Patents Issued in January 17, 2006
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Patent number: 6986208Abstract: A blade has a hard, thin layer of ceramic on one side, so that when the blade is sharpened on the other side the very hard ceramic is disposed at the cutting edge. The ceramic (for example, TiN) may be deposited by vacuum deposition. The surface onto which the ceramic is deposited is specular (mirror-like), so that it is flat or smooth on the order of a wavelength of light. The ceramic layer, which is very thin, takes the form of a flat plate, when viewed on a microscopic scale. The ceramic forms a cutting plate at the edge of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Nicholas S. Bromer
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Patent number: 6986209Abstract: A method and device for allowing accurate sequential hole drilling locations in multiple floor and ceiling joists that includes a means for marking multiple holes without the need to measure, level and mark each individual joist or to run plumb lines. In one embodiment, the laser sighting device of the present invention includes a main body housing, a centering cone, an extension tube, and an adjustable center or bracket. A laser unit is positioned within the device and emits a laser from one end of the centering cone. A level allows accurate adjustment of pitch and yaw angles for a positioned orientation of the laser sighting device.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Todd Cook
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Patent number: 6986210Abstract: An adjustable cutting template includes a plurality of leg members selectively engageable with each other for defining a cutting perimeter on a substantially solid surface. Each plurality of leg members includes a first portion and a second portion attached thereto and a plurality of holes formed therein and spaced along a length thereof. Select ones of the first and second portions define a plurality of male and female portions, respectively. The plurality of female portions include a plurality of lip portions integral therewith for receiving the plurality of male portions thereon so that same can be slidably positioned within the plurality of female portions. The template further includes a plurality of stop members attached to the plurality of leg members for defining a maximum distance that the plurality of leg members can be slidably engaged with each other.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Dave P. Conway
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Patent number: 6986211Abstract: A system and method of controlling the relationship between two surfaces (such as a primary surface and a reference surface) and correcting any deviation from the desired or ideal relationship generally employ a plurality of actuators and flexural assemblies. The actuators may be driven in unison to translate the primary surface in one-dimension; the actuators may also be driven independently, accommodating fine adjustment in pitch, roll, or both, of the primary surface. Flexural assemblies may be implemented to minimize lateral cross-coupling between the linear actuators.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Applied Precision, LLCInventor: Gary M. Gunderson
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Patent number: 6986212Abstract: A hair dryer is provided, which includes a housing having an air outlet, fan disposed in the housing, a pair of air flow channels extending toward the air outlet in the housing, a partition wall for separating the channels from each other, heater disposed in only one of the channels, and a minus-ion generator disposed in the other channel. The partition wall is formed by a tubular member, which is disposed in the housing such that one of the channels is provided by an inner space of the tubular member, and the other channel is provided by a clearance between an inner surface of the housing and an outer surface of the tubular member. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously provide a cold air flow with minus ions and a hot air flow from the air outlet, and thereby efficiently perform hair styling.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Itaru Saida, Kiyoshi Takashima, Kenji Kamada, Hiroyuki Takano, Kengo Ito, Akinobu Mizuta, Takashi Nakagawa
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Patent number: 6986213Abstract: A method for drying a granular solid, the finely divided solid to be dried being mixed with zeolite granules, after which drying takes place by removal of water from the solid. The solid dried by removal of moisture is then separated from the zeolite. According to the invention, the solid to be dried is dried in a mixer without external supply of heat, after which the dried solid is at least virtually completely separated from the zeolite granules after a residence time in the mixer. This is advantageous in particular when drying foods, such as wheat flour.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2001Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNOInventors: Arjen Johannes Kruithof, Pieter Jan W. Blom, Paulus Statius R. Kosters, Paulus Josephus T. Bussmann
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Patent number: 6986214Abstract: A low-pressure dryer dries a substrate applied a coating solution thereon at low pressure. The dryer includes an airtight chamber installing a substrate table to place the substrate thereon; a diffuser plate, provided as facing the substrate placed on the substrate table with a gap, for discharging gas existing in the gap toward outside, the diffuser plate having a size almost the same as or larger than the substrate; a substrate-temperature adjuster, installed in the substrate table, for adjusting a temperature of the substrate; and a decompression mechanism for decompressing the airtight chamber. The diffuser plate has a temperature adjuster for making temperature adjustments to have a temperature difference between a first region and a second region of the diffuser plate, the first region facing a center region of the substrate, the second region being outside the first region and including a region facing an outer region of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Tomohide Minami, Hiroshi Shinya, Takahiro Kitano
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Patent number: 6986215Abstract: A waterproofed and breathable sole for shoes, which includes a tread made of leather, or similar breathable and water-permeable material, at least partially covered in an upward region by a membrane made of a material that is breathable and impermeable to water and is perimetrically joined to the tread with the interposition of a sealant or by direct adhesion thereof so as to provide a seal.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Geox S.p.A.Inventor: Mario Polegato Moretti
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Patent number: 6986216Abstract: A wear assembly for attaching wear members to a lip of an excavator includes a wear member, a boss and a lock. The lip includes an inner face, an outer face, a digging edge and a series of through-holes spaced rearward of the digging edge. The bosses are each fixed to a face of the lip at a position rearward of the through-holes. The wear members each include slots to receive the boss adjacent their rear ends, and openings for receiving the locks at a position forward of the bosses. The openings are aligned with the through-holes in the lip. The lock includes a wedge and spool arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Esco CorporationInventors: Robert K. Emrich, Terry L. Briscoe
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Patent number: 6986217Abstract: A hand held appliance for use in applying steam to a garment or other item made of fabric includes a pump, a boiler and a switch. Power is applied through the switch to the pump. The pump pumps water from the water tank to the boiler. The water is converted to steam in the boiler and is expelled from the appliance through a set of nozzles. The appliance may include optional attachments for performing other operations on garments or fabric, for example, applying pressure, brushing, scrubbing or lint removal.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Conair CorporationInventors: Anthony Kit Lun Leung, Chung Shun Tse
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Patent number: 6986218Abstract: The invention relates to a method of connecting a housing part (1) of an iron to a water tank (2) of the iron. The water tank (2) comprises a top part (3) and a bottom part (4). The method includes a watertight connection between these top and bottom parts. To make a simple and inexpensive connection between the housing part (10) and the water tank parts (3, 4) an edge (15) of the housing part (1), an edge (10) of the top part (3) of the water tank (2) and an edge (8) of the bottom part (4) of the water tank (2) are connected to each other in a single process step by means of mirror welding.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1999Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Kam W. Choy, Siew C. Yeo
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Patent number: 6986219Abstract: A rotatable indicator tab assembly for file systems and the like consisting of a rotatable tab formed of a thin sheet of material such as card stock and a tab support, also formed of a thin sheet of material, having a port for receiving the tab arranged such that the edges of the port and the tab cooperate to provide guide and bearing surfaces and stop positions for rotation of the tab.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Christopher Raia
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Patent number: 6986220Abstract: An information display device adapted to be mounted on the safety bar of a ski-lift chair. The device has a tubular base which is rigidly attached to the safety bar. A tubular carrier is rotatabley secured to the tubular base. This tubular carrier provides a cylindrical support surface for information to be displayed. A tubular cover is mounted about the carrier and fixed to the tubular base to protect the tubular carrier and the information attached to it.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: SpinVisionInventor: Nicholas R. M. Kaulbach
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Patent number: 6986221Abstract: A gun forearm cushion device has a generally cylindrical configuration that is both expandable and resilient. The device surrounds and cushions a gun forearm when contacting hard surfaces such as windowsills or items found in hunting structures. The device also includes camouflage material on an exterior part thereof. The device can use a number of different ways to surround the gun forearm, including elastic member(s), hook and loop fasteners, and the device as an expandable sleeve of material.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Frederick James Mullis
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Patent number: 6986222Abstract: A planting assembly (10) including a flexible trough member (12) which may selectively form a plurality of members which may be then selectively interconnected in any desired manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Bradley Cochran
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Patent number: 6986223Abstract: A method of forming a decorative cover, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover for a floral grouping or flower pot from a sheet of material having a printed pattern thereon wherein the printed pattern contains shaded and highlighted areas which provide the printed pattern with a visual perception of depth and thus a three-dimensional appearance.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Wanda M. Weder and William F. Straeter, not individually but solely as Trustees of The Family Trust U/T/A dated December 8, 1995Inventor: Donald E. Weder
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Patent number: 6986224Abstract: A unitary rigid wetter is reversibly and releasably coupled by hand to the bottom of a plant pot that is then inserted into a reservoir filled with liquid. The length of the wetter is adjustable to fit pots and reservoirs that are available on the market. The wetter is appropriate for use by plant growers, by retailers, and by plant owners. Wetness is conveyed by the wetter from the liquid to a medium wherein a plant grows, via at least one lower wetness conductor retained in the interior the wetter. A wetness controller is adjustable to limit the amount of wetness conveyed, to match the type and the nature of the plant. Optionally, at least one upper wetness conveyor is available.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Aharon Gelfer
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Patent number: 6986225Abstract: An apparatus, such as a window in a frame which is mounted in a casing and that can be pivoted 180° within the casing for use on both faces. A pair of concealed hinges mounted, between the casing and the frame, provide pivots about which the frame is rotated. Further, a connector is mounted on opposing faces of the frame. An opening and closing device can be alternately connected and disconnected between the casing and opposing connecters. When disconnected, the frame is rotatable. Once rotated, the opening and closing device is reconnected to the connector on the opposite face of the window. Deformable sealing elements are mounted around the periphery of the frame and on either side of the concealed hinges to provide an air tight seal when the frame is closed.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventors: Finn Alexander Gjersoe, Thomas Gjersoe
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Patent number: 6986226Abstract: A device prevents water from leaking into a manhole. The device includes a body having first and second portions that are integrally formed. The first portion extends along and above a periphery of the opening of the manhole and the second portion extends upwardly from the first portion and provides access to the opening of the manhole. Preferably, the first portion includes a downwardly extending lip disposed along an outer vertical surface of the manhole. In addition, a cap is positionable on the second portion to prevent water entering the manhole from the manhole's opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Strike ToolInventor: Robert S. Banks
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Patent number: 6986227Abstract: A stackable riser having a single side wall having a first open end defined by an edge and a second open channel end. A plurality of risers can be stacked on top of one another. The channel end of a riser mates with the first open end of a second riser. The riser includes a plurality of bosses and ribs connected to an interior surface of the sidewall to the edge of the first open end. A channel, on the channel end of one riser is adapted to receive the bosses and ribs of an adjacent riser.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Norman W. Gavin
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Patent number: 6986228Abstract: An improved high rise building drainage system method and apparatus for conducting waste water from plumbing fixtures, such as lavatories and the like, through prefabricated waste-vent stack units extending through intervals and stack boxes for such units optimally located to minimize the footprint through each interval.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Eugene R. Machi
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Patent number: 6986229Abstract: A flooring material having a textile pad substructure with a density of greater than 10 pounds per cubic foot is provided. The textile pad has reinforcement and binding fibers. The binding fibers are thermoplastic and are used to bind the reinforcement fibers together. The pad is created by heating and compressing a fibrous textile batt so that it has a density of greater than 13 pounds per cubic foot.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventors: Alan B. Collison, Chad A. Collison
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Patent number: 6986230Abstract: A foldable truss member suitable for commercial displays includes a plurality of side members that are hingedly connected together. The side members include support members and bridging members having extensions. The side members are joined into a foldable structure with a hinge member between the support member and extensions of adjacent side members. The truss includes frictional hinge surfaces that hold the truss member in a deployed configuration. A display structure can be formed by connecting a locking frame between two truss members.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Eagle Development CorporationInventors: Ralph L. Schipani, Richard K. Strayer, Mark Brauer, Paul Miklautsch, Patrick M. Hamilton, Shaohui Qiu
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Patent number: 6986231Abstract: A column comprising courses of building blocks such as bricks is arranged with the long axis of each block parallel to the axis of the column and filled with a substrate such as concrete with an axial structural member. The column may be produced with the aid of a cage including spaced apart hoops or rings used to position blocks during column construction. The cage includes indenters for offsetting some of the blocks in order to form aesthetically pleasing grooving along the finished column.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Classic Columns Australia Pty LtdInventor: Nandor Koszo
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Patent number: 6986232Abstract: An ultrasonic sealing apparatus prevents a sealing failure by preventing a tunnel (through passage) to form in the step portions in the vicinity of both end portions of longitudinally sealed portions, when the tubular laminated packaging material is transversely ultrasonically sealed. An ultrasonic sealing apparatus, in which a laminated packaging material containing a thermoplastic resin layer and a paper layer is formed into a tubular form and the tubular laminated packaging material is transversely ultrasonic sealed, includes a horn having an elongated and flat sealing face and an opposing jaw having an elongated pressing face which presses the laminated packaging material in cooperation with the sealing face of the horn, wherein the center portion in longitudinal direction of the pressing face of the opposing jaw is narrower than both end portions of the pressing face. Further, at a center portion in longitudinal direction of a pressing face of the opposing jaw, a recess having an arc shape, etc.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Kume, Mitsuhiko Shinohara, Takeshi Iseki, Michio Ueda
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Patent number: 6986233Abstract: A bale dewiring system for removing one or more wires wrapped around a bale from the bale includes a frame, a bale receiving region defined by the frame and defining a longitudinal direction, an upper compression platen mounted to the frame for vertically moving into contact with the bale to compress the bale, and side compression plates movable in the longitudinal direction into contact with the bale to compress the bale. A rail is operably mounted to the upper platen for vertical movement therewith. A cutting assembly is mounted to the rail for movement along the rail for cutting the one or more wires. A winding assembly is operably mounted to the frame and includes a rotating winding element having a wire receiving region and a wire winding region for winding the cut wires to remove the wires from the bale.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventors: Donald T. Covington, Paul R. Szadziewicz, Stanislaw Witczak
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Patent number: 6986234Abstract: The present invention provides an automated system and method of banding (bandoliering) a plurality of syringes. The system includes a feed device for receiving the plurality of syringe barrels and positioning the plurality of syringes according to a predetermined orientation and an indexed device for transferring the plurality of syringes in the predetermined orientation to a transport device that includes individual pockets for receiving and holding the syringes in a spaced relationship as the syringes are advanced due to movement of the transport device.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: ForHealth Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Klaus Liedtke
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Patent number: 6986235Abstract: A band applicator for applying a band about a sheet of material disposed about a pot to provide a decorative cover for the pot. The band applicator includes a pot frame having a pot opening and a band holder configured to releasably hold a plurality of bands. The sheet of material is extended about the outer peripheral surface of the pot, and the pot with the sheet of material disposed thereabout is disposed in a pot receiving space in the pot frame. The pot frame holds the sheet of material positioned about the pot. A band is removed from the band holder and disposed about the sheet of material and pot for cooperating to hold the sheet of material positioned about the pot.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2005Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Wanda M. Weder and William F. Straeter, not individually but solely as Trustees of The Family Trust U/T/A dated December 8, 1995Inventors: Donald E. Weder, Joseph G. Straeter, William F. Straeter
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Patent number: 6986236Abstract: A horizontal form, fill and seal machine has a hollow forming box into which a continuous film is longitudinally fed from a packaging film supply. The forming box has a top, sides and open inlet and outlet ends. A pair of guide bars extend from the outlet end of the forming box adjacent the forming box sides and extending away from the inlet end. The forming box transforms the flat packaging film into a film envelope that extends about the guide bars and has a product-receiving surface that rests on a conveyor between the guide bars. Sealing bars are provided to join the longitudinal edges of the packaging film together and to form seals across the envelope at package length intervals after each deposit of product onto the product-receiving surface. A zipper attaching mechanism applies zipper to the film upstream of the forming box.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: John H. Schneider, Stanley Piotrowski, Nigel Knight
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Patent number: 6986237Abstract: A method for making a reclosable bag (56) with gussets (36, 38) in which a zipper profile (16) is attached to bag-making film (10), while leaving side margins (20, 22) of the film. The film (10) is folded as a tube (26). Gusset-forming wheels (34, 35) indent the tube (26) to form the side gussets (36, 38). The side gussets (36, 38) are sealed to the tube (26) and/or the zipper profile (18) with the profile sealed to the tube. The tube (26) is sealed and cross-cut to form the bag (56). In an alternative method, lengths of tubular gusset material (112) are positioned on a lower web (110) of film (101) transverse to a bag-forming direction. A zipper (124) is sealed in the bag-forming direction to the webs (108, 110), and the gusset material (112). The webs (108, 110) and the material (112) are sealed to each other to form an end seal (140) as well as cross-cut and sealed to form the gussets (144, 148) of a reclosable bag (147).Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Steven Ausnit, Donald L. Crevier
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Patent number: 6986238Abstract: A mount assembly for mounting a conventional trimming device on a riding mover includes an adjustable support arm mounted on the mower deck carries a biaxially pivotal bracket carrying the shaft of the trimming device whereby the operator may selectively pivot the cutter of the trimmer about a wide arcuate path during movement to trim unwanted vegetation.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Danny Bloodworth
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Patent number: 6986239Abstract: The lawn mower cutting implement has an elongated mounting plate adapted for attachment to a lawn mower in lieu of a conventional blade with an end piece attached to opposite ends of the mounting plate. The plate is bent or twisted to generate airflow when the plate is rotated by the lawn mower drive shaft. Each end piece supports at least two cutting elements at different elevations with respect to each other so that there is at least a lower cutting element for cutting grass to a desired height and an upper cutting element for mulching suspended clippings.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Andrew Compton
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Patent number: 6986240Abstract: A resilient and flexible discharge deflecting chute for a lawn mower deck. A discharge deflecting chute utilizing a flexible sheet shaped into a chute-like form by a frame. A flexible, resilient discharge deflecting chute has memory characteristics and returns to shape even after substantial deflection from obstacle contact. Preferably, a flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient stiffness to substantially maintain its shape in normal operation. The flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient flexibility to deflect substantially when contacted by obstructions during mowing operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventor: Jeffrey B. Kallevig
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Patent number: 6986241Abstract: A rotary conveyor comprises a rotatable drum-shaped shell, an eccentric axle located in the drum-shaped shell, finger supports mounted to the eccentric axle, and a plurality of fingers mounted to the finger supports that extend outwardly through openings in the drum-shaped shell. The finger supports are rotatively mounted to and spaced radially outward from the eccentric axle by annular bearings. The finger supports are parallel to the eccentric axle and are provided with a plurality of fingers, such that several fingers arranged next to one another in the axial direction are attached to finger supports. The finger supports are distributed around the circumference of the eccentric axle.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Folker Beck
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Patent number: 6986242Abstract: The device comprises: a two-for-one twisting spindle supporting a yarn winding which is twisted or cabled via a second yarn; a mechanism for pulling the yarn in order to cancel the tension resulting from the twisting or cabling operation; a heater for heating the yarn followed by a cooling area; and a mechanism for coiling the yarn. The heater comprises at least one cup-shaped element which is associated with a return guide enabling the yarn to be wound. The cup-shaped element is brought to a specific temperature and is positively driven in a state of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Rieter Textile Machinery FranceInventor: Philippe Antouly
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Patent number: 6986243Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing string materials, particularly electric conductors, includes at least one first string material guide for conveying the string material along a path of movement to a processing apparatus and including at least one second string material guide located between the first guide and the processing apparatus. The first guide means further includes at least one guiding element by which self-twisting of the string material about the longitudinal axis thereof may at least be impeded. The second string material guide includes another guiding element which is rotationally positioned about an axis arranged at a given angle with regard to the path of movement and is driven by a driving apparatus. The guiding elements are rotated either continuously or intermittently.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Bertram Bell, Helmut Lämmermann
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Patent number: 6986244Abstract: An open-end spinning rotor has its thinnest wall thickness in the area of its fiber collecting groove. The lateral wall of the open-end spinning rotor comprises an outer contour, which—in axial section—is at least partly convex-shaped. The wall thickness of the lateral wall is increased along a portion of its length by a curved widening contour.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AGInventor: Mathias Burchert
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Patent number: 6986245Abstract: A fuel supply system is provided that supplies a fuel to a burner arrangement with at least one burner, in particular a gas turbine. The fuel supply system has at its input a control valve that feeds fuel into the fuel supply system as a function of its actuation. As a function of a requested burner output, a first setpoint is determined for a fuel mass flow with which the burner arrangement must be supplied in order to be able to furnish the required burner output. As a function of the first setpoint of the fuel mass flow, a second setpoint is determined for the fuel mass flow, which is fed into the fuel supply system by an actuation of a control valve. The second setpoint of the fuel mass flow is selected such that the fuel supply system fed therewith supplies the burner arrangement with the first setpoint of the fuel mass flow.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Alstom Technology LtdInventor: Ulrich Moser
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Patent number: 6986246Abstract: A side thruster valve of an aerospace craft is improved to reduce torque of a servo-motor, etc. needed for nozzle opening and closing to thereby realize a compact and light weight device. The side thruster valve comprises a valve plug having its back directed to an axis of the aerospace craft and independently movable between a fully opened position and a fully closed position of the valve plug in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the aerospace craft, an actuating means for moving the valve plug in an axial direction of the valve plug and an elastic member for activating the valve plug in the axial direction of the valve plug. In a side thruster device comprising a plurality of the side thruster valves, the side thruster valves are arranged independently of each other to thereby broaden freedom of combustion control and improve fuel consumption.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Toshiharu Fujita
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Patent number: 6986247Abstract: An automobile catalytic converter that utilizes the energy of the exothermic reactions that take place in the catalysis substrate to produce electrical energy with a thermoelectric generator. On vehicle cold start, the thermoelectric generator is used as a heat pump to heat the catalyst substrate to reduce the time to catalyst light-off. In this way, the catalytic converter comes up to operating temperature more rapidly, reducing the amount of pollutant emissions at vehicle start-up.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Inventor: Ronald J. Parise
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Patent number: 6986248Abstract: A method and a device for dosing a liquid reducing agent for denoxing the exhaust gases of a diesel engine, wherein the reducing agent is delivered to the exhaust gas system of the diesel engine via a dosing valve. The reducing agent is cooled for the elimination of gas bubbles entrained in the reducing agent present at the input side of the dosing valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: PURēM AbgassystemeInventor: Werner Overhoff
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Patent number: 6986249Abstract: An apparatus comprises first (3) and second (5) force-activated actuators, each having a fluid displacer (7, 9) and force control lever (19, 21) coupled to the fluid displacer, a conduit (15) for transporting fluid between the fluid displacers to couple motion of the fluid displacers, and a force controller (17) responsive to the pressure of the fluid for controlling a force opposing displacement of a fluid displacer.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Bombardier Inc.Inventor: Guy Bernard
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Patent number: 6986250Abstract: A tool for bleeding a master cylinder when the master cylinder is unattached to a vehicle. In an exemplary embodiment a bleeding tool includes a shaft attached by means of clamp rods to a master cylinder flange, a clamp handle rotatable with respect to the shaft, and a push rod coupled to the clamp handle through a movable rotatable joint. In an exemplary embodiment, the maximum motion of the push rod during a bleeding cycle is defined by a set of two pins disposed on a ring concentric with the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: AutoZone, Inc.Inventor: Ilidio Dasilva
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Patent number: 6986251Abstract: In a waste heat recovery system wherein an organic rankine cycle system uses waste heat from the fluids of a reciprocating engine, provision is made to continue operation of the engine even during periods when the organic rankine cycle system is inoperative, by providing an auxiliary pump and a bypass for the refrigerant flow around the turbine. Provision is also made to divert the engine exhaust gases from the evaporator during such periods of operation. In one embodiment, the auxiliary pump is made to operate simultaneously with the primary pump during normal operations, thereby allowing the primary pump to operate at lower speeds with less likelihood of cavitation.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: UTC Power, LLCInventors: Thomas D. Radcliff, Duane McCormick, Joost J. Brasz
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Patent number: 6986252Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, and an internal combustion engine, having at least one cylinder (1), a reciprocating piston (16) arranged in the cylinder (1), a combustion chamber (15) delimited by the cylinder (1) and the piston (16), and inlet and outlet valves (2, 3) that are controlled by a computer-based control system (5). The combustion engine includes elements (10) for injecting water or water steam into the combustion chamber (15), and the control system (5) is arranged to control the inlet and outlet valves (2, 3) and the elements (10) for injection of water or water steam such that power strokes that are mainly based on expanding combustion gases are alternated with power strokes that are mainly based on expanding water steam.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Cargine Engineering ABInventor: Mats Hedman
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Patent number: 6986253Abstract: A method facilitates the operation of a gas turbine engine that includes a combustor including a combustion chamber. The method comprises supplying fuel to the combustion chamber, and directing compressed airflow through a combustor dome assembly that includes a splashplate and a unitarily formed flare cone, such that at least a portion of the compressed airflow is channeled axially downstream through at least one cooling passage defined between the flare cone and the splashplate for cooling of the dome assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas A. Leen, Steve Steffens, Craig Douglas Young
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Patent number: 6986254Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine combustion system having reduced emissions and improved flame stability at multiple load conditions is disclosed. The improved combustion system accomplishes this through complete premixing, a plurality of fuel injector locations, combustor geometry, and precise three dimensional staging between fuel injectors. Axial, radial, and circumferential fuel staging is utilized including fuel injection proximate air swirlers. Furthermore, strong recirculation zones are established proximate the introduction of fuel and air premixture from different stages to the combustion zone. Fuel injection staging sequences are disclosed that create the conditions necessary to provide stable combustion and reduced emissions at multiple load conditions.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Power Systems Mfg, LLCInventors: Peter J. Stuttaford, Stephen Jennings, Yan Chen
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Patent number: 6986255Abstract: A fuel injector system that reduces and/or eliminates combustion instability. The fuel injector system includes a pilot fuel injector, a pilot swirler that swirls air past the pilot fuel injector, a main airblast fuel injector having an aft end, inner and outer main swirlers that swirl air past the main airblast fuel injector, and an air splitter located between the pilot swirler and the inner main swirler. The air splitter includes at least one aft end cone angled radially outboard and axially positioned downstream of the main airblast fuel injector aft end. The air splitter divides a pilot air stream exiting the pilot swirler from an inner main air stream exiting the inner main swirler to create a bifurcated recirculation zone.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLCInventors: Clifford E. Smith, Daniel A. Nickolaus
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Patent number: 6986256Abstract: A gas turbine has a cooling air system supplying air for cooling a high temperature part of the gas turbine and a spray air system supplying air for spraying fuel into a combustor and is formed so that a part of high-pressure air compressed by a gas turbine compressor is used as air of the cooling air system and spray air system, wherein a heat exchanger and a boost compressor are arranged downstream of the outlet of compressed air of the gas turbine compressor, and the boost compressor is composed of a parallel connection of a compressor driven by the turbine shaft and ae compressor driven by a driven source other than the turbine shaft, and pressurized air from the boost compressor is used as air for the cooling air system and the spray air system.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kazunori Yamanaka, Satoshi Kondou, Masami Noda
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Patent number: 6986257Abstract: A method enables a gas turbine engine to be operated. The method includes directing fluid flow from a source into an inlet of a valve, channeling the fluid flow entering an inlet portion of the valve towards an outlet portion of the valve such that a direction of the fluid flow is changed within the inlet portion, and controlling the amount of fluid flow entering the outlet portion of the valve by selectively positioning a valve disk coupled within the inlet portion of the valve by a valve disk axle. The method also comprises channeling the fluid flow from the inlet portion of the valve through the outlet portion of the valve and into a fluid supply pipe, wherein the valve outlet portion has a substantially right cylindrical shape such that a direction of fluid entering the body outlet portion remains substantially constant therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Mark Douglas Swinford