Patents Issued in December 29, 2009
  • Patent number: 7637074
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are storm panels and methods for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the storm panel comprises a polymeric sheet having an arced geometry. The polymeric sheet comprises, a polymeric substrate layer, a polymeric top layer comprising an ultraviolet light stabilizer, a polymeric bottom layer comprising an ultraviolet light stabilizer. The storm panel has a uniform thickness, exhibits less than or equal to about 4.0% haze, and exhibits a yellowness index shift that is less than or equal to about 9.0 after 1,500 simulated hours of aging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Frans Adriaansen, Constantin Donea, Herb Hummel, Tammy Leigh Rucker, Abdul Qayyum Syed
  • Patent number: 7637075
    Abstract: A reinforced pole structure including a hollow pole with an interior surface and an access hand-hole therethrough near the bottom end and a base plate to which the bottom end of the pole is secured, the reinforced pole structure also including an elongate reinforcement device, preferably in the form of two elongate reinforcers, against the interior surface of the hollow pole, the lower edges of the reinforcers being welded to the pole at the bottom end and the hole-adjacent edge(s) of the reinforcers being welded to the lip of the hand-hole. Preferably, the reinforcers have a far-side pair of edges which, at least in positions opposite the hand-hole, are welded to the interior surface of the pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Ruud Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: James Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7637076
    Abstract: The invention is a novel moment-resistant building column insert system for distributing lateral and vertical loads between the column-beam and column-foundation connections. Loads are distributed between the column and beam using a column insert, nut plates and beam end plates incorporated to beam-ends. The column insert is hollow and similar cross-section shape to the building column for inserting there to. The column, column insert, nut plates and endplates have patterns of mounting holes for receiving mounting bolts tightened to nuts held by nut plates. Loads are distributed between the column and foundation using a base plate, column insert, and insert plates integrated with anchor bolts, nuts and washers in a concrete foundation. The base plate having mounting holes is incorporated to the building column bottom end to receive the plurality of anchor bolts there through for fixedly tightening as an exposed end of the column insert fits in the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Willaim B. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7637077
    Abstract: An applicating machine for applying a flexible carrier to a plurality of containers provided from an infeed includes a jaw drum moveable between an operating position and a storage position away from the operating position. In the operating position the jaw drum is positioned with respect to the infeed to accept the plurality of containers and apply the flexible carrier to the plurality of containers. A second jaw drum may be moveable into the operating position to enable packaging of containers having different dimensions and/or packages having different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Rachell L. Slovik, Christopher J. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 7637078
    Abstract: A medicine supply apparatus which comprises, in a case accommodating section 8, a plurality of tablet cases 3 for accommodating medicine and charges or supplies medicine into a bag 72, which medicine has been discharged from each tablet case 3 based on a prescription. An identification code 26 is provided for each of the tablet cases 3 and read by an optical sensor 33 provided inside the case accommodating section 8, whereby discharge of medicine is controlled. A motor 14 for driving a discharge drum for the tablet case 3 is checked for disconnection by being regularly energized. The operating time and the frequency of operation of parts that wear out, such as the motors, are stored for use in failure prediction. Time slots in which medicine should be taken are printed, each in a different color, by a color printing mechanism 73 on the bag 72 into which medicine is charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Biomedical Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ishiwatari, Shinya Uema, Manabu Haraguchi, Koichi Kobayashi, Shigeyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7637079
    Abstract: An installation for filling weekly blister packs, i.e. packaging units, with doses of different medicaments corresponding to the weekly requirements of several patients and to be taken by the respective patient in a certain order according to the day of the week and the time of the day, according to a doctor's prescription. The installation is provided with output stations associated with the medicaments, for automatically filling all or selected compartments line-by-line. In order to control the output stations in such a way as to fill the weekly blister pack with the prescribed medicament, an electronic control unit processes information about patients, the information being continuously supplied to the unit in such a way that it is synchronized with the blister pack advancing movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Edwin Kohl
    Inventors: Hans Klingel, Edwin Kohl
  • Patent number: 7637080
    Abstract: A capsule filling machine (10) for producing hard gelatin capsules (C) of the type with lid and body (3, 4) containing particles (12) of pharmaceutical material, in particular microtablets (12) or pellets comprises a rotary carousel (2) mounting a plurality of slide units (5) for holding and handling the capsules (C) in order to open and then close the capsules (C) by first separating and then pairing the capsule lids (3) and bodies (4); and means (11) for feeding the particles (12) to the carousel (2) for filling doses of the particles (12) into the respective capsule bodies (4); the feed means (11) comprise at least one hopper (13) containing a mass of these particles (12), and roller means (14) partly immersed in said mass of particles (12) in the hopper (13); the roller means (14) having a plurality of suction recesses (15) for accommodating and retaining a predetermined number of the particles (12) drawn from the hopper (13) and then releasing the particles (12) into a series of hollow conduits (16) moun
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Trebbi
  • Patent number: 7637081
    Abstract: A commodity containing apparatus including a charging member 13 attached to a base portion 10 for charging a plurality of sheets of containing bags 40, and a pivoting base portion 22 supported by the base portion 10 pivotably in a vertical face and formed with a commodity throwing opening 27 at a center portion thereof, wherein an end plate 22a of the pivoting base portion 22 opposed to the charging member 13 presses to hold a plurality of sheets of containing bags 40, and the apparatus is small-sized and can simply contain a commodity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Niikura Scales Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Murakami, Motonari Niikura
  • Patent number: 7637082
    Abstract: Devices and a method for releasing gas in a container after closing and sealing to pressurize and/or prevent or counteract buckling thereof, and or provide structural rigidity and strength thereto and or release components. The method introduces a reactive agent into the container after filling and before sealing. The reactive agent is controlled to react to provide a gas and optionally components, which a) provides a positive pressure to prevent or counteract buckling and provide structural rigidity to the container, and b) and or changes the state or characteristics of the headspace and or contents of the closed container. The devices include a closure, a cap and a container. The reactive agent is brought to chemical reaction by moistening, heating, catalyst and the like. The closure includes the reactive agent and is disposed in the container. The external trigger is a device that emits energy that provides heat to the reactive agent to stimulate the chemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Inoflate, LLC
    Inventors: James Scott Abercrombie, III, Michael Edward Wood, Nicholas Joseph Day
  • Patent number: 7637083
    Abstract: A machine for packaging stacks of articles into containers using selectors for grouping the article stacks. The selectors include arrays of vertically spaced wedge members which engage the articles in each stack. The wedge members are aligned with slots in comb-like guide rails and operate to form groups of predetermined numbers of stacks of articles while keeping the articles in each stack in vertical alignment as they progress through the machine into the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank N. Moncrief, David S. Clark
  • Patent number: 7637084
    Abstract: Triangular packaging comprising a flexible outer wrapper and an inner support means, in which the flexible outer wrapper comprises a bag formed from two panels, each of which has a first side, a second side extending from a first end of the first side at a first angle which is greater than 90 degrees to the first side, and a third side extending from a second end of the first side at substantially the same greater than 90 degrees first angle in the opposite direction, in which the first sides of the two panels meet, the second sides of the two panels meet and the third sides of the two panels meet such that a bag is formed, in which the inner support means is disposed inside said bag, and is mounted in compression between the two panels such that a complimentary packaging structure is formed in which the first sides of the two panels meet at a second angle which is substantially twice that by which the first angle exceeds 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kenbico Limited
    Inventor: Charles Aikenhead
  • Patent number: 7637085
    Abstract: A method of transferring a contact lens from a first location to a primary package includes transferring the contact lens with an intermediate transfer member to the primary package, wherein the transfer member is sealed in the primary package with the contact lens. Additionally, according to another of many exemplary embodiments, a system for transferring a contact lens to a primary package includes a contact lens and a transfer member associated with the contact lens, wherein an automated lens transfer device is configured to couple the contact lens and the lens transfer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Stephen D. Newman
  • Patent number: 7637086
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for packaging a curable resin composition and a catalyst composition that react with each other when mixed, comprising providing a partitioned tube for receiving the resin composition and the curing agent in separate compartments; delivering a stream of a resin composition into one compartment of the tube; delivering a stream of a curing agent in the other compartment of the tube; advancing the partitioned tube and constricting and sealing the partitioned tube at spaced apart intervals and severing the sealed tube to produce a package partitioning the resin composition from the catalyst composition. Solid particulate is continuously added into the stream of at least one of the catalyst composition and the resin composition and mixing the solid particulate and stream to produce a mixed composition; and the relative amount of solid particulate in the mixed composition is controlled by continuously determining the mass of solid particulate added to the mass of the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: J-Lok Co.
    Inventors: John G. Oldsen, Walter J. Simmons, W. Neal Simmons, Robert A. McGinnis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7637087
    Abstract: A strapless horse blanket (10) made of stretch material has an exterior side (17), an interior side (19), a back portion (11), side portions (14), and a perimeter. The side portions (14) couple together at a front chest area (18), forming a neck opening (33) that has a firm material (24) or substantially inelastic material (31) attached around the circumference. The side portions (14) have front leg sleeve wraps (50) and rear leg sleeve wraps (52) that couple around each leg. The perimeter of the blanket, with the exception of the neck opening (33) has an elastic band (42) hidden in the blanket material. The back portion (11) has a back reinforcement strip (12) that extends from a neck area (16) to a tail end (60). High stress areas of the blanket at the sleeve wraps (50; 52) are supported by reinforcements (40). An embodiment with an optional strip of material with loop fastener (13) down the back portion (11) along with optional straps (15) facilitates attachment of a special over-blanket or sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Lenore Graham
  • Patent number: 7637088
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus having a modular profiled casing for cutting plants and intended, in particular, for equipping vine trimmers. The modular profiled casing is made up of a number of cutting elements attached longitudinally to one another for the purpose of reciprocal drive by at least one motor with one of the cutting heads being integral in rotation with the other cutting heads through a system of double pulleys and belts. All the cutting elements are connected together and covered by the same profiled cover having a convex profile forming a leading edge and includes a vegetation detector forming a trailing edge that, respectively, facilitate the penetration and displacement of the casing in the vegetation and the removal of cut branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Michel Collard
  • Patent number: 7637089
    Abstract: A grass collecting apparatus for a lawn mower comprises a frame (22) supported by a vehicle body, a container supporting member (26) for supporting a grass collecting container (21) for storing grass clippings and including a container supporting surface (27) for receiving an opening edge of the grass collecting container, and a container cover (23) mounted on the frame to be oscillatable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and an opened position. An engaging member (35) is mounted on the container cover (23). The engaging member (35) is engageable with the opening edge (21b) of the grass collecting container (21) with oscillation of the container cover (23) from the opened position to the closed position, thereby positioning and maintaining the grass collecting container (21) on the container supporting member (26), and disengageable from the opening edge (21b) of the grass collecting container (21) with oscillation of the container cover (23) from the closed position to the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yamashita, Takashi Fujii, Hiroaki Kitaguchi, Toshiki Kanai, Katsuhiko Uemura, Tomoyuki Morikawa, Hiroki Nagai, Ryouzou Imanishi
  • Patent number: 7637090
    Abstract: A roller configuration for a grass mowing machine is provided to reduce roller overlap marks. The roller configuration may be used on a grass mowing machine having a first row of cutting units and a second row of cutting units. Each cutting unit has a roller with a reduced diameter portion adjacent a full diameter end portion. The full diameter end portions of the rollers on the first row of cutting units are aligned with the reduced diameter portions of the rollers on the second row of cutting units during mowing operations, and the reduced diameter portions of the rollers on the first row of cutting units aligned with the full diameter end portions of the rollers on the second row of cutting units during mowing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Brent G. Rinholm, Tracy T. Lanier
  • Patent number: 7637091
    Abstract: The invention provides a polyester bicomponent core spun yarn comprising a sheath of at least one hard fiber and having an English cotton count of from about 5 to about 60 and a core of bicomponent polyester filament. The invention further includes a fabric substantially free of grin-through of the bicomponent polyester filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: INVISTA North America s.á.r.l.
    Inventor: Tianyi Liao
  • Patent number: 7637092
    Abstract: A cable protection and guide device in which the number of parts used is reduced and assembly is simplified. Dust generation and bending fatigue is suppressed so that the cable protection and guide device exhibits excellent form stability of the cable accommodating space. Side plate portions and coupling portions are integrally molded from polyamide fatigue resistant resin into the form of a connecting link module. A polyacetal resin stopper link, which holds and limits the linear position and the bending position by engagement with the connecting link module, is inter-fitted with a coupling portion of the connecting link module by a snap-fit mechanism from the cable accommodating space side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Akihiko Utaki, Masaaki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7637093
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide (152) is removed following compressor (130) which compresses a mixture of compressed air (132) and recirculated exhaust gas (118?) from a gas turbine (120). The carbon dioxide depleted gas (136) is humidified (180, 114) and fed to the combustor (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Ashok Rao
  • Patent number: 7637094
    Abstract: A method for cooling an igniter lead is provided. The method includes coupling an assembly to the igniter lead such that a portion of the assembly rotates circumferentially around the igniter lead, and channeling cooling air through the assembly to facilitate cooling the igniter lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hugh Marshall Costello, Richard Walter Gronostaj
  • Patent number: 7637095
    Abstract: A thrust vectorable fan variable area nozzle (FVAN) includes a synchronizing ring, a static ring, and a flap assembly mounted within a fan nacelle. An actuator assembly selectively rotates synchronizing ring segments relative the static ring to adjust segments of the flap assembly to vary the annular fan exit area and vector the thrust through asymmetrical movement of the thrust vectorable FVAN segments. In operation, adjustment of the entire periphery of the thrust vectorable FVAN in which all segments are moved simultaneously to maximize engine thrust and fuel economy during each flight regime. By separately adjusting the segments of the thrust vectorable FVAN, engine trust is selectively vectored to provide, for example only, trim balance or thrust controlled maneuvering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Winter, Russell B. Hanson
  • Patent number: 7637096
    Abstract: A pressure rise combustor is provided with fuel provided at intermittent periods. The fuel is pulsed at timings such that the phase lag between the addition of the fuel and a resultant pressure rise is minimized. The fuel is pulsed such that the unsteady addition of heat reinforces the amplitude of an unsteady pressure fluctuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Anthony G Razzell, Mark D Taylor, Samuel A Mason, Robert J Miller
  • Patent number: 7637097
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program including a step (S102) of limiting the maximum opening amount of a throttle valve to TH (1) when failure has occurred in a pressure sensor (“YES” in step S100); a step (S202) of limiting the maximum opening amount to TH (2) when open failure has occurred in at least one of two vacuum pressure ASVs provided for banks of a V-type engine, and an electromagnetic ASV (“YES” in step S200); a step (S302) of limiting the maximum opening amount to TH (3) when open failure has occurred in both of the vacuum pressure ASVs (“YES” in step S300); a step (S402) of limiting the maximum opening amount to TH (4) when open failure has occurred in one of the vacuum pressure ASVs (“YES” in step S400); and a step (S502) of reducing the throttle valve opening amount TH to the limited maximum opening amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomokazu Muraguchi, Akito Onishi
  • Patent number: 7637098
    Abstract: An arrangement for controlling exhaust pressure pulsation in a combustion engine including six cylinders. The engine also includes an inlet for supply of air to the cylinders, and an exhaust manifold for delivery of exhaust gases from the cylinders. The manifold is provided with a first outlet to an exhaust system and with a second outlet to a conduit for feeding exhaust gases back, via an EGR circuit, from at least one of the engine's cylinders to the inlet. At least one of the cylinders is adapted to enrich the exhaust gases with unburnt hydrocarbon with a view to regeneration of an exhaust gas post-treatment unit situated in the exhaust system. A special configuration of the exhaust manifold results in separation of regeneration gas from EGR gas in the exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Per Persson
  • Patent number: 7637099
    Abstract: A fluid entrainment apparatus is provided which operates to mix a first fluid stream with a second fluid stream. The apparatus includes first and second fluid flow conduits. The first fluid flow conduit includes a nozzle portion having a converging bore through which the first fluid is accelerated. Additionally, the second fluid flow conduit includes a nozzle portion having a converging bore, a duct portion having a generally cylindrical bore, and a diffuser portion having a diverging bore. The nozzle portion of the second fluid flow conduit is mounted with respect to the nozzle portion of the first fluid flow conduit such that an annular port is formed through which the second fluid passes to mix with the first fluid. Additional fluid mixing occurs in the duct portion and the diffuser portion. The fluid entrainment apparatus may be configured for use within a vehicle exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Raj P. Ranganathan, Brent T. Deep, Bala K. Murthy, Thomas Stewart, Anthony F. Grzelakowski
  • Patent number: 7637100
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission, a lip portion of an oil seal can be prevented from riding up reliably when an impeller hub is inserted into the oil seal so as to be attached thereto, even when the lip portion is provided with a tightening margin. The impeller hub is attached to the oil seal from the lip portion side of the oil seal , with an end portion thereof in which a notch is formed. The impeller hub has a first chamfer portion formed in a bottom portion outer peripheral edge portion of the notch as an inclined surface that decreases radially in an axial direction of the impeller hub toward the end portion of the impeller hub, and an axial distance of the first chamfer portion from the bottom portion outer peripheral edge portion increases from both end sides of a circumferential direction of the notch toward a circumferential direction central portion of the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shingo Uozumi, Hiroshi Kato, Yasunari Muranaka, Kazuhiko Sugita, Naoki Ito
  • Patent number: 7637101
    Abstract: A hydraulic power transmission device in a work vehicle transmits motive power from two hydraulic motors disposed in parallel to each other. The hydraulic power transmission device includes: a case; a first motor shaft and a second motor shaft respectively disposed in a right-side area and in a left-side area inside the case, each linked to one of the two hydraulic motors; a counter shaft disposed in an area ranging between the first motor shaft and the second motor shaft in the case; an output shaft; a first transmission mechanism that transmits motive power from the first motor shaft to the output shaft via the counter shaft; a second transmission mechanism that transmits motive power from the second motor shaft to the output shaft; and a hydraulic clutch device disposed at the counter shaft, that transmits the motive power from the first motor shaft to the output shaft or cuts off transmission of the motive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignees: TCM Corporation, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Uezono, Seishi Morishita, Akira Takeshita, Kiyoyasu Hasegawa, Koji Hyodo, Koji Takano
  • Patent number: 7637102
    Abstract: An open hydraulic circuit comprising a main pump (P), a hydraulic motor (M), two main ducts (10, 12) constituting a feed main duct and a discharge main duct and connected to the pump or to a reservoir (R) via a feed selector (14). The circuit further comprises a multifunction valve device comprising a multifunction selector (20) for connecting the main duct that is at the higher pressure to a pressure limiter (24) and for connecting the main duct that is at the lower pressure to booster means (16), and for interconnecting the main ducts by connecting them to the pressure limiter when the pressures in the main ducts are substantially mutually equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventors: Eric Gest, Philippe Lucienne, Jean-Philippe Raisin
  • Patent number: 7637103
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydraulic control arrangement for damping wagging vibrations, wherein during operation a hydraulic cylinder of a lifting equipment can be connected to a hydraulic accumulator via a damping valve arrangement. The damping valve arrangement comprises a nozzle valve arrangement with two different nozzle cross-sections, the larger of which is active when filling the hydraulic accumulator and the smaller of which is active during adaptation of the hydraulic accumulator to the load pressure of the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Erhard Karl, Edwin Harnischfeger
  • Patent number: 7637104
    Abstract: A buoyancy engine and compression device having a plurality of rotating flexible chains formed of individual segments, each having a plurality of compressible flotation members engaged thereon. The chains rotate around axises at upper and lower frames. The flotation members are alternately compressed and expanded during rotation around the upper and lower frames during passage through an angled pathway defined by paired planar members in an angled engagement which rotate in time with the chain and engaged flotation members. This alternating compression and expansion may also be utilized as an air compressor. Expanded flotation members circumventing the lower frame produce upward thrust as a function of their dimension and displacement of water. Mechanical energy from the system may be harnessed by conventional mechanical engagement of the rotating flexible chains or segments forming the upper and lower frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Arthur V. Lopez
  • Patent number: 7637105
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving performance and life of a material adapted to contract when heated to a critical temperature such as shape memory alloy wire (SMA). The method includes the steps of measuring ambient temperature before activation, measuring voltage applied to the SMA wire and/or current flowing in the SMA wire, calculating power and energy required to heat the material from the ambient to the critical temperature and providing the calculated power and energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Telezygology Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Sizer, Benjamin David Ford, Romain Nicolas Cazalis
  • Patent number: 7637106
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine having air intake ducts and exhaust gas discharge ducts including a compressor and a turbine with at least two inlet flow passages, a flow adjusting device (15) arranged in the exhaust gas discharge ducts upstream of the turbine and including a rotary slide valve for controlling the exhaust gas flow first and second flow channels extending through the rotary slide, a third flow channel extends axially partially through the rotary slide valve via inlet openings at the circumference of the rotary slide which can be brought into overlapping relationship with rotary slide housing openings for controlling the exhaust gas flow from the engine to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Gernot Hertweck, Torsten Hirth, Stephan Krätschmer, Paul Löffler, Siegfried Sumser
  • Patent number: 7637107
    Abstract: A control system and method that compensates for changes in backpressure of an engine includes a pressure sensor that senses the backpressure. A boost compensation module that communicates with the pressure sensor, determines an averaged BC factor, and adjusts a variable geometry turbo based on the averaged BC factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravishankar Ramamurthy
  • Patent number: 7637108
    Abstract: A power compounder is disclosed. The power compounder comprises a working fluid configured to receive thermal energy from waste heat of a prime mover, a working fluid collector, an evaporator configured to transfer waste heat to a working fluid producing a phase change to vapor (or gas) in the working fluid, a double screw expander configured to receive the working fluid for creating rotational mechanical energy, and a condenser configured to produce another phase change in the working fluid to liquid. The double screw expander transfers the rotational mechanical energy via a shaft to the prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Electratherm, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Langson
  • Patent number: 7637109
    Abstract: A power generation system includes a gas generator configured to receive an oxygen stream and a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel stream at an inlet of the gas generator, and a turbine section disposed downstream from the gas generator to receive and expand a combustion product stream from the gas generator. A heat exchange section is provided to facilitate heat exchange between a liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply from a LNG supply source and at least one other stream flowing within the system such that at least a portion of the LNG stream is converted to the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel stream that is to be delivered to the gas generator and the at least one other stream is cooled to a selected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignees: American Air Liquide, Inc., Clean Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ovidiu Marin, Ravikiran Sangras, Keith Pronske
  • Patent number: 7637110
    Abstract: A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes coupling a first structure within the gas turbine engine, wherein the first structure includes a plurality of sockets extending from a radially outer surface of the first structure, and coupling a second structure to the first structure by inserting a radial pin through the second structure and into each respective socket such that the first structure is aligned axially, circumferentially, and with respect to an engine centerline axis extending through the gas turbine engine, where the position of the pins relative to the second structure is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert P. Czachor, James Anthony Groeschen, Jason Paul Hoppa
  • Patent number: 7637111
    Abstract: The component elements of a jet engine combustion chamber are assembled together in a manner that is designed to facilitate maintenance while also improving aerodynamic performance. In an embodiment, the outer cap and the inner cap have tongues and the chamber end wail has corresponding tongues, and the tongues of the caps are assembled to the tongues of the chamber end wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Christophe Pieussergues, Pierre Pascal Sablayrolles, Laurent Pierre Elysee Gaston Marnas
  • Patent number: 7637112
    Abstract: An inexpensive heat exchanger is disclosed, wherein the heat exchanger is made up of a plurality of plates and each plate has at least one channel defined in the plate. The plates are stacked and bonded together to form a block having conduits for carrying fluids, and where each fluid is in thermal communication with the other fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Phillip F. Daly
  • Patent number: 7637113
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a process fluid comprises a storage vessel, a process pump for pumping the process fluid from the storage vessel, a hydraulic drive system comprising a hydraulic drive unit operatively connected to drive the process pump, a pressure sensor for measuring hydraulic fluid pressure of the pressurized hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic drive system, and, an electronic controller programmed to monitor a signal representative of hydraulic fluid pressure that is measured by the pressure sensor, process the signal to determine when the storage vessel is empty, and stop the process pump when the storage vessel is empty. The disclosed method relates to using the disclosed apparatus to measure hydraulic fluid pressure in the hydraulic drive system, process measured hydraulic fluid pressure to determine when the storage vessel is empty, and stop the process pump when the storage vessel is empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Westport Power Inc.
    Inventor: Greg Batenburg
  • Patent number: 7637114
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a processing room in which a semiconductor substrate may be treated by a process; a cooling unit positioned to cool the processing room, the cooling unit configured to convey cooling fluid; and a temperature-adjusting unit that alters the temperature of the cooling fluid supplied into the cooling unit. The temperature-adjusting unit has a cycling circuit. The cycling circuit has a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant, an expander configured to expand the condensed refrigerant, the expander including a plurality of expansion valves arranged in parallel, and an evaporator configured to evaporate the expanded refrigerant, the evaporator positioned to cool the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Hyun Choi, Moon-Soo Park, Jong-Chul Kin, Yong-Dae Kim
  • Patent number: 7637115
    Abstract: The invention relates to an expansion device for a refrigerant, in particular an expansion device to control the high-pressure level of an air conditioner. In accordance with the invention, it is provided that the expansion device (16) is a sliding seat valve (22). In addition, the invention relates to an air conditioner (10), in particular an air conditioner (10) for a motor vehicle, with a compressor (12), a condenser or gas cooler (14), an expansion device (16) as well as an evaporator (18). In accordance with the invention, it is proposed that the expansion device (16) is formed by at least one sliding seat valve (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Wessner, Peter Horstmann, Peter Satzger, Tilman Miehle, Martin Reif
  • Patent number: 7637116
    Abstract: A stepping motor valve is provided for a refrigerator. The stepping motor valve includes a catching part and a valve body provided at an outer rim portion and a central portion of a bottom surface of a rotator of a stepping motor, respectively. A valve housing and a port support are installed below the stepping motor, and a protrusion is provided on a top surface of the port support. An input port and first and second output ports are provided penetrating through the port support and the protrusion, respectively. Meanwhile, a wire, which protrudes from the interior of the port support and is wrapped around the side surface of the protrusion, is bent at one end thereof in the form of a hook to form a stopper. The stopper formed out of the wire is prevented from being worn, thereby ensuring the operational reliability of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jin Su Park
  • Patent number: 7637117
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a refrigeration cycle and a control unit. The refrigeration cycle includes an electric compressor in which a compression mechanism for drawing a refrigerant therein for compression is integrated with an electric motor for driving the compression mechanism, and a motor drive circuit for driving the motor is cooled using an intake refrigerant drawn into the compression mechanism. The control unit provides operational control to the motor drive circuit and the refrigeration cycle. When the temperature of the motor drive circuit has exceeded a predetermined temperature, the control unit varies a condition of supplying air to exchange heat with the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle to thereby reduce the temperature of the intake refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Iritani, Yusuke Shindo, Kenji Iriyama, Akihito Higashihara
  • Patent number: 7637118
    Abstract: A cooling device for a switchgear cabinet having an air-conducting conduit in which an air/water heat exchanger is arranged, and through which cooling air flows and to which a condensate collection container for collecting accumulating condensate. A pump installation conveys the condensate out of the condensate collection container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Nicolai, Martin Dörrich
  • Patent number: 7637119
    Abstract: In the related art refrigerator, its structure for supplying water to a dispenser and water tank was complicated. In addition, since an icemaker is installed in a refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator, there is a problem in that the water supplied into the icemaker is frozen. Furthermore, if the icemaker is installed in the freezing chamber of the refrigerator in which the refrigerating chamber is formed at a lower portion thereof and a refrigerating chamber is formed at an upper portion thereof, there is another problem in that it is difficult to control the temperature in the refrigerating chamber or ice-making capability of the icemaker is lowered. The present invention is directed to a refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ill-Shin Kim, Seon-Il Yu, Kun-Jun Seok, Yong-Chol Kwon
  • Patent number: 7637120
    Abstract: The container holding device is designed to improve the process of cooling liquids within containers. The present invention comprises a gripping device, which holds a container of fluid, and a drive shaft which is designed so that it can be securely inserted into the chuck of a hand held motorized rotary device. The inner surface of the gripping device frictionally retains a container securely, while the container is submerged into a chest filled with ice or an icy water solution and the hand held motorized rotary device actuated. The rotation accelerates the transference of the heat from the container into the colder ice or icy solution. A detachable handle, capable of connecting to the drive shaft, may also be used to allow the user to manually spin the container of fluid if a hand held motorized rotary device is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Brian Edward Doss
  • Patent number: 7637121
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for liquefying natural gas wherein an available methane-rich feed, i.e., natural gas, at an excess pressure is initially expanded to provide expansion work which may be utilized in a number of novel ways, such as to provide refrigeration in a refrigerant cycle used to cool the feed or in one or more refrigerant cycles used in a liquefaction zone to liquefy the feed, or to generate electrical power for use in the liquefaction process or for export. In one embodiment, the expansion work is obtained by use of an expander/compressor device (turboexpander) which expands the feed to (1) drive the compressor of the device and thereby provide compression for a closed loop propane refrigeration cycle to pre-cool the natural gas stream, and (2) produce an expanded, chilled natural gas feed for a liquefaction process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Oliver Owen, Guy Richard Jones, Jr., Jeffrey H. Sawchuk
  • Patent number: 7637122
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for producing liquefied gas, such as liquefied natural gas. In one embodiment, a liquefaction plant may be coupled to a source of unpurified natural gas, such as a natural gas pipeline at a pressure letdown station. A portion of the gas is drawn off and split into a process stream and a cooling stream. The cooling stream may sequentially pass through a compressor and an expander. The process stream may also pass through a compressor. The compressed process stream is cooled, such as by the expanded cooling stream. The cooled, compressed process stream is expanded to liquefy the natural gas. A gas-liquid separator separates the vapor from the liquid natural gas. A portion of the liquid gas may be used for additional cooling. Gas produced within the system may be recompressed for reintroduction into a receiving line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Terry D. Turner, Bruce M. Wilding, Michael G. McKellar
  • Patent number: 7637123
    Abstract: There is provided a method or process for fabricating a hollow jewelry article which is hollowed or bored out. In accordance with this process, a metal ring model is prepared comprising a solid shank and a metal plate supported along the internal perimeter of the shank by means of a series of spokes extending from the shank. A first metal mold is produced from the metal ring model having the external shape of the jewelry article to be manufactured. From this mold, a wax model of the jewelry article is produced which is first filed down and then cast in order to form a metal model of a core insert; the core insert, like the ring model, has a plate disposed along the perimeter of the shank. This core insert is used to produce a second metal mold. This second mold may then be used repeatedly in order to form a soluble wax core insert model which is then inserted into the cavity of the first mold in order to define the hollow region of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Unimold Cast Ltd.
    Inventors: Ervant Hashimian, Garabed Ayvazian