Kenneth A Albrecht

US Patent:

6738250, May 18, 2004

Filed:

Jul 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/190132

Inventors:

Peter D. Joseph - Twin Lakes WI
Kenneth A. Albrecht - Zion IL

Assignee:

The Cherry Corporation - Waukegan IL

International Classification:

H01H 4700

US Classification:

361144, 361160, 361166, 361183

Abstract:

A solenoid-actuated latchable relay is controlled by a microprocessor that turns on at least one triac to selectively energize a solenoid coil with a desired polarity energization signal. The triac is only operated momentarily so that a single energization pulse is applied to the coil to move an associated magnetic plunger to a position corresponding to the polarity of the pulse. The magnetic plunger is latched in this position until another pulse is applied to change the position.

US Patent:

6904805, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Jun 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/453267

Inventors:

Peter D. Joseph - Twin Lakes WI, US
Erik W. Linske - Greendale WI, US
Kenneth A. Albrecht - Zion IL, US

Assignee:

Cherry Corporation - Pleasant Prairie WI

International Classification:

G01P015/08

US Classification:

7351438, 7351426, 7351431, 7351432

Abstract:

An accelerometer is limited to a very small displacement range, and within that range, is useful for detecting motion and change of rate of motion by optical, magnetic, or electrical means. A unique spring suspends a planar mass that is very sensitive to motion of an object in which the accelerometer is held. In one embodiment, an optical detector detects the motion of the mass by the intensity of reflected radiation. In another embodiment, a Hall-effect sensor detects the motion of the mass by a current generated by the motion of the mass in an electric field. The accelerometer may be used in a variety of automotive, appliance, and industrial applications.

US Patent:

7560652, Jul 14, 2009

Filed:

Mar 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/681583

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Albrecht - Zion IL, US
Richard W. Fitzgerald - Franklin WI, US

Assignee:

ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Friedrichshafen

International Classification:

H01H 15/06

US Classification:

200 16B, 200541

Abstract:

Angled spring contacts and switches made with contactors containing angled spring contacts are disclosed. The housing for the angled spring contacts has a generally cylindrical shape. The contacts are contained within the housing with their ends extending from the housing on either side. The contacts are formed by making bullet-shaped internal contacts that are joined by a spring. The spring is mounted to the two contacts to urge the two contacts away from each other at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the housing. This angle forces contact between each contact and the housing in at least two places, thus creating redundant paths between the contacts. Switches, such as plunger switches having a normal or OFF position, and an actuated or ON position, may be made with one or more angled spring contacts. The contacts have separate surfaces for electrical conduction and for arcing.

US Patent:

8353611, Jan 15, 2013

Filed:

Mar 5, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/718773

Inventors:

Brian J. Truesdale - Wauconda IL, US
David F. Schieleit - Chicago IL, US
Kenneth A. Albrecht - Zion IL, US
YuJen Lo - Kaohsiung, TW
YuHsun Wu - Kaohsiung, TW

Assignee:

ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Ltd. - Kaohsiung

International Classification:

F21V 7/04

US Classification:

362549, 362289, 362650

Abstract:

A fastener includes a main body having a front portion and a rear portion, a securing member engageable with the rear portion of the main body, and a light source unit securable between the securing member and the front portion of the main body, for providing light to illuminate the front portion of the main body.

US Patent:

8646328, Feb 11, 2014

Filed:

Jan 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/519948

Inventors:

Terrence J. Knowles - Barrington IL, US
Brian J. Truesdale - Waukonda IL, US
Kenneth A. Albrecht - Zion IL, US
Slawomir P. Kielian - Des Plaines IL, US

Assignee:

Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

G01F 23/28

US Classification:

73290V

Abstract:

A level sensor for determining the presence or absence of a liquid in contact with the sensor includes an elongate probe, a transducer operably connected to the probe and configured to produce compressional waves in the probe, and circuitry for detecting acoustic energy emitted into the liquid when liquid is in contact with the probe. A mount for the releasably holding the sensor includes a base have a receiving region formed in part by a plurality of flexible securing fingers. The fingers have locking projections extending therefrom. A contact is mounted to the base and extends into the receiving region. A cartridge supports the level sensor and is received in the receiving region. The cartridge includes a circumferential recess for receiving the securing fingers. When the level sensor is positioned in the cartridge and the cartridge is inserted into the base, the level sensor is operably connected to the contact and the cartridge is resiliently secured in the base.

US Patent:

20090235519, Sep 24, 2009

Filed:

Jun 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/479142

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Albrecht - Zion IL, US
Richard W. Fitzgerald - Franklin WI, US

Assignee:

CHERRY CORP. - Pleasant Prairie WI

International Classification:

H01H 11/00
H01R 43/16

US Classification:

29622, 29874

Abstract:

Angled spring contacts and switches made with contactors containing angled spring contacts are disclosed. The housing for the angled spring contacts has a generally cylindrical shape. The contacts are contained within the housing with their ends extending from the housing on either side. The contacts are formed by making bullet-shaped internal contacts that are joined by a spring. The spring is mounted to the two contacts to urge the two contacts away from each other at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the housing. This angle forces contact between each contact and the housing in at least two places, thus creating redundant paths between the contacts. Switches, such as plunger switches having a normal or OFF position, and an actuated or ON position, may be made with one or more angled spring contacts. The contacts have separate surfaces for electrical conduction and for arcing.

US Patent:

20120031199, Feb 9, 2012

Filed:

Mar 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/263601

Inventors:

Kenneth A. Albrecht - Buffalo Grove IL, US

Assignee:

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

G01F 1/66

US Classification:

7386128

Abstract:

An ultrasonic liquid sensor for detecting liquid in a tube having sidewalls includes a first intermediate mounting plate held in physical communication with a first sidewall of the tube, a second intermediate mounting plate held in physical communication with the second sidewall of the tube. The plates are configured to allow the ultrasonic signal to pass therethrough. The sensor also includes a first and a second transducer element. The first and second transducer elements are mounted to the intermediate mounting plates and are configured to receive the ultrasonic signal passing through the sidewalls of the tube as well as the intermediate mounting plates to determine the presence or absence of liquid in the tube. The sensor can be enclosed in a self-contained unit and a support assembly can be used and formed of metal material or non-metal material to interface with the sensor and a secondary circuit.

US Patent:

20130091946, Apr 18, 2013

Filed:

Jun 14, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/642633

Inventors:

Terence J. Knowles - Lake Barrington IL, US
Brian J. Truesdale - Wauconda IL, US
Kenneth A. Albrecht - Zion IL, US
Steven C. Crusius - Gurnee IL, US

Assignee:

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC. - Glenview IL

International Classification:

G01F 23/296

US Classification:

73290 V

Abstract:

An ultrasonic liquid-height detector employs conductive rods extending from a housing, and corresponding transducers, into a liquid, where elastic seals surround the rods at their exit point from the housing. Acoustic crosstalk between the rods through the seals and the housing (rather than through the liquid) is minimized by displacing the seals from each other as measured through the housing to increase a path length through the housing so that the crosstalk energy is delayed with respect to the direct energy indicating liquid height. A sampling window is positioned to sample transmitted sound across the rods at a time before the arrival of the crosstalk energy.