14a, a rotor 12 supported by the outer ring 14b, a motor unit 16 that applies rotation torque to the rotor 12, and a resolver 30 that detects a rotation angle position of the rotor 12. The resolver 30, the cross roller bearing 14, and the motor unit 16 are arranged in the recited order from the radially inner side on a radially identical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayao Watanabe, Masaki Kuwahara, Kazuhiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8651745
    Abstract: In an electrical machine having a roller bearing, whose inner ring is seated on the rotor shaft of the electrical machine, whose outer ring is seated in a housing and which is located in a closed area, the roller bearing is intended to be protected against electrical breakdowns. For this purpose, the area contains a liquid on an aqueous basis, whose level overhangs the external contour of the inner ring at its lowest point. The inner ring and the outer ring are therefore conductively connected and the voltage can be equalized between the rotor and the housing of the electrical machine, without any impediment and without breakdowns. In an application as a geared motor, the lubricant for the gearbox is also a liquid on an aqueous basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Mayr, Ferdinand Tangl
  • Patent number: 8651746
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rolling bearing capable of suppressing the generation of retainer noise and abnormal vibration by specifying the circumferential width of axial grooves formed on the guide face of an outer ring guide retainer or an inner ring guide retainer. In a rolling bearing 1 according to the present invention, axial grooves 13 are formed on the outer circumferential face of the outer ring guide type retainer 10 thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Sugita
  • Patent number: 8651747
    Abstract: An auxiliary bearing including a support structure extending at least partially around a circumference of a shaft. A first pedestal may extend in a radially-inward direction from the support structure. First and second beams may extend from opposite sides of the first pedestal in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the shaft. First and second rollers may be operatively coupled to the first and second beams, and the first and second rollers may be configured to engage the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Tecza, William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 8651748
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting bridge to connect two optical units. This connecting bridge is fitted in each case with at least one coupling for each optical unit making possible, besides mechanical coupling, also transmitting electronic signals and/or setting up an electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schmidt & Bender GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christoph Hilmar Graf vom Hagen, Sven Roman Mueller, Werner Schmidt, Alexander Zoellmann
  • Patent number: 8651749
    Abstract: Optical fiber ferrules (10, 20) for making optical or optical and electrical connections are disclosed, along with receptacle and plug fiber optic interface devices (60, 70) using the ferrules, and cable assemblies (6, 7) using the fiber optic interface devices. The optical fiber ferrules support optical pathways (14) and have front ends (12F, 22F) with mating geometries that facilitate a relatively high number of mating/unmating cycles. The ferrule is translatable within the enclosure (62e, 72e). Resilient members (75) provide the ferrule with forward-bias and rear-bias positions when the fiber optic interface device is un-mated and mated, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Paulo Clóvis Dainese Júnior, Michael de Jong, Jeffery Alan DeMeritt, Micah C. Isenhour, Dennis M. Knecht, James P. Luther
  • Patent number: 8651750
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided that communicate over cables and other communications paths that include optical and electrical paths. A cable may include wires for forming an electrical path and one or more optical fibers for forming an optical path. Connectors at one or both ends of the cable may include electrical contacts and an optical coupling structure associated with the optical path. Optical paths may be included in connectors such as tip-ring-sleeve connectors and connectors of other types. Interface circuitry may be included in a connector to convert between optical and electrical signaling schemes. Wavelength-division-multiplexing may be used to support bidirectional communications. Breakout boxes and other equipment may be connected using the cables. Digital signals such as digital noise cancellation signals may be conveyed over the optical paths. Power and other electrical signals may be conveyed over the electrical paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Victor Tiscareno, Jesse L. Dorogusker