Patents Examined by Kenneth B. Rinehart
  • Patent number: 7992503
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a cleaning device for cleaning outlet ports (11) or the like and/or outlet spouts (12) or the like in soda recovery boilers (13) or the like, the cleaning device comprising at least one connecting rod (9). The cleaning device has at least one front tool part (1a-d, 3, 6), mounted on said connecting rod (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: EIE Maskin AB
    Inventors: Ulf Eriksson, Pär Åke Jansson
  • Patent number: 7992552
    Abstract: A cooking device body having a heating chamber for heating an object; a fan for discharging air in the heating chamber; and an exhaust duct for guiding air blown off from said fan to the outside of the cooking device body are provided, an opening is provided at a wall of said exhaust duct, and the fan is constructed to have a motor disposed outside the exhaust duct, a first plate which has a central side attached to the motor and an outer edge side attached to the periphery of the opening, a bladed wheel which is attached to the output shaft of the motor and disposed in the exhaust duct, and a second plate which defines a cavity between said bladed wheel and the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichi Hirano, Tatsuhiko Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7987844
    Abstract: A solar power generation system includes a fluid housing, a solar collector, and a heating system. The fluid housing contains a heat transfer medium. The solar collector concentrates solar energy onto the heat transfer medium. The heating system includes at least one gas tank containing a gas and fluidically connected to a first catalyst. The first catalyst is configured to catalyze gas from the gas tank to create hot gas. The heating system also includes a first hot gas pipe fluidically connected to the first catalyst and positioned with respect to the fluid housing such that hot gas flowing through the first hot gas pipe comes into thermal contact with the heat transfer medium within the fluid housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Zillmer, Alfred Little
  • Patent number: 7985066
    Abstract: A furnace includes a combustion blower and one or more pressure switches. In some cases, the one or more pressure switches may be used to calculate one or more operating points for the combustion blower. Additional operating points may be calculated by interpolation and/or extrapolation, as appropriate. The furnace may temporarily alter these operating points as necessary to keep the furnace safely operating in response to minor and/or transient changes in the operating conditions of the furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Chian, Timothy J. Nordberg
  • Patent number: 7975402
    Abstract: The present invention includes a nozzle insert for use in a drying machine of the type used in paper web drying. The nozzle insert of the present invention includes at least one intake having a central portion, wherein a pair of center vanes is disposed for directing airflow. The central portion is bounded by at least one turning vane adapted for directing airflow in a lateral direction. For each turning vane, there is at least one straightening vane adapted for curtailing swirling of the airflow. The vanes are oriented at optimal angles for directing the flow of the nozzle in a lateral direction, while permitting some air to penetrate the central portion through a series of ports. The intakes are bounded by a series of insulated bulkheads, which serve to direct airflow and contain heat-loss through thermal emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Metso Paper USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Roland Parent, David Simpson Morrison, Craig Ernest Yerxa, Rita Elizabeth Cantor, Darrell Herbert Ketch
  • Patent number: 7971539
    Abstract: A cleaning device, cleaning tool and method for cleaning outlet ports or the like and/or outlet spouts (12) or the like in soda recovery boilers of the like the cleaning device including at least one connecting rod and at least one front tool part mounted on the connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Eie Maskin AB
    Inventors: Ulf Eriksson, Pär Åke Jansson
  • Patent number: 7971370
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a moving substrate of indefinite length. The apparatus has a control surface positioned in close proximity to a surface of the substrate to define a control gap between the substrate and the control surface. A first chamber is positioned near the control surface, with the first chamber having a gas introduction device. A second chamber is positioned near the control surface, the second chamber having a gas withdrawal device. The control surface and the chambers together define a region wherein the adjacent gas phases possess an amount of mass. Upon inducement of at least a portion of the mass within the region, the mass flow is controlled to significantly reduce dilution of the gas phase component in the adjacent gas phase. This is accomplished through the introduction of a controlled gas stream thereby reducing the flow of an uncontrolled ambient gas stream due to pressure gradients in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Craig A. Miller, Nirmal K. Jain, William Blake Kolb
  • Patent number: 7972133
    Abstract: A burner (23) for operating a heat generator includes a swirler (2) for a combustion air flow (9), and also devices (7, 12) for injecting at least one fuel into the combustion air flow (9), wherein a mixing path (3) is arranged downstream of the swirler (2), and wherein at least one nozzle (20) for feeding liquid pilot fuel is arranged in the region radially outside the discharge opening of the mixing path (3) of the burner. With such a burner, an operating mode which is as pollutant-free and overheating-free as possible can be enabled even at low load and under transient conditions if the at least one nozzle (20) is arranged in a burner front plate (32), wherein at least one discharge opening (15), through which the pilot fuel discharges into the combustion chamber (16), is provided in a front face (34) of the burner front plate (32), which is arranged essentially parallel to a combustion chamber rear wall (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Stefano Bernero, Peter Flohr, Gijsbertus Oomens, Martin Zajadatz
  • Patent number: 7967008
    Abstract: A fireplace system having a fireplace cavity and a secondary combustion assembly disposed adjacent to a rear wall of the fireplace cavity. The secondary combustion assembly includes a plurality of combustion chambers configured to facilitate secondary combustion. A plurality of inlets are disposed in the rear wall of the fireplace cavity. One or more of the plurality of inlets are configured to provide fluid communication between the fireplace cavity and a respective one of the plurality of combustion chambers. An exhaust gas collection chamber is in fluid communication with at least the secondary combustion assembly. The exhaust gas collection chamber includes a vent configured to release exhaust gas into a chimney. An ambient air bypass aperture is disposed in a top baffle of the fireplace cavity. The ambient air bypass aperture is configured to divert at least a portion of ambient air entering the fireplace cavity into the exhaust gas collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Incendia IP, LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Ferguson, Derik K. Andors
  • Patent number: 7966742
    Abstract: A method for increasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine utilizes three three-way valves, one that receives ambient air through an air cleaner, a second that receives hot exhaust from a catalytic converter of the internal combustion engine, and a third that receives air from a high speed blower. The three-way valves direct ambient air through the air cleaner and into a first of three dryer canisters, and direct the dried ambient air through an ozone generator to the internal combustion engine, while concurrently directing gas from the exhaust catalytic converter to the second of the three dryer canisters, and also concurrently directing air from the high speed blower to the third of the three dryer canisters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel Mac Brown, Bobby Joe Farmer
  • Patent number: 7967003
    Abstract: A windscreen configured for use with a backpacking type of stove and a cooking container. The windscreen more effectively and efficiently directs the heat from the stove to the sides of the container so as to utilize less fuel to warm the materials therein, thereby reducing the weight to be carried by the user. In one embodiment, a plurality of adjustable lower vents selectively partially or fully open to control the wind allowed into the interior area of the windscreen so as to better transfer heat from the stove to the sides of the container. In another embodiment, adjustable support tabs at the upper end of the windscreen allow the user to adjust air flow out of the windscreen. In yet another embodiment, the upper end of the windscreen engages the sides or lip of the cooking container and air flows from the interior area through upper vent holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Rand Lindsly, Russ Zandbergen, Lee Zandbergen
  • Patent number: 7966744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a food waste treatment apparatus that can effectively dispose food waste containing a large amount of water, rapidly dry food waste using microwaves, and remove odors and vapors generating during the drying process, thereby discharging clean air. The food waste treatment apparatus comprises a pulverizer (10) for pulverizing food waste, an endless track (20) for transferring food waste, a plurality of containers (30) installed on the upper surface of the endless track (20) for storing pulverized food waste, and a microwave dryer installed above the endless track for drying the pulverized food waste by making microwaves pass through the endless track in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the endless track (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventors: Soo Dong Kim, Sung Hwa Kim
  • Patent number: 7967009
    Abstract: A glazed solar collector with a frame surrounding an absorber (3a), an insulating layer (2) disposed beneath the absorber (3a) and a cover pane (4) spaced above the absorber (3a). Absorber tubing (3b) is connected to an supply header (15) and to an return header (16). The axis (X) of the supply/return header (15,16) is arranged at an angle to a plane (Z) coinciding with the cover pane (4) with the distance between the axis (X) and the plane (2) increasing along the axis (X) in a direction leading away from the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventor: Brent Møller
  • Patent number: 7967005
    Abstract: A duel fuel gas control valve controls the supply of gas (e.g., natural gas or liquid propane gas) to a gas grill. The duel fuel gas control valve is structured to control either natural or LP gas flow at the desired operating characteristics based on conventional gas supply characteristics and gas grill requirements. A restrictor mechanism, when in first and second configurations, respectively, restricts movement of the valve core to a first predetermined range for a first mode of operation (first type of gas supply) and to a second predetermined range for a second mode of operation (second type of gas supply).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Parrish
  • Patent number: 7967004
    Abstract: A modular burner for a cooking plate of a cooking appliance comprises a burner base (20) in turn comprising a framework (22), a burner base (21) which can be centrally assembled to the framework (22) and at least one cover for covering the framework (22) and the burner base (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Steel Time S.p.A.
    Inventor: Enzo Inzaghi
  • Patent number: 7967600
    Abstract: A flare apparatus for burning combustible gases. A flare tip unit comprises an inner member and an outer member defining an annulus therebetween. The annulus defines an annular gas passage through which combustible gas passes. Air moved by a motive force, preferably steam, passes through the inner member and a steam/air mixture exits an outlet of the inner member. The combustible gas and an air/steam mixture mixes in a premix zone between the inner member outlet and the exit opening of the outer member. The combustible gas/air/steam mixture is ignited for burning in the atmosphere above the exit opening. The flare apparatus may include a plurality of flare tip units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: John Zink Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jianhui Hong, James Wilkins, Jeff William White, Roger L. Poe
  • Patent number: 7963282
    Abstract: A kitchen hood assembly includes a combination hood cleaning and fire suppression system. The hood assembly includes a hood structure and a riser connected thereto. An exhaust blower forces an exhaust stream of air into the hood and through the riser. A combination hood cleaning and fire suppression system is incorporated into the hood structure. The combination hood cleaning and fire suppression system includes an elongated spray bar that is connected to a water source and includes a surfactant injector that injects a surfactant into the water being directed to the spray bar. In one mode of operation, the spray bar is effective to clean the hood assembly. In another mode of operation, when a fire is sensed in or in the vicinity of the hood, the same spray bar is utilized to inject an aqueous liquid into the hood to suppress the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Captive-Aire Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill Griffin, John Staley
  • Patent number: 7963764
    Abstract: A lance for a hybrid burner of a combustor of a gas turbine, includes an inner passage for a liquid fuel, an outer passage coaxially enclosing the inner passage for a gaseous fuel, a plurality of star like arranged outer nozzles branching off radially from the outer passage, a plurality of inner nozzles, which branch off radially from the inner passage and which each extend coaxially inside one of the outer nozzles, and a distributor section, which is arranged upstream of the outer nozzles in the outer passage and has a plurality of star like arranged, coaxially extending through-openings for the gaseous fuel. In order to reduce the flow resistance in the gas path of the lance, the through-openings each have an opening width which is larger in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Andreas Brautsch, Hanspeter Hardegger, Daniel Burri, Bettina Paikert
  • Patent number: 7963236
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air-fuel ratio control boiler using a air pressure sensor and method for controlling the air-fuel ratio thereof. The boiler is comprised of a fan, the air pressure sensor, a air pressure sensor voltage measurement unit, a air pressure sensor voltage compensation unit, and a controller, and previously compensates for noise factors caused by deviation (error) of a component property, a constituent, of the air pressure sensor so as to be matched to initial reference voltage prior to operating the fan, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of the air-fuel ratio. Further, the boiler makes it possible not only to exert an optimal fuel efficiency effect due to the maximization of combustion efficiency, but also to minimize discharge of harmful gases, thereby preventing environmental pollution in advance, and thus improving the reliability of products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Kyungdong Network Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Si Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7959431
    Abstract: A burner fires into a radiant tube to provide a downstream flow of combustion products within the radiant tube. Staged fuel is injected upstream into the radiant tube. A recirculation conduit inside the radiant tube receives the staged fuel along with combustion products that are inspirated into the recirculation conduit by the staged fuel. The recirculation conduit has an outlet for discharging a mixture of the inspirated combustion products and staged fuel into the downstream flow of combustion products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Fives North American Combustion, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis E. Quinn