Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8183879 | Measuring arrangement, semiconductor arrangement and method for operating a semiconductor component as a reference source The invention relates to a measuring arrangement, a semiconductor arrangement and a method for operating a reference source, wherein at least one semiconductor component and a voltage source are connected to a measuring unit and the measuring unit provides a measure... | 05/22/2012 |
| 7701231 | Apparatus, system, and method for detecting cracking within an aftertreatment device An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting cracking in a particulate filter. The method may include providing an apparatus comprising an aftertreatment device with a substrate and a substrate surface, a conductive material forming a conduction path... | 04/20/2010 |
| 7616014 | Pulsed I-V measurement method and apparatus A method and apparatus for measuring a pulsed I-V characteristic of a DUT that has a signal terminal and a return terminal includes connecting a pulse unit between the signal and return terminals, the pulse unit having a pulse source and a pulsed current measuring d... | 11/10/2009 |
| 7602196 | Method to detect and locate a breach in a roof membrane A defect in a roof membrane is detected by applying a DC voltage between the roof deck and a perimeter conductor and using a detection probe pair to provide a signal indicative of the differences in voltage detected by the pair of probes so as to allow the operator ... | 10/13/2009 |
| 7554345 | Method and apparatus to detect and locate damage and breaches in roof membranes A leak in a membrane on top of a horizontal roof deck is located by a manually operable carriage which is swept over the upper surface of the membrane on the roof deck. A measuring and switching circuit generates a voltage having a positive attached to the roof deck... | 06/30/2009 |
| 7368827 | Electrical assembly for monitoring conditions in a combustion turbine operating environment An electrical assembly for use in various operating environments such as a casing of a combustion turbine 10 is provided. The assembly may include an electrical energy-harvesting device 51 disposed in a component within the casing of the turbine to con... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7363175 | Query based electronic battery tester An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery provides a test output indicative of a condition of the battery. Electronic measurement circuitry provides a measurement output related to a condition of the battery. The battery condition is determined base... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7321846 | Two-wire process control loop diagnostics A diagnostic device for coupling to a process control loop includes digital communication circuitry configured to receive a digital communication signal from the process control loop. The digital communication signal is a digitally modulated analog signal on the pro... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7319418 | Sensor with multiplex data output A method of transmitting data from a sensor (1) to a receiver (4) in which each original data word is split in positional fashion into at least two separate short data words (MSN, LSN). The separate short data words (MSN, LSN) are each converted by dig... | 01/15/2008 |
| 7317308 | System and method for measuring electric current in a pipeline A system for measuring a voltage differential in a current-carrying pipe using a propulsion vehicle for conveying the system inside the pipe. The system includes a first contact for maintaining electrical contact with the pipe as the vehicle moves through the pipe, ... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7295095 | Electric component and method of producing the same In a push-pull switching circuit for a low-voltage, large current application, a decrease in resistance of a transformer and of its peripheral circuit is sought for. In view of this, a coil (2) is fixed at its terminal (T1) side, and is wound around a ... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7292054 | Impedance measuring apparatus of package substrate and method for the same An impedance measuring apparatus includes a plurality of RF (radio frequency) probes; a plurality of rotation mechanisms coupled to the plurality of RF probes, respectively; a processing unit, and a mechanical controller. The mechanical controller controls the plura... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7290450 | Process diagnostics A diagnostic device for use in a industrial process includes monitoring electronics or diagnostic circuitry configured to diagnose or identify a condition or other occurrence in the industrial process. The system can be implemented in a process device such as a flow... | 11/06/2007 |
| 7287430 | Method of evaluating connected portions, method of connecting electrical winding conductors and apparatus therefor A method of connecting hollow conductors with a brazing alloy employs a measuring mechanism 10 for measuring a connecting state of a connecting portion after brazing hollow conductors. The measuring mechanism comprises a scanner 101 and a holder 19 | 10/30/2007 |
| 7280048 | Process control loop current verification A process device is configured for coupling to a two wire process control loop. Loop current output circuitry is configured to apply an output current to the two wire process control loop. Loop current verification circuitry is coupled to the two wire process contro... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7274194 | Apparatuses and methods for repairing defects in a circuit Methods and apparatuses to repair defects in a circuit, such as during or subsequent to the manufacture of the circuit. Defects may be detected through, for example, optical processing of an acquired image of the circuit or by measuring the strength of a signal emit... | 09/25/2007 |
| 7271598 | Conductor coil defect identifier A system and method for detecting a defect in an actuator arm conductor coil is disclosed. An actuator arm including a conductor coil is received. The conductor coil is coupled with a voltage as an anode. The conductor coil is submerged into a first solution, the fi... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7265564 | Method for testing a contact region of a semiconductor module A method for testing a contact region of a semiconductor module having a circuit arrangement is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor module is heated by an electrical heating current flow and the electrical and/or thermal quality of a plurality of contact... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7254518 | Pressure transmitter with diagnostics In one embodiment, a pressure transmitter is provided which diagnoses the condition of a primary element and/or an impulse line which connects to a pressure sensor. A difference circuit coupled to the pressure sensor has a difference output which represents the sens... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7242201 | Apparatus and method for detecting state of heat exchanger tube Provided is an apparatus for concurrently detecting a defect occurring in a heat exchanger tube and a geometric transition of the heat exchanger tube. The apparatus for detecting the state of a heat exchanger tube, including: the first detection unit detecting a def... | 07/10/2007 |
| 7235978 | Device for measuring impedance of electronic component A device measures an impedance of an electronic component with using an impedance measuring apparatus. The impedance measuring device includes first and second probes to be connected to measuring terminals of the impedance measuring apparatus, an anisotropic conduct... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7213789 | System for detection of defects in railroad car wheels A system for automatic detection of defects in railroad wheels, a system that is stationary and is installed in extended intervals in the rails uses stationary acoustical/vibration sensors installed at intervals in the rails. Rail segments associated with the detect... | 05/08/2007 |
| 7199784 | One-handed operation of a handheld field maintenance tool A handheld field maintenance tool is provided with features that improve one-handed operation. In one aspect, the tool includes a side strap to allow a technician to exert additional leverage on the tool during one-handed operation. Another aspect includes providing... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7185545 | Instrumentation and method for monitoring change in electric potential to detect crack growth Instrumentation for monitoring crack growth using a change in electric potential across a starter crack as the crack propagates is disclosed. The instrumentation includes a specimen of a material to be analyzed for crack growth propagation having a surface with a st... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7186484 | Method for determining the relative positional accuracy of two structure elements on a wafer A measurement mark (3) for determining the relative positional accuracy of a progressive projection onto a wafer (5), the projection being performed with two masks (3, 4), comprising two structure elements (10, 20) formed on a respective ... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7164277 | Method for circuit inspection A method for inspecting an electronic circuit formed on a board with a peripheral circuit includes steps of providing a terminal for inputting and outputting an electronic signal, providing an impedance increase means for increasing an impedance of an electrical con... | 01/16/2007 |
| 7162373 | Method and system for assessing life of cracked dovetail in turbine A method has been developed for predicting a remaining operational life of a turbine component including: obtaining crack flaw data regarding current crack flaws in the turbine component; using the crack flaw data with data regarding the structure and operating cond... | 01/09/2007 |
| 7157920 | Non-destructive monitoring of material integrity A component which is known to have particular degradation characteristics is instrumented to provide an electrical potential across a section in which a degradation is likely to occur. The potential drop across the component is then monitored to determine when, and ... | 01/02/2007 |
| 7152493 | Specimen creating device An object is to provide an inspection sample making apparatus (30) that can simplify work for making an inspection sample (12) and can ensure inspection for seal condition. The inspection sample making apparatus (30) includes a preliminary-inspe... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7154276 | Method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a vehicle electrical system An apparatus for measuring electrical parameters for an electrical system measures a first and second parameters of the electrical system between connections to the electrical system. A processor determines a third electrical parameter of the electrical system as a ... | 12/26/2006 |
| 7129719 | Apparatus for detecting defect in circuit pattern and defect detecting system having the same Provided is an apparatus for detecting a defect of a circuit pattern which includes a resonator, a first power supply unit connected to one end of the resonator to apply power to the resonator, a probe connected to the other end of the resonator to contact one end o... | 10/31/2006 |
| 7117122 | Field maintenance tool An improved field maintenance tool is provided. The tool is operable with process communication loops in accordance with a plurality of process industry standard protocols. Aspects of the invention include hardware features such as an infrared port; removable memory... | 10/03/2006 |
| 7109721 | Method and electronic circuit for regenerating an electrical contact A method and an electronic circuit for regenerating an electrical contact are provided in order to remedy the problem of electrical contacts becoming highly resistive over time. Electrical contacts become highly resistive over time, particularly when the contacts ar... | 09/19/2006 |
| 7106055 | Fabrication of samples having predetermined material conditions Fabrication of samples having material conditions or damage representative of actual components inspected by nondestructive testing involves sensors placed near or mounted on the material surface, such as flexible eddy current sensors or sensor arrays, to monitor th... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7104147 | System and method for measuring electric current in a pipeline A system and method for measuring a voltage differential in a current-carrying pipe using a propulsion vehicle. The system may be adapted for use with a pipeline pig or other propulsion device, which is configured to determine the electric current in a pipeline with... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7106077 | Device and method for testing a membrane electrode assembly In order to create a device for testing a membrane electrode assembly, by means of which fabricated membrane electrode assemblies can be tested in a non-destructive manner, a first contact device is provided for bringing a first electrode side of the test object int... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7098798 | Process device with loop override A process device for use in a process control system includes output circuitry configured to couple to a process control loop. The output circuitry controls electrical current through the loop. Loop override circuitry is configured to override operation of the outpu... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7095222 | Leak detection method and system in nonmetallic underground pipes A method for locating leaks in nonmetallic pipes on the principal of measuring and graphing the intensity of electric fields. Leaks are located by creating a closed circuit with a negatively charged metallic electrode submersed in water inside a manhole connected to... | 08/22/2006 |
| 7088115 | Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy system and methods for determining spatial locations of defects A method and apparatus for determining spatial locations of defects in a material are described. The method includes providing a plurality of electrodes in contact with a material, applying a sinusoidal voltage to a select number of the electrodes at a predetermined... | 08/08/2006 |
| 7057176 | System and method for multiple mode flexible excitation in sonic infrared imaging A defect detection system for thermally imaging a structure that has been energized by a sound energy. The system includes a transducer that couples a sound signal into the structure, where the sound signal causes defects in the structure to heat up. In one embodime... | 06/06/2006 |
