Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090299514 | FITTING ASSEMBLY EVALUATING APPARATUS AND METHODS - Methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection are disclosed. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, and an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is axially compressed or stroked. | 12-03-2009 |
20100133812 | Tube Fitting - Fittings are provided for use with different types of tubing. One such fitting includes a gripping member having a sharp tube indenting edge that provides a seal between the tube gripping member and the tube. Another such fitting includes a tube gripping member having a body indenting edge that provides a seal between the tube gripping member and a fitting body. | 06-03-2010 |
20100201118 | CONDUIT CONNECTION WITH SENSING FUNCTION - Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member ( | 08-12-2010 |
20100213705 | CONDUIT FITTING WITH TORQUE COLLAR - A conduit fitting of the type having first and second threaded fitting components and at least one conduit gripping device, further includes a stroke limiting member that allows the fitting to be pulled up by applying a predetermined torque. In one embodiment, the stroke limiting member may be a non-integral torque collar and in another embodiment the stroke limiting member may be two engaging surfaces integrally formed with the fitting components. Alternatively, the fitting may also be pulled up by turns. In still another embodiment, a stroke limiting member is provided that may be used to enable a fitting that is designed to be pulled up by turns to also be pulled up by torque. The stroke limiting member facilitates many remakes of the fitting, including remakes by torque. | 08-26-2010 |
20110181042 | CONDUIT GRIPPING DEVICE HAVING RETAINING STRUCTURE FOR CONDUIT FITTING - The disclosure presents exemplary embodiments of a cartridge nut concept for conduit fittings. The cartridge nut concept may include the feature of loosely retaining one or more conduit gripping devices with a fitting component such as a male or female threaded nut. The cartridge nut concept may be realized using one or more geometry or shape features or characteristics of one or more conduit gripping devices. Still further, the cartridge nut concept may be realized in combination with a ferrule cartridge concept. | 07-28-2011 |
20110309615 | FITTING WITH ADAPTED ENGAGING SURFACES - A fitting assembly is provided with a first fitting component having a stepped wall surface; and a second fitting component radially spaced from the first fitting component when the fitting assembly is in a finger tight condition prior to pull-up. When the second fitting component is displaced into contact with the stepped wall surface during fitting pull-up, the stepped wall surface assists in separating the first fitting component from the second fitting component upon fitting disassembly. | 12-22-2011 |
20120038150 | TAPERED DRIVE NUT FOR CONDUIT FITTING - A drive nut for a fitting includes an interior socket centered on a central axis and configured to receive at least a rearward portion of a conduit gripping member. The socket is defined by a radial drive surface positioned to engage the conduit gripping member during pull-up, a first longitudinal surface radially outward of said drive surface and a radially tapered second longitudinal surface between the drive surface and the first tapered longitudinal surface, wherein a conduit gripping device contact the second longitudinal surface upon an initial pull-up and each remake. This geometry facilitates a greater number of available remakes by reducing lost stroke, and can provide less stroke loss for fittings pulled up by torque. | 02-16-2012 |
20120187678 | TUBE FITTING - Fittings are provided for use with different types of tubing. One such fitting includes a gripping member having a sharp tube indenting edge that provides a seal between the tube gripping member and the tube. Another such fitting includes a tube gripping member having a body indenting edge that provides a seal between the tube gripping member and a fitting body. | 07-26-2012 |
20130140815 | FITTING NUT WITH ADAPTED ENGAGING SURFACES - A fitting assembly is provided with a first fitting component having a stepped wall surface; and a second fitting component radially spaced from the first fitting component when the fitting assembly is in a finger tight condition prior to pull-up. When the second fitting component is displaced into contact with the stepped wall surface during fitting pull-up, the stepped wall surface assists in separating the first fitting component from the second fitting component upon fitting disassembly. | 06-06-2013 |
20130270814 | CONDUIT CONNECTION WITH SENSING FUNCTION - Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member, a drive member, and a seal member, the drive member causing axial movement of the conduit gripping member to indent into an outer surface of the conduit when the assembly is pulled-up, the drive member causing the seal member to form a zero clearance seal at a location that is axially spaced from the conduit gripping member. The zero clearance seal may comprise a face seal arrangement including a gasket, and the conduit gripping member may be a ferrule, ring or other device that can grip and optionally seal against the conduit outer surface. The assembly may include a sensing function for detecting or sensing a characteristic or condition of an assembly component or the fluid or both. In one embodiment, a body coupling member has a two piece construction of a main body and a conduit socket insert. A flared fitting embodiment is also provided. Sensing functions are also incorporated into fittings other than just zero clearance fittings. | 10-17-2013 |
20150101165 | FITTING ASSEMBLY EVALUATING APPARATUS AND METHODS - Methods and apparatus for evaluating characteristics of components of a mechanically attached connection are disclosed. Characteristics that may be evaluated include, but are not limited to, the position of a conduit gripping device on a conduit, an amount of axial compression or stroke of the conduit gripping device, and an amount of clamping force applied to the conduit gripping device as the conduit gripping device is axially compressed or stroked. | 04-16-2015 |
20150252922 | Conduit connection with strain sensor on a threaded nut - Apparatus and method for mechanically attached connections of conduits may include a conduit gripping member, a drive member, and a seal member, the drive member causing axial movement of the conduit gripping member to indent into an outer surface of the conduit when the assembly is pulled-up, the drive member causing the seal member to form a zero clearance seal at a location that is axially spaced from the conduit gripping member. The zero clearance seal may comprise a face seal arrangement including a gasket, and the conduit gripping member may be a ferrule, ring or other device that can grip and optionally seal against the conduit outer surface. The assembly may include a sensing function for detecting or sensing a characteristic or condition of an assembly component or the fluid or both. In one embodiment, a body coupling member has a two piece construction of a main body and a conduit socket insert. A flared fitting embodiment is also provided. Sensing functions are also incorporated into fittings other than just zero clearance fittings. | 09-10-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090259327 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UNIFIED AUDIO CONTROL ON A PERSONAL COMPUTER - A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system's audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user's context. | 10-15-2009 |
20090305695 | REAL-TIME COMMUNICATIONS ARCHITECTURE AND METHODS FOR USE WITH A PERSONAL COMPUTER SYSTEM - A system and method for improved real-time communications in a computer system that eliminates the distinctions between various communication devices, communication channels and types of communication, including voice, text and video, is provided. When connected for communication, the user may easily move between modalities, including switching devices on which the user is communicating, switching networks, and transitioning between types of communication. A computer system includes various integrated communications-related devices, and a controller controls those devices based on user actions entered via buttons or user interface software and provides notifications to the user. The user is able to input data via any appropriate input mechanism, and receive data on any suitable output mechanism. Improved non-linear caller ID navigation is also provided. | 12-10-2009 |
20100008488 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UNIFIED AUDIO CONTROL ON A PERSONAL COMPUTER - A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system's audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user's context. | 01-14-2010 |
20100010653 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UNIFIED AUDIO CONTROL ON A PERSONAL COMPUTER - A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system's audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user's context. | 01-14-2010 |
20120200518 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR UNIFIED AUDIO CONTROL ON A PERSONAL COMPUTER - A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system's audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user's context. | 08-09-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090130704 | Novel bioreactor - This invention provides bioreactors having a selectively permeable porous material with an open pore structure, useful for producing products including hydrogen gas, biomass, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The porous materials are utilized, for example, as one or more portions of or entire walls, covers, floors, filters, windows, or tubes of the bioreactors. This invention provides bioreactors comprising porous materials that are aerogels, xerogels, or sol-gel glasses, including silica aerogels. The selectively permeable porous materials are gas-permeable, and in addition optionally photopermeable, transparent, hydrophobic, and/or capable of functioning as sterile barriers. This invention provides methods for culturing cells and organisms employing the bioreactors of the invention. This invention further provides methods for producing gaseous products, including hydrogen, biomass, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals employing the bioreactors of the invention. | 05-21-2009 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080228038 | Illumination Assembly For Use With Vaginal Speculum Apparatus - An illumination assembly for use with a vaginal speculum includes an assembly housing containing a light source, such as at least one LED or incandescent lamp. The illumination assembly, which can be battery powered or powered by means of a dedicated power supply, such as an AC power supply, is configured to be fitted within a receiving cavity of a handle portion of a vaginal speculum. | 09-18-2008 |
20080269565 | Vaginal Speculum Apparatus - A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a disposable speculum and a releasably attachable illumination assembly. A handle portion of the disposable speculum includes a receiving cavity that is adapted to interchangeably receive either a first or a second illumination assembly. | 10-30-2008 |
20090216088 | VAGINAL SPECULUM - A vaginal speculum includes an upper blade member and a lower blade member that is movably connected with respect to the upper blade. The lower blade member includes an integrated handle portion having a receiving cavity configured for interchangeably receiving one of a first illumination assembly and a substantially different second illumination assembly. The first illumination assembly differs from the second illumination assembly by at least one structural and/or functional aspect, such as the form of power supply, the type of light source and physical size of the assembly housing. | 08-27-2009 |
20090275803 | ARTICULATION MECHANISM FOR A VAGINAL SPECULUM - An articulation mechanism for a vaginal speculum enables selective relative movement between an upper blade member and a lower blade member to affect vertical and angular spacing. The mechanism selectively enables quiet or clicking articulation according to at least one version. | 11-05-2009 |
20120209079 | VAGINAL SPECULUM APPARATUS - A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a portable illumination assembly that is releasably attached to one of the upper blade and lower blade of a disposable vaginal speculum. The portable illumination assembly is defined by a housing that retains at least one LED and a portable power supply. The portable illumination assembly can be energized by an externally accessible member after the illuminator has been attached to the speculum. | 08-16-2012 |
20140148653 | VAGINAL SPECULUM APPARATUS - A vaginal speculum apparatus includes a portable illumination assembly that is releasably attached to one of the upper blade and lower blade of a disposable vaginal speculum. The portable illumination assembly is defined by a housing that retains at least one LED and a portable power supply. The portable illumination assembly can be energized by an externally accessible member after the illuminator has been attached to the speculum. | 05-29-2014 |