Machine Tool Patents (Class 340/680)
  • Patent number: 9556649
    Abstract: A key identification system that includes a key identification system housing, a key clamp, a key ring support tray, and two digital identifiers is disclosed. The key identification system housing may include a key receiving aperture extending through housing and sized to receive at least some of a key blade of a key. The key clamp is positioned adjacent to the key receiving aperture and allows the system to maintain the key blade in a fixed position within the key identification system housing when the key is inserted into the key receiving aperture. The key ring support tray is typically coupled to the key identification system housing below the key receiving aperture. The two digital identifiers are positioned within the key identification system housing and designed to capture key blade information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Mueller, George Lynn Hagen, Scott Basham, Ryan Hamblin, Carl Ito, Kenneth C. Booth
  • Patent number: 9528629
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to use vibration data to determine a condition of a process control device are disclosed. An example method includes collecting first vibration data from a first sensor operatively coupled to a process control device during a calibration. The example method further includes calculating an operating threshold of the process control device based on the first vibration data, and determining a condition of the process control device if second vibration data associated with the process control device collected after the calibration exceeds the operating threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Shawn William Anderson, Roger Anders, Ted Dennis Grabau
  • Patent number: 9438145
    Abstract: A magnet temperature estimating system for a synchronous electric motor having a permanent magnet includes: a superimposing unit configured to superimpose a voltage or current of a frequency different from a frequency of a fundamental wave driving the synchronous electric motor on at least a d-axis of the synchronous electric motor; a calculator configured to calculate an impedance of the synchronous electric motor from the superimposed voltage or current and a current or voltage obtained by the superimposing; and a magnet temperature estimating unit configured to estimate a temperature of the permanent magnet on the basis of the calculated impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: David Díaz Reigosa, Fernando Briz Del Blanco, Hideo Yoshida, Takashi Kato
  • Patent number: 9415488
    Abstract: A screwdriving tool that includes a driving tool (driver), a sensor, a sensor target and a contact trip assembly that is coupled to the driving tool and has a nose element. The driver has a housing, a motor and an output member that is driven by the motor. One of the nose element and the output member is axially movable and biased by a spring into an extended position. The sensor and sensor target are configured to cooperate to permit the sensor to provide a sensor signal that is indicative of movement of the one of the nose element and the output member. The motor is controllable in a first operational mode and at least one rotational direction based in part on the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Puzio, Craig A. Schell, Joseph P. Kelleher, Scott Eshelman, Andrew E. Seman, Jr., Todd A. Hagan, Joseph G. Stauffer, Will Wang, John D. Cox
  • Patent number: 9395277
    Abstract: A method of indicating a medium misfeed along a medium transport path comprising one or more rollers for conveying the medium along the medium transport path; a microphone for detecting the sound of the conveyed medium and producing a signal representing the sound; a processor for producing sound values from the signal; providing a sensitivity setting responsive to the sound values; and indicating the medium misfeed responsive to the sound values and the sensitivity setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Link, Anthony A. Syracuse, James E. Adams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9329054
    Abstract: One aspect provides a system including a sensor adjustment component comprising: a memory device having adjustment information stored therein; signal source capable of producing a signal detectable by a sensor to be adjusted; and one or more processors; wherein the one or more processors are configured to execute program instructions to operate the signal source to produce a predetermined signal pattern detectable by a measurement component of the sensor to be adjusted; and wherein the predetermined signal pattern comprises the adjustment information. Other aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Hach Company
    Inventors: David T. Crook, Areef A. Moin
  • Patent number: 9284688
    Abstract: To provide a copolymer latex having a small particle size, which has a sufficient adhesion strength as a binder and a low viscosity and excellent handling properties in a composition containing a filler and the like, a composition for coating paper using the copolymer latex, and a coated paper having a coating layer formed by the composition. A copolymer latex contains a copolymer comprising: (A) 20 to 80% by mass of a structural unit derived from an aliphatic conjugated diene monomer, (B) 4 to 15% by mass of a structural unit derived from an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, and (C) 5 to 76% by mass of a structural unit derived from other copolymerizable monomer, wherein the total of (A), (B) and (C) being 100% by mass, and has a number average particle size of 30 to 80 nm by measurement with a transmission electron microscope, and has a viscosity of 50 to 400 mPa·s at a solid content of 48% by mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: JSR Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Kobayashi, Katsuhiko Sakata, Tsukasa Iwamoto, Nobuhiro Matsuda, Osamu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9164124
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a method for controlling an automatic gain of an inertial sensor. The automatic gain control apparatus of an inertial sensor includes: an inertial sensor; a driving unit; a detection unit; a state determination unit generates an AGC control signal according to the state of the driving mass; and a control unit that includes an AGC controlling to compensate for the driving displacement of the driving mass when the state of the driving mass is abnormal and performs a control to wake-up the AGC or convert the AGC into a sleep mode according to the AGC control signal input from the state determination unit to operate the AGC at the corresponding driving rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Rin Kim, Byoung Won Hwang, Chang Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 9024765
    Abstract: A method, system or computer usable program product for providing alerts of inefficiency of an environmental conditioning system including, responsive to a cycle initiation by the environmental conditioning system, measuring a difference between an intake temperature and an outlet temperature after a predetermined period of time, and responsive to the difference being below a minimum level, generating an alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Mark J. Hoesl
  • Publication number: 20150070183
    Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method for monitoring a brush of a rotor/stator assembly associated with an engine driven welder. A notification system can be provided that outputs alerts related to an amount of wear on a brush in contact with a rotor/stator assembly. An in situ component can provide dynamic real time monitoring of the brush and in particular an amount of wear of the brush. Based on a predetermined amount of wear being met, a notification component can output an alert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: SAMIR F. FARAH, ADAM HRUSKA, JOSEPH HRUSOVSKY
  • Patent number: 8976017
    Abstract: A method for inspecting down hole drilling systems for identifying indications of flaws in material. The method can include removing particulate, disposing a wave coupling medium on an area of interest, attaching a probe to a sound carrying wedge, engaging the sound carrying wedge over the wave coupling medium, transmitting inspection signals to the area of interest, manipulating the probe to produce detection signals, transmitting the detection signals to a data storage, presenting the detection signals and a known reference level to a user, and comparing the detection signals to the known reference level to determine if the detection signals are within a standard deviation of the known reference level. The method can include adapting a sound carrying wedge to form-fittingly couple to an area of interest of a down hole drilling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Shawn Paul Cannon
  • Patent number: 8970389
    Abstract: A stir alarm device for monitoring a forced air in-bin grain stirring system and alerting an individual when the stirring system malfunctions. The stir alarm device may include a movement device which is movably secured to the stirring system, such that movement of the stirring system causes movement of the movement device. The stir alarm device may further include a detection mechanism for monitoring the movement of the movement device. The stir alarm may also include a signaling device operably attached to the detection mechanism, the signaling device for signaling a malfunction when an amount of movement detected by the movement detection mechanism is below a threshold for a predetermined period of time and may include methods or components to control the operation of the stir machine and/or drying system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Randy Heying
  • Patent number: 8947249
    Abstract: In the specification and drawings, an apparatus for conducting hot work is described and shown with an enclosure; a hot work apparatus operable within the enclosure; and a detector located exterior of the enclosure, the detector being in detecting communication with the interior of the enclosure, such that the detector detects the presence of a condition within the enclosure. A method of conducting hot work is also described and shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Safezone Safety Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David Allen Dore, Robert C. Tucker, Chad A. Grand
  • Patent number: 8836528
    Abstract: A data display device is adapted to associate data and parameters obtained from a numerical control apparatus with extracted information selected by an operator, and specify an arrangement condition or a selection condition based on the extracted information. The data display device is also adapted to display controlling information in an arranged manner according to the arrangement condition. Alternatively, the data display device is adapted to display only information in a selective manner which satisfies the condition specified according to the selection condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Tezuka, Hajime Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8816872
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring the productivity, operability, and safety conditions of factory machinery and particularly unitizers. The system monitors factory machines such as a unitizer in a corrugated box factory, using one or more sensors to determine whether and how efficiently the machinery is operating, to determine if any conditions of the machinery require immediate attention, and to determine if a safety violation has occurred with respect to the machinery. The system appropriately notifies a factory manager of issues that arise. In addition, the system aggregates data about past performance and safety violations and generates reports about the aggregated data to help factory managers maximize productivity of the monitored machinery. The disclosed system is particularly advantageous in that it enables improvement of the productivity of the factory as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Signode Industrial Group LLC
    Inventors: Richard G. Newman, Laura J. Morra, Arland L. Morrison
  • Patent number: 8818548
    Abstract: In a brush cutter (100), when it is determined based on acceleration information including frequency components, supplied from an acceleration sensor (24) included in the brush cutter (100) that the acceleration shows a peak in a range of frequencies lower than 100 Hz, the flow moves to step S5 to amplify the acceleration peak. In next step S6, the acceleration peak is compared with a threshold. When the result of comparison shows that the acceleration peak is higher than the threshold, the flow moves to step S7 to produce a safety signal. The safety signal is output from the controller (26) to a high voltage generation circuit (30) to stop generation of a high voltage in the high voltage generating circuit (30). In this manner, the acceleration sensor (24) is used to detect any unexpected, sudden danger, while diminishing influence of the acceleration caused by vibration inherent to the own nature of the work apparatus, its intended regular operation and its posture change in regular operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Yamabiko Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Aoki, Tadashi Ishimura
  • Patent number: 8810396
    Abstract: A method for analyzing the condition of a machine having a rotating shaft, includes: receiving a digital input signal (I) having a first plurality (ILENGTH) of sample values, the digital input signal (I) representing mechanical vibrations emanating from rotating the shaft so far as to cause occurrence of a vibration having a period of repetition (TR); dividing the received digital input signal (I) into a first signal portion (2070) and a second signal portion; generating a digital output signal (O) having a second plurality (OLENGTH) of samples, the second plurality (OLENGTH) being a positive integer and lower than the first plurality (ILENGTH); the digital output signal (O) being generated in response to the first signal portion (2070) and the second signal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: S.P.M. Instrument AB
    Inventor: Lars-Olov Elis Hedin
  • Patent number: 8803685
    Abstract: A method for scanning and securing a container including a plurality of at least partially composite panels defining an interior volume is disclosed. The method includes: storing unique identification information in an identification element within container; sealing the container; monitoring the container for intrusion; without breaching the seal of the container, remotely identifying the container based on the unique identity information without breaching the seal of the container; without breaching the seal of the container; scanning the identified container to determine the presence or absence of a nuclear weapon in the interior volume; and if the scan determines no nuclear weapon is present remotely storing certificate information associated with the identity of the container in a remote monitor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Angel Secure Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred Hewitt Smith
  • Patent number: 8773274
    Abstract: Packaging installation with a metering apparatus and method for monitoring damage in a packaging installation in which packs (19) which are to be filled can be charged with the contents in each case by means of a metering apparatus (01) designed according to one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein —the vibrations of the wall of the dispensing container (02) are measured at least during operation of the stirrer (06) and/or of the metering screw (05), —the measured values are evaluated by the vibration evaluator (10), —deviations in the vibration behavior are detected and compared with limit values stored in the vibration evaluator (10), —when the limit values are exceeded, this indicates with sufficient probability, that the stirrer (06) or the metering screw (05) is in contact with the dispensing container (02), —an alarm is triggered by means of the vibration evaluator (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rovema GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Licher
  • Patent number: 8760309
    Abstract: A wear sensor system, compressors using the wear sensor system and methods of detecting wear on a bearing. The wear sensor system includes a stationary housing-mounted circuit comprising a first inductor electrically connected to a voltage source and a rotating shaft-mounted circuit comprising a second inductor electrically connected to a capacitor. When there is no metal-to-metal contact between the shaft of the compressor and the housing into which the shaft is mounted, the housing-mounted circuit inductively charges the shaft-mounted capacitor and reduces a current level when the shaft mounted capacitor is charged. Likewise, when there is metal-to-metal contact between the shaft and the housing (which is indicative of bearing wear), the shaft-mounted circuit is grounded; this causes the housing-mounted circuit to increase the current level. This increased current level may be output to a suitable device for display or other indicia of bearing wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Vyas Mussro
  • Patent number: 8704674
    Abstract: Device (10) for detecting wrong position of a container (2) in a container handling machine (1), comprising a movable contact element (11) provided with a trigger (34) coupled to an alarm sensor (33), said contact element (11) having a rest position wherein the trigger (34) blocks said alarm sensor (33), and a tilted position wherein the trigger (34) actuates the alarm sensor (33) to stop movement of the container (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventor: Sebastien Morand
  • Publication number: 20140022086
    Abstract: A data display device is adapted to associate data and parameters obtained from a numerical control apparatus with extracted information selected by an operator, and specify an arrangement condition or a selection condition based on the extracted information. The data display device is also adapted to display controlling information in an arranged manner according to the arrangement condition. Alternatively, the data display device is adapted to display only information in a selective manner which satisfies the condition specified according to the selection condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Junichi TEZUKA, Hajime OGAWA
  • Patent number: 8629778
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for monitoring fuel usage and/or remaining run time of backup power sources. In one embodiment, a method includes tracking run time of a backup power source; determining a current fuel level associated with the backup power source; and providing a fuel level warning. In another embodiment, a system includes a fuel monitoring system including logic that obtains a current run time corresponding to a backup power source; logic that determines a current fuel level based at least in part upon the current run time, the current fuel level corresponding to a fuel source supplying the backup power source; and logic that provides a fuel level warning based upon the current fuel level and a predefined fuel level threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher James Burrow
  • Patent number: 8593296
    Abstract: A measurement system measures a gap between a plurality of rotating bucket tips and a stationary shroud surface. The system includes a sensor secured to the shroud surface, where the sensor senses a distance between each of the rotating bucket tips and the shroud surface, and a key phasor indexing each of the plurality of rotating bucket tips. A processor receives data from the sensor and the key phasor and calculates a shift against each of the plurality of buckets. The processor determines a time to bucket replacement based on current service hours of the plurality of rotating buckets tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: KrishnaKumar Pg, Daniel Howard Tragesser, Saurav Dugar, Joseph Vincent Pawlowski
  • Patent number: 8579041
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for a portable tool having an internal combustion engine has at least one accelerometer providing a measurement of an acceleration of the portable tool in at least one plane or axis. An electronic controller is connected to an output of the accelerometer so as to receive analog or digital information. A generator is driven by the internal combustion engine so as to supply power to the accelerometer. A management card processes the analog or digital information so as to activate the system acting on an ignition exciter box so as to nearly instantaneously stop the internal combustion engine when the acceleration of the portable tool exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pellenc (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Roger Pellenc
  • Patent number: 8568198
    Abstract: A system for machining a work-piece is described which includes a machine tool and coolant delivery unit, pressure and flow rate sensors, and a control unit. The control unit controls coolant delivery and is adapted to detect a first anomaly when either a measured flow rate or pressure deviates from target flow rates and pressures by a first predetermined amount, and to detect a second anomaly when the measured flow rate or pressure deviates from the target flow rates and pressures by a second predetermined amount greater than the first. An alarm signal is outputted when the first anomaly is detected, and the machine tool is stopped when the second anomaly is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: James Leishman, Amr Elfizy
  • Patent number: 8456308
    Abstract: An attachment detection method and system. The method includes receiving, by a computer processor of a computing system, attachment data describing different devices associated with and attachable to an electro/mechanical apparatus. The computer processor retrieves first data describing a first attachment device currently attached to the electro/mechanical apparatus and analyzes the attachment data with respect to the first data. In response to the analysis, the computer processor determines specified protective gear required for operation of the electro/mechanical apparatus and the first attachment device. The computer processor generates indication data specifying required usage of the specified protective gear and presents the indication data to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Nelson, Kevin H. Peters, Louis R. Ruggiero
  • Patent number: 8447551
    Abstract: An assembly tool is provided. The assembly tool comprises a body and a gripper mount slidably mounted to the body with a first actuator. The first actuator is configured to slide the gripper mount from a first position to a second position along an axis. The assembly tool also comprises a gripper assembly slidably mounted to the gripper mount with a second actuator. The second actuator is configured to facilitate displacement of the gripper assembly with respect to the gripper mount along the axis. The assembly tool also comprises an encoder configured to indicate a displacement distance between an expected position and an actual position of the gripper assembly with respect to the gripper mount along the axis when the gripper mount is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tze Yang Ong, Jit Han Tan
  • Patent number: 8432292
    Abstract: A machine tool, in particular a stationary saw, includes a worktable and a safety device which is designed to trigger a reaction as a function of a safety signal, and which includes a signaling device which displays a state of the safety device. The signaling device includes a display which is located on a surface of a worktable and/or above the surface of the worktable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Visel, Georg Stellmann, Sebastian Jackisch
  • Patent number: 8408965
    Abstract: In-situ monitoring during processing of a substrate includes processing a conductive film on a substrate in a semiconductor processing apparatus and generating a signal from an eddy current sensor during processing. The signal includes a first portion generated when the eddy current sensor is adjacent the substrate, a second portion generated when the eddy current sensor is adjacent a metal body and not adjacent the substrate, and a third portion generated when the eddy current sensor is adjacent neither the metal body nor the substrate. The second portion of the signal is compared to the third portion of the signal and a gain is determined based at least on a result of the comparing, and the first portion of the signal is multiplied by the gain to generate an adjusted signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Doyle E. Bennett, Thomas H. Osterheld
  • Patent number: 8376671
    Abstract: An ID tag (27) is attached to a bottom surface (31) of a hollow portion (17) of a tool holder (11) having a hollow taper shank. Concretely, a circular recess (33) is formed on bottom surface (31) of hollow portion (17), and ID tag (27) is attached in recess (33) by means of adhesive or the like. The center of circular recess (33) coincides with a rotation axis of tool holder (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hiroo Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8330610
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for detecting wear in a screening arrangement is disclosed. The system, method, and apparatus can include a sensor that is configured to provide a notification signal when a surface of a screen panel has worn to a threshold level. The threshold level can be based at least in part on the amount of wear that requires replacement of a screen panel to prevent breakthrough or contamination. The notification signal provided by the sensor can be used to identify which screen panel or region of screen panels has been worn to the threshold level so that the screen panels can be replaced in a timely manner. The sensor may be coupled to a conductor embedded in one of the screen panels that is altered when a screen panel has worn to a threshold level, triggering the sensor to provide the notification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Polydeck Screen Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Helmut Franz Freissle, Manfred Freissle, Mark V. Weaver, Patrick Fraser King, Gregory Anderson
  • Patent number: 8325053
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring compliance with the 100% tied off rule for climbers using personal fall protection equipment. The personal fall protection monitoring system includes a remote monitoring module that monitors multiple harness systems. Each harness system includes sensors that detect the engagement of the lanyard with anchorage points and the harness. The system also includes a harness module that monitors the sensors and indicates an alarm condition to the climber and to the remote monitoring module. The harness module includes a transmitter that communicates with the remote monitoring module. The remote monitoring module communicates with multiple harness systems to indicate and log the status of each harness system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: JCJ Inc.
    Inventors: William N. Flynt, Shawn A. Remington, Jacob M. Martin, Timothy Vile
  • Patent number: 8314393
    Abstract: A device can be made operable to distinguish between materials impinging on a predefined area based at least in part on differentials within sets of data indicative of measurable characteristics of the materials impinging on the defined area. Such a device can trigger a protection mechanism based at least in part on identification of such differentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Qualex Manufacturing, LC
    Inventor: Russell S. Garland
  • Patent number: 8294571
    Abstract: A system verifies torquing of pressure fittings in an aircraft wheel well. A strain gauge and an ultra-wide band (UWB) pulse signal generator are placed on a wrench used to torque the fittings. The strain senses the torque applied by the wrench, and the pulse signal generator generates UWB pulse signals indicating the location of the fitting and the torque applied to the fitting. The pulse signals are received by UWB radios within the wheel well, which generate location measurements based on the received pulse signals. A processor automatically calculates the location of the fitting being torqued based on the location measurements, and a display produces a 3-dimensional image of the fittings and their torque status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Coffland, Sujith N. Mally, Russell N. Tice
  • Patent number: 8269620
    Abstract: An alarm trend summary display system and method can utilize an alarm trend list that works together with an alarm summary list. A set of rows in the alarm trend list can be organized in a top-to-bottom manner. A set of alarm indicators within each row in the alarm trend list can be arranged in a right-to-left horizontal arrangement. The set of alarm indicators can be aligned with most recent alarms appearing on a right side of the alarm trend list. The specific alarm indicators can be selected in the alarm trend list, so that a corresponding item can be highlighted in the alarm summary list, if the alarms are active. Hence, the system and method can allow an operator to see when alarms occur, their sequence, relations and priority, which aid the operators cope with inevitable alarm floods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell Internatonal Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Bullemer, Dal Vernon C. Reising, Mischa Tolsma
  • Patent number: 8179249
    Abstract: In an air compressor which can cope with an item to be replaced which is not a manufacturer's recommended item so as to enhance the safety, there is provided, as an example, an air compressor comprising a compressor body for compressing air, an item to be replaced (in detail, for example, a suction belt, a suction filter, a separator element and an oil filter) used during the operation of the compressor body, comprising a control device for computing a service time of the item to be replaced, from an operation time of the compressor body, discriminating whether the item to be replaced is a manufacturer's recommended item or not, determining whether or not the service time of the item to be replaced, which is discriminated as a manufacturer's recommended item, exceeds a preset first reference time, but determining whether the service time of the item to be replaced, which is discriminated as the one which is not the manufacturer's recommended item, exceeds a second reference time which has been preset so as to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Teramoto
  • Patent number: 8154417
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique method and apparatus for monitoring a device, such as a pump. The device may also include a fan, compressor, turbine or other rotating or reciprocating piece of machinery. In one embodiment, the method features sensing in a first device both a start-up vibration at a start-up time after the first device is affixed to a second device to be monitored and a subsequent vibration level at a subsequent time after the start-up time, and providing both a start-up vibration level signal containing information about the start-up vibration level of the second device, and a subsequent vibration level signal containing information about the subsequent vibration level of the second device; and monitoring in the first device the condition of operation of the second device based on a comparison of the start-up vibration level signal in relation to the subsequent vibration level signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lee Hauenstein, Douglas Paddock, Mark Alexander Playford, Jermiah Dennis Quill, David A. Rice, Patrick J. Brusa
  • Patent number: 8149101
    Abstract: A control unit of a display device controls the display device in a normal mode of operation to operate in a normal state. The control unit controls the display device to enter into an anti-crime security mode of operation, when a state representing that the external information processing device may not be currently used is determined. The control unit cancels the anti-crime security mode of operation, when the information indicative of an authorized user for confirmation has been entered through the operation buttons by a user in the anti-crime security mode of operation. The control unit controls the display device to operate in an alarm mode of operation, when information indicative of the authorized user for confirmation has not been entered by a user in the anti-crime security mode of operation. The control unit performs an alarm operation in the alarm mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Keizou Ueno
  • Patent number: 8130087
    Abstract: An imaging module that generates a plurality of display images respectively based on a plurality of pieces of state information different from each other, in accordance with an instruction signal from a controller, and allows the plurality of display images to be displayed simultaneously on a display screen of a liquid crystal display device, and a recording and reproducing unit that performs a capture operation, in accordance with the instruction signal from the controller are provided. The recording and reproducing unit records the display screen on the recording medium as screen data through the capture operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Tsubooka, Toshiya Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8130115
    Abstract: In the normal rotation direction, a change in the main sensing signal caused by a front edge is defined as a signal change caused by an effective edge, and a change in the main sensing signal caused by a back edge is defined as a signal change caused by an ineffective edge. In the reverse direction, a change in the main sensing signal caused by the back edge is defined as a signal change caused by an effective edge, and a change caused by a front edge is defined as a signal change caused by an ineffective edge. Regardless of the rotation direction, a detection signal generating circuit generates a detection signal including falling-edge changes and rising edge changes caused by the effective edge and ineffective edge respectively. When the direction is changed, the signal change on the detection signal is prohibited. As a result, gear tooth detection discrepancies are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiro Kurumado, Hiroshi Okada, Nobukazu Oba, Hirofumi Uenoyama
  • Patent number: 8130101
    Abstract: Semiconductor sensor chips are assembled with semiconductor communication chips to form sensor nodes which are wired together and placed in a tube preform which is sealed to form a tube containing an array of sensor nodes. The tube, resembling a wire in appearance, can then be assembled with power conductors to form a power delivery cable to allow monitoring of conditions within the cable at a plurality of spaced locations along the length of the cable so that the cable can be operated near or at its actual current carrying capacity which may be altered by ambient conditions and allowing management of risk of failure of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Alain Pellen
  • Patent number: 8101917
    Abstract: A device can be made operable to distinguish between materials impinging on a predefined area based at least in part on differentials within sets of data indicative of measurable characteristics of the materials impinging on the defined area. Such a device can trigger a protection mechanism based at least in part on identification of such differentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Qualex Manufacturing LLC
    Inventor: Russell S. Garland
  • Patent number: 8094036
    Abstract: A monitoring device (10) for a laser machining device (12) that has one or more laser beams (13) that are displaced along a predetermined adjustable trajectory (14, 16) along a workpiece (18) includes one or more sensors (20, 22) which monitor(s) the processing signal (24) of the machining process in a three-dimensional section (26). The one or more sensors (20, 22) activate an alarm device or interrupter (28) for the one or more laser beams (13) of the laser machining device (12) if the one or more process signals (24) in the section (26) exceed a predetermined threshold value or fall short of it, the one or more sensors (20, 22) being independent of the laser machining device (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: FFT EDAG Produktionssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Erwin Martin Heberer
  • Patent number: 8049636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hand held tool monitoring apparatus (10). The hand held tool monitoring apparatus (10) comprises a mount, which in use of the hand held tool monitoring apparatus forms part of a hand held tool (22), and a monitoring component (12) configured to be releasably attached to the mount. The monitoring component (12) comprises an operative part of the hand held tool monitoring apparatus (10) and the hand held tool monitoring apparatus further comprises a vibration sensor and a timer. The vibration sensor is operable to sense vibration of the hand held tool (22) and to provide a vibration signal in response to sensed vibration when the monitoring component is attached to the mount. The timer is operative in dependence on the vibration signal to record a duration of vibration of the hand held tool (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Reactec Limited
    Inventors: Mark-Paul Buckingham, John Paul McKeown, Tim Kent, Charles Keepax, Stephen Dickson, Donald Black
  • Patent number: 8049637
    Abstract: According embodiments of the invention, systems and methods for sensor-level machine monitoring are provided. In one example embodiment, there is disclosed a system for monitoring a machine. The system may include a first sensor including a first processor and a second sensor including a second processor. The system may further include a communication trunk in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor, and operable to communicate sensor data between each of the first processor and the second processor. The first sensor and the second sensor are operable to generate sensor data associated with at least one machine condition. Further, at least one of the first processor or the second processor is operable to analyze sensor data generated by each of the first sensor and the second sensor and determine at least one machine fault based at least in part on the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Marc Steven Tompkins, Richard Herman Hall
  • Patent number: 7990250
    Abstract: A remote control transmitting and receiving system for operating electric equipment with little operational misjudgment or malfunction. By setting a plurality of transmission codes of remote control signals of a plurality of remote control transmitters to different periods and by providing transmission order data in these transmission codes, even if transmission is carried out from a plurality of remote control transmitters completely simultaneously or with a slight time difference, it is possible to judge the transmission operation order accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuro Hanahara, Noriaki Matsui
  • Patent number: 7973671
    Abstract: A wireless breakage indicator for a shear pin having an axial bore. The indicator (10) comprises a stem (20) having a head (22) and a foot (24) at opposite ends thereof; a sleeve (32) around a portion of the stem between a first (28) and second (30) axial positions, the stem (20) and sleeve (32) adapted to be broken by the shear pin (12) in the event of its breakage; a spring (26) compressed between the head (22) of the stem (20) and a first end (34) of the sleeve (32); the foot (24) of the stem (20) being retained to the second end (36) of the sleeve (32). The breakage of the stem (20) frees the head (22) to be displaced by the spring (26) and indicate breakage of the shear pin (12). The indication can be direct, by visual inspection of the displaced head, or indirect by the displacement of the head activating a transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Vibrosystm Inc.
    Inventors: Marius Cloutier, Jean Pronovost
  • Patent number: 7924164
    Abstract: A detection system senses the location of a preselected color within one or more monitored zones of a machine tool. If the operator of a machine tool wears a red glove, the system detects the location of the color red and defines various monitored zones through the use of synchronization signals and a time circuit. The system can take action based on the location of the particular monitored zones in which the red glove is sensed. These actions can include the sounding of a horn, the lighting of a light, or the deactivation of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Staerzl
  • Publication number: 20110067895
    Abstract: A sensor part detects an actual driving signal in the driving time by a pneumatic tool. A control part, based on the detected actual driving signal, makes an addition to the actual driving number which has already stored in a memory part to updates the actual driving number, and compares the updated accumulative actual driving number with the previously set basic maintenance number. As a result of the comparison, in case the accumulative actual driving number exceeds the basic maintenance number, it is determined that maintenance is necessary for the pneumatic tool. A light emitting part emits the light and blinks by an instruction from the control part, thereby to warn a user that the pneumatic tool is into the maintenance time. Hereby, the user can grasp the maintenance time of the tool surely and exactly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Max Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Nobe, Michiaki Adachi, Tsutomu Tsushima