Patents Examined by L Fastovsky
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Patent number: 6247900Abstract: An accurate and low cost sensing apparatus for a swash or wobble plate compressor that requires no modifications in compressor design or operation, and which provides a repeatable and accurate measure of compressor speed and stroke. The apparatus includes a sensor module and a stroke sensing circuit. The compressor has an outer housing formed of aluminum or other non-magnetic material, as is customary in automotive air conditioning systems. The sensor module includes a magnetic field responsive sensor such as a Hall Effect or magneto-resistive (MR) sensor, and is attached to the periphery of the housing in proximity to a reciprocating ferrous element such as a bushing shoe on the swash or wobble plate assembly. The sensor produces a quasi-sinusoidal output voltage signal having a frequency proportional to compressor speed, and the stroke sensing circuit determines the compressor stroke by band-pass filtering, amplifying, and peak detecting the signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Charles Andrew Archibald, Thomas Martin Urbank
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Patent number: 6234760Abstract: The invention relates to the field of jet technology, primarily to apparatus for evacuation and gaseous mediums' compression. Apparatus is furnished by liquid-gas ejector, pump, separator and condenser. Ejector contains receiving chamber, which has a space in the zone of inlet part of mixing chamber for collecting of outlying part of liquid working medium's flow and its discharge through the drain pipe, which can be connected to separator or to the suction side of pump. The introduced design of installation allows to increase its efficiency factor.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Inventors: Serguei A. Popov, Anatoli M. Doubinski
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Patent number: 6220828Abstract: An apparatus has a first chamber having a water inlet for receiving a flow of water, a water outlet, and a rotating device that is rotated by the flow of water. The apparatus also includes a second chamber having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air generator coupled to the rotating device for generating air when the rotating device is rotated. The water in the first chamber is directed to fill the pool or object, while the generated air is provided via the air outlet to inflate the pool or object.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2000Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Pleasure Time Products (HK) LimitedInventor: Kwok-Wing Lau
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Patent number: 6220823Abstract: An air-operated, submersible pump features a simplified inlet design applicable to water pumping or fluid separation, including the recovery of viscous hydrocarbon products. The inlet area fluidly penetrates through a portion of the wall of the pump, and a flexible seal, disposed within the pump body, is supported in overlying registration therewith. A pressure-operated valve in fluid communication with the discharge port facilitates a refill mode of operation, wherein fluid surrounding the pump flows into the pump body through the inlet area, and a discharge mode of operation wherein the air inlet is pressurized, causing the seal to seat against and seal off the inlet area, and fluid which flowed into the pump body to be discharged through the discharge port. In the preferred embodiment, the inlet area comprises a plurality of apertures formed through the wall of the pump body arranged as one or more linear arrays lengthwise along the pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Inventor: Kevin Newcomer
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Patent number: 6193477Abstract: All electromagnetic pump comprising a housing having fluid receiving and pumping chambers in communication with an inlet and outlet, respectively, an electromagnet carried by the housing external to the fluid chambers thereof, and an armature movable in the housing having a pole portion magnetically attracted by the electromagnet and a piston portion to force fluid out of the chambers and through the pump outlet. A path provides controlled bypass for bubbles in the fluid around the armature piston portion between the fluid pumping chamber and the fluid receiving chamber only during the return stroke of the armature. Fluid inertial effect is reduced by an outlet orifice provided in the fluid path from the pump outlet and by a bypass orifice in the fluid bypass path, the outlet and bypass orifices being provided either individually or in combination depending upon the fluid flow characteristics of the system of which the pump is a part.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.Inventors: Theodore J. Falk, W. Richard Brown, Lawrence E. Morris, Norbert W. Frenz, Jr., Douglas K. Gillies, Raymond S. Konopa
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Patent number: 6186751Abstract: Electric compressor comprising a compression cylinder and the respective head, a valve plate arranged between the head and the body of said cylinder and provided with a gas inlet opening, a silencer arranged at the inlet side of said opening and comprising an elongated portion with an aperture adapted to fit in with said opening. The head is provided externally with a concave recess which is laterally open towards the inner cavity of the compressor, said elongated portion of the silencer being firmly housed in said recess so that the aperture engages the opening in the valve plate in an air-tight, sealed manner. In said recess there is provided a hollow space between said elongated portion and the outer wall, said hollow space being adapted to accommodate an elastic element for locking the silencer in place.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Zanussi Elettromeccanica S.pA.Inventor: Massimo Rigo
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Patent number: 6129527Abstract: A reciprocating compressor includes an electric motor having fixed and moveable components within a housing for reciprocating a moveable assembly, to compress a working fluid within a variable volume compression chamber within the housing. An integrated flexure spring and circuit connected between the housing and the moveable assembly axially and radially centers the moveable assembly within the housing, and additionally, supplies an electric current to a moveable current coil of the electric motor associated with the moveable assembly. The moveable assembly is axially reciprocated against a restoring force of the integrated flexure spring and circuit responsive to an axial force exerted on the moveable assembly by the electric motor when the electric current is supplied to the moveable current coil via the integrated flexure spring and circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas S. Donahoe, Arthur Randall Nelson
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Patent number: 6121578Abstract: A wrap heater is provided. The wrap heater includes a first heating sleeve and a second heating sleeve. The first heating sleeve includes a first electrically conductive heating grid, a first stiffening layer for providing rigidity, a first thermostat, and a first cover for enclosing the components in the first heating sleeve. The second heating sleeve includes a second electrically conductive heating grid, a second stiffening layer, a thermostat, and a cover enclosing the components of the second heating sleeve. An extension is provided for separating the first heating sleeve and the second heating sleeve. The wrap heater is provided for heating at least two surfaces of a food product. A method for heating food product, such as pizza, is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: Vesture CorporationInventors: Byron C. Owens, William M. Bostic, Robert Mericle
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Patent number: 6114672Abstract: A PTC-element to be used as a protective device against overcurrent or overvoltage, of which the volume resistivity does not substantially differ before and after a high temperature processing, such as reflowing of solder, and can be preserved even after having been subjected to repeated tripping, which contains a non-conductive crystalline polymer and a particulate conductor material dispersed in the non-conducting crystalline polymer, wherein the particulate conductor material includes electro-conductive particles having irregular surface contours.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Norikazu Iwasaki, Hisaya Tamura, Toyoji Yamazaki, Yukio Yamada
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Patent number: 6102669Abstract: A vehicular air conditioning refrigerant compressor is disclosed. The variable displacement compressor includes a suction chamber, a discharge chamber, a crank chamber, a drive shaft having rotated by a vehicle engine, a swash plate rotatable with the drive shaft and located within the crank chamber. The swash plate and the drive shaft have a tilt angle between them. The tilt angle is controlled by a control valve mechanism which regulates the introduction of a gas from the discharge chamber to the crank chamber. The compressor further includes a center sleeve slidably mounted on the drive shaft. The position of the center sleeve is responsive to the tilt angle.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventor: Masaaki Fujita
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Patent number: 6093910Abstract: A heated vehicle seat is brought forth which includes a first bus bar of conductive ink applied to either the vehicle seat cushion or to its cover. The conductive ink can be applied directly to the seat cushion or cover, or the conductive ink can be applied to a noncellulosic fabric substrate which is then connected with the seat cushion or cover. A second bus bar of conductive ink is also applied. Between and connecting the two bus bars is a resistive pattern of a conductive ink. The heated vehicle seat has a high thermal reaction time and generates heat at a position closer to the vehicle seat occupant.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1998Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Tachi-S Engineering, USA Inc.Inventors: Brian McClintock, David W. Gaines
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Patent number: 6079957Abstract: A fluid pumping apparatus (10) includes a soft start valve (16) coupled with the outlet of a pump (14) driven by an electric motor (12) for reducing the startup current of the motor (12). The preferred valve (16) includes a fluid chamber (32), a valve operator in the nature of a ball (22) shiftable in the chamber (32) between the inlet (36) and a valve seat (48), and a biasing assembly (24) including an axially shiftable rod (54) and a spring (56) for biasing the rod (54) against the ball (22) in order to bias the ball (22) toward the chamber inlet (36). Upon startup, the valve (16) provides a reduced start pressure, less than the pump pressure under load, at the inlet (36) as the operator (22) moves toward the seat (48). The chamber (32) presents a volume sufficient for the valve (16) to provide the start pressure long enough for the motor (12) to achieve synchronous speed, thereby reducing motor startup current.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1998Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: SPX CorporationInventor: James E. Jirele
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Patent number: 6074178Abstract: A peristaltic piezoelectrically actuated fluid pump including two or more pairs of piezoelectric deformable members that are self-actuated, a flexible hose member, a pump chamber, inlet and outlet ports for communicating the pump chamber with the exterior of the flexible hose member, valves for opening and closing the ports, and a power supply is provided. The diaphragm members may include a prestressed piezoelectric element which is durable, inexpensive and lightweight as compared with diaphragm members of prior diaphragm pumps of comparable discharge capacity, and is actuated via electrical signals from an outside power source. Each pair of piezoelectric diaphragm members is actuated out of phase with the other(s) so as to allow fluid to be pumped through the flexible hose member peristaltically.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Face International Corp.Inventors: Richard P. Bishop, Bradbury R. Face, Samuel A. Face, Stephen E. Clark, Norvell S. Rose
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Patent number: 6072165Abstract: A thin film thermocouple having junctions (2, 7) of metal and semiconducting metal oxides such as tin oxide/silver, and used as surface temperature sensors in conjunction with thin film heating elements (1) to control temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1999Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Thermo-Stone USA, LLCInventor: Bernard Feldman
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Patent number: 6059547Abstract: A cylinder injection high-pressure fuel pump permits reduction in size and cost thereof and it is also capable of securely absorbing high-frequency pulsations. The cylinder injection high-pressure fuel pump (200) has: a casing (1) in which an inlet passage (2) for taking fuel in and a discharge passage (35) for discharging the fuel are formed; a cylinder (30) formed in the casing (1); a fuel pressurizing chamber (32) formed in a part of the cylinder (30); and a plunger (31) disposed in the cylinder (30) such that it may reciprocate therein. As the plunger (31) reciprocates, the fuel is taken into the fuel pressurizing chamber (32) through the inlet passage (2) and pressurized therein, then the pressurized fuel is discharged through the discharge passage (35) and forcibly fed into a fuel injector of a cylinder injection type engine.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keiichi Konishi, Yoshihiko Onishi
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Patent number: 6060691Abstract: A device for heating a fluid controller comprises a pair of platelike side heaters pressed respectively against a pair of opposite side faces of a body of the fluid controller with an insulating layer provided between each heater and each side face, a pair of side holding members each having a recessed portion for fitting the side heater therein and fastened to each other with screws to hold the controller body therebetween from opposite sides of the body, and a cushion member interposed between each side heater and a bottom face of the recessed portion for pressing the side heater against the controller body side face.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Fujikin IncorporatedInventors: Yukio Minami, Nobukazu Ikeda, Michio Yamaji, Tsutomu Tanigawa
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Patent number: 6054692Abstract: In a heating device used for melting snow on a road, a roof or the like, or for room heating of in-door facilities, in order to heat a to-be-heated or heated object uniformly over its entire area and enable to utilize effectively a PTC heater, a heat diffusing plate 14 for diffusing heat generated from a heat generating body 16 is arranged on an upper face of the heat insulating member 12 and the heating body 16 is arranged in a recess portion 13 installed on its upper face. The heating body 16 is constituted by inserting a heat generating element 4 mounted with heat radiating plates 5 into a vessel 2 enclosed with a heat storing agent 3 of a latent heat absorbing type in a state in which the heat generating element is brought into contact with the heat storing agent 3.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignees: Takehiko Hitomi, Mitsukazu OgawaInventors: Takehiko Hitomi, Mitsukazu Ogawa, Toshio Saburi
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Patent number: 6049061Abstract: A heater comprising a heating element embedded in a dielectric sheet, is disclosed. A leaf spring which is curved when relaxed, clamps the embedded heating element against a surface to be heated. The heater is optionally mounted on an internal surface of an enclosure. The heater is operable to a flux of about 3.9 kW-m.sup.2.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1998Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: William George Gates, Martin Michael Mark Keegan
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Patent number: 6037569Abstract: An automatic heating oven system employs a cabinet containing a heating chamber with radiant heating elements and a turntable rotatable at a fixed slow angular speed. A thermocouple controls the heating elements to maintain the turntable above a minimum elevated temperature at all times. An entry chute with proximity switch extends into the chamber, and passage of a food-laden tray down the chute to the turntable triggers the switch, activating the turntable and an exhaust fan and, if not already on, the heating elements. A guide bar extending across the turntable at an oblique angle to all possible paths of travel of the food item on the turntable directs the food out an exit to a receiving rack outside the oven, before the food item completes a complete revolution on the turntable. A retriggerable timer turns off the heaters, fan and turntable a fixed time period after the most recent activation of the proximity switch.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: McFarlin Supply Corp.Inventors: James E. Lincoln, Steven R. Lincoln
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Patent number: 6036446Abstract: A portable system of inter-connected smaller and larger canisters for near simultaneous vacuum and liquid transfer free from any external power. Captured vacuum in the canisters is employed for waste liquid extraction and a subsequent pressure transfer may take place without any liquid being exposed to the atmosphere. A mechanical manifold is adapted to receive the canisters, and one or more canisters may be physically connected to the manifold and are left in place as a user drives to another site location. An intermediate canister in the system is fitted with either manual or a self tending valve for the vacuum and pressure modes of the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Lowell R. GoodmanInventor: Lowell R. Goodman