Shaft Or Rotary Element Patents (Class 340/686.3)
  • Patent number: 11621614
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of servos, and in particular to a high-precision miniature servo with a new variable reluctance and improved motor positioning. Compared with conventional variable reluctances, the variable reluctance of the present disclosure has a longer service life, is lower in cost and is easier to machine. The motor component is directly assembled on the housing, so that the cost and space are saved, and the difficulty in mounting and positioning a miniature motor is mainly solved. A motor brush piece and the Ball element are directly machined on a PCBA circuit board, so that the problem on the difficulty and cost control of the conventional machining technology is solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Xingping Yuan
  • Patent number: 11079009
    Abstract: A shift signal transmitter for a manual transmission of a vehicle, in particular of a motorcycle, includes a shift rod for force-transmitting coupling to a foot lever, optionally with the interposition of an extension rod. The shift rod is guided along its longitudinal axis in an axially displaceable manner between two axial stops in an, in particular sleeve-shaped, housing. A connecting piece, which serves for coupling to a shift lever, is rigidly connected to the housing opposite to an internal axial end of the shift rod. A distance sensor for contact-free distance measurement is disposed within the housing opposite to the internal axial end of the shift rod and a sensor area of the distance sensor is oriented radially relative to the longitudinal axis. A shift apparatus for a manual transmission of a vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: BING Power Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Romina Bruch, Martin Zangl
  • Patent number: 9041549
    Abstract: Remotely readable valve position indicators and related methods are described. An example apparatus in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure includes a valve body, a valve stem and a fluid flow control apparatus coupled to the valve stem. The fluid flow control apparatus is longitudinally displaceable between a first position and a second position to control fluid flow through a flow aperture of the valve body. The apparatus also includes a valve position indicator including an identifier device coupled to the valve stem. In the first position, the wireless identifier device associated with a first value indicative of the first position of the fluid flow control apparatus. In the second position, the wireless identifier device associated with a second value indicative of the second position of the fluid flow control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Wildie McCarty
  • Patent number: 8963733
    Abstract: A system includes more sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of rotating equipment and a blind fault detection device. The blind fault detection device includes an input interface configured to receive at least one input signal from the one or more sensors. The blind fault detection device also includes a processing unit configured to identify a fault in the rotating equipment using the at least one input signal. The blind fault detection device further includes an output interface configured to provide an indicator identifying the fault. The processing unit is configured to identify the fault by determining at least one family of frequencies related to at least one sensor point, determining an average energy for the at least one sensor point based on the at least one family of frequencies, and comparing the average energy to a baseline value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chinmaya Kar, Rajat Sadana, Joydeb Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 8884775
    Abstract: There are provided with rotary encoders 7a and 7b, each detecting a rotation position of each of rotation driving portions 4a and 4b, deviation calculating means 8 that obtains a deviation Ke between an encoder output value Da outputted from one specific rotary encoder 7a and an encoder output value Db outputted from the other rotary encoder 7b, abnormality determining means 9 that compares the deviation Ke with threshold values Ksf and Kss set in advance and determines that the deviation Ke has become the threshold value Ksf or more and/or the threshold value Kss or more, and abnormality output means 10 that outputs at least a determination result of the abnormality determining means 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Komamura, Yuuki Ashida
  • Patent number: 8880359
    Abstract: A transmission sensing and measurement system. The system provides real-time feedback of various transmission operating characteristics which enables immediate synchronized shift calibration in response to vehicle operating conditions. The system can be applied to various transmission components and positions, such as bearing, shafts, and differentials. The system is arranged in a transmission assembly. By way of a method for measuring operating characteristics of the transmission where data is collected by a sensor and transmitted, optimal operating characteristics of the transmission can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marion Jack Ince, Charles Schwab, Jens Heim
  • Patent number: 8836529
    Abstract: A chain saw hazard warning light and method for using same. A pair of oppositely-directed light sources emit light beams throughout a chain shot hazard warning zone through rectilinear, slotted openings at opposite ends of a housing. The light beams turn on, if and only if, the cutting chain is rotating about the chain guide bar; alternatively, initiation of rotation of the cutting chain is delayed to permit the light beams to turn on some time prior thereto. The zone is defined by first and second pairs of planes that diverge in opposite directions from the chain guide bar, said planes being disposed at equal, acute angles (most preferably 15°) to, and on opposite sides of, a plane that includes the chain guide bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Thomsen
  • 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: 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: 8600583
    Abstract: A flight control system for an aircraft, controlling a plurality of actuators adapted to actuate control surfaces of the aircraft, including: at least one communications bus; at least one computer situated in the avionics bay of the aircraft, and adapted to calculate flight commands and to transmit them over the bus in the form of command messages; and at least a first remote terminal connected to the bus, adapted to control a control surface actuator, and to acquire the state of the actuator from information provided by at least a first sensor, the first terminal receiving command messages from the computer and transmitting electrical orders to the actuator as a function of the command messages received in this way, and also transmitting messages to the computer, at its request, relating to the state of the actuator as a function of the information provided by the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Marc Fervel, Jean-Jacques Aubert, Antoine Maussion
  • Patent number: 8576086
    Abstract: In a limit signal indicator for determining two positions of a pneumatically operated positioning device, a position sensor detects a position of the positioning device. A first signal transmission contact, a second signal transmission contact, and a microprocessor are provided. The first and the second signal transmission contacts each output a respective electrical limit position signal, the limit position signals representing an adoption of the first and the second positions or of at least one position of the positioning device above or below a predetermined set limit value. At least one of the signal transmission contacts is connected for signal transmission so that in case of a malfunctioning of a signal transmission, the switch amplifier is capable of generating an emergency signal above a maximum limit value or below a lower limit value, and to transmit the emergency signal to an external processing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samson Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fausto Crespo Vidal, Karl-Bernd Schaertner, Dirk Klee, Thomas Karte
  • Publication number: 20130207810
    Abstract: A system includes more sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of rotating equipment and a blind fault detection device. The blind fault detection device includes an input interface configured to receive at least one input signal from the one or more sensors. The blind fault detection device also includes a processing unit configured to identify a fault in the rotating equipment using the at least one input signal. The blind fault detection device further includes an output interface configured to provide an indicator identifying the fault. The processing unit is configured to identify the fault by determining at least one family of frequencies related to at least one sensor point, determining an average energy for the at least one sensor point based on the at least one family of frequencies, and comparing the average energy to a baseline value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Chinmaya Kar, Rajat Sadana, Joydeb Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 8502665
    Abstract: A security fence for swimming pools is provided to be so positioned as to surround the water of a swimming pool. The security fence comprises fence sections which are linked to an alarm system. The fence sections are moveable between a non-signaling position and an alarm signaling position. When the fence sections are in the non-signaling position and a given fence section is engaged with sufficient force it is moved to the alarm signaling position thereby signaling the alarm. The foregoing prevents a user, such as a child, from entering the pool water when the alarm system has been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Eric Boudreau
  • Publication number: 20130187783
    Abstract: A wind turbine condition monitoring method includes the steps of generating in advance a reference curve for normal operation of a transmission chain of a wind turbine using position information, measuring position information and generating an actual condition monitoring curve; comparing the actual condition monitoring curve with the reference curve, and determining the current condition of the wind turbine from the comparison. With the proposed monitoring method, monitoring with a high signal-to-noise ratio can be achieved with minimal or no addition of hardware, such as an ND module; moreover, computational task is greatly reduced, so that the monitoring system can be more easily integrated into the main control system. In addition, the position measurement system is more stable than a vibration measurement system, and the monitoring result is more reliable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Winergy AG
    Inventors: Xi Hu, Qing Gang Wang, Jian Hui Xing, Yue Zhuo
  • Patent number: 8400318
    Abstract: A signal level detection method is provided, the method includes providing a feed line system that includes coaxial cable connectors connecting coaxial cable sections. Each coaxial cable connector includes a connector body, a coupling circuit positioned within the connector body, an electrical signal power level detection circuit electrically connected to the coupling circuit and comprised by the connector body, and an output component comprised by the connector body. At least one coupling circuit senses an electrical signal flowing through at least one associated coaxial cable connector. At least one electrical signal power level detection circuit detects a plurality of associated power levels of the electrical signal flowing through at least one associated coaxial cable connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah P. Montena
  • Patent number: 8400319
    Abstract: A coaxial cable connector structure is provided, the connector structure comprising: a connector; a physical parameter sensing circuit mechanically attached to the connector; and a status output component mechanically attached to the connector. The physical parameter sensing circuit configured to sense a condition of the connector. The status output component configured to report an ascertained physical parameter status to a location outside of the connector. A corresponding method of ascertaining a physical parameter status of a connector connection is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah P. Montena
  • Patent number: 8264232
    Abstract: A device for measuring the wear of the contacts of a switchgear device is described. The switchgear device is of the open circuit breaker type with offset pole-shaft, and the movable contact is mounted on a sliding support. Measurement of the wear of the contacts is based on evaluation of the over-travel of the movable contact in the closed position when the latter slides in its support. This over-travel is determined by measuring the residual rotation of the pole-shaft, preferably by a contact-less magnetic rotation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Marc Rival
  • Patent number: 8242925
    Abstract: In an arrangement and associated method for positioning of apparatuses (in particular of a C-arm), the position and orientation of a C-arm and of a pointer instrument are determined by a navigation system, and an alignment of the C-arm is conducted based on the orientation of the pointer apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Graumann, Lars Neuefeind
  • Publication number: 20120188089
    Abstract: A chain saw hazard warning light and method for using same. A pair of oppositely-directed light sources emit light beams throughout a chain shot hazard warning zone through rectilinear, slotted openings at opposite ends of a housing. The light beams turn on, if and only if, the cutting chain is rotating about the chain guide bar; alternatively, initiation of rotation of the cutting chain is delayed to permit the light beams to turn on some time prior thereto. The zone is defined by first and second pairs of planes that diverge in opposite directions from the chain guide bar, said planes being disposed at equal, acute angles (most preferably 15°) to, and on opposite sides of, a plane that includes the chain guide bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Thomsen
  • Patent number: 8188842
    Abstract: The rotation operation plane of the ring-shaped operation members that operate the rotation is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the rotation operation of the ring-shaped operation member can be performed without holding a finger in the vertical direction. Furthermore, since the rotation operation plane is inclined with respect to the placement plane of the case, static friction on the placement plane is generated by a force component of the operation force acting on the rotation operation plane and is perpendicular to the placement plane, thus the case does not move toward the rotation operation direction during the rotation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Otsuka, Ryuhei Noguchi, Noriaki Miyata
  • Patent number: 8169334
    Abstract: A magnetic rotary encoder with feedback unit, including a base, a cover body, a sensing element and a display element. The base has a hollow main body formed with a receiving space. The receiving space has an opening at one end of the main body. The cover body is disposed at the end of the main body of the base to block the opening. The cover body is formed with a through hole in communication with the receiving space. The sensing element is disposed in the receiving space for sensing the motion of a magnetic element disposed on a rotor of a rotary motor. The display element is arranged on the sensing element in alignment with the through hole of the cover body for receiving signals transmitted from the sensing element. The display element has different display modes in accordance with different signals for a user to easily judge the operation state of the rotary motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Hiwin Mikrosystem Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Hung Hsieh, Chien-Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 8164473
    Abstract: A mine roof monitoring apparatus has at least two contact members. At least one contact member maintains contact with the roof of a mine shaft. At least one contact member maintains contact with a floor of the same mine shaft. A motion monitoring apparatus monitors the relative motion between the two contact members, and a flag on the motion monitoring apparatus changes position, when a predetermined amount of motion occurs between the two contact members. This indicates that the roof of the mine shaft has subsided enough to move the respective contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Roy Lee Robertson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8164448
    Abstract: A security fence for swimming pools is provided to be so positioned as to surround the water of a swimming pool. The security fence comprises fence sections which are linked to an alarm system. The fence sections are moveable between a non-signaling position and an alarm signaling position. When the fence sections are in the non-signaling position and a given fence section is engaged with sufficient force it is moved to the alarm signaling position thereby signaling the alarm. The foregoing prevents a user, such as a child, from entering the pool water when the alarm system has been activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Eric Boudreau
  • Patent number: 8149130
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing, a rotation sensor, and a processor. The rotation sensor includes a supporting plate fixed to the housing, a cylindric carrier, an electron emitting device, a magnet, a number of strip-shaped electrodes, and a detecting device. The cylindric carrier is disposed on the supporting plate and is rotatable relative to the supporting plate. The electron emitting device is disposed on the supporting plate and emits electrons along the center axis of the cylindric carrier. The magnet provides a magnetic field substantially parallel to the supporting plate. The detecting device detects the falling position of the electrons and generates a signal representing the parameters of the rotation of the portable electronic device. The processor receives the signal generated by the detecting device and generates an operating signal for operating the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Song-Ling Yang
  • Patent number: 8134472
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a component of an electrical device and/or a brush of a brush holder assembly are provided. One method includes receiving data from a plurality of remote monitoring locations at a central control unit, where the data may be evaluated in order to monitor states of brushes or other components of an electrical device at a plurality of remote electrical facilities. For example, multiple images of a component of an electrical device may be acquired. A comparison of the images, for example, a comparative imaging technique, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison or visual observation, may then be performed in order to evaluate a condition of the brush or other component, such as a threshold and/or anomalous condition of the brush or other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Cutsforth Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 8130113
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a bearing is disclosed. The method involves positioning a non-contacting bearing isolator adjacent a bearing on a piece of rotating equipment so that at least one operating parameter of said bearing is communicated to said bearing isolator; and, positioning an energy detector within range of said bearing isolator so that said energy detector is able to monitor said at least one operating parameter of said bearing by detecting at least one operating parameter of said bearing isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoehle
  • 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: 8102272
    Abstract: A signal inspection system for a rotation control device and a method thereof are disclosed. The signal inspection system comprises a signal capturing device, a determining module, a signal transforming device, and a processing module. A first signal and a second signal outputted by the rotation control device are captured by the signal capturing device, and the state of the first signal is determined by the determining module. Based on the state of the first signal, the machine language transformed from the first signal and the second signal are assembled by the processing module by use of a preset mode, and the assembled result is deciphered by the processing module for outputting a rotational direction of the rotation control device. Therefore, the accuracy of inspection result may be effectively improved up to one hundred percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Inventec Appliances Corp.
    Inventor: Li-Yan Ma
  • Patent number: 8094006
    Abstract: A portable bearing test device includes a power supply that is operable to supply direct current (DC) electrical power via a plurality of power supply outputs and a circuit common. Independent bearing test circuits are coupled to receive output electrical power from one of the power supply outputs, and are further adapted to independently couple to a separate rotating machine test bearing. Separate indicator lights are electrically coupled in series in each of the independent bearing test circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Dean Davis
  • Patent number: 7944367
    Abstract: A system includes a comparator that triggers a signal indicating an event occurrence of a moving element of a machine that is sensed by a sensor. The signal is triggered in response to a raw signal from the sensor exceeding a trigger level. Logic calculates a hold off time for re-triggering of the signal, and a timer monitors expiration of the hold off time. A trigger screener monitors amplitude of the raw signal and accepts a triggering of the signal from the comparator in response to expiration of the hold off time and the raw signal exceeding a re-trigger level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Matthew Allen Nelson
  • Patent number: 7919938
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement comprises a plurality of linearly extendable actuators arranged to be driven by a common electrically driven motor, each actuator, being provided with limit stops to limit extension and/or retraction thereof, wherein the limit stops of the actuators are positioned such that a first one of the actuators has a smaller range of permitted extension than at least a second one of the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited
    Inventors: John Herbert Harvey, Stephen Harlow Davies
  • Patent number: 7916038
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a component of an electrical device and/or a brush of a brush holder assembly are disclosed. One method includes receiving data from a plurality of remote monitoring locations at a central control unit, where the data may be evaluated in order to monitor states of brushes or other components of an electrical device at a plurality of remote electrical facilities. For example, multiple images of a component of an electrical device may be acquired. A comparison of the images, for example, a comparative imaging technique, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison or visual observation, may then be performed in order to evaluate a condition of the brush or other component, such as a threshold and/or anomalous condition of the brush or other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Cutsforth Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 7839294
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a bearing is disclosed. The method involves positioning a non-contacting bearing isolator adjacent a bearing on a piece of rotating equipment so that at least one operating parameter of said bearing is communicated to said bearing isolator; and, positioning an energy detector within range of said bearing isolator so that said energy detector is able to monitor said at least one operating parameter of said bearing by detecting at least one operating parameter of said bearing isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoehle
  • Patent number: 7817023
    Abstract: Acquired wheel information such as temperature data and inflation pressure data is surely transmitted from a transmitter in a status where the transmitter is not located in a dead space, by controlling timing wherein the transmitter acquires the wheel information, a transmission time width and transmitting timing of the data to be transmitted from the transmitter by radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Shimura
  • Patent number: 7782221
    Abstract: An emergency shutdown detection device for a gas turbine includes a longish, mechanically severable sensor element (5), in which at least one electric line (1 to 4) is provided, with at least one resistor (R1 to R3) being electrically connected to the electric line such that upon severance of the sensor element (5), the electrically connected resistor is electrically disconnected from the electrical line to alter a resistance value for the electrical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Gustavo Arguello, Clemens Chaskel
  • Patent number: 7742881
    Abstract: A method to determine eccentricity of a rotor in a turbine including: collecting sensor data of rotor eccentricity for a plurality of startup operations; establishing a baseline eccentricity value using the sensor data corresponding to a selected startup operation; determining an eccentricity value using the filtered sensor data for each of a plurality of startup operations subsequent to the selected startup operation; determining a rotor eccentricity difference between the baseline eccentricity value and each of the eccentricity values for the plurality of startup operations subsequent to the selected startup operation, and reporting a rotor eccentricity condition based on the rotor eccentricity difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vasanth Muralidharan, Abhay Sudhakarrao Kant, S. N. Arul Saravanapriyan, Mahalakshmi Balasubramaniam S B, Jitendra Kumar
  • Patent number: 7714740
    Abstract: A digital monitoring device for monitoring an analog gauge including a pointer, the digital monitoring device comprising: a pixilated optical sensor array for mounting over the analog gauge to generate a digital signal corresponding to movement of the pointer; an image processing means for reading the pointer of the analog gauge from the electrical signals from the pixilated array, and an alert output for outputting an alert corresponding to pointer exceeding acceptable boundaries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Lipman Science and Technology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Aharon Lipman
  • Patent number: 7714739
    Abstract: A self-contained handle assembly for a door provides a light emitting diode which indicates whether the door is locked or unlocked. The LED blinks when the door is locked and thus provides an active reminder of the position of the deadbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Dan Schensky
  • Patent number: 7705744
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a component of an electrical device and/or a brush of a brush holder assembly are disclosed. One method includes receiving data from a plurality of remote monitoring locations at a central control unit, where the data may be evaluated in order to monitor states of brushes or other components of an electrical device at a plurality of remote electrical facilities. For example, multiple images of a component of an electrical device may be acquired. A comparison of the images, for example, a comparative imaging technique, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison or visual observation, may then be performed in order to evaluate a condition of the brush or other component, such as a threshold and/or anomalous condition of the brush or other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Cutsforth Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 7683799
    Abstract: A system for determining the position of a rotating wheel using RFID. In one embodiment, the system includes a position sensing wheel mounted to one or both of a crankshaft and a camshaft in the engine. A plurality of RFID tags are disposed at predetermined intervals around the wheel, and an RFID transceiver is positioned proximate the wheel. As the wheel rotates, the RFID transceiver transmits a signal that interrogates the RFID tags, which then transmit a coded signal to the transceiver identifying the wheel's position relative to the transceiver. Therefore, regardless of the position of the wheel, the RFID transceiver can interrogate the closest RFID tag and immediately know the position of the engine so that an engine controller can provide fuel and spark to the cylinders as soon as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Qi Ma
  • Publication number: 20100019917
    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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiro Kurumado, Hiroshi Okada, Nobukazu Oba, Hirofumi Uenoyama
  • Patent number: 7643944
    Abstract: A measuring device is provided for a motor vehicle, with a bracket (1), with a joint (8), which is connected to the bracket (1) and which has a joint housing (20) and a pivot pin (19) mounted movably in same. A component (2) is provided which is connected to the joint (8) and which is mounted pivotably on the bracket (1) via the joint (8). An angle measuring device (17, 18) is provided, by which the angle (?) of the component (2) in relation to the bracket (1) can be determined. An analyzer (23) is connected to the angle measuring device (17, 18) and has a double differentiator (24), which is connected to the angle measuring device (17, 18) and which is followed downstream by a summer or integrator (26) via the intermediary of a calculating unit (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joachim Spratte, Michael Klank, Klaus Warnken, Alfons Noe, Günter Gödert
  • Patent number: 7633402
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism includes at least one member adapted to slide along at least one body wall. The body wall and the sliding member are adapted to mate in at least one designated location when the sliding member is pushed into frictional sliding contact with the body wall from an initial location. A motion detector is operatively coupled to the sliding member. A controller is operatively coupled to the motion detector and adapted to determine whether the sliding member has moved from the initial location to the designated location based on input from the motion detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Youn Jae Jeon
  • Patent number: 7619537
    Abstract: In an encoder which is equipped with two detectors arranged on both sides of a rotating shaft in order to eliminate an eccentricity error, the mounting of the detectors is facilitated by making provisions so as to not cause a problem in the calculating of an average even if the detectors happen to be so mounted that the difference between the angular values calculated from the outputs of the respective detectors becomes equal to 180°. In an initialization process after power on, the difference ?? between the angular values ?1 and ?2 calculated from the signals output from the respective detectors is stored as an initial value. Position data ? is output by taking an average between ?3 and ?2, where ?3 is a value obtained by correcting ?1 by the initial difference ??.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Mitsuyuki Taniguchi, Hirofumi Kikuchi, Tadayoshi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7602306
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the operation of a robot joint in which a second member (43) is displaceably mounted on a first member (41). The distance to a measurement plate provided to the second member (43) is measured by a range finder (42) provided to the first member (41). A monitoring unit (71) compares the distance data measured by the range finder with a reference distance stored in advance, and generates an abnormality signal when the difference between the distance data and the reference distance exceeds an allowable value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kashio, Yoshinobu Sugita
  • Patent number: 7583200
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting the variations of speed (R) of a rotor. Signals are measured representative of the march-past of the teeth of a measurement device secured to the rotor for a determined duration (T). The measurements are sampled, digitized and stored to obtain an initial digital vector (B). A detection signal is extracted around a known disturbing frequency (F). The detection signal is compared with a predetermined threshold (SO) and an alert message is delivered in the event of overshoot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Valerio Gerez
  • Patent number: 7554457
    Abstract: A system is provided for sensing misalignment of a railroad signaling system. The railroad signaling system includes at least one railroad signal coupled to at least one elongated member adjacent to a railroad. The system includes at least one transmitter positioned within at least one elongated member, and at least one receiver positioned from each of said at least one transmitter within at least one adjacent elongated member to the at least one elongated member. More particularly, the system includes at least one electronic device coupled to each of a transmitter and each of at least one receiver, to sense detection of each transmitter by at least one receiver of at least one receiver indicative of misalignment of the railroad signaling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John Charles Hounschell, II
  • Patent number: 7535376
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism includes at least one member adapted to slide along at least one body wall. The body wall and the sliding member are adapted to mate in at least one designated location when the sliding member is pushed into frictional sliding contact with the body wall from an initial location. A motion detector is operatively coupled to the sliding member. A controller is operatively coupled to the motion detector and adapted to determine whether the sliding member has moved from the initial location to the designated location based on input from the motion detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Youn Jae Jeon
  • Patent number: 7495575
    Abstract: A gear pump for the dosed conveyance of pigmented lacquers or paints and which is adapted for use with a painting robot. The gear pump comprises two toothed wheels meshing with one another and which are mounted within a pump housing in such a manner that they can be rotated by a driven drive shaft and a fixed bearing shaft. For this, the drive shaft is mounted by a bearing section at multiple points in a pump housing and a coupling section of the drive shaft projects out of the pump drive to connect to a drive. In order, on the one hand, to avoid wear due to high pressure forces and, on the other hand, to absorb a pronounced load from the outside, a supporting bearing for the radial and axial support of the drive shaft is formed on the drive shaft's coupling section projecting outside of the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignees: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG, Dürr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Arkardiusz Tomzik, Florian Axmann, Michael Baumann
  • Patent number: 7486178
    Abstract: Electrical connection system between a wheel and a bearing-hub assembly, the wheel being mounted on an outer flange of the bearing-hub assembly, and the bearing-hub assembly comprising a rotationally fixed outer ring attached to the vehicle's suspension and an inner ring provided with a centering collar, an open frontal cavity defined in the said centering collar and an axial cavity opening into the said cavity; the connection system having a first connection cable attached to the inner ring and extending inside the axial cavity and the frontal cavity, a second connection cable integrated with the wheel, and a connection element associated with the said centering collar to provide electrical contact that can be selectively disconnected between the first cable and the second cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignees: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A., SKF Industrie SpA
    Inventors: Christophe Criaud, Sébastien Drap, Salima Fahas, Bruno Giai, Alexander Molenaar, Rafaële Montagnoni, Simona Pilone