Did You Know...
...that in the early 1940s GE engineer James Wright was charged with a task of utmost importance to the war effort: develop a cheap substitute for rubber that could be used to produce tires, gas masks and a whole host of military gear. Wright tackled the task diligently -- and wound up inventing Silly Putty.
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7996999 | Inclination detector device with a closed optical path An inclination detector device is disclosed. The detector device has a light source, a light sensor device, and a level arranged between the light source and the light sensor device. In addition, a light guide is arranged between the light source and the level. The ... | 08/16/2011 |
| 7818891 | Inclination sensor with optoelectronic level An inclination sensor is provided having a level that has a liquid and a gas bubble under a covering glass in a housing. A light source is arranged above the covering glass. The inclination sensor can be used to determine a direction and degree of an inclination wit... | 10/26/2010 |
| 7497021 | Multi-axis bubble vial device A multi-axis bubble vial device includes a bubble vial having a vial body defining a fluid chamber with a curved upper surface, and a quantity of fluid partially filling the chamber. The fluid defines a bubble in the upper portion of the chamber that moves along the... | 03/03/2009 |
| 7389592 | Lean detector of vehicle A lean detector for a vehicle is capable of reducing the cost of the parts of a lean sensor and enhancing the waterproof property thereof. The lean detector also detects when the leaning of the vehicle body has reached a prescribed angle in the right, left, front or... | 06/24/2008 |
| 7350305 | Laser activated audible signal emitting leveler This invention pertains to the leveling device applying the optical interaction between a laser beam and a freely floating air bubble confined in a transparent, liquid-filled vial. When the air bubble is impacted by the laser beam, the curved surface of the air-bubb... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7325321 | Method and device for monitoring the alignment of a measuring instrument, and measuring instrument The method and the device serve to monitor the alignment of a measuring instrument, specifically a balance. To perform this function, the monitoring device is equipped with an inclination sensor based on the principle of a spirit level, with a container filled with ... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7317504 | Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a high refractive index liquid confined in a reservoir 13 at least partly filling the imaging field between the final element of the projection lens and the substrate. Bubbles forming in th... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7299557 | Tilt sensor A tilt sensor has a source for optical radiation, a pattern support having an optically effective pattern for the passage of the optical radiation generated by the source, a tilt-sensitive unit downstream of the pattern support in the direction of propagation of the... | 11/27/2007 |
| 7253874 | Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method A lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method makes use of a high refractive index liquid confined in a reservoir 13 at least partly filling the imaging field between the final element of the projection lens and the substrate. Bubbles forming in th... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7234830 | Optical switch An optical switch having a housing, a light source and a light detector. The light source and light detector are located remote from the housing. The light source is connected to the housing with a first light guide, and the light detector is connected to the housin... | 06/26/2007 |
| 6649927 | Tilt detecting device A tilt detecting device for detecting tilt by a reflection light from a free liquid surface, comprising a photodetection element, a liquid member for forming the free liquid surface, a fixed reflection member fixed on a structural member, a free liquid su... | 11/18/2003 |
| 6647634 | Reliably sensing bubble leveling means A bubble leveling device includes a bubble level having a gas bubble formed on a liquid surface, an illuminator projecting light through or towards the gas bubble for producing an optical image of the gas bubble, and a sensor having a coordinate screen fo... | 11/18/2003 |
| 6490802 | Orientation sensor An apparatus for precisely measuring the direction and grade of tilt, and the rate of change of tilt. The apparatus consists of a lighted fiber optic cable that is fitted with a flotation collar on one end, and the other end is vertically tethered to the ... | 12/10/2002 |
| 6449858 | Angle sensor A two-axis angle sensor comprising a pair of bubble chambers (3,4) and associated bubble detectors (5,6). A processor (42) calculates the angle of the sensor by combining the signals from the first and second bubble detectors in accordance with a predeter... | 09/17/2002 |
| 6343422 | Tilt angel measuring device The present invention provides a tilt angle measuring device comprising a glass container with a solution 11' and air bubble 12 sealed therein for measuring a tilt angle by detecting displacement of said air bubble 12, wherein said solution contains N-met... | 02/05/2002 |
| 6320653 | Multiple-axis inclinometer for measuring inclinations and changes in inclination A multiple-axis inclinometer for measuring inclinations and changes in inclination comprises a cell which contains a liquid forming a horizon and which has a transparent base, and a device for illuminating a cross-line plate and imaging optics in the form... | 11/20/2001 |
| 6057916 | Automatic inclination corrector and inclination sensor using an automatic inclination corrector An automatic inclination corrector and an inclination sensor using the automatic inclination corrector free from the temperature, for optical instruments. A transparent container 3 seals silicon oil C having a free liquid surface C1. A collimation lens 2 ... | 05/02/2000 |
| 6037874 | Electronic level with laser inclination indicator An electronic level with a laser inclination indicator. In one embodiment, the level includes a sensor that determines an inclination of the device relative to a null inclination. The sensor generates an inclination indication signal. A housing in which t... | 03/14/2000 |
| 5893215 | Inclination sensor and surveying instrument using the same The present invention relates to an inclination sensor capable of detecting inclinations in two X- and Y- axis directions with use of only a single linear sensor. In this inclination sensor, a first optical system collimates the light emitted from a light... | 04/13/1999 |
| 5847824 | Automatic angle compensator An automatic angle compensator comprising a liquid sealing container 4 having transparent liquid to form a free liquid surface 1 sealed therein, light projecting systems 21 and 22 for projecting light at a given angle to the free liquid surface, and an op... | 12/08/1998 |
| 5794355 | Rotationally actuated position sensor A position sensor comprises two curved surfaces concentrically aligned to form a container which is filled with a viscous fluid and a bubble of a lighter-weight fluid and placed between a radiation source and a radiation detector. The bubble changes posit... | 08/18/1998 |
| 5513001 | Tilt angle automatic compensator in all directions A tilt angle automatic compensator used for a device requiring verticality or horizontality is disclosed. The automatic compensator comprises a container 4 where a transparent liquid to form free liquid surface 1 is sealed, a light projection system for p... | 04/30/1996 |
| 5479715 | Electronic level displaying inclination using a multi-segment fan-like display An electronic level includes a visual scale having a "fan-like" configuration of a number of elongated wedge-shaped segments. The inclination of the device is shown by graphically illuminating various of the segments on either side of a central segment li... | 01/02/1996 |
| 5450676 | Slope angle and level indicator apparatus A slope/level indicating apparatus for determining the degree of slope or grade being created by a machine, such as a grader. The apparatus comprises a slope indicator unit which transmits slope information through a cable to a digital display which can b... | 09/19/1995 |
| 5425179 | Optical sensor for measuring inclination angles A device utilized for accurately measuring inclination angles independent of roll position using optical methods, whereby an amplitude of reflected (or refracted) light rays from a surface of a gravity-leveled liquid are detected by a photo-detector. The ... | 06/20/1995 |
| 5371951 | Two-axis inclinometer A two-axis inclinometer having an inclination-sensitive ray-deflecting device is described, via which a geometrical figure having at least one angle is projected onto a linear array. In addition to providing high resolution, a large measurement range is a... | 12/13/1994 |
| 5322441 | Method and apparatus for providing a portable visual display There is disclosed a system and method for providing a portable visual display device. The device, in one embodiment, can be worn over the head by a viewer in the manner of a helmet. The viewer then looks at a screen within the helmet and "sees" created i... | 06/21/1994 |
| 5317810 | Clinometer A clinometer provided with a level vial filled with a transparent liquid and a bubble, and a projector for irradiating the level vial. The clinometer includes center calculating means for calculating the center of a bubble from light receiving signals of ... | 06/07/1994 |
| 5218771 | Orientation sensing apparatus Orientation sensing apparatus including a bubble suspended in liquid contained within a transparent cylindrical container, light sources aligned along the cylindrical axis of the container that transmit light via light pathways for illuminating the bubble... | 06/15/1993 |
| 5177872 | Method and apparatus for monitoring physical positioning of a user There is disclosed a device and method for providing signals representative of the positional altitude of a user. The device is responsive to hand or head movements to move a dampened substance contained within a confined tube past one or more sensors. Li... | 01/12/1993 |
| 5148018 | Laser beam levelling device The laser beam levelling device has a vessel (1) with a U-shaped cross section filled with a dark liquid. A respective photoelectric sensor (2) is located on the exterior of the two free arms of the U. The two sensors (2) are connected to an evaluating de... | 09/15/1992 |
| 5111039 | Photoelectric vertical sensor with pressure compensation means In a vertical sensor, a container encases a light absorbing liquid. An air bubble is formed within the light absorbing liquid and is displaced in the event that the container deviates from a vertical indicating position. A light source and a photoelectric... | 05/05/1992 |
| 5101570 | Inclination angle detector An inclination angle detector electrically detects an angle of inclination of an object of measurement with respect to the horizontal direction or the direction of gravitation. An inclination angle detector includes a bubble tube having a transparent cont... | 04/07/1992 |
| 5025567 | Illuminated spirit level using fiber optic devices An illuminated spirit level containing fiber optic cables for the transmission of light from the self contained light source to the level vials is disclosed. The lighting system provides for several improvements over other such devices, including a light ... | 06/25/1991 |
| 4993162 | Apparatus for measuring inclinations of a component The apparatus comprises a stable carrier plate for carrying prisms cemented thereto and conducting an optical ray path from its source to a position sensitive photoelectric receiver. A liquid horizon is provided on the carrier plate for shifting the optic... | 02/19/1991 |
| 4956922 | Bubble inclination gauge including a central shield for light-emitting and light-detecting means Inclination gauge having a reservoir filled with liquid and containing a gas bubble. The position of the gas bubble is detected by light detecting devices by which light going through the completely filled tube has a different convergent nature than light... | 09/18/1990 |
| 4861981 | Optoelectronic theodolite sensor An optoelectronic theodolite sensor contains in a frame, a cylindrical measurement cell half filled with an opaque liquid or entirely filled with two overlying immiscible liquids, each of which fills half of the cell, the first one being opaque and the ot... | 08/29/1989 |
| 4666299 | Inclination measuring apparatus having a prism with associated liquid container An inclination measuring apparatus having a prism and a container having a liquid sealed therein for providing a liquid surface perpendicular to the direction of gravity. A member constructed from thermal conductive material is position under the liquid s... | 05/19/1987 |
| 4625423 | Electronic inclination gauge A bar for measuring angles of inclination from the vertical and horizontal. The angles of inclination are indicated by either sight, sound, or feel or combinations thereof. Light emitting diodes and photo transistors are positioned on opposite sides of a ... | 12/02/1986 |
| 4592147 | Electrically actuated angular orientation indicating device A chamber filled with an oscillation damping liquid has a non-magnetic plumb bob suspended from an upper portion of the chamber and a radiated beam path traverses the chamber below the suspension point of the freely suspended plumb bob. The beam path and ... | 06/03/1986 |
