Patents Issued in April 8, 2014
  • Patent number: 8689638
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flow sensor comprises a flow cell body with an inlet on one side and an outlet on the other side through which the liquid or gaseous media flows; an inner flow conduit with rough surface which not only decreases the flow transition point from turbulence regime to laminar regime but also suppresses the parasitic multi-mode ultrasonic waves; one pair of electro-ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals; one pair of ultrasonic wave reflecting mirrors for guiding ultrasonic waves from one transducer to the other; and two reflecting mirror support fixtures which set the position and orientation of the ultrasonic wave reflecting mirrors in such a way that their disturbance to the flow inside the inner flow conduit is minimized while the ultrasonic signal strength is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Spire Metering Technology LLC
    Inventor: Chang Shen
  • Patent number: 8689639
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for determining and/or monitoring flow of a measured medium through a measuring tube, which includes at least one piezoelectric element, at least one coupling element and at least one adapting, or matching, layer between the piezoelectric element and coupling element. The adapting, or matching, layer has a thickness smaller than a fourth of an uneven integer multiple of a wavelength of an ultrasonic signal being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Andreas Berger, Michal Bezdek, Frank Wandeler, Achim Wiest
  • Patent number: 8689640
    Abstract: A method and a device for simulating a body that is moved in a translational or rotational manner. The method includes detecting a force that acts on the body or a torque (MW), and assigning a reference mass or a reference moment of inertia (Jsoll) to the body. The force or the torque (Mw) and the reference mass or the reference moment of inertia (Jsoll) are used to determine a reference speed (?soll) for a speed control which controls an actual speed (?ist) using a control transmission function (G(s)), and the reference speed (?soll) is determined by means of a transmission element using a transmission function (P(s)) that is reciprocally proportional to the control transmission function (G(s)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kristl, Seibt & Co. Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Robert Bauer, Wolfgang Ettl, Christian Gritsch, Michael Wastian
  • Patent number: 8689641
    Abstract: A method of determining satellization of a laundry load in a washing machine by filtering a drum motor torque signal to block drum frequencies and pass high frequencies to enable further conditioning of the high frequencies and facilitate efficient and accurate determination of satellization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Janke, Stephen L. Keres, Peter J. Richmond
  • Patent number: 8689642
    Abstract: A torque sensor has an envelope tube, a middle cylinder mounted in the envelope tube, a inner cylinder mounted through the middle cylinder, a resilient element connected to the middle cylinder and the inner cylinder, a first disc and a second disc respectively attached to the inner cylinder and the middle cylinder, and a detection unit detecting a displacement angle of the second disc and the first disc to calculate a torque applied to the inner cylinder. The torque sensor has a simple structure, fast, sensitive and accurate torque sensing ability, and can be used on all kinds of mechanisms that rotate when a force is applied thereon to calculate and quantify amounts of energy and work of the exerciser according to the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Li-Ho Yao, Simon Fan
  • Patent number: 8689643
    Abstract: A shaft arrangement, with a rotatable shaft supported in a rolling bearing, which has rolling elements and an outer race, a torsion sensor having a permanently magnetic ring and at least one magnetic field sensor fastened to a fixed sensor bracket attached to the outer race being provided. A torsion sensor can hereby be integrated in a rotating bearing in a simple design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Grab, Michael Pausch
  • Patent number: 8689644
    Abstract: A detection device for shocks on a part comprises a base intended to be fixed by a lower face onto a surface of the part where the occurrence of a shock is to be detected and comprises one or more detectors fixed at the base and protruding with respect to the base, a detector being deformed in a persistent way with a magnitude equal to or greater than a threshold magnitude when it is subjected to a shock with an energy equal to or greater than a threshold energy. Under the effect of such a shock with energy or greater, a detector is simply deformed or broken such that the visual inspection allows the occurrence of the shock to be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jerome Dubost
  • Patent number: 8689645
    Abstract: A bicycle crank arm is provided with a crank body, a reference member and a sensor. The crank body has a crank axle mounting portion and a pedal mounting portion. The reference member is attached to the crank body. The sensor is attached to at least one of the crank body and the reference member. The sensor is arranged to output a signal based on a distance between the crank body and the reference member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 8689646
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sealed constant force generation system utilizing a spring system comprising a spring system housing unit, spacers, interchangeable spring load rod and conical spring washers, a puller assembly comprising a puller, pivot assembly, seal system and o-ring, a lever arm system, an adjustment system, a load stopper and fulcrum housing unit. A method for applying the sealed constant force generation system on objects or loads experiencing a specific displacement is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Cynthia Kriesmer Carr
  • Patent number: 8689647
    Abstract: A sensing insert device (100) is disclosed for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing insert device (100) can be temporary or permanent. Used intra-operatively, the sensing insert device (100) comprises an insert dock (202) and a sensing module (200). The sensing module (200) is a self-contained encapsulated measurement device having at least one contacting surface that couples to the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing module (200) comprises one or more sensing assemblages, electronic circuitry (307), an antenna (2302), and communication circuitry (320). The sensing assemblages are between a top plate (1502) and a bottom plate (1504) in a sensing platform (121). The sensing assemblages comprise a load disc (2004) and a piezo-resistive sensor (2002) to measure the parameter. An elastic support structure or springs (1108) is coupled between the top plate (1502) and the bottom plate (1504) to prevent cantilevering of a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Orthosensor Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Stein
  • Patent number: 8689648
    Abstract: Provided is an aerosol collector of reduced size having an aerosol inlet, an impactor plate containing several particle size-selecting nozzles therethrough, a replaceable collection layer and a fan having a power supply such as a battery pack, all of which fits a small container, attachable to, e.g., the lapel of the user, means to rotate the fan and move the aerosol through the sampler, so as to draw airborne particles through the inlet and through one or more nozzles, to impact the particles on the layer for analysis of same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Allan Heff
  • Patent number: 8689649
    Abstract: Automated methods and systems for punching out pieces of a porous substrate for biological samples comprising: loading the porous substrate onto a support comprising a die and an opening; moving a receptacle support in at least a z-direction to position a receptacle relative to the support so that an opening in the receptacle is aligned and substantially flush with the opening in the support; actuating a punching head so that the punching head passes through the die, thereby punching a piece out of the porous substrate; and actuating an ejector pin to eject the punched piece from the porous substrate support and into the receptacle aligned with the opening in the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philip Alexander Shoemaker, Weston Blaine Griffin, Erin Jean Finehout
  • Patent number: 8689650
    Abstract: An improved immersible oxygen probe for molten metals has a gas permeable body including an immersion end and a support end adapted for being supported by a lance. An oxygen cell and a thermocouple are supported in the immersion end of the body. An unobstructed gas flow passageway is provided through the gas permeable bodies and through the probe body from the immersion end to the support/connector end whereby gases released from the molten metal and sensor body during immersion readily pass through the probe and can escape from within the probe. Thus rapid analysis of the molten metal with improved accuracy within a few seconds after immersion is achieved. The probe contains a sample mold at least partially positioned in an unconfined portion of the permeable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Heraeus Electro-Nite Co., LLC
    Inventors: Ascencion Z. Villarreal V, Paul A. Turner
  • Patent number: 8689651
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a levelling mechanism having an upwardly directed reference surface adjustably mounted on a frame for supporting the base of liquid sample containers in substantially level orientation. The apparatus further includes a container positioning member having a horizontally extending main body formed with a plurality of substantially vertical container-receiving sockets. These sockets are each open at their bottom ends, so as to allow the bases of liquid sample containers to project therethrough while held within the sockets adjacent their top rims. In this manner, when the container positioning member is placed down upon the levelling mechanism, the bases of the sample containers come to rest in contact with the reference surface. Such action levels the containers to facilitate accurate automated volume measurements of liquid samples within the containers to be taken, which accuracy, in turn, increases the accuracy of automated particle counts subsequently made with the liquid samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Cinrg Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Alistair Geach
  • Patent number: 8689652
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for determining the average surface radius ro and/or the density r of the particles of a nanopowder in a sample levitating in an electropositive plasma with a volume V formed between a first electrode powered by a radiofrequency voltage and a second electrode with a fixed voltage, in particular a ground one, characterized in that: V is the amplitude at the measuring time t of the radiofrequency voltage RF powering the first electrode when the powder is present in the plasma, V is the amplitude of said radiofrequency voltage powering the first electrode in the absence of powder in the plasma, V is the self-polarization voltage of the first electrode at the time t when the powder is present in the plasma, V is the self-polarization voltage of the first electrode in the absence of powder in the plasma, ?AB is the surface variation of the second electrode in the presence of powder at the time t relative to a situation in which powder is absent, and the values of n and K are dete
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universite d'Orleans
    Inventors: Laïfa Boufendi, Gaëtan Wattieaux
  • Patent number: 8689653
    Abstract: A pipeline inspection device, for example a pipeline inspection gauge or pig, is configured for inspecting a pipeline. The pipeline includes a plurality of pipes of varying orientations and a radio frequency identification device (RFID) provided on each pipe. Each RFID contains information indicative of the identity of each respective pipe. The inspection device includes a RF transceiver configured to receive the identity information from each RFID; an inertial navigation unit configured to generate three-space position information indicative of the position of the inspection device in the pipeline; and a processor configured to synchronize the identity information of each RFID with the position information to determine a three-space location of each pipe in the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: William Cogen, Michael Burz
  • Patent number: 8689654
    Abstract: In an hydraulic pressure supply apparatus for a transmission, it is configured to have a first hydraulic control valve supplying signal pressure to a pressure regulation port of a regulator valve that regulates discharged pressure discharged from a hydraulic pump to line pressure; a second hydraulic control valve regulating the line pressure and supply it to a lockup clutch; a connecting section connecting a hydraulic passage connecting the first hydraulic control valve and the pressure regulation port with a hydraulic passage connected to an output port of the second hydraulic control valve; and a selecting mechanism installed at the connecting section to select higher pressure between output pressures of the first and second hydraulic control valves such that the selected one acts on the pressure regulation port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Noriyuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 8689655
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission for a motor vehicle, in particular for a sports car, has several forward speeds and a reverse speed, an input or primary shaft, a first output or secondary shaft for driving a first drive shaft leading to an axle differential, and a second output shaft or tertiary shaft for driving a second drive shaft leading to another axle differential. The first output or secondary shaft and the second output or tertiary shaft carry two meshing fixed gears. The fixed gear on the first output or secondary shaft meshes with an idle gear on the input or primary shaft. In one of the forward speeds the idle gear coupled in a rotationally restrained manner with the input or primary shaft directly drives the fixed gear on the first output or secondary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Diani, Paolo Neri, Fabio Belletti
  • Patent number: 8689656
    Abstract: A shifting device for a gearbox which has at least one sliding sleeve that is placed on a transmission shaft in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner. One idler gear, which is rotationally supported on the transmission shaft, is located at on one side adjacent the sleeve. The sliding sleeve can be axially moved, by an actuating element, from a neutral position into a shifting position toward the idler gear, and upon reaching the shifting position, couples the idler gear with the transmission shaft. The associated actuating elements are arranged in a stationary manner and, upon actuation, engage with at least one shifting groove, provided on an outside diameter of the at least one sliding sleeve and has a curve-shaped path, in the axial direction, so that rotation of the transmission shaft axially shifts the sliding sleeve according to the further path of the shifting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Frank Richter, Reiner Keller
  • Patent number: 8689657
    Abstract: A gearbox transmits rotational movement from a driving member to a driven member. The gearbox includes a pinion gear disposed inside a housing. The gear defines an axial bore and rotates in response to rotation of the driving member. An output member extends through the axial bore and engages therewith such that the output member rotates in response to rotation of the gear. The output member extends to a position outside the housing to rotate the driven member. A clamping nut is threadably coupled to the output member and abuts the gear thereby retaining the output member and the gear together. A bearing is disposed radially between the gear and the housing. The bearing rotatably supports the gear and the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: McLaren Performance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M Adler, Dennis Cook
  • Patent number: 8689658
    Abstract: A shift drum drive system for a transmission includes a drive member and a power transmission device configured to transmit the rotational power of the drive member to a shift drum. The drive member and at least a part of the power transmission device being disposed on a lateral side of a crankcase on the side of one end in the axial direction of the shift drum, to reduce the area occupied by the shift drum drive system inclusive of the drive member on a lateral side of the crankcase on the side of one end in the axial direction of the shift drum, and thereby to contrive a reduction in engine size. The drive member and the shift drum are disposed so as to at least partly overlap with each other when viewed along the axial direction of the shift drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogasawara, Yasushi Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8689659
    Abstract: A steering column for a motor vehicle includes a first and a second part, which in the event of a vehicle crash can be displaced relative to each other in a displacement direction. At least one absorption element acts between the two parts for absorbing energy during the mutual displacement of the two parts, and at least one shift unit, which includes a shift component that can be shifted between a passive and an active shift position. The amount of the energy absorbed during the mutual displacement of the two parts differs in the passive and the active shift position of the shift component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rony Schnitzer, Simon Blättler, Mathias Senn, Martin Rohr, Hansjörg Sulser
  • Patent number: 8689660
    Abstract: A steering device provides a driver operation feeling that lets the driver definitely feel that a movable tilt lock gear and a fixed tilt lock gear are securely engaged. Gear noise in tilt adjustment when the movable tilt lock gear and the fixed tilt lock gear are engaged halfway is prevented. As the control force of an operating lever is rapidly decreased when a fitting protrusion is fitted to a stepped part, a click and click stop feeling occur and a definite operation feeling that the clamping is securely performed is acquired. As the fitting protrusion is integrated with the operating lever and a sliding surface configured by a groove, an inclined face and the stepped part are also formed as an outside face of the fixed tilt lock gear, the number of parts and man-hours for assembly can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Okada
  • Patent number: 8689661
    Abstract: A curled variable radius lever comprises a lever arm 2 of variable effective length that curls and uncurls about a drive axis. In a preferred arrangement the lever assembly has a plurality of rigid blocks 3 articulated together by a chain 4 with link pivots 5 which are affixed to respective blocks 3. Each block 3 has a pair of facing walls 11 and a pair of facing mutually inclined sloping walls 12 which abut when the lever arm 2 is in a curled condition. The lever arm 2 is pulled into the curled condition by a coiled tension spring 13 and restrained in this position by a magnet 9. When it is uncurled the walls 11 abut. The chain 4 then prevents the arm 2 from bending further when a driving force is applied by users to a handle 6. The lever may be used with socket sets, yacht winch, fishing rod reel, a bicycle crank or a jack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Malory Maltby
  • Patent number: 8689662
    Abstract: A bottom bracket assembly (1) of a bicycle is disclosed. The bottom bracket assembly includes a shaft (2) extending along a predetermined longitudinal direction and a pair of bearings (31, 41) adapted to rotatably support the shaft (2) with respect to a housing box (10) provided in a bicycle frame, the bearings (31, 41) being mounted on the shaft (2) at opposite end portions (3, 4) of the shaft (2). The opposite end portions (3, 4) of the shaft (2) have an outer diameter (D2) between 28 mm and 37 mm, bounds being included, and the distance (D1) between the median planes (Y1, Y2) of the bearings (31, 41) along the longitudinal direction is between 80 mm and 100 mm, bounds being included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.R.L.
    Inventors: Paolo Pasqua, Vittorio Babini
  • Patent number: 8689663
    Abstract: An anti-theft bicycle pedal is disclosed. The mounting end of the pedal is shaped with polygonal faces and/or splines to match an opening on the crank so that when the mounting end of the pedal axle is inserted into the matching opening and locked into place, the pedal cannot be removed without an unlocking agent. With an unlocking agent, the pedal is easily removed without tools. The pedal can be reversibly mounted on the crank so that the bicycle cannot be pedaled away, or so that the pedal can be stowed during transport or storage. The pedal cannot rotate in the crank as a result of polygonal faces and/or splines on the mounting end that resist rotation. A physical stop can be used to control the symmetry of insertion into the opening which facilitates reversible mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Geoffrey Paul Weber
  • Patent number: 8689664
    Abstract: A backhoe loader includes a multi-axis transmission that includes: an input shaft to which power is inputted; a front output shaft coupled to a front wheel; a rear output shaft disposed in a position higher than that of the front output shaft and coupled to a rear wheel; an intermediate shaft disposed between the input shaft and the front output shaft; a first power transmission mechanism configured to transmit power from the input shaft to the intermediate shaft; and a second power transmission mechanism configured to transmit power from the intermediate shaft to the front output shaft and to transmit power from the front output shaft to the rear output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takeshima, Yoshito Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8689665
    Abstract: An emergency braking system for a machine tool for abruptly braking a revolving shaft includes at least one brake drum and at least one brake shoe which are engaged with one another in order to brake the shaft. The braking intervention between the brake drum and the brake shoe takes place under the influence of a centrifugal force resulting from the rotation of a shaft as soon as a locking device is released. Also provided in the braking system is a diagnostic system which allows the functionality of the locking device to be checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Winkler
  • Patent number: 8689666
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a drive link for a saw chain including a body portion adapted to couple to adjacent side links and a tang extending from the body and sized to engage a guide bar groove. The tang may include a through hole extending from a first tang side to a second tang side and including a through hole center. In various embodiments, a material directing feature may be disposed adjacent to the through hole on at least one of the first side and second side of the tang. The material directing feature may include a recession in the tang which encourages oil and/or wood chips to pass through the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Goettel, Scott Ferguson
  • Patent number: 8689667
    Abstract: A reciprocating saw blade for use with a reciprocating saw includes a body defining a longitudinal axis, an attachment portion configured to couple to the reciprocating saw, and a cutting portion formed on the body. The cutting portion includes a plurality of cutting teeth. Each cutting tooth includes a tip, a rake face extending from the tip generally toward the longitudinal axis and defining a gullet, and a relief surface extending from the tip. The blade also includes a plunge point formed on the body for initiating a plunge cut. The plunge point includes a leading tooth and a second tooth. The leading tooth includes a tip and a rake face extending from the tip generally toward the longitudinal axis and defining a leading gullet. The second tooth is positioned in the leading gullet adjacent the leading tooth and is generally smaller than the leading tooth and each cutting tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Butzen, Austin J. Kazda, Andrew J. Schulz
  • Patent number: 8689668
    Abstract: An automatic crimping tool may be used to seat and crimp a projectile in a cartridge case. The tool may include a center sleeve having a blind bore at one end, an outer surface, a spring stop disposed on the outer surface, and at least one opening extending through a wall of the blind bore. The tool may include an outer sleeve having a through bore. The center sleeve may be reciprocably disposed in the through bore of the outer sleeve. The through bore may include a counter bore at one end and an enlarged portion located distal from the counter bore. A spring may be disposed between a flat portion of the counter bore and the spring stop. A retainer may bear against the spring stop to limit axial motion of the center sleeve. An inner sleeve may be disposed in the blind bore. The inner sleeve may be selectively translatable with the center sleeve. A second spring may be disposed between a closed end of the blind bore and the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Aaron Rider, Taylor Hale
  • Patent number: 8689669
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for production preformed fabrication casing or associated parts intended to generate fragments initiated by the explosive of contained warhead charges. Molded parts having fragmentation bodies (4, 21, 34) embedded therein are produced by a two-stage powder compaction method followed by sintering together the compacted powder metal. The method described in the present invention defines how in an initial stage the fragmentation bodies (4, 21, 34) are fixed in position using a fixture (2) after which the bodies are covered with powder metal that is then compacted until the powder forms a single molded part (2) after which the fixture is replaced with a secondary quantity of powder that is also compacted to form a self-supporting unit (12) together with the first quantity of powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bofors Defence AB
    Inventors: Torsten Rönn, Hans-Gunnar Larsson
  • Patent number: 8689670
    Abstract: A composite material comprising a plurality of fiber tape strips woven or braided together. Each of the plurality of fiber tape strips is made of a single layer of unidirectional fibers. The fibers are at least partially embedded in a thermoplastic matrix. A tubular composite part is made from this composite material and of an internal film. A method of manufacturing the composite material comprises weaving or braiding the fiber tape strips, especially in the form of a tube. A method of manufacturing a composite part comprises pressurizing the film inside the tube while heating both the tube and the film up to their forming temperature so as to bond the film to the woven fiber tape strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hutchinson Aerospace & Industry Limited
    Inventor: Martin Levesque
  • Patent number: 8689671
    Abstract: An article of armor includes a friction material operative to prevent penetration of a ballistic projectile. The armor is also operative to prevent penetration of a plurality of ballistic projectiles at a single point of impact. The armor may include a backing, or a facing, or may comprise an intermediate layer between a backing and facing in any combination. The armor of the invention applied directly to or attached to an article to be armored so as to cover all or any portion of the article. The backing and facing may include a friction material or a non-friction material. The friction material is a composite of a resin binder agent, a fibrous support structure, a friction modifier system, and a wear system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Hummel, David J. Kraft, Terry L. Shirley, William F. Brown, Ray K. Orndorff
  • Patent number: 8689672
    Abstract: A convertible gas piston conversion system for the AR-15, AR-10, or their variant rifle platforms is provided to convert the platform from a direct impingement gas system to a piston driven operating system. The conversion system includes a gas block having a barrel bore and two piston cylinder bores one on either side of the gas block. One of the piston cylinder bores is for utilization of the AR-15 rifle and the other of the piston cylinder bores is for utilization of the AR-10 rifle, making this piston system convertible for either the AR-15, AR-10, or any of their variant rifle platforms. A piston cylinder is inserted into the gas block via the piston cylinder bore and a piston is actuated inside the piston cylinder to cycle the rifle. A connecting link is coupled between the piston and an op-rod making the gas systems length adjustable by simply replacing the connecting link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Charles Blue Cassels
  • Patent number: 8689673
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for converting energy from a stream of compressed gas into mechanical work as systems incorporating such methods and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Andrew C. Berkun
  • Patent number: 8689674
    Abstract: A reciprocator restraint assembly for a Z-crank axial piston machine is described. The assembly includes two gimbal arms each linked together at gimbal link joint that intersect at a point T. Point T lying in a medial plane M being defined as the plane passing through the point of coincidence of the crank and crankshaft axes to which the line that bisects the crank angle is normal. Each of the gimbal arms is pivotally mounted at an identical distance L from point T. A cylinder gimbal is pivotally mounted from the cylinder cluster and a reciprocator gimbal is pivotally mounted from the reciprocator. The reciprocator gimbal pivot axis is equidistant from point X and T as is the cylinder gimbal pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Duke Engines Limited
    Inventors: Noel Stephen Duke, Robert Gulliver Lynn
  • Patent number: 8689675
    Abstract: Field adjustable piston actuators are described. An example field adjustable piston actuator includes a housing having opposing openings and a chamber. Additionally, the example piston actuator includes a first plate coupled to the housing and adjacent one of the opposing openings. Further, the example piston actuator includes a second plate coupled to a yoke and the housing. The second plate is adjacent the other one of the opposing openings. Further still, the piston actuator includes a volume adjuster to provide field adjustment to change a volume of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventor: Michael W. McCarty
  • Patent number: 8689676
    Abstract: A piston-combination comprising an elongate chamber bounded by an inner chamber wall, and comprising a piston sealingly movable in the chamber relative to the chamber wall at least between a first and a second longitudinal position of the chamber, said chamber having cross-sections of different cross-sectional areas at the first and second longitudinal positions, and at least substantially continuously differing cross-sectional areas at intermediate longitudinal positions between the first and second longitudinal positions, the cross-sectional area at said second longitudinal position being smaller than the cross-sectional area at the first longitudinal position, said piston changing dimensions and having different cross-sectional areas thereby adapting to different cross-sectional areas of the chamber during the relative movements of the piston between the first and second longitudinal positions through said intermediate longitudinal positions of the chamber, said combination engaging a rigid surface and bei
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NVB Composites International a/s
    Inventor: Nicolaas Van der Blom
  • Patent number: 8689677
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser comprises a diluent delivery system, concentrate delivery system, mixing and dispensing system, and control system. The concentrate delivery system employs a positive displacement pump. The control system receives package-specific information from a scanner and diluent flow rate information from the flowmeter, and then determines the pump speed in order to set a desired mix ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Minard, Mark E. Bush
  • Patent number: 8689678
    Abstract: A device for the non-deleterious, passive aging of wine wherein the interior of the semi-permeable wall of the aging container, which provides the interface between the wine and the atmosphere, has a substantially larger interface area per unit volume of wine than does that of the prior art device. The device employs a polyhedron shaped aging container or vessel having a volumetric capacity of greater than 30 gallons; and, a relationship (ratio) of the interior surface area of the container to the volume of the container from 0.33 square inches to 1.0 cubic inch to 4.0 square inches to 1.0 cubic inch. In one advantageous embodiment, the container is a rectangular hexahedron. In another advantageous embodiment, the container is a trapezoidal hexahedron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Robert H. Eustis
  • Patent number: 8689679
    Abstract: An automatic cooking medium level control system for a cooking apparatus, e.g., a fryer, may include a cooking vessel having a first temperature sensor at a first level of the cooking vessel and a second temperature sensor at a second level of the cooking vessel. A reservoir holding a cooking medium, such as cooking oil, may be in fluid communication with the cooking vessel. A controller may monitor temperature data from the first and second temperature sensors to determine whether the level of cooking oil in the cooking vessel has lowered. Upon determining that the cooking oil level has lowered, the controller may actuate a supply mechanism, such as a pump, which may be disposed on a fluid communication path between the reservoir and cooking vessel, which may enable the introduction of cooking medium from the reservoir to the to the cooking vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Tiszai, Robert T. Wood, Robert W. Stirling, Gary L. Mercer, Douglas A. Burkett, Tim A. Landwehr
  • Patent number: 8689680
    Abstract: An eco green cookware is provided, having a double-layered wall structure and comprising a heat transfer medium within a cavity of the double-layered wall structure. The eco green cookware comprises: a container comprising an inner shell and an outer shell, wherein upper parts of the inner shell and outer shell are rolled a number of times together to form a rolled joint, an upper part of the inner shell is provided with a concave member, a heat transfer medium is provided within said cavity, a first heat transfer member is inserted and installed at the bottom portion of said cavity, and a second heat transfer member is affixed to the bottom surface of the first heat transfer member; an inner cover comprising an inner peripheral portion in the form of an inverted “L” whose inside bend forms a round portion; an outer cover; and pressure release devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Jong Peter Park
  • Patent number: 8689681
    Abstract: A dual-purpose urn-shaped clay oven is traditionally configured for baking flatbread on the inner sidewalls thereof. To increase its utility in a commercial bakery, a removable tray system is provided allowing using the oven for baking conventional bread products. The tray system includes a number of frame segments extending radially from a common vertical axis and rotatably supported below the oven cover. The oven cover has a door to partially access the oven and allow rising of one frame segment at a time from the oven to replace the bread products with unbaked dough. Each frame segment supports a number of vertically stacked baking trays configured for holding bread while baking. Also described is a conversion kit to adapt an existing oven for dual-purpose use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Vladimir Nozadze
  • Patent number: 8689682
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating materials of different flowability that are mixed together, comprising a housing having side walls, a hollow drum driven rotationally and mounted on the side walls and having a perforated peripheral surface M, an endless compression belt that can be pressed against the peripheral surface M from the outside, wrapping around a portion of the circumference of the hollow drum, a product intake wedge for feeding a product flow, a supporting apparatus for the compression belt having at least one support element disposed on the side of the compression belt opposite the hollow drum, and a stripping means for stripping off the compressed material from the hollow drum, which is distinguished in that the stripping means is disposed in the area of the product intake wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nordischermaschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rose, Theo-Martin Schaarschmidt, Christian Denker
  • Patent number: 8689683
    Abstract: A door opening assembly of a bale press including a first arm member having a first end and a second end hingedly coupled at the first end to a first door. The door opening assembly also includes a second arm member having a first end and a second end hingedly coupled at the first end to a second door. An actuator is coupled to the second end of the first arm member and the second end of the second arm member to cause the first arm member to displace the first door and the second arm member to hold the second door from being displaced. A further feature includes a door closing system involve a guide member and a guide receptacle for moving a latch gate to close the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: H.W.J. Designs for Agribusiness, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley P. Actis
  • Patent number: 8689684
    Abstract: A strap loading assembly for a strapping machine provides a feed path for the strap material. The loading assembly includes a first rail and a second rail movable between a deployed position and a stowed position. The second rail, when in the deployed position, confronts the first rail and defines a strap guide with the first rail. The second rail, when in the stowed position opens the strap guide. A link operably connects the first and second rails. Strap material in the strap guide, when in tension, exerts a force on the first rail to move the link which moves the second rail from the deployed position to the stowed position. A strapping machine with a strap loading assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Haberstroh, Andrew J. Nyckowski
  • Patent number: 8689685
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a dough pressing system includes a cover coupled to a pressing platen, wherein the cover can reduce the wear caused to the pressing platen by the heat and pressure used to process one or more products. The cover optionally can be configured to be removably attached to the pressing platen with vacuum pressure. In some implementations, one or more spacers are placed between the cover and the pressing platen. The thickness of the spacers can adjust the thickness and diameter of products processed by the pressing platen. For example, to increase uniformity among products pressed together in a press cycle, the spacers can have different thicknesses that correspond with the location of the spacer in the pattern of dough balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Eric C. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8689686
    Abstract: A screen printing device is disclosed. The screen printing device includes a screen printer workstation having a work path. The work path has an input end, an output end, and a conveyor for transporting a workpiece between the input end and the output end. A stencil assembly is adapted to engage the workpiece as the workpiece is transported between the input end and the output end. The stencil assembly includes a stencil having an endless loop. A method of applying a substance to a workpiece using an endless loop stencil is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Charles Moncavage
  • Patent number: 8689687
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for manufacturing electronic devices using a roll-to-roll rotary pressing process, comprising a winding roll around which flexible printing paper is wound; a plurality of printing units arranged in a straight line; at least one coating unit; a rewinding roll to rewind the printing paper when printing has been completed; a plurality of guide rolls arranged between the winding roll and the rewinding roll, thus guiding the printing paper; a plurality of drying units, each drying unit being provided on a printing paper-path between the printing unit and the adjacent guide roll to dry ink transferred to the printing paper or on a printing paper-path between the coating unit and the adjacent guide roll to dry the printing paper on which coating agent is supplied; and tension regulating units installed around the winding roll and the rewinding roll, respectively, for regulating tension of the printing paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Byung-Oh Choi, Byung-Soon Ryu, Kyu-Jin Lim, Kwang-Young Kim, Dong-Soo Kim, So-Nam Yun, Young-Bog Ham, Taik-Min Lee, Jeong-Dai Jo, Hyun-Eui Lim, Chan-Su Yoo