Patents Issued in December 2, 2014
  • Patent number: 8899070
    Abstract: A method for preventing condensation on a surface of a domestic refrigeration device and a corresponding domestic refrigeration device having a refrigerated chamber, a refrigerant line, and a refrigerant circulation system structured to transfer heat energy from the refrigerated chamber into the refrigerant circulation system via the refrigerant line. The refrigerant line may include a heat-emitting section in heat-conducting contact with a trim strip of the refrigeration device running below the refrigerated chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Eckartsberg, Michael Kordon
  • Patent number: 8899071
    Abstract: A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and an internal, substantially rigid molded plastic receptacle mounted therein. It has a cover structure that includes a reinforcement member for engaging a land region of the molded receptacle, thereby tending to yield an interface tending to have a sealing relationship. Both the receptacle and the engaging seal member of the lid may be outwardly splayed. The container may also include a thermal storage element, and the container may have an accommodation for receiving the thermal storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: California Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin S. Mogil, Mark J. Greenstein, Michael Ramundi, Andrius S. Birutis
  • Patent number: 8899072
    Abstract: An adapter for mounting an icemaker on top of an ice bin of an ice and beverage dispenser has a lid mounted for both sliding movement and pivotal movement relative to the remainder of the adapter. The lid normally covers an inlet to the ice bin. To expose the ice bin inlet for visually inspection of the interior of the bin and/or to accommodate manual filling of the bin with ice, the lid is manually slid forward off of and then be rotated away from the bin inlet to fully expose the inlet. The lid at all times remains connected to the adapter so that it is not lost or exposed to unsanitary conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaji Kulangara Veettil, Nishant Kulkarni, Douglas Anderson
  • Patent number: 8899073
    Abstract: A refrigerant storage device that arranges two end plates to form a cavity and includes a turbulator plate within the cavity. The turbulator plate is arranged within the cavity to reinforce the cavity by providing a plurality of reinforcement portions between the end plates. The cavity is sized and the turbulator plate is configured so a liquid portion of refrigerant flowing through the cavity collects onto the turbulator plate. The device has a rectangular shape that simplifies vehicle packaging and allows the device to be readily integrated into a plate-type refrigerant-to-liquid coolant heat exchanger. The device is formed by a stacking arrangement of parts that provides for a readily scalable design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Scott Vreeland, Frederick Vincent Oddi
  • Patent number: 8899074
    Abstract: A method of natural gas liquefaction may include cooling a gaseous NG process stream to form a liquid NG process stream. The method may further include directing the first tail gas stream out of a plant at a first pressure and directing a second tail gas stream out of the plant at a second pressure. An additional method of natural gas liquefaction may include separating CO2 from a liquid NG process stream and processing the CO2 to provide a CO2 product stream. Another method of natural gas liquefaction may include combining a marginal gaseous NG process stream with a secondary substantially pure NG stream to provide an improved gaseous NG process stream. Additionally, a NG liquefaction plant may include a first tail gas outlet, and at least a second tail gas outlet, the at least a second tail gas outlet separate from the first tail gas outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce M. Wilding, Terry D. Turner
  • Patent number: 8899075
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating air in which an argon refining column of a distillation column system is reboiled with a liquid air stream. The argon refining column further refines crude argon produced by a crude argon column connected to a lower pressure column of the distillation column system. At least one intermediate reflux stream is formed, at least indirectly, from at least part of the liquid air stream, and is introduced into the lower pressure column at a level thereof above where a crude liquid oxygen column bottoms of a higher pressure column of such system is further refined to increase a liquid to vapor ratio below said level and therefore, argon recovery from the argon refining column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Edward Howard
  • Patent number: 8899076
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas treatment device that can efficiently regulate the temperature of a gas without being affected by load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeda, Yosuke Nakagawa, Tomoaki Takeda, Yasushi Mori
  • Patent number: 8899077
    Abstract: A surface treatment for a glass substrate includes at least following steps: the glass substrate is provided; a fastening device is provided, the fastening device defines a receiving groove corresponding to the glass substrate; the glass substrate is positioned in the receiving groove, and the fastening device is heated to achieve a softened glass substrate; a insert is provided; and the insert is hot pressed and inserted to the softened glass substrate. An article manufactured by the surface treatment method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Ren-Bo Wang, Chao-Sheng Huang
  • Patent number: 8899078
    Abstract: A stabilizing system is described herein that reinforces a bowed profile of a downward moving glass sheet which helps to reduce the creation of stress within the glass sheet. In another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also form a rigid zone within the glass sheet which blocks or dampens any disturbances (motion) to the glass sheet that is caused by the scoring and separating of the glass sheet from transferring up the glass sheet. In yet another embodiment, the stabilizing system can also flatten the glass sheet before the scoring and separating of the glass sheet which is desirable because it enables a laser scoring mechanism to cut the glass sheet with the required edge straightness and avoids having to perform another precision cutting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Naiyue Zhou, Wei Xu
  • Patent number: 8899079
    Abstract: A knitting machine includes a take-down assembly that includes a first take-down roller and a second take-down roller. The first take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a first portion of a knit component. The second take-down roller is configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to a second portion of the knit component. The knitting machine further includes a first actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the first take-down roller on the first portion of the knit component. Furthermore, the knitting machine includes a second actuator that actuates to selectively adjust tension applied by the second take-down roller on the second portion of the knit component. Additionally, the knitting machine includes a controller that is operably coupled to the first actuator and the second actuator to selectively and independently control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Meir, Daniel A. Podhajny
  • Patent number: 8899080
    Abstract: A system for securing an item is disclosed. The system may include a length of flexible cable, a connector, and a lock. The connector may selectively connect a first portion of the cable and a second portion of the cable to form a loop in the cable. The connector may comprise a base comprising a first aperture containing the first portion of the cable and a corner. The connector may further comprise a blocker. The blocker may occupy a blocking position wherein the blocker cooperates with the base to maintain the second portion bent around the corner. The lock may selectively secure the blocker with respect to the base and maintain the blocker in the blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Jay S Derman
  • Patent number: 8899081
    Abstract: An electromechanical lock, and its operation method are disclosed. The method includes: generating electric power from mechanical power by an electric generator; reading data from an external source with the electric power; matching the data against a predetermined criterion with the electric power; powering the electric generator by the electric power; and setting the lock mechanically from a locked state to a mechanically openable state by the electric generator, provided that the data matches the predetermined criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: iLoq Oy
    Inventors: Mika Pukari, Toivo Pääkkönen, Petteri Karjalainen, Jyrki Kananen, Mauri Arvola
  • Patent number: 8899082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closing device which comprises a stationary part (2) and a pant (3) which is displacably mounted thereon. Tumblers (Z1-Z5) are arranged by means of a key (19) in order to release the displaceable part (3). Said tumblers (Z1-Z5) are maintained in a locking position by means of the locking element (14, 27, 33). The locking element (14, 27, 33) can be adjusted by means of a drive (13, 23, 30) in order to release the tumblers (Z1-Z5), which can be controlled via an electronic control device (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Assa Abloy (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Ernst Keller
  • Patent number: 8899083
    Abstract: A lock (100) is described, comprising: a body (1) suitable for defining a housing (2) having a main development direction (D) along a direction of insertion (I) of the key; a first rotor (30) suitable for being rotationally housed inside said housing (2) of such a body (1) around the main development direction (D) of such a body (1), said first rotor (30) being suitable for defining a further housing to receive a second rotor (40) that can rotate inside said first rotor (30) around the main development direction (D) of such a body (1). The lock (100) is characterized in that said second rotor (40) can be rotated by the key between a position of disengagement and a position of engagement with said first rotor (30), in said position of engagement said first rotor (30) and said second rotor (40) being suitable for translating as a unit along the main development direction (D) of the body (1) to reach a position in which the lock (100) is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Federico Dagnino
  • Patent number: 8899084
    Abstract: A method of welding two workpieces together is described. A conductor in electrical communication with a pulse circuit is provided. A portion of the second workpiece is located adjacent the conductor. The two workpieces are also located together. A portion, or all, of one workpiece is welded to the other by applying a pulse current to one of the workpieces. A method of forming a workpiece is disclosed using a pulse current to move the workpiece into a desired shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Boris A. Yablochnikov, Eve S. Steigerwalt, Tom O'Neil, Jack A. Kummerow
  • Patent number: 8899085
    Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing a metal vessel may include providing a preform formed of a work hardened metal that includes an open portion, a closed end portion, and body portion. The body portion of the preform may be preheated in a manner that limits heat being applied to the open portion and closed end portion of the preform. The preheated preform may be blow molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: John Adams, Rajesh Gopalaswamy
  • Patent number: 8899086
    Abstract: A pre-rounding element (14) is used in a rounding apparatus (4) for rounding can body blanks from sheet metal blanks. The lower element part (22) of the pre-rounding element (14) is displaceable by an actuation element (23). This allows the adjustment of the pre-rounding element even during operation of the rounding apparatus. Preferably a measurement of sheet metal blank properties takes place. The measurement may include a thickness measurement and/or a strength measurement of blanks. The pre-rounding element is controlled in dependency of the measurement result. This allows a constant rounding result even with varying sheet metal properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Soudronic AG
    Inventors: Guy Boissin, Oliver Schulthess
  • Patent number: 8899087
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method which enables a steel wire to be highly strengthened with maintaining good ductility. Specifically, the present invention provides a method comprising: subjecting a high carbon steel wire material having carbon content of 0.85 to 1.10 mass % to a pre-stage drawing process with a predetermined magnitude of drawing, to form an intermediate wire material; subjecting the intermediate wire material formed by the pre-stage drawing process to a patenting treatment in which tensile strength of the wire material is adjusted to a range of 1323 to 1666 MPa; then subjecting the patented steel wire material to a subsequent drawing process including the final drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Kaneda
  • Patent number: 8899088
    Abstract: A pipe homing tool includes a plurality of clamps each having a clamp cavity, a chain extending through the clamp cavity of each of the plurality of clamps and a binder engaging the chain and adapted to selectively shorten and lengthen the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Marc Hazen
  • Patent number: 8899089
    Abstract: An apparatus to produce a self-piercing and clinch nut includes a first forging die assembly, a second forging die assembly, a third forging die assembly, a transfer mechanism, and a controller. The first forging die assembly is configured to subject a blank to first processing. The second forging die assembly is adjacent to the first forging die assembly and configured to subject the blank to second processing after the blank has undergone the first processing in the first forging die assembly. The third forging die assembly is adjacent to the second forging die assembly and configured to subject the blank to third processing after the blank has undergone the second processing in the second forging die assembly. The controller is configured to control the first forging die assembly, the second forging die assembly, the third forging die assembly, and the transfer mechanism to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Shinjo Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Shinjo
  • Patent number: 8899090
    Abstract: A cage having a plurality of cutouts for receiving rolling bodies of a joint includes a quenched and tempered steel, and the entire cage has a substantially uniform ductility over its cross section without surface hardening. The cage may be produced by forming a closed base body, cutting out a plurality of cutouts, fully hardening the cage by heating and subsequently quenching the cage, and tempering the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Driveline International GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Cremerius, Rainer Adolfs
  • Patent number: 8899091
    Abstract: A method of production for a 2-piece “Combo” style closure (1?), having a disk (10?) constrained within a peripheral ring (20?). The “combo” style closure (1?) is produced from a conventional one-piece closure shell (1) by cutting the sidewall (20) in the vicinity of the top plate (10) to produce the ring (20?) and disc (10?) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Ramsey, Paul Dunwoody
  • Patent number: 8899092
    Abstract: A bending apparatus for corrugating a sheet-like material can comprise a support member, a feed mechanism, a bending member, a hold-down member, and a driving mechanism. The support member can comprise a support surface with corrugations. The feed mechanism can be configured to feed the support member in increments of one pitch of the support member corrugations. The bending member can be configured to reciprocate between a retracted position and an actuated position mating with a corrugation on the support surface so material laying on the support surface is bent along the support member corrugation. The hold-down member can be configured to be reciprocated between a retracted position and an actuated position holding the material against the support surface. The drive mechanism can be configured to sequentially reciprocate the bending member and the hold-down member so the hold-down member presses down the material and the bending member bends the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Kensuke Oguri, Tsuyoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8899093
    Abstract: A drawing support for a metal sheet drawing machine. In one implementation the drawing support is constructed of a plurality of plates positioned in series one after the other and coupled together so that at least a portion of the plurality of plates are compressed one against the other. In one implementation each of the plurality of plates has a window through which metal sheet to be drawn may pass, and a holder for holding the metal sheet when it is drawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fagor, S. Coop
    Inventors: Eduardo Beltrán de Nanclares Echezarreta, David Chico García, Oscar González Mora, Daniel García Cheuca
  • Patent number: 8899094
    Abstract: The present invention is typically embodied as a method for studying ballistic resistance of one or more steel materials. A projectile is caused to strike groups of steel samples made of the same steel material, and the ballistic limit V50 of each steel material is determined. Prior to the V50 testing, a sample of each steel material is metallographically imaged so as to reveal austenitic bodies therein. The austenitic volume fraction of a sample of each steel material is measured via VSM at least once prior to the V50 testing and at least once subsequent to the V50 testing. Subsequent to the V50 testing, a microhardness distribution is mapped characterizing a sample of each steel material in the vicinity of the ballistic crater. The empirical results are assessed in light of the inventively discovered mechanism of plasticity of the steel that is ballistically induced in relation to austenite-to-martensite transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Xian Jie Zhang
  • Patent number: 8899095
    Abstract: An olfactometer is disclosed. Such an olfactometer may include a control unit, an odor box, and a nose piece in communication with the odor box. The control unit may include a reservoir, and a compressor for supplying pressurized air to the reservoir. The odor box may include at least one compressed air actuated valve, and at least one odor canister in communication with the valve. A compressed air flow and a breathable air flow are both released from the reservoir and directed to the valve. The compressed air flow actuates the valve to thereby direct the breathable air to the odor canister to odorize the breathable air. The odorized breathable air is then directed to the nose piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Monell Chemical Senses Center
    Inventors: Johan Nils Lundstrom, Amy Russell Gordon
  • Patent number: 8899096
    Abstract: A cover, sample tray and base may form a hydrogen storage engineering properties analyzer. In at least one embodiment, the sample tray includes a plurality of cooling fins, each of which includes a sample well therein. A variety of hydrogen storage materials may be loaded into and unloaded from each sample well by way of a respective sample well opening. The combined cover and sample tray define at least one plenum which may be in fluid communication between a source of pressurized hydrogen gas and each sample well. The cooling fins may be received by a cooling chamber defined within the base and configured to receive a through-flow of heat-exchange fluid. Certain embodiments may include one or more pressure transducers in fluid communication between the plenum and hydrogen source, and thermal transducers connected to portions of the cooling fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Robert Del Zio, Jun Yang, Andrea Pulskamp, Shinichi Hirano, Donald J. Siegel
  • Patent number: 8899097
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of airborne impurities in confined spaces are disclosed. In one embodiment, a detection system to detect impurities in a confined chamber comprises an emitter to emit radiation, at least one channel positioned proximate the emitter to receive radiation from the emitter at a first end of the channel, and a receiver positioned proximate a second end of the channel to receive radiation from the emitter, and generate a first signal in response to the radiation received from the emitter. Other embodiments may be described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Tateh Wu
  • Patent number: 8899098
    Abstract: A semiconductor gas sensor is provided that has a gas-sensitive gate electrode separated by a gap from a channel region and is embodied as a suspended gate field effect transistor or the gate electrode is arranged as a first plate of a capacitor with gap and a second plate of the capacitor is connected to a gate of the field effect transistor embodied as capacitively controlled and the gate electrode has a conductive carrier layer with a bearing adhesion promoter layer and a gas-sensitive layer bearing on the adhesion promoter layer, wherein the gate electrode as a gas-sensitive layer has a platinum/gold alloy with a gold proportion in a range of 1% to 20% and a polymer layer with a thickness of less than 100 nm is embodied on the surface of the platinum/gold alloy and the gap is filled with an oxygen-free gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Senft, Stefan Simon, Walter Hansch
  • Patent number: 8899099
    Abstract: In order to determine leakage on a device, which contains gas that can be condensed, an adsorbent is used through which ambient gas of the object is conducted. The adsorbed gas is desorbed by means of actuating an excitation device and fed to a gas sensor containing a mass spectrometer. In this way, minute amounts of leaking gas can be determined by means of accumulation. The method is in particular suited for use in the serial production of refrigeration machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Inficon GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Grosse Bley, Gerhard Küster
  • Patent number: 8899100
    Abstract: A protocol for testing the integrity of a double-walled underground storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: David D. Russell
  • Patent number: 8899101
    Abstract: A sampler (10), in particular for use in testing the dissolution behavior of pharmaceutical products, wherein the sampler (10) comprises: a vial holder (20) for accommodating a plurality of vials (22a, 22b); a sampling needle assembly (30) with a plurality of sampling needles, wherein the sampling needle assembly (30) and the vial holder (20) may be moved relative to one another in such a way that the sampling needles of the sampling needle assembly (30) may be inserted into the vials of the vial holder (20); and a pump unit (40) with a plurality of diaphragm pumps (42a, 42b) which are designed to convey a fluid via the sampling needle assembly to the vials in the vial holder (20) and to withdraw a fluid therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Riggtek GmbH
    Inventor: Hansjürgen Riggenmann
  • Patent number: 8899102
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving measurements of particle or cell characteristics, such as mass, in Suspended Microchannel Resonators (SMR's). Apparatus include in particular designs for trapping particles in SMR's for extended measurement periods. Methods include techniques to provide differential measurements by varying the fluid density for repeated measurements on the same particle or cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Scott Manalis, Andrea K. Bryan, Philip Dextras, Sungmin Son, Thomas Burg, William Grover, Yao-Chung Weng
  • Patent number: 8899103
    Abstract: A thermal air flow meter comprises: a bridge circuit unit that incorporates a bridge circuit including a heating resistor and supplies a current to the heating resistor so that the temperature of the resistor is always set higher by a predetermined temperature than the temperature of intake air detected by an intake-air temperature detection resistor, and outputs an output signal Vm based on the current value supplied to the heating resistor, in accordance with a flow rate of the intake air; a differential amplifier unit that amplifies a voltage dependent on difference in temperature between an upstream heating resistor and downstream heating resistor; and a subtraction processor that subtracts from the output signal Vm a constant times an output voltage Vd1 from the differential amplifier unit, and outputs a correction output signal Vout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Ariyoshi, Masahiro Kawai, Koji Tanimoto, Kazuhiko Otsuka
  • Patent number: 8899104
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a method comprising providing a tire having a component constructed and arranged to cause at least one portion of the tire to have a first stiffness or resistance to force exerted thereon under a first condition and a second stiffness or resistance to force exerted thereon under a second condition and selectively causing the first or second condition to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: John C. Ulicny, William R. Rodgers, Tadeusz B. Pietrzyk, Keith S. Snavely, Mark A. Golden, Jonathan Darab
  • Patent number: 8899105
    Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensor includes a stator which encircles a portion of a cylindrical diaphragm. This encircling forms a circumferential gap between the sidewalls of the stator and the diaphragm. Therefore, a greater area “A” can be achieved in smaller diameter sensor footprint than prior art designs and yet still detect relatively small changes in capacitance. Additionally, the width “g1” of the gap can be wider than prior art designs without negatively affecting capacitance detection. A bonding agent which has a melting temperature of about half that of bonding agents used in prior art designs, secures the stator to the diaphragm and reduces oxidation issues during assembly, thereby decreasing manufacturing time and cost. To ensure proper side-to-side alignment of the stator relative to the diaphragm, a centering sleeve, which is removed after bonding, is placed over as stub at the upper end of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventors: Goutham R. Kirikera, William M. Patton
  • Patent number: 8899106
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting a structural stability of an object area. The method and apparatus include disposing a plurality of electrodes in the object area along a depth direction of the object area, surrounding the electrodes with a filling material; measuring a micro potential difference via the electrodes, generating a micro potential difference when the filling material is deformed by a force according to a change of the object area; and determining the structural stability of the object area based upon the measured micro potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
    Inventors: Dae-Song Cheon, Yong-Bok Jung, Won-Kyong Song
  • Patent number: 8899107
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the asphaltene content of a downhole oil sample are provided. In one example, the method includes obtaining a hydrocarbon sample from a hydrocarbon formation of a reservoir at a given depth using a downhole tool. A liquid phase of the hydrocarbon sample is isolated within the downhole tool and the liquid phase is subjected to downhole analysis within the downhole tool to create a chromatography sample. The downhole analysis is based at least partially on size exclusion chromatography. A first property of the chromatography sample is measured to obtain a measured value, and a second property of the chromatography sample is estimated based on the measured value and known calibration curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Abad, Anthony R. H. Goodwin, Bruno Drochon
  • Patent number: 8899108
    Abstract: A flow sensor includes a main flow body, a laminar flow element, and first and second bypass channels. The first bypass channel is formed in, and extends at least partially around, the outer surface of the laminar flow element, and is in fluid communication with the main flow channel and defines a first bypass flow passage between the laminar flow element and the main flow body. The second bypass channel is formed in, and extends at least partially around, the outer surface of the laminar flow element, and is in fluid communication with the main flow channel and defines a second bypass flow passage between the laminar flow element and the main flow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Speldrich, Richard Charles Sorenson, Andrew Joseph Milley, Brian Speldrich
  • Patent number: 8899109
    Abstract: In the case of a device for ascertaining a fill level of a medium inside a collection container, having at least one measuring chamber, in which an ultrasonic sensor is arranged, connected to conduct media to the collection chamber, and having at least one antechamber connected upstream from the measuring chamber, which has at least one inlet opening for the medium from the collection chamber, at least one flow damper for the medium, according to the invention, is arranged in at least one subarea of the antechamber. Thereby multiple antechambers, which are connected in series one behind another to conduct media, are connected upstream from the measuring chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Niemann, Jürgen Palloks, Thomas Kück, David Hessenkämper, Ingo Zoyke, Herbert Claassen
  • Patent number: 8899110
    Abstract: The inventive pedaling motion measuring device includes: a measurement body unit having a first sensor unit for sensing the number of rotation of a wheel by sensing the motion of the wheel of a bicycle, and second sensor units arranged at right and left crank arms for sensing magnitude and direction of a force applied to each of the right and left crank arms. The first work calculation unit calculates work performed by the bicycle based on the number of rotation of the wheel sensed by the first sensor unit. The second work calculation unit calculates work provided to the crank member by the user within a prescribed time, based on the magnitude and direction of the force applied to each of the right and left crank arms and sensed by the second sensor units. The efficiency calculation unit calculates the efficiency of the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Club Kong Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8899111
    Abstract: A device for measuring forces generated by an unbalance of a rotor, said device comprising a stationary frame, a first bearing, measuring shaft mounted rotatably about its shaft axis in the first bearing, a mounting means provided on the measuring shaft designed for attachment of the rotor, wherein the rotor is designed to be balanced in at least one compensating plane, a second bearing pivotally supporting the first bearing about a pivot axis which intersects the shaft axis and being supported on the stationary frame, a first force sensor for measuring forces generated by the unbalance of the rotating rotor and acting about the pivot axis, and a second force sensor for measuring forces generated by the unbalance of the rotating rotor and acting on the measuring shaft and on the second bearing in a direction intersecting the shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Snap-On Equipment Srl a Unico Socio
    Inventor: Paolo Sotgiu
  • Patent number: 8899112
    Abstract: A gyro sensor includes: a driving mass; a detection mass connected with the driving mass; a driving connection one end and the other end of which are connected with the driving mass and an anchor, respectively; an island connected with the anchor, and disposed with a clearance left between the island and the driving mass in such a manner as to be electrically connected with the driving mass; and a projection provided at least either on the surface of the driving mass opposed to the island, or on the surface of the island opposed to the driving mass. The driving unit includes a movable electrode unit connected with the driving mass, and a fixed electrode unit. The minimum distance between the driving mass and the island is longer than the driving amplitude of the driving mass and shorter than the maximum amplitude of the movable electrode unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Furuhata, Satoru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8899113
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a tubular workpiece may include a probe assembly and a rotation mechanism. The probe assembly may include a transducer array positionable adjacent to an inner surface of the tubular workpiece. The probe assembly may generate transmitted sound waves and may receive reflected sound waves. The rotation mechanism may rotate the probe assembly relative to the tubular workpiece in a manner such that the transducer array passes over the inner surface in a circumferential direction during transmission of the transmitted sound waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Barry A. Fetzer, Navpreet S. Grewal, Peter Kuk-kyung Hwang, William R. Schell, Kate Brown Boudreau
  • Patent number: 8899114
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive incident energy within a chamber defining a first part of an interaction volume that attenuates the incident energy as a function of path length to provide attenuated energy. Additional activity may include simultaneously transforming the attenuated energy characterized by a substantially exponential intensity function into resultant energy characterized by a substantially polynomial intensity function. The transformation may be accomplished using an interacted energy transformation element that defines a second part of the interaction volume, the transformation element operating to intercept the attenuated energy along a plurality of path lengths. Other activity may include transmitting the resultant energy to a receiver. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Jones, Michael T. Pelletier, Robert Atkinson, Wei Zhang, Li Gao
  • Patent number: 8899115
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for inspecting a surface of an object with an optical scanner and a laser vibrometer. The method includes the steps of: (a) mapping at least a portion of the object surface using the optical scanner; (b) projecting a beam of light from the laser vibrometer onto the object surface at a measurement point; (c) locating the measurement point relative to the object surface using the optical scanner; and (d) measuring a position of the object surface using the laser vibrometer to determine, for example, a deflection of the object surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse R. Boyer, Randall W. Joyner
  • Patent number: 8899116
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for an ultrasonic flow measuring device, comprising a first housing part and a second housing part. The second housing part is axially guided in the first housing part and is so biased relative to the first housing part that, in a first state of the ultrasonic transducer, a first axial stop of the second housing part rests on a first axial stop of the first housing part, wherein, by applying, counter to the bias, a predetermined force on a second axial stop of the second housing part, the second housing part is axially shiftable, so that, in a second state of the ultrasonic transducer, the first axial stop of the second housing part is moved out of the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Pierre Ueberschlag, Michael Bezdek, Andreas Berger
  • Patent number: 8899117
    Abstract: A food machine, in particular a machine for processing and producing sausage, with a step, and a corresponding method, wherein the food machine includes a safety device for detecting whether a person is standing on the step when the step is in a projecting step-on position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Albert Handtmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Maile
  • Patent number: 8899118
    Abstract: A pipette receiver and its variations are discussed for use in a multi-channel pipetting device typically used for medical, biological or biochemical research and development. There is a plurality of individual positive air displacement channels that are fitted to individual disposable pipette tips intended to pipette into associated “plates”. These “plates” may be Micro-titer plates, wells or vials each typically containing 96 wells in an 8×12 array usually spaced 9 mm apart. Other common plates contain 384 wells 4.5 mm apart in the same footprint of the 96, or a 1536 well plate fitting the same footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Dan Seguin
  • Patent number: 8899119
    Abstract: A device for pressing a rack onto a pinion engaged with the rack, in particular for a steering system of a motor vehicle, comprising a pressure piece, which can be loaded in the direction of the rack and is displaceably guided in a housing, and comprising an adjusting device for compensating play that occurs in the steering system. In known devices, the play of the pressure piece must be set by way of an adjusting screw. This proves to be very complicated and problematic. An adjusting screw is therefore provided, wherein a spring washer is disposed between the adjusting screw and the adjusting device, and the adjusting device has a shoulder and the adjusting screw has a recess, or the adjusting device has the recess and the adjusting screw has the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Bareis