Patents Issued in December 23, 2014
  • Patent number: 8915706
    Abstract: A transition nozzle is provided and includes a liner in which combustion occurs and through which products of the combustion flow toward a turbine bucket stage. The liner includes opposing endwalls and opposing sidewalls extending between the opposing endwalls. The opposing sidewalls are oriented to tangentially direct the flow of the combustion products toward the turbine bucket stage. At least one of the opposing endwalls and the opposing sidewalls including a flow contouring feature to guide the flow of the combustion products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Stein, Gunnar Leif Siden
  • Patent number: 8915707
    Abstract: An exhaust gas housing for a gas turbine is provided and includes a support structure, which, arranged concentrically, includes an outer ring and an inner ring which are interconnected by radially arranged struts, and a flow liner, which is attached inside the support structure and, arranged concentrically, includes an outer liner and an inner liner which are interconnected by radially arranged liner ribs. The liner ribs each encompass the struts of the support structure, and the outer and inner liners inside the support structure form an annular passage for the turbine's hot exhaust gases. The liner ribs are welded together from front and rear parts in the flow direction, forming welded seams which extend axially in the outer liner and in the inner liner up to the liner edge. End rings, which cover the welded seams at the liner edge, are welded on the liner's rear edges for reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Eduard Brühwiler
  • Patent number: 8915708
    Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbine section, a compressor section and a bearing section. A turbine wheel and a compressor wheel are mounted on a shaft and the shaft is rotatably mounted in a bore of a housing. A lubrication system circulates lubricant through the bearing section. First and second spaced apart seals are positioned along the shaft. A recess is positioned between the first seal and the second seal to define an air buffer chamber. The air buffer chamber is provided with pressurized air to discourage lubricant leakage past the first seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nan Yang, Jeff A. Jensen, Robert C. Griffith
  • Patent number: 8915709
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optically detecting an angle of attack for an airfoil using light detection and ranging (LIDAR). To determine the angle of attack, one or more light beam pulses may be emitted from the leading edge of the airfoil into an (apparently) flowing fluid at various emission angles. The emitted pulses may be backscattered by particles in the fluid, and the backscattered light may be received by a detector at the airfoil. By range gating the returning pulses of backscattered light, a fluid velocity may be determined for each of the emission angles. The angle of attack is identified as the emission angle corresponding to the maximum velocity. A parameter (e.g., pitch or speed) of the airfoil may be controlled based on the angle of attack. In this manner, the airfoil may be manipulated or the shape of the airfoil may be adjusted for increased performance or efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Carsten Hein Westergaard
  • Patent number: 8915710
    Abstract: A device for controlling the pitch of a helicopter's rotor blade, the device having a BLDC motor based actuator; and at least one control surface operatively connected to the BLDC motor based actuator. The actuator and the control surface are preferably fully integrated into the interior profile of the rotor blade and are capable of controlling the PFC of the helicopter and improving HHC during operation by reducing noise and vibration. The motor is preferably a high power density motor incorporating rare earth permanent magnets connected to a roller/ball screw or planetary gear set to provide the right combination of force/torque, stroke and frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Zaffir Chaudhry, Brian E. Wake, Fanping Sun, Richard Jeremy Bedwell, Jimmy Lin-Min Yeh, Lee A. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8915711
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor wheel including a hub, a web extending radially from the hub, and a plurality of blades carried by the wheel. The web includes an erosion indicator of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Turbomeca
    Inventors: Geoffroy Billotey, Olivier Descubes, Sylvain Gourdant, Olivier Tuot
  • Patent number: 8915712
    Abstract: A hot gas path component is provided and includes a body having a surface and being formed to define a cavity, the cavity employing coolant flow through a pin-fin bank with coolant discharge through film-cooling holes defined on the surface, the pin-fin bank including first and second pluralities of pin-fins, the first plurality of pin-fins and the second plurality of pin-fins each being aligned with a determined flow streamline, and any two pin-fins of the first and second pluralities of pin-fins being separated from one another by a gap as a function of a film-cooling hole dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gary Michael Itzel, Dipankar Pal
  • Patent number: 8915713
    Abstract: The present application thus provides an airfoil for use in a turbine. The airfoil may include a wall, an internal cooling plenum, and a cooling hole extending through the wall to the cooling plenum. The cooling hole may include an offset counterbore therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bradley Taylor Boyer
  • Patent number: 8915714
    Abstract: A partial pitch wind turbine is described wherein the wind turbine blade has an inner blade section designed for stall-controlled operation and an outer blade section designed for pitch-controlled operation. The different blade profiles for the different sections allow for the efficient operation of the blade while providing for the control of the wind turbine to effectively reduce blade root moments. The outer blade sections can be pitched out of the wind to reduce root moments due to the outer blade sections, while the increasing power capture of the inner blade section maintains nominal power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Envision Energy (Denmark) ApS
    Inventors: Peter Grabau, Michael Friedrich
  • Patent number: 8915715
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a high-power wind energy installation, wherein the rotor blades, to minimize the static and/or dynamic structural load and/or to damp vibrations, for example by generating counterforces to compensate for interference forces and moments, can be adjusted even when a constant wind velocity v? does not warrant it, and to a method for operating such a wind energy installation; it is provided according to the invention to configure at least one rotor blade bearing therein as a rolling bearing that is optimized for a high number of inner race revolutions in that the total dynamic axial load rating Ca,total, defined according to DIN ISO 281, of all those rows (?) of a utilized rolling bearing according to DIN ISO 281 which participate in force transmission in an axial direction is at least 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: IMO Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Schröppel
  • Patent number: 8915716
    Abstract: A rotor for a turbomachine includes at least one moving blade row including a plurality of moving blades disposed adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction with respect to an axis of rotation. Each one of the plurality of moving blades includes a blade leaf and a blade root having an outer face, the outer face of the blade root including a blade root curved end wall contour adjacent the blade leaf in the circumferential direction. The blade root curved end wall contour has a concave curvature in an axial sectional plane of the rotor. At least one rotor shaft includes a reception slot for a respective one of the at least one moving blade row extending in the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of moving blades is inserted into the reception slot via a respective blade root.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Gabriel Dunkel, Marco Micheli, Wolfgang Kappis, Luis Federico Puerta
  • Patent number: 8915717
    Abstract: The impeller wheel is rotatably supported about a central axis and has a hub on which vanes are arranged. The vane has across its radial length at least similar profiled sections, viewed in cylindrical section through the vane. The radial outermost profiled section which is positioned on a cylindrical enveloping surface of the impeller wheel has a greater displacement relative to the neighboring profiled section than this neighboring profiled section to its neighboring profiled section. The impeller wheel can also be provided on the radial outer edge with at least one projecting flow element whose axial height has a maximum in the area of the leading edge and of the trailing edge of the vane. The impeller wheels, while having a simple constructive configuration, provide a great noise reduction in operation of the ventilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Ziehl-Abegg AG
    Inventors: Michael Stephan, Ralf Neumeier, Volker Kress
  • Patent number: 8915718
    Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil body that defines a longitudinal axis. The airfoil body includes a leading edge and a trailing edge and a first sidewall and a second sidewall that is faced apart from the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall join the leading edge and the trailing edge and at least partially define a cavity in the airfoil body. A damper member is enclosed in the cavity. The damper member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is connected in a first joint to the first sidewall at a first longitudinal location and the second end is connected in a second joint to the second sidewall at a second, different longitudinal location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Dolansky, Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Benjamin T. Fisk
  • Patent number: 8915719
    Abstract: The present invention teaches providing heating elements into the nose of an intermediate distance piece of a cryogenic reciprocating pump in order to warm the piston packing seals of the pump. The heating elements increase the temperature of the piston packing seals to limit deformation of the seals while the pump is in operation. In addition, a warm, dry vapor purge may be provided to the interior of the intermediate distance piece to reduce or eliminate rime from interfering with the piston packing seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: John Charles Street
  • Patent number: 8915720
    Abstract: An integrated fan and pump drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Bhavin Parikah, Kristopher R. Bare
  • Patent number: 8915721
    Abstract: A mini-fan has a drive motor having an external rotor (222) and an internal stator (244). The external rotor (222) is equipped with a rotor shaft (234) that has a necked down portion (258) in the region of its free end (235). The mini-fan (216) has a bearing tube (238) on whose outer side the internal stator (244) is mounted and in whose interior is arranged a bearing arrangement (236) in which the rotor shaft (234) is rotatably supported. A closure arrangement (262) serves to close off the bearing tube (238) in liquid-tight fashion at one end, and is equipped, in the region of the necked down portion (258) of the rotor shaft (234), with at least one resilient securing member (260) that engages into that necked down portion (258) and secures the rotor shaft (234) against being pulled out of the bearing arrangement (236).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: EBM-Papst St. Georgen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Arno Winkler, Nils Rapp
  • Patent number: 8915722
    Abstract: Tapered valve guide and spring retainer assemblies are described for use in plunger pump housings that incorporate corresponding outwardly flared discharge and suction bores, as well as structural features for stress-relief. Plunger pumps so constructed are relatively resistant to fatigue failure because of stress reductions, and they may incorporate essentially any style of valves, including top and lower stem-guided valves and crow-foot-guided valves, in easily-maintained configurations. Besides forming a part of valve guide and spring retainer assemblies, side spacers may be shaped and dimensioned to improve volumetric efficiency of the pumps in which they are used. The present disclosure provides, for the first time, the use of tungsten carbide valve seats, which significantly increase durability and service life of a pump, especially when abrasive fluids are being pumped, as in various oilfield operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: George H. Blume
  • Patent number: 8915724
    Abstract: A scroll compressor includes an orbiting scroll member, a drive mechanism accommodation space, a rotary shaft, a drive bushing, an upstream space, a downstream space, a first communication passage and a second communication passage. The upstream space and the downstream space are formed in the drive mechanism accommodation space by a plain bearing, the drive bushing and an eccentric pin of the rotary shaft. The second communication passage passes through at least the drive bushing and allows the upstream space and the downstream space to communicate with each other. A control valve is disposed in the second communication passage. Centrifugal force of the control valve developed when the rotary shaft is rotated at a predetermined speed or higher causes the control valve to move in a direction in which the second communication passage is opened, thereby to allow the upstream space and the downstream space to communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Akihiro Nakashima, Shinichi Sato, Akio Saiki
  • Patent number: 8915725
    Abstract: A compressor is provided having an accumulator that forms an accumulating chamber in an internal space of a shell of the compressor, reducing a size and simplifying an assembly process. A stationary shaft having a refrigerant suction passage may be directly connected to the accumulator to prevent leakage of refrigerant. A center of gravity of the accumulator may correspond to a center of gravity of the compressor to reduce vibration caused by the accumulator. An eccentric portion may be provided at the stationary shaft to secure a spacious compression space. Both ends of the stationary shaft may be supported by a frame to reduce vibration. A rotor and a cylinder may be coupled with a bearing to reduce cylinder deformation. An installation area of the compressor may be minimized to enhance design flexibility of an outdoor device employing the compressor and minimize interference with other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kangwook Lee, Bumdong Sa
  • Patent number: 8915726
    Abstract: A rotary vane air motor comprises a rotor, stator and vanes. The rotor has slots for the vanes, and the vanes may move between a retracted position and a contact position in which the vanes contact the cylinder. Each vane may have a longitudinal portion whose shape conforms generally to the slot, and a transverse portion that is radially outside of the slot and extends at least in part in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal portion and that may be tangential to the perimeter of the rotor at the slot. The shape of the perimeter may be a polygon with rounded corners. The vanes may also include a magnetic portion or a rotating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Shining Golden Yida Welding & Cutting Machinery Manufacture Ltd.
    Inventors: Davey Z. Liang, Daniel S. Cox
  • Patent number: 8915727
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a rotary compressor includes a compressing unit provided with a cylinder having a flared portion to provide a vane groove. In the compressing unit, a piston revolves along a cylinder inner wall, and an operation chamber is formed between the cylinder inner wall and the piston. A vane protrudes from the vane groove into the operation chamber and comes in contact with the annular piston to partition the operation chamber into an inlet chamber and a compression chamber. A spring inserted in a spring hole formed in the back of the vane groove presses the back of the vane. A spring holder pin is inserted in a pin hole located on the outer circumferential side of an end of the vane groove and crossing the spring hole to prevent the spring from coming off the spring hole when the compressing unit is installed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventor: Junya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8915728
    Abstract: An example multi-dimensional component building system includes a first chamber having at least one base, a second chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the first chamber through a first door, and a third chamber adjacent to and in fluid communication with the second chamber through a second door. The second chamber is fluidly sealed from the first chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The second chamber includes a directed heat source, a build-up material and is configured to receive the at least one base if the fluid parameters of the first chamber and second chamber are approximately equal. The third chamber is fluidly sealed from the second chamber if the first door is in a closed position. The third chamber is configured to receive the at least one base, having a formed component disposed thereon, if the second door is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Mironets, Agnes Klucha, Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Benjamin T. Fisk
  • Patent number: 8915729
    Abstract: A blow mould for containers wherein the mould base comprises a first member (5) and a second member (6) connectable to each other by means of a quick coupling system comprising at least one first connection pin, wherein said second member (6) includes a first slider (13), defining a first sliding direction on a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the mould and capable of taking an unlocking position and a locking position, said first slider (13) being provided with at least a hole in order to lock the first connection pin when the first slider (13) is in the locking position, and a second slider (16) defining a second sliding direction on said plane, intersecting said first direction; said second slider (16) being slidable along said second direction from a position of mechanical connection with the first slider (13) to a position of releasing from said first slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: S.I.P.A. Societa′ Industrializzazione Progettazione E Automazione S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Zoppas, Ernesto Eusebione, Franco Cavallini, Massimiliano Fornasier
  • Patent number: 8915730
    Abstract: A three-dimensional modeling apparatus includes a stage, a head, a movement mechanism, and a control unit. The head supplies a process liquid that is one of a solution and a dispersion liquid onto the stage to cause a material that constitutes a three-dimensional object to be precipitated out of the process liquid by evaporating one of a solvent and a dispersion medium therefrom. The movement mechanism relatively moves the head and the stage. The control unit controls a drive of the movement mechanism to form the three-dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsui, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Junichi Kuzusako, Ikuko Tsurui
  • Patent number: 8915731
    Abstract: A burner has a fuel/oxidant nozzles and a pair of dynamical lances spaced on either side thereof that inject a jet of fuel and primary oxidant along a fuel injection axis, and jets of secondary oxidant, respectively. Jets of actuating fluid impinge against the jets of secondary oxidant to fluidically angle the jets of secondary oxidant away from the fuel injection axis. The action of the angling away together with staging of the oxidant between primary and secondary oxidant injections allows achievement of distributed combustion conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, American Air Liquide, Inc., Air Liquide Advanced Technologies, U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Taekyu Kang, Vivek Gautam, Rajeev S. Prabhakar, Benoit Grand, Bertrand Leroux, Magnus Mortberg, Nicolas Docquier
  • Patent number: 8915732
    Abstract: A ventless fireplace is provided, including a protective fireplace door, a wall positioned behind the protective fireplace door, a hearth surface positioned adjacent the wall, the protective fireplace door, wall and hearth surface defining a cavity the hearth surface further defining an opening therein, and a mechanical structure for housing one or more fuel cells positioned below the hearth surface, so that when operational, one or more flames emanating from the one or more fuel cells supported by the mechanical structure pass through the opening in the hearth surface. The protective door further includes a door frame, a door bezel hingedly attached to the door frame by one or more hinges, a door screen fixed within the door bezel, and a latch assembly fixed to the door frame to selectively engage the door bezel from the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Bebon Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bebon, Paul Dowd, Erol Searfoss, Philippe Putzeys
  • Patent number: 8915733
    Abstract: A method of heating a charge material by controlling heat flux in a tilt rotary furnace is disclosed. Combustion by the burner forms a heat release profile including a high heat flux region. The positioning of the high heat flux region is controllable by providing a controlled amount of secondary or staged oxidant. The burner is configured and controlled to position a region of high heat flux at a position corresponding to an area requiring greater heating, such as the area of maximum charge depth in the furnace to provide substantially uniform melting and heat distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Cao, Xiaoyi He, Aleksandar Georgi Slavejkov
  • Patent number: 8915734
    Abstract: The current invention refers to a device for the removal of residues that have not been removed after the repair of teeth. It enables easier sanding between teeth, provides greater support, and requires less time for the oral cavity to be open. It is lubricant, electricity, and battery free. The surfaces of this invention are smooth with rounded edges, and can sand both the fronts and the backs of the teeth. The current invention will enable dentists throughout the world easier manipulation in the process of removing residues after teeth repair and will only require the use of one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: José Lisandro Deleo{grave over (n)}
  • Patent number: 8915735
    Abstract: In an arrangement for obtaining reliable anchoring of a threaded implant (3) in dentine, a hole (2) is made in the bone substance. In the side wall (2b) of the hole it is possible to establish an internal threading which can cooperate with an external threading (3d) on the implant. The implant threading is arranged to force the bone substance out in essentially radial directions as a function of the extent to which the implant is screwed into the hole. The threading is arranged to effect greater forcing out of the bone substance at the outer parts of the hole than at the inner parts of the hole. The degree of forcing out is adapted in relation to the softness of the bone in order to achieve the reliable anchoring. Along at least part of the longitudinal direction of the implant, the implant threading can be given a non-circular configuration for the purpose of obtaining improved rotational stability in soft/weak bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Nobel Biocare Services AG
    Inventors: Lennart Carlsson, Fredrik Engman, Roger Fromell, Lars Jörneus
  • Patent number: 8915736
    Abstract: A curable dental composition comprising a monomer with a polyalicyclic structure element that can be used for filling and/or sealing of a root canal is described. Also described is a composition useful as a dental material and a method for preparing such a composition. New polymerizable monomers comprising at least one polyalicyclic structure element and certain ethylenic structure elements, which are particularly suitable for use in a dental composition, and the use of the new monomers in a dental composition are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Voco GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Blömker, Manfred Stepputtis, Reinhard Maletz, Manfred Thomas Plaumann, Nils Fontein
  • Patent number: 8915737
    Abstract: A system and method uses three-dimensional, visual feedback for simulated weapons fire during training of a soldier in a combat exercise. In the system, the soldier is provided with a weapon equipped with a laser transmitter that simulates the firing of actual rounds. Further, sensors are positioned on a human target. Also, discharge members are located on the human target. When a signal is received by a sensor, selected discharge members are activated to immediately expel a plume of dust. As a result, the plume of expelled dust provides three-dimensional, visual feedback to the soldier in real-time. Additionally, the system contemplates providing three-dimensional, visual feedback from background surfaces and vehicles in the combat environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Stuart Charles Segall
  • Patent number: 8915738
    Abstract: A driver performance evaluation and apparatus includes means for generating first data stream representing driver actions, a second data stream representing vehicle movements, a filtering function to eliminate short term actions in both data streams, the generation of a raw score which is independent of timing and the adjustment of the raw score based on a comparison of actual driver action timing to an ideal timing sequence to provide a final score which is an indication of driver performance/proficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Matteo T. Mannino
  • Patent number: 8915739
    Abstract: A coloring sheet including a sheet of paper and a design formed on the sheet of paper. The design is at least partially formed by a pair of parallel, adjacent raised lines, wherein the adjacent raised lines are spaced apart by a distance of less than about 13 mm ½ inch).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Acco Brands Corporation
    Inventor: Toni M. Schulken
  • Patent number: 8915740
    Abstract: A simulator facilitates virtual welding activity of pipe and open root weld joints. The simulator may include a logic processor based system operable to execute coded instructions for generating an interactive welding environment that emulates welding activity on a section of virtual pipe having at least one virtual weld joint. It also includes a display connected to the logic processor based system for visually depicting the interactive welding environment, wherein the display depicts the section of virtual pipe. A mock welding tool is provided for performing virtual welding activity on the at least one weld joint in real time where one or more sensors are adapted to track movement of the input device in real time for communicating data about the movement of the input device to the logic processor based system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Zboray, Matthew Alan Bennett, Matthew Wayne Wallace, Jeremiah Hennessey, Yvette Christine Dudac, Zachary Steven Lenker, Andrew Paul Lundell, Paul Dana, Eric A. Preisz, Lynn Briggs, Richard B. Droller, Eric C. Briggs
  • Patent number: 8915741
    Abstract: A sleep quality assessment approach involves collecting data based on detected physiological or non-physiological patient conditions. At least one of detecting patient conditions and collecting data is performed using an implantable device. Sleep quality may be evaluated using the collected data by an implantable or patient-external sleep quality processor. One approach to sleep quality evaluation involves computing one or more summary metrics based on occurrences of movement disorders or breathing disorders during sleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hatlestad, Quan Ni, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Jesse Hartley, Qingsheng Zhu, Bruce H. KenKnight, Douglas R. Daum, Kent Lee
  • Patent number: 8915742
    Abstract: An artificial body wall is disclosed herein. The artificial body wall may include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is substantially formed of a silicone rubber and includes at least one of an artificial epidermis-dermis layer or an artificial subcutaneous layer. The second layer extends along and below the first layer and is substantially formed of a silicone rubber. The second layer includes at least one of an artificial fascia layer or an artificial muscle layer. At least one of the first layer or second layer may be vascularized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Dean A. Hendrickson, Fausto Bellezzo
  • Patent number: 8915743
    Abstract: A system, method and device for simulating a medical procedure include a haptic mechanism controllable to provide feedback to a user manipulating a medical device. In an embodiment, a pair of three degree of freedom haptic devices are coupled to provide six degree of freedom measurement and force/moment feedback to the user. The six degree of freedom haptic device may be configured to provide different resolutions for different degrees of freedom, depending on simulation requirements. In an embodiment, a load cell is used to provide higher resolution in a dimension determined to be of greater criticality to realistic simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: SimQuest LLC
    Inventor: Dwight Meglan
  • Patent number: 8915744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system used for competency assessment of candidates. More particularly the present invention relates to an automated system for talent acquisition in an enterprise to identify talented candidates who meet the qualification standards specified by enterprise using a secured and light weight method of providing content including questions and responses in a distributed architecture. The data center server of the system may connect to Knowledge center server to receive the secure test content. The test content is transferred to one or more exam center servers from the data center server. The exam center servers assess the competency of candidates connected to them via candidate console devices (computational devices), by generating unique and standardized test content for each candidate. The system enables less effort, time and consequently money, that multiple test administrators may spend traveling to different test locations to support the system infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Tata Consultancy Services, Ltd.
    Inventors: Raman Srinivasan, Priyadharshini Sridhar, Swarna Srinivasan, Rohit Kumar, Radhika Jayapaul, Radhika Ganesan, Amit Nath, Vikash Agarwal
  • Patent number: 8915745
    Abstract: A method of forming a writable erasable area on an object includes selecting a glass sheet having a front surface and a back surface, where the front surface is opposed to and parallel to the back surface. An area of the object where the writable erasable area is to be located is selected. The selected area has a select non-flat shape. The shape of the glass sheet is conformed to the select non-flat shape. The glass sheet is then mounted on the object such that the glass sheet is located at the selected area of the object and conforms in shape to the selected area of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey John Domey, Matthew Wade Fenton
  • Patent number: 8915746
    Abstract: A connector component for operably coupling a removable integrated circuit component such as a Micro SIM™, to a host PCB is provided. The connector component is configured to fit within an aperture formed within the host PCB and houses the removable integrated circuit component within an internal cavity. The connector component includes a coupling portion configured for coupling to the top face of the host PCB, and a port for insertion and removal of the removable integrated circuit component which is exposed within the bottom face of the host PCB. The connector component may be made flush with the bottom face of the host PCB, and the host PCB may optionally be populated on one side only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sierra Wireless
    Inventors: Bruce Richard John Samuels, Edwin Sy Liu
  • Patent number: 8915747
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to a connector assembly. Optionally, first conductive members form a first row. Second conductive members include a first subset forming a second row and a second subset forming a third row, the second and third rows being parallel and offset with respect to one another. Individual ones of the first and second conductive members are arranged to be coupled at a first end to a corresponding contact. At least one of the first and second subsets has a vertical displacement to form a common row of the second conductive members at a second end of the second conductive members. Individual ones of the first conductive members are arranged to be coupled proximate a second end of the first conductive members to the second end of a corresponding one of the second conductive members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gaurav Chawla, Rajasekaran Raja Swaminathan, Donald T. Tran
  • Patent number: 8915749
    Abstract: A power source circuit shutoff device includes: a base housing including a first mating wall and a cam pin; a lever housing including a second mating wall; and an operation lever rotatably supported to the lever housing and having a cam groove for guiding the cam pin. The base housing and the lever housing are set to a lever mating start position in which the first mating wall and the second mating wall are partly overlapped with each other and the cam pin is entered into the cam groove of the operation lever, and a rotation of the operation lever moves the cam pin in the cam groove to thereby cause a mating force between the first mating wall and the second mating wall. The base housing and the lever housing respectively have restriction ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ikeda, Ryuta Takishita, Kouichiro Mochizuki, Fumitoshi Henmi, Teruhiko Ohike, Sho Nogashira
  • Patent number: 8915750
    Abstract: A plug connector (100) comprises an insulative housing (1), a plurality of terminals (2) retained to the insulative housing (1), a pair of latches (3) fit to the insulative housing (1) and a housing cover (4) attached to the insulative housing (1). The insulative housing (1) has a base portion (11) and a tongue portion (12) extending forwardly from a middle of the base portion (11). The terminals (2) are arranged on the tongue portion (12) in parallel. The housing cover (4) has a cylindrical portion (41) with a pair of slits (411) extending therethrough for the latch (3) partly extending through. Each latch (3) has a locking piece (31) provided with a front straight edge (311) to abut against with a front edge of a receptacle connector (900) when the plug connector (100) is inserted upside down to the receptacle (900).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Duong Phan, Terrance F. Little, Stephen Sedio, An-Jen Yang, Yung-Jyh Ling
  • Patent number: 8915751
    Abstract: Coaxial connectors are provided that include a contact post that has a pedestal and a post extending therefrom. These connectors further include a ground plane extension that is separate from the contact post. The ground plane extension includes a first end that is positioned on a first side of the pedestal and a sidewall that extends from the first end of the ground plane extension. This sidewall extends beyond a second side of the pedestal that is opposite the first side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventor: Kenneth Steven Wood
  • Patent number: 8915752
    Abstract: There is provided a cable connector (10) comprising a body (12) joined to a connector ring (14) for securing to a female connector (20), wherein a seal (26) is placed between the body (12) and the connector ring (14). The use of the seal or gasket (26) prevents electromagnetic leakage from and into the connector. The connector ring can be provided with an inner recess (28) housing a ring spring (30) so as to grip a female connector tightly and prevent electromagnetic leakage where the connector mounts to the female connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Technetix Group Limited
    Inventor: Dirk Jan Ariesen
  • Patent number: 8915753
    Abstract: A male coaxial cable connector includes spring with tines and a fastener wherein the spring is housed by the fastener and distal ends of the spring tines are arranged to provide a spring mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Holland, Ming Feng Chien
  • Patent number: 8915754
    Abstract: A connector having a coupler-body continuity member is provided, wherein the coupler-body continuity member electrically couples a coupler and a body, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the coupler and the body. Furthermore, the coupler-body continuity member facilitates grounding through the connector, and renders an electromagnetic shield preventing ingress of unwanted environmental noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah P. Montena
  • Patent number: 8915755
    Abstract: An object is to provide a board-mounted connector which has an assembly fitting opening provided on the attachment surface side of an external shield shell onto a circuit board such that a housing assembly can be fit from the assembly fitting opening into the external shield shell, and is capable of improving the ease of assembling the housing assembly. In a board-mounted connector 1A, a housing assembly 21A to be fit from an assembly fitting opening 34 provided at an external shield shell 11A into the external shield shell 11A is made by integrally forming an internal housing 23 that accommodates a plurality of connection terminal members 22 and an external housing 26 that covers the outer circumference of the internal housing 23 and accommodates and holds the internal shield shell 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8915756
    Abstract: Communications connectors include a housing and a printed circuit board that is at least partially mounted in the housing that has a plurality of conductive paths that are arranged in pairs to form a plurality of differential transmission lines. These connectors further include a plurality of contacts, each of which is electrically connected to a respective one of the conductive paths of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board further includes at least a first floating image plane that is located between a top surface and a bottom surface thereof, the floating image plane being electrically isolated from the plurality of conductive paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Richard A. Schumacher, Ryan E. Enge, Wayne D. Larsen, Bryan S. Moffitt, Julian Pharney
  • Patent number: 8915757
    Abstract: Communications jacks include a plurality of contacts that are configured to move between a resting position and a deflected position and at least one biasing member that is separate from the plurality of contacts that biases at least a first of the plurality of contacts towards its resting position. The jacks further include a printed circuit board that includes a first contact structure that is configured to electrically connect to the first of the plurality of contacts when the first of the plurality of contacts is in its deflected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventor: Brian J. Fitzpatrick