Patents Represented by Law Firm Mason, Kolehmainen, Rathburn & Wyss
  • Patent number: 6191583
    Abstract: A toroid cavity detector includes an outer cylindrical housing through which extends a wire along the central axis of the cylindrical housing from a closed bottom portion to the closed top end of the cylindrical housing. In order to analyze a sample placed in the housing, the housing is placed in an externally applied static main homogeneous magnetic field (B0). An RF current pulse is supplied through the wire such that an alternately energized and de-energized magnetic field (B1) is produced in the toroid cavity which B1 field is oriented perpendicular to the B0 field. Following the RF current pulse, the response of the sample to the applied B0 field is detected and analyzed. In order to minimize the detrimental effect of probe ringing, the cylindrically shaped housing is elongated sufficiently in length so that the top and bottom portions are located in weaker, fringe areas of the static main magnetic B0 field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Rex E. Gerald, II, Luis H. Nunez, Jerome W. Rathke
  • Patent number: 6173567
    Abstract: A combustion air management and emission control system injects supplemental air directly into combustion chambers of a diesel engine in order to reduce total particulates in exhaust gases being emitted from the engine. A portion of intake air flowing toward an intake manifold of the engine is diverted to a compressor so that controlled quantities of pressurized supplemental air can be injected directly into each of the combustion chambers while the piston within the combustion chamber is in its expansion and/or exhaust strokes. At least a portion of the diverted intake air can be directed through a selectively permeable membrane device so that oxygen-enriched air and nitrogen-enriched air are produced. At least a portion of the oxygen-enriched air can be supplied to the compressor so that the supplemental air being injected into the combustion chambers will contain a desired, elevated amount of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Ramesh B. Poola, Ramanujam R. Sekar
  • Patent number: 6169276
    Abstract: In an electrical heating apparatus having at least one heating body with a chemically substantially resistant sheathing surrounding same, the sheathing comprises at least two-layer co-extruded material. The material comprises an inner layer which in the position of use is towards the heating body and which comprises a material that is a good conductor of heat. Arranged on the outside of the inner layer is an outer layer of chemically substantially resistant and electrically non-conductive material. The inner layer and the outer layer are homogeneously fused together without air inclusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Polytetra Draack + Meyer GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Meyer
  • Patent number: 6152441
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for moving gripper bars for the advance of sheet material in a sheet-processing machine with processing stations having upper portions and lower portions, the gripper bars are cyclically advanced in an advance plane which extends between the upper and lower portions of the processing stations. The gripper bars are then returned in the same cycle in the opposite direction to the advance direction in a return plane which is displaced in respect of height with respect to the advance plane. The gripper bars are returned between the upper portions and the lower portions of the processing stations. The advance plane is not connected to the return plane. After termination of the advance movement the gripper bars are set from the advance plane to the return plane and after termination of the return movement they are set from the return plane to the advance plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Manfred Vossen
  • Patent number: 6149065
    Abstract: A modulating thermostat for a gas oven includes a body with supply, main and pilot passages. Feeder passages from the supply passage to the main and pilot passages provide a pilot gas flow for a pilot burner and a minimum combustion bypass flow to a main oven burner. The feeder passages are drilled along paths leading from mouths of the main and pilot passages and adjustment sleeves installed at the mouths adjust the gas flows for particular oven and fuel requirements. A temperature modulating valve assembly in the supply passage includes a valve member cooperating with a valve seat in the body to modulate gas flow and maintain an oven temperature set by rotation of a valve stem at the front of the thermostat. The thermostat is calibrated by rotating a sleeve accessible through the hollow stem at the front of the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventors: David B. White, Charles S. White
  • Patent number: 6146159
    Abstract: A cover assembly for a wall mounted electrical device enclosure includes a mounting bracket that can be attached to the enclosure and a cover plate that is removeably installed onto the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a rigid latch tang and supports an opposed resilient catch. The face plate includes opposed latch recesses. To install the face plate, the resilient catch is engaged with one latch recess and then is resiliently deformed to permit the latch tang to engage the opposed latch recess. The face plate can be removed only by first moving it in the plane of the wall to deform the resilient catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Brunker
  • Patent number: 6134862
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for presenting and orienting a box (B) in order to enable articles to be removed or stored. The apparatus is characterized by the fact that it comprises a pair of parallel hinged arms (4) which are extended by a pivoting box support (5), the hinged arms (4) being movable both ways between a low position and a high position, in both of which positions the support (5) is substantially horizontal, thereby enabling the box (B) to be placed on the support (5) or to be removed therefrom, the arms moving via an intermediate position in which the support (5) is inclined relative to the horizontal and facilitates access to the inside of the box (B) to remove said articles or to put them into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Atlas S.A.
    Inventor: Luc Francois
  • Patent number: 6126524
    Abstract: A waterjet head is resiliently supported at one location along its axis and is pivotally supported at another, axially spaced location. The head is driven in a pivoting, oscillating manner by a drive system including a rotary motor and an eccentric. The outlet nozzle of the waterjet head pivots in an orbital path so that the UHP liquid or liquid/abrasive stream discharged from the nozzle describes an orbital path on an adjacent workpiece surface, enabling the stream to carry out a uniform surface treatment operation such as cleaning, polishing or milling without damaging the workpiece surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: John D. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6126154
    Abstract: A system for centering a relatively movable member relative to a relatively fixed member includes telescoped inner and outer cap tubes with opposed closed ends adapted to be connected to the fixed and movable members. A strut tube assembly within the cap tubes includes a gas spring unit that is compressed by a force transfer tube assembly when the system is compressed or extended. Resilient bumpers smooth the force transition near the centered position. A set screw permits adjustment of the system to have preload or no preload or to have free play at the centered position. The system is easily adapted to specific requirements by selection of the gas spring unit and the material of the bumpers and by adjustment of the set screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: John D. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 6082397
    Abstract: A gas distribution connector and a gas distribution manifold assembly are provided for gas burners for a gas stove. The gas distribution manifold assembly includes an elongated gas distribution manifold defining a gas distribution chamber. The gas distribution manifold includes a first aperture formed in a first wall and a second aperture formed in a second wall. At least one gas distribution connector is mounted on the gas manifold. The gas distribution connector includes a connector body defining a gas passageway including a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The connector body includes a downwardly depending connector body portion slidingly received through the first manifold aperture and extending within the manifold chamber, locating the gas outlet within the manifold chamber. The downwardly depending connector body portion includes mounting means for mounting engagement with a fastener received through the second manifold aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventors: David A. Casolari, Christos Vassiliou, Joseph L. Asta, James D. Kimble
  • Patent number: 6076236
    Abstract: A cable connector for securing the end of a cable includes a body supporting opposed jaws for sliding motion for gripping a cable with a wedge action. A slot in the top wall of the body permits the cable to be loaded from the top of the body. T-shaped guide structures capture the jaws for controlled sliding movement. Separate springs directly and independently bias the jaws toward a closed position. A sturdy latch plate synchronizes the jaw motion and retains the jaws in a cocked, open position ready to receive a cable. The springs are enclosed at the sides of the jaws, and are of substantial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventor: Robert V. DeFrance
  • Patent number: 6062069
    Abstract: A high temperature fouling test unit is provided. The fouling test unit includes a flow tube with a fouling probe received within the flow tube. The fouling probe includes a heated section. An annular passage is defined between the fouling probe and the flow tube. An impeller is mounted within the flow tube for inducing fluid flow within the annular passage. A plurality of temperature responsive devices monitor a rate of heat transfer and a change in fluid temperature through the annular passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Chandrakant B. Panchal, Zhuoxiong Mao
  • Patent number: 6058855
    Abstract: At least one main combustion chamber contains at least one pulverized coal burner. Each pulverized coal burner is operatively arranged for minimizing NO.sub.X production and for maintaining a predetermined operating temperature to liquefy ash within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber includes a slag drain for removing slag from the combustion chamber. A slag screen is positioned in a generally U-shaped furnace flow pattern. The slag screen is positioned between the combustion chamber and a radiant furnace. The radiant furnace includes a reburning zone for in-furnace No.sub.X reduction. The reburning zone extends between a reburning fuel injection source and at least one overfire air injection port for injecting air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: D. B. Riley, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence Ake, Roderick Beittel, Robert A. Lisauskas, Eric Reicker
  • Patent number: 6055808
    Abstract: An emission control system for reducing total particulates and NO.sub.X emissions from the exhaust of a diesel engine includes an air supply system that supplies oxygen enriched air to an air intake of the engine. The air supply system may include a selectively permeable air separating membrane device for producing the oxygen enriched air. In order to effectively utilize the increase in the concentration level of oxygen in the intake air, the amount of fuel being supplied to the diesel engine also is increased at a minimum in proportion to the increased concentration level of oxygen in the intake air. The increase in the amount of such fuel being supplied to the diesel engine can be adjusted by an electronic fuel injection system used on such diesel engines. In addition, the electronic fuel injection system is used to retard the injection timing of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Ramesh B. Poola, Ramanujam R. Sekar
  • Patent number: 6015322
    Abstract: A spark ignition electrode assembly includes an electrode wire and an electrically insulative support member receiving and positioning the electrode wire proximate to the gas burner. The electrically insulative support member includes an upper body portion covering the electrode wire. The upper body portion contains a spark ignition passageway for communicating spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire and the gas burner. A ceramic material is formed to define the electrically insulative support member having an electrode wire receiving opening for receiving and positioning an electrode wire proximate to the gas burner and a spark ignition passageway for communicating spark ignition discharge between the electrode wire and the gas burner. The electrode wire is inserted in the electrode wire receiving opening and then the formed ceramic material including the inserted electrode wire is fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Harper-Wyman Company
    Inventors: David Baker White, Darryl Williams
  • Patent number: 6006441
    Abstract: In a process and apparatus for drying small articles in a process container, such as closure elements of pharmaceutical vessels after a treatment of the closure elements, an air-permeable support is arranged beneath the articles to support them and prepared preheated air is fed to the interior of the process container and through the support to dry the articles while they are resting on the support. An additional air mass flow is at least once briefly passed under the support during the drying operation, to lift and thereby turn the small articles to ensure at least substantially complete drying thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventors: Harald Wittler, Olaf Horner
  • Patent number: 6004357
    Abstract: In a process for dyeing textile material including polyester fibers, the textile material is treated in an alkaline dye bath containing a dispersion dyestuff at a temperature above 100.degree. C. The pH-value of the dye bath is adjusted by the initial addition of a buffer mixture preferably comprising glycine and soda lye prior to the commencement of the dyeing operation. A perborate salt such as sodium perborate is also added. The pH-value is kept substantially constant from the beginning to the end of the dyeing operation. A sequestering agent including nitrilotriacetic acid and polycarboxylates can be alternatively or additionally added to the dye bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: M. Dohmen GmbH
    Inventor: Mark Dohmen
  • Patent number: 5988236
    Abstract: A multiple probe liquid handler includes a syringe pump assembly with multiple syringe pumps communicating with the probes. A carriage movable with respect to a fixed support base carries syringe pump pistons moving within syringe pump cylinders secured to the base. A drive system including a single drive motor has a single drive point connection to the carriage for moving the carriage and operating the syringe pumps in order to draw fluid into or discharge fluid from the multiple probes. A linear motion support assembly includes spaced rails attached to the support base and slides attached to the carriage and riding along the rails. The assembly includes two parallel rails and three slides, one riding along one rail and two riding along the other rail, providing an inexpensive yet imbalance tolerant three point support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Gilson, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin R. Fawcett
  • Patent number: D438630
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Gilson, S.A.
    Inventor: Gilles Honoré
  • Patent number: D416235
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Hanesworth, David C. Sund