Patents Issued in January 9, 2001
  • Patent number: 6170234
    Abstract: A particulate aerosol dissemination device comprising a shreddable belt is disclosed. The belt has a plurality of individual cells aligned along the belt length and which extend across the belt width. The cells are separated by partitions extending between the cells across the belt width. The cells are capable of holding a solid aerosol filler comprising any one of the following: obscurant or smoke generating materials; pesticides; insecticides; fungicides; riot control agents; fertilizer; and feed. A method for disseminating a solid particle aerosol using the belt and a process for manufacturing the aerosol belt segments is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Raymond J. Malecki, William G. Rouse, Samuel Morgan
  • Patent number: 6170235
    Abstract: A wafer packaging method in which a wafer is placed into a packaging bag that is sealed before the concentration of sulphuric oxide on the surface of the wafer reaches 3×1012 atoms/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoo-chul Cho, Jea-gun Park, Sung-hoon Cho
  • Patent number: 6170236
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved package wrapping machine which produces a wrapped product having a good seal and a favorable appearance for packages of varying sizes and shapes. More particularly, these improvements are obtained by utilizing a novel film gripper having sections that are separately disengageable to release tension on lateral sections of the film web during the wrapping of smaller than average packages, thereby preventing unwanted stretching of the film so as to promote a good seal for the packaged goods and avoid the formation of unsightly film tails. Also in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a novel package pusher is utilized to convey the package to be wrapped from a package infeed location to a registration position on the package wrapping elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael A. Whitby, Philip Anthony Ratermann
  • Patent number: 6170237
    Abstract: A process and device for packaging elongate products where a packaging material is drawn from a supply in a transportation direction includes sealing around the elongate products longitudinally and transversely. The packaging material is delivered in the form of a partial tube having one open longitudinal side and one closed longitudinal side, and a width between the open longitudinal side and the closed longitudinal side. A plurality of first transverse seals are made across the partial tube, extending less than the width of the partial tube, to form a plurality of transverse pockets in the tube and the elongate products are inserted into the pockets. A plurality of second transverse seals are made to form a transverse sealing seam across the full width of the tube. A seal is made on the open longitudinal side of the partial tube to form a longitudinal sealing seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: SIG Pack Systems AG
    Inventor: Alfred Wipf
  • Patent number: 6170238
    Abstract: A sealing machine and process for sealing loaded bags of a novel web of side connected bags are disclosed. The web is fed through the sealer by a pair of grooved main transport belts. A holding belt is disposed in the groove of an associated main belt and extends into the groove of the other main belt as the belts move through the seal station. Processes of transporting and sealing side connected bags are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Hershey Lerner
  • Patent number: 6170239
    Abstract: Apparatus, namely folding turret (20), for producing (cigarette) packs (10), in the case of which a blank, in particular an outer paper blank (13), has folding tabs, namely side tabs (18, 19), which are connected to one another by spots of glue (28). The spots of glue (28) are transferred onto the side tab (18) by glue nozzles (31), the guidance of the movement path of the packs (10) relative to the glue nozzles (31) being such that, following a portion of glue (29) for the spot of glue (28), unwanted portions (32) emerging from the glue nozzle (31) are intercepted by the radially inner side tab (19). For this purpose, said radially inner side tab may be formed so as to be in an oblique position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hans-J{umlaut over (u)}rgen Bretthauer, Thomas H{umlaut over (a)}fker
  • Patent number: 6170240
    Abstract: A packaging and disposal system for sealing waste and related materials within flexible plastic tubing for odorless and sanitary disposal. Improvements in the latch, including the addition of a transverse mounted latch spring, and improvements in the support retention springs serve to increase the ability of the device to operate efficiently and effectively and reduce the potential of accidental spills or other exposure of the waste package. The latch requires two independent motions to actuate and incorporates a transversely mounted latch spring. The reduced cross-sectional area of the retention spring design concentrates force applied to the package to increase the effective holding ability of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Jacoby, John R. Hickman, Michael J. Gallo
  • Patent number: 6170241
    Abstract: A solid motor controller for controlling the current in an electrical motor. The motor controller includes a processing unit, and a solid state switch operatively connected to the electrical motor. The motor controller senses the current through the motor, compares the current with a reference current level, and limits the current in the motor by rapidly switching the switch between an ON and an OFF state when the current exceeds the reference current level. The controller de-energizes the motor by placing the switch in the OFF state when the current exceeds the reference current for a predetermined period of time. The controller also includes a second solid state switch which is controlled to rapidly stop the rotation of the motor. The motor controller also activates a high current warning when the current exceeds a high current limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: John Shibilski, James B. Farr, Joseph L. Pfaff
  • Patent number: 6170242
    Abstract: A lawn mower has drive wheels which are independently spring-suspended from the chassis. In one embodiment two rear wheels are independently driven for directional control, two front wheels are mounted at opposing ends of a center pivoting front axle, and the cutter deck is suspended between the front and rear wheels. In another embodiment the front wheels are drive wheels, the rear wheels are steerable, and the cutter deck is cantilevered from the front of the chassis. Wheel assemblies are attached to the chassis by a suspension system comprised of upper and lower link assemblies and a coil spring, preferably one in which the link assemblies are parallel and of equal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Ferris Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd B. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6170243
    Abstract: A brake mechanism is provided for use in braking an axle within an axle housing on an associated vehicle. The brake mechanism includes a brake stack, an actuation plate, a pressure plate, gears means for operatively connecting a brake pedal to the actuation plate and for indicating the wear condition of the brake mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products Inc
    Inventor: Hans Hauser
  • Patent number: 6170244
    Abstract: A pickup reel for a harvesting platform including a reel support structure with a reel shaft rotatably supported thereon. A plurality of radially extending arms are mounted to the reel shaft and a plurality of transverse rockshafts are mounted to the radially extending arms and are axially offset and parallel to the reel shaft and span the width of the platform. Radial fingers are mounted on each rockshaft. A cam is mounted to the support structure adjacent one or both ends of the rockshafts and defines an endless cam path about the reel shaft. A crank arm attached to each rockshaft carries a cam follower that engages the cam path for following along the path. The cam path is configured to cause the crank arms, and thus the rockshafts, to rotate about the respective rockshaft axis to vary the attitude of the fingers relative to the ground as the cam followers move along the cam path. The cam is segmented, having two or more cam segments joined together to form the endless cam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Bruce Alan Coers, Roderick James Jensen
  • Patent number: 6170245
    Abstract: A round baler for forming crop material into cylindrical bales. The baler has a main frame, a pair of side walls, a crop pickup mounted on the main frame, and a tailgate pivotally connected to the main frame. The tailgate is operative between a closed position during which a bale is being formed in an expandable chamber, and an open position during which a formed bale is being discharged from the chamber. A sledge assembly, pivotally mounted on the main frame for movement between a bale starting position and a full bale position, has crop engaging transverse rolls for urging the crop material along a spiral path in the chamber for starting and forming a bale. A apron is supported along a continuous path on the main frame and tailgate by a plurality of rotatable guide members. The path has an inner course that cooperates with the sledge rolls on the sledge assembly to define moveable walls of the chamber. A drive roll moves the apron along the continuous path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Underhill
  • Patent number: 6170246
    Abstract: A round baler for forming crop material into cylindrical bales. The baler has a main frame, a pair of side walls, a crop pickup mounted on the main frame, and a tailgate pivotally connected to the main frame. The tailgate is operative between a closed position during which a bale is being formed in an expandable chamber, and an open position during which a formed bale is being discharged from the chamber. A sledge assembly, pivotally mounted on the main frame for movement between a bale starting position and a full bale position, has crop engaging transverse rollers for urging the crop material along a spiral path in the chamber for starting and forming a bale. A apron is supported along a continuous path on the main frame and tailgate by a plurality of rotatable guide members. The path has an inner course that cooperates with the sledge rolls on the sledge assembly to define moveable walls of the chamber. A drive roll moves the apron along the continuous path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Underhill
  • Patent number: 6170247
    Abstract: A device for preparing a thread end for splicing with an apparatus for the knotless pneumatic splicing of textile threads and yarns comprises a small tube for treating the thread end which is open at its opposite ends and suitable for receiving the end of the thread to be treated in correspondence with a peripheral point of its inlet end, and, at a distance from and opposite the said inlet end of the small tube, a circular nozzle for blowing a jet of pressurized fluid which is aligned with the said small tube and may be connected to a source of compressed fluid, the said nozzle having the end from which the jet of fluid emerges cut obliquely with respect to its axis so as to form an elliptical aperture and being mounted in rotatably adjustable manner about its axis with the elliptical outlet aperture of the jet of fluid facing towards the peripheral point of the inlet end of the small tube in correspondence with which the latter receives the thread end to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Mesdan S.P.A.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Ragnoli, Ruggero Veronese
  • Patent number: 6170248
    Abstract: A chain link comprising a shank portion connected to a pair of eye portions at each end of the shank so as to form a dog-bone shape with eyelets at the ends. The eyelets are formed by a Y-shaped root section that is connected to a half-torus-shaped hat section. The cross-section profile of the shank portion is round, square, or, alternatively, an I-beam shape. The eye portions include an inner portion having an arcuate inner surface and an outer portion being substantially rectangular in cross-section. The chain link is preferably made of a high-strength alloy steel and is especially well-suited for use in dragline hoist chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Columbia Steel Casting Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Garrick J. Ianello, Bruce C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6170249
    Abstract: An energy guiding chain is disclosed for accommodating cables and hoses. The chain has laterally spaced parallel side-plates (1) with upper and lower cross-members (2,3). A cross-sectional space for said cables and hoses is defined by the side-plates and the upper and lower edges of the side-plates. The cross-sectional space is expanded by at least one of the cross-members being detachably mounted on the side-plates by connector parts (7). The cross-member is a bracket including bracket body (2) and a mounting member (6) at each free end of the body with a mounting member connector-part (8) for engagement by connector parts (7) which are engageable by movement of the mounting member connector-part in the lateral direction toward a plate connector part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Igus Spritzgubbteile fur die Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Blase, Kurt Fischer
  • Patent number: 6170250
    Abstract: A link is made by bending a metal plate, and comprises a plurality of annular portions (13, 14, 15) and connecting portions (12) between the annular portions. An annular connecting link (3) has a gap through which the connecting portion passes and engaged with the connecting portion. A connecting member (4) having a base (41), a connecting arm (43), and an end portion is provided to be inserted between the link and the connecting link so as to connect the connecting link to the link with the connecting arm. A stopping means (17,42) is provided for holding and stopping the connecting member within the link. An opening is provided for disclosing an outer surface of the end portion of the connecting member from one of the annular portions at an end thereof, so as to allow a tool (5) to push the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Hara, Jindai Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 6170251
    Abstract: A microturbine power generating system includes a primary compressor, an electrical generator and a turbine that can be rotated as a unit. Hot, expanding gases resulting from combustion are expanded through the turbine, and the resulting turbine power is used for powering the electrical generator. The microturbine power generating system further includes an auxiliary compressor that is driven by the turbine power. During operation of the system, a small portion of air can be bled off the primary compressor and further compressed in the auxiliary compressor to provide an auxiliary supply of pressurized air. The heat of high pressure compression is recovered to increase the overall efficiency of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventors: Mark J. Skowronski, Tony Prophet
  • Patent number: 6170252
    Abstract: A locator for a gearbox mount for a gas turbine engine includes a mounting plate having a first stub shaft that extends from the plate into a receptacle in the gearbox, a second stub shaft that extends from the plate into a receptacle in the engine case and a load sensitive mechanism disposed in either one of the stub shafts. During a high rotor imbalance event such as a fan blade loss condition, the load sensitive mechanism shears to partially decouple the gearbox from the engine case to minimize damage caused by high rotor imbalance loads. Alternate embodiments of the load sensitive mechanisms in the stub shaft are disclosed, including a diaphragm and a wall that yield to shear loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Keven G. Van Duyn
  • Patent number: 6170253
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided with a translatable cowl and a cascade structure which is nested within the translatable portion of the cowl. The cascade structure comprises a pair of C ducts which are exposed upon translation of a portion of the cowl. The C ducts are capable of rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the engine thus allowing access to the core of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Arnold C Newton
  • Patent number: 6170254
    Abstract: A translating sleeve structure for a cascade type thrust reverser system for controlling fan air for a turbofan aircraft gas turbine jet engine, such translating sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially arranged spaced blocker doors, each of which is hingedly connected to a door receptacle bonded into a single layer honeycomb panel inner wall of the sleeve at a longitudinal position which is aft of bleed ports positioned in the core cowl of the engine for periodically expelling gases from the engine at elevated temperatures and pressures. Positioning such blocker doors aft of the bleed ports precludes injury to the blocker doors or to their hinged connections to the core cowl and permits smaller uniformly sized doors to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy E. Cariola
  • Patent number: 6170255
    Abstract: A thrust reverser for a turbojet engine comprising displaceable downstream baffles (2) which are integrated into the outer wall of the annular bypass-flow duct so as to form the downstream end of the exhaust nozzle of the turbojet engine during the operation of the turbojet engine in a forward-thrust mode is provided. When in a thrust-reversal mode, the downstream baffles (2) are positioned so as to deflect the bypass flow and obtain thrust reversal. The baffles (2) are pivotably mounted on stationary pivots (10) and have at least one associated displacement mechanism (6, 7) for driving the baffles (2). Each downstream baffle (2) has an associated displaceable inner panel (13). Each baffle (2) and the associated inner panel (13) are driven through different angular displacements by the at least one associated displacement mechanism (6, 7), which is common to the baffle (2) and the associated inner panel (13), to change between the forward-thrust mode and the thrust-reversal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Hispano-Suiza Aerostructures
    Inventors: Patrick Gonidec, Pascal G{acute over (e)}rard Rouyer, Guy Bernard Vauchel
  • Patent number: 6170256
    Abstract: A fitting (22) connected to an actuator member (18a) is mounted on a diverging portion (12) by means of inserts (32) designed to be placed and held in the wall of the diverging portion, and fixing means which comprises an elastically-deformable element (24) designed to compensate for any dimensional variations of thermal origin to maintain a force pressing the fitting (22) against the diverging portion (12). A thrust element (26) is connected to the inserts (32) in such a manner as to compress the elastically-deformable element (24) between the thrust element (26) and the fitting (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation - S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Michel Berdoyes, Pierre Camy
  • Patent number: 6170257
    Abstract: A variable thrust nozzle system comprises a housing, a pair of nozzle skirts. attached to the outer surface of the housing so as to open in opposite directions, respectively, a pair of nozzle plugs disposed in the pair of nozzle skirts so as to define a nozzle throat between the outer surface of each nozzle plug and the inner surface of the corresponding nozzle skirt, a shaft supported for sliding in the housing and having opposite ends connected to the nozzle plugs, respectively, and an actuator linked to the shaft to drive the shaft for sliding motions to vary the sectional areas of the nozzle throats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Harada, Yoshihiko Nishida, Kiyoyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6170258
    Abstract: The liquid-propellant rocket engine comprises two combustion chambers, a gas generator, a turbopump assembly, pipelines as well as a frame having footpads and supports located in different planes that are perpendicular to the engine axis, said frame being made up of at least two welded rod sections. Said sections are fastened to each other by a plane rod joint. The engine pipelines are connected to the combustion chambers and comprise bellows balances or flexible hoses which have their movable ends connected directly to the combustion chambers or to pipes joined thereto. The frame is made demountable due to the use of threaded connections that joint together the frame sections and the plane rod joint. The frame is made as a compensation frame by placing the footpad plane over the support plane. A curved pipe joint comprises a curved pipe, a hinge and a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignees: Otkrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo “Nauchno” Proizvodstvennoe Obiedinenie Energomash Imeni Akademika V.P. Glushko, Moskovskaya Oblast Moskovskaya Oblast Moskovskaya Oblast Khimki
    Inventors: Boris Ivanovich Katorgin, Vladimir Konstantinovich Chvanov, Felix Jurievich Chelkis, Vadim Lliich Semenov, Valentin Georgievich Polushin, Nina Ivanovna Murlykina
  • Patent number: 6170259
    Abstract: An emission control system for an internal-combustion engine has at least one nitrogen oxide adsorber for the periodic adsorption and desorption of nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas of the internal-combustion engine. A desorption gas pipe has an externally heatable catalyst arranged therein to which a mixture of air and/or exhaust gas can be fed as well as fuel at an at least stoichiometric proportion. This mixture is burned to form a desorbing gas flow which is fed to the respective nitrogen oxide adsorber for the nitrogen oxide desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Walter Boegner, Karl-Ernest Haak, Bernd Krutzsch, Dirk Voigtlaender, Guenter Wenninger, Friedrich Wirbeleit
  • Patent number: 6170260
    Abstract: Exhaust gas due to combustion is discharged into the atmosphere through a combined catalytic-hydrocarbon adsorbent 20. The combined catalytic-hydrocarbon adsorbent consists of a hydrocarbon adsorbent layer 20A and a three-way catalytic layer 20B. The hydrocarbon adsorbent layer 20A adsorbs hydrocarbons at a lower temperature, and desorbs hydrocarbons at a higher temperature. The three-way catalytic layer 20B purifies hydrocarbons desorbed from the hydrocarbon adsorbent layer 20A. To reduce the amount of hydrocarbons discharged to atmosphere, when the running condition of the engine is in the idling region, the ignition timing is retarded. This retarding of the ignition timing is limited to the time period after the hydrocarbon adsorbent layer 20A begins desorbing hydrocarbons until three-way catalytic layer 20B activates. With this design, the temperature of the combined catalyst-hydrocarbon adsorbent rises rapidly and the amount of hydrocarbon emission is controlled to be minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ishii, Kimiyoshi Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 6170261
    Abstract: A pressurized hydraulic fluid supply apparatus capable of merging or separating a plurality of hydraulic pump lines according to the driving states of a plurality of actuators. The pressurized hydraulic fluid supply apparatus has a merge/separation valve 40 that merges or separates the hydraulic fluids delivered under pressure by the first hydraulic pump 1 and the second hydraulic pump 11. The merge/separation valve 40 is set to a flow separation state upon driving of the second hydraulic actuator 16 and is preferentially shifted to a flow merging state when the third hydraulic actuator 21 is driven. Hence, even when a manually driven operation valve is used, the merge/separation valve 40 is automatically switched between the flow separation state and the flow merging state according to the operation of the operation valve. This apparatus prevents an unintended flow rate difference between the first and second actuators from being produced upon driving of the third actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Ishizaki, Toyomi Kataoka, Nobumi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6170262
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device whereby irrespective of the magnitude of the load the desired maximum flow QM is fed to the hydraulic actuator which drives the working part, thus allowing the working part to work at the desired speed. The flow rate through the flow rate control valves is controlled so that when the operation means is operated beyond a prescribed operating start position, the hydraulic actuators begin to be driven, the flow fed to the hydraulic actuators attaining a prescribed maximum when the operation means is operated to its maximum operating rate, while the rate of change of the flow fed to the hydraulic actuators reaches a prescribed magnitude for each fixed operating rate of the operation means. The rate of change of the flow rate is altered according to the magnitude of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshimura, Kiwa Nishimura, Koichi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6170263
    Abstract: Low grade heat recovered from various sections of an integrated gasification system is used to drive an absorption chilling cycle. In an exemplary embodiment, the recovered low grade heat is used to heat a two component working solution that is pumped through a closed cycle absorption chilling system. The heated working solution is separated into a rich stream and a lean stream. The rich stream is condensed to produce a liquid rich stream that is throttled to reduce its temperature and then evaporated to produce a cooling load. The cooling load may be used for auxiliary cooling needs in the integrated gasification system. The rich vapor stream produced by the evaporating step is mixed with the lean stream to produce a mixed stream, which is cooled in an absorber to produce the working solution for the cycle to be repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Cedric Chow, Ashok Kumar Anand, Jatila Ranasinghe, David Andrew Stats
  • Patent number: 6170264
    Abstract: A low or no pollution engine is provided for delivering power for vehicles or other power applications. The engine has an air inlet which collects air from a surrounding environment. At least a portion of the nitrogen in the air is removed using a technique such as liquefaction, pressure swing adsorption or membrane based air separation. The remaining gas is primarily oxygen, which is then compressed and routed to a gas generator. The gas generator has an igniter and inputs for the high pressure oxygen and a high pressure hydrogen-containing fuel, such as hydrogen, methane or a light alcohol. The fuel and oxygen are combusted within the gas generator, forming water and carbon dioxide with carbon containing fuels. Water is also delivered into the gas generator to control the temperature of the combustion products. The combustion products are then expanded through a power generating device, such as a turbine or piston expander to deliver output power for operation of a vehicle or other power uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Clean Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Fermin Viteri, James P. Taylor, Harry Brandt, Roger E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6170265
    Abstract: In a gas turbine having a device for the fuel injection, which injects fuel into a mixing device (12), the injected fuel being mixed with combustion air in the mixing device (12), and in which the gas turbine also has a combustion chamber (16) arranged downstream of the mixing device (12), the length of the combustion chamber being LBK and the length of the mixing device being LMix, in order to suppress thermoacoustic vibrations the premix combustion chamber (10) containing the combustion chamber (16) and the mixing device (12) is designed in such a way that an acoustic pressure fluctuation which occurs in the premix combustion chamber (10) at the combustion-chamber outlet (20) is superimposed in phase opposition on an entropy-wave-induced pressure fluctuation at a certain frequency to be damped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Search Ltd.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Polifke, Christian Oliver Paschereit, Klaus Döbbeling
  • Patent number: 6170266
    Abstract: A double wall structure for a gas turbine engine has an inner wall comprising a number of tiles. The outer wall is provided with a number of apertures through which air is directed into the space between the two walls. Inclined apertures are provided in the tiles so that cooling air can pass into the combustion chamber and form a cooling film underneath the tile. Each tile is provided with a number of pedestals. The orientation of the inclined apertures is such that the axis of each aperture lies upon an unobstructed channel between the pedestals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Anthony Pidcock, Desmond Close, Michael P Spooner
  • Patent number: 6170267
    Abstract: A sample cooler has a thermostatic chamber containing a heat-conducting block on which vessels containing liquid samples are set. A control unit activates a cooling mechanism of the air cooling type to cool the air inside the thermostatic chamber. Thereafter, when the temperature or humidity inside the thermostatic chamber is detected to have reached a specified level, when condensation of dew is detected inside the thermostatic chamber, or when a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit starts to operate another cooling mechanism of the direct cooling type to cool the heat-conducting block, such that the samples can be cooled directly and quickly under a dehumidified condition without causing dew condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuo Kitaoka
  • Patent number: 6170268
    Abstract: This application relates to a novel method and apparatus for hydrating, freezing and cutting packaged hydration material. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel method and apparatus for drawing unhydrated sandwich packaged hydration gel material from a roll of such material, hydrating the material in a hydration tank, freezing the hydrated material in a freezing chamber, and cutting the frozen hydrated material into pieces according to prescribed lengths. A process of continuously hydrating, freezing and cutting a hydratable polymer containing web of material which comprises: (a) passing the web into a water hydration vessel for sufficient time to hydrate the hydratable polymer; (b) withdrawing the web from the hydration vessel and passing the web through a freezer for sufficient time to enable the web to freeze; and (c) withdrawing the frozen web from the freezer and cutting the frozen web into prescribed lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Guenther Ernst Elfert, Hans-Ulrich Elfert
  • Patent number: 6170269
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for freeze granulation of a medium such as a biopharmeceutical product. The medium is put into a chamber and mixed using a pair of counter rotating agitators. The agitators have angled blades or paddles on them in order to induce motion in the medium parallel to the axis of the agitator shafts. A set of liquid nitrogen and liquid carbon dioxide nozzles are attached to the chamber. The liquid nitrogen nozzles spray a mist of liquid nitrogen into the medium. The liquid carbon dioxide nozzles spray carbon dioxide snow into the chamber. The liquid nitrogen and the carbon dioxide can be sprayed into the chamber at the same time or alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Integrated Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6170270
    Abstract: A warm liquid defrost refrigeration system (10) comprising a primary refrigeration loop (12) including a compressor (16), a condenser (18), an expansion device (22), and a first side of a chiller (24), and a secondary refrigeration loop (14) including a pump (26), a refrigerated space heat exchanger (28), and a second side of the chiller. The refrigeration system further includes a defrost heat exchanger (40) having a hot side and a cold side. The hot side of the defrost heat exchanger is connected to the primary refrigeration loop between the condenser and the expansion device such that liquid refrigerant can flow from the condenser through the hot side of the defrost heat exchanger. The cold side of the defrost heat exchanger is connected to the secondary refrigeration loop at a point downstream of the pump such that coolant can be selectively transported from the pump through the cold side of the defrost heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yakov Arshansky, David K. Hinde
  • Patent number: 6170271
    Abstract: A fresh air unit. The unit comprises: a housing having an airstream flowing therethrough; a pre-cooling portion, and dehumidification portion. The pre-cooling portion is located within the housing and reduces the temperature and specific humidity of a gas in the airstream to a target zone on a psychrometric chart. The dehumidification portion is also located in the housing downstream of the pre-cooling portion. The dehumidification portion removes a selected amount of moisture from the gas and reheats the gas a selected amount of sensible heat gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Brian T. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6170272
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration system including a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor for condensing compressed refrigerant received from the compressor, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the condenser for holding condensed refrigerant received from the condenser. The system also includes a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the reservoir, an expansion device in fluid communication with the heat exchanger for decompressing cooled refrigerant received from the heat exchanger, and at least one evaporator in fluid communication with the expansion device for evaporating decompressed refrigerant received from the expansion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Systematic Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas John Backman
  • Patent number: 6170273
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display unit for the distribution of products, in particular a refrigerated display unit for food products such as ice cream and the like, which includes a cabinet in the form of a chest defining an environment for containing the products and having a top opening for access. The display unit includes an electric or electronic display panel arranged near the opening in the cabinet and operable to generate a plurality of predetermined visual presentations, and control means which the user can manipulate to cause a predetermined visual presentation to be generated on the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Bosi
  • Patent number: 6170274
    Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning system for achieving a comfortable blowout state of conditioned air at all times both with respect to air-conditioning load factors which change frequently, like solar radiation strength, and with respect to air-conditioning load factors which change slowly, like passenger compartment temperature, by automatic control of grill louver swing control times corresponding to different air-conditioning loads. For example, when it can be estimated that solar radiation is incident on a driver side or passenger side front or rear seat occupant, oscillating driver side and passenger side center louvers are paused at a swing end of the occupant estimated to be exposed to solar radiation for a time that corresponds to the amount of cooling load. Therefore, it is possible to direct conditioned air at an occupant exposed to sun and thus improve the comfort of occupants upon whom sun is incident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ichishi, Toshifumi Kamiya, Katsuhiko Samukawa, Takayoshi Kawai, Yuichi Kajino, Hikaru Sugi
  • Patent number: 6170275
    Abstract: A fan suitable for use in a refrigerator includes a motor frame having a bracket insertion hole, a bracket including a cylindrical portion fitted into the bracket insertion hole so as to project from the motor frame and a bearing, a stator including a stator core, a stator coil wound on the stator core, and a molded layer molded from a synthetic resin so as to cover the stator core and the stator coil, the stator being disposed on an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion projecting from the bracket insertion hole so as to be supported by the cylindrical portion and the motor frame, a rotor including a rotational shaft inserted into the cylindrical portion so as to be rotatably mounted via the bearing on the bracket and having both ends, a rotor yoke disposed on one end of the shaft opposite to the motor frame so as to cover the stator, and a rotor magnet disposed on an inner circumferential face of the rotor yoke so as to be opposed to an outer circumferential face of the stator core with a gap between t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shunji Ueno, Koichiro Ochiai
  • Patent number: 6170276
    Abstract: A refrigerator crisper system includes an enclosure defined by inner and outer housings, as well as a food receptacle slidably positioned in the inner housing. The inner and outer housings are spaced so as to define a zone therebetween within which air, generated by a fan mounted entirely within the enclosure, is forced to flow in order to cool the contents of the receptacle. The enclosure is formed with various vanes that direct the cooling air flow above, adjacent the sides and below the receptacle. In the most preferred form of the invention, a temperature sensor and a moisture permeable film are provided to further regulate the food storage environment established in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Sheldon Wayne Mandel, Robert Stephen Mercille, William J. Vestal
  • Patent number: 6170277
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a pressure in a refrigeration system which maintains a pressure within a refrigeration system below a predetermined upper limit, may optionally maintain the pressure above a predetermined lower limit. The pressure being controlled can be a discharge pressure, a suction pressure or the difference therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Porter, Garret J. Malone, Thomas J. Dobmeier
  • Patent number: 6170278
    Abstract: An ice rink is provided having a thermal storage reservoir arranged to regulate the temperature of the ice rink. The ice rink includes a sheet of ice and a sub-floor for supporting the sheet of ice thereon. The reservoir is mounted adjacent a bottom face of the sub-floor. The reservoir is substantially larger in volume than the sheet of ice, being filled with particulate material having a high heat capacity. A fluid surrounds the particulate material having a freezing point which is below that of water. Cooling pipes extending through the reservoir and the sub-floor are arranged to have cooling fluid pumped therethrough for freezing the sheet of ice mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Greg S. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 6170279
    Abstract: The invention is a fisherman refrigerating device using engine exhaust, which comprises a refrigerating tub, a storage bottle of the coolant liquid ammonia, a condenser and two generators whose guiding pipe is connected to the inlet of the condenser via a valve. The outlet connects to the coolant inlet of the storage bottle, the coolant outlet of the storage bottle then connects to the inlet of the vaporizer through a flux control valve. The vaporizer outlet connects to the guiding pipe of the generators by a valve, the outer case of the generator has an engine exhaust pipe and an inner pipe on it. An inner tube with apertures and calcium chloride are between those pipes, and the inner tube connects to the guiding pipe. A sprinkling tube sits above the inner pipe and the outer case has a water pipe connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Ding-yu Li
  • Patent number: 6170280
    Abstract: A device for maintaining a layer of cooled air over a work area, comprising a zone for processing, presentation or laying out food, said zone having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge where a user is optionally positioned, and lateral edges, said zone being upwardly open and in contact on its upper and lower surfaces with a layer of cooled air, a means for generating a flow of cooled air to create a layer of cooled air, an air flow channeling circuit comprising a flow delivery opening above the zone, a recovery opening to capture the air flow passing over the zone, and a flow circulation conduit connecting the delivery and recovery openings, the flow circulation conduit passing below the lower surface of the zone, wherein the air flow delivery and recovery openings are disposed laterally so that the air flow circulates between the openings, and wherein the air flow circulation conduit has a substantially horizontal section delimited on its upper part by the lower surface of the zone and is attach
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Didier Ortion
    Inventor: Isabelle Vachez
  • Patent number: 6170281
    Abstract: A weather shield is a cover of rigid material of sufficient size and shape, to accommodate the complete surrounding of the exterior unit of a heat pump, or central air conditioning system, which, when installed over the exterior unit, will be a shelter from the weather conditions of rain, snow, sleet, hail, wind, cold, and heat; by acting as an umbrella to divert the weather conditions, be a shield to impede the movement of the natural flow of air currents, act in the capacity of an energy saver, by collecting heat from solar rays through an absorbant pigment coating, or by repelling heat from solar rays through the use of a white reflective pigment coating, or attachable panels of a white durable material, act to decrease the recirculation of air flow produced by the exterior unit'fan which circulates air through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Karl Vernon Lee Barnett
  • Patent number: 6170282
    Abstract: A portable air conditioner for personal use wherever needed. The portable air conditioner includes an insulated housing in the shape of a box. A lid is removably attached to a top of the housing. An intake portal is located in the housing. A first tube is in fluid connection with the intake portal. The tube extends into the housing perpendicular to the first side of the housing and arcs away from the lid. A discharge portal is located in the housing. A second tube extends into the housing whereby the second tube is in fluid connection with the discharge portal. The second tube extends perpendicular to the second side of the housing. The second tube arcs away from the lid. A fan draws air into intake portal. A power source is operationally coupled to the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Garey L. Eddins
  • Patent number: 6170283
    Abstract: A rapid refrigeration apparatus includes a container having a container upper end, a container wall with a container opening in the container upper end bordered by a container rim, the container liquid container contents; a receptacle extending within the container and containing a refrigerant, the receptacle including a cup portion sized to fit into the container opening, a cup flange sized to rest against and sealing secured to, the container rim and a cup wall, at least a portion of which is expandable, the cup wall having cup wall opening mechanism for releasing the container contents into the receptacle; and a lid sealingly secured to the cup flange and including a lid opening mechanism for releasing the refrigerant from the receptacle into the atmosphere and for releasing the container contents from the receptacle for consumption; the lid opening mechanism including a lid opening mechanism activation mechanism for voluntarily opening the lid opening mechanism at a selected moment in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Michael M. Anthony