Patents Issued in June 14, 2012
  • Publication number: 20120144841
    Abstract: A breather assembly for use with a gas turbine engine includes a static housing for accepting a fluidic mixture of substances, a rotatable separator having one or more fluid inlets and arranged about an axis of rotation, an exhaust outlet defined in the housing and positioned coaxially with the rotatable separator to accept fluidic exhaust from the rotatable separator, and a static diffuser supported by the housing at or near the exhaust outlet downstream from the rotatable separator. A portion of the static diffuser extends within the rotatable separator. The static diffuser includes a flow-straightening structure configured to reduce vortex flows in fluid flows passing through the exhaust outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith E. Short, Michael R. Blewett
  • Publication number: 20120144842
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine heat exchange system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and heat exchange systems for gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Douglas J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20120144843
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique cooling system for a gas turbine engine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for cooling one or more objects of cooling. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Eric Sean Donovan, William Daniel Feltz, Steven Wesley Tomlinson
  • Publication number: 20120144844
    Abstract: An air-conditioning ventilation seat module for vehicles, may include a blower unit having a housing, a thermoelectric module having a casing mounted in the housing, wherein a thermoelectric device may be mounted in the casing, and wherein an internal space of the casing may be divided into a cold air path and a hot air path, a separator connected to one side of the thermoelectric module between the cold air path and the hot air path and having a curved section in order to maximize an amount of absorbing a condensate that may be created by a temperature difference between the cold air path and the hot air path when the seat module operates in cooling mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, KBAUTOTECH Co., Ltd., Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jang Su Park, Duck Chae Jun
  • Publication number: 20120144845
    Abstract: A self-cooling container having an independent cooling chamber in which are utilized water-activated endothermic cooling agents, a water-activated mixer within the chamber, a simple actuation means for initiating the cooling process, a feature that facilitates the recycling of the spent cooling agents and a method for using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: David D. Leavitt, John R. Bergida
  • Publication number: 20120144846
    Abstract: A system and method for accumulating pressurized liquefied gas or cryogenic fluids in which a source supply of liquefied gas or cryogenic fluid is fed to a pump which pressurizes the fluid and feeds it to a liquid accumulator. The pump also feeds a first vaporizer which vaporizes the fluid and feeds it into the headspace of the liquid accumulator thereby building pressure in the liquid accumulator. The pressurized liquid is then fed to a second vaporizer where the pressurized liquid is vaporized before use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Ralph Johanson
  • Publication number: 20120144847
    Abstract: An intellectual refrigerator combining with a portable electric device is present. The refrigerator has an image unit, a wireless transmitting unit and a micro control unit (MCU) therein. The image unit is used to monitor status or fetch image in a case of the refrigerator. The MCU electrically connects to the image unit and the wireless transmitting unit. The refrigerator further includes a connecting socket arranged on an outer surface of the case, and the connecting socket includes a first transmitting interface electrically connected to the MCU. When the electric device is plugged in the connecting socket, a connection is established by the MCU of the refrigerator with the electric device physically via the first connecting interface. When the electric device is removed from the connection socket, the connection is automatically turned to establish by the MCU with the electric device wirelessly via the wireless transmitting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Cheng-Tzong LEE, Fu-Cheng PAN
  • Publication number: 20120144848
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an air conditioning apparatus including: an indoor unit with a heat exchanger; and a remote controller for inputting an operation condition of the indoor, wherein the remote controller includes a sensor sensing a moving state of the remote controller; a control unit determining the operation condition of the indoor unit based on a result sensed by the sensor; and a signal transmitting and receiving unit transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the indoor unit, and the indoor unit includes a blowing unit; a wind direction control unit controlling a discharge direction of air discharged from the blowing unit; a signal transmitting and receiving unit transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the remote controller; and a control unit controlling the driving of the blowing unit and/or the wind direction control unit in accordance with the operation condition received from the remote controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Jongseob YEO, Jiwon Lim, Juhyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20120144849
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically controlling the operation of a climate control system, such as a HVAC, in a vehicle. The system disclosed here includes a monitoring module coupled to a blower motor and a controller coupled to the monitoring module and a compressor. The monitoring module monitors the status of the blower motor, and provides the status condition to the controller. Subsequently, the controller transmits an operational command to the compressor based on the inputs received from the monitoring module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark G. Smith, Rachid El Aile
  • Publication number: 20120144850
    Abstract: A air channeling sub-system may include a mechanical cooling section and a direct evaporative cooling section. The direct evaporative cooling section may be downstream from the mechanical cooling section. Cooling air is channeled through the air channeling sub-system and into the room. If a first set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-systems is operated in an adiabatic mode. The adiabatic mode includes channeling cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air. If a second set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-system is operated in a hybrid mode. The hybrid mode includes channeling cooling air through the mechanical cooling section to remove heat from the cooling air and channeling the cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan David Hay
  • Publication number: 20120144851
    Abstract: A air channeling sub-system may include a mechanical cooling section and a direct evaporative cooling section. The direct evaporative cooling section may be downstream from the mechanical cooling section. Cooling air is channeled through the air channeling sub-system and into the room. If a first set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-systems is operated in an adiabatic mode. The adiabatic mode includes channeling cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air. If a second set of control conditions is met, the air channeling sub-system is operated in a hybrid mode. The hybrid mode includes channeling cooling air through the mechanical cooling section to remove heat from the cooling air and channeling the cooling air through the direct evaporative cooling section to evaporate water into the cooling air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan David Hay
  • Publication number: 20120144852
    Abstract: When a compressor is in a stopped state and an outside air temperature change rate Tah exceeds zero, a first heating operation is started, and a heating capacity of a compressor heating portion is set in a range not more than a heating capacity upper limit Pmax based on the outside air temperature change rate Tah. A remaining refrigerant liquid amount Ms condensed in the compressor that had not been evaporated is acquired based on the outside air temperature change rate Tah and the heating capacity. If the outside air temperature change rate Tah is zero or below and the remaining refrigerant liquid amount Ms exceeds zero while the compressor is in a stopped state, a second heating operation is started, the compressor heating portion 10 is controlled based on the remaining refrigerant liquid amount Ms, and the refrigerant condensed in the compressor 1 is evaporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki WAKUTA, Yohei Kato, Shinya Matsushita, Takanori Omori, Hirokuni Shiba
  • Publication number: 20120144853
    Abstract: Heat pumps and refrigerating machines operate optimally if the temperature difference of the connected heat sources and heat sinks is as small. If this is not the case, there are two negative effects: At a high spread, increased dissipation occurs in the condensers and evaporators. In order to increase spread, the heat return flow is frequently mixed with the heat pump flow. For this purpose, hydraulic separators and overflow valves are employed. This results in highly dissipative mixing of heat carrier medium with differing temperatures. Using a pair of intermediate storage means, the dissipation that occurs can be drastically reduced. The low spread of the heat pump is adjusted to the high spread of the remaining system. The COP of the system is substantially improved. With heat pumps, the improvement ranges from about 5% to 20%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Loeffler
  • Publication number: 20120144854
    Abstract: A filter assembly for fluid filtration having a push-activated lock and release mechanism. A push filter design activates a floating key lock upon insertion and extraction, where the filter key may be used simultaneously as a lock and as an identifier for particular filter attributes. The filter base may be situated inline, and in fluid communication, with influent and effluent piping, such as within a refrigerator. The filter housing assembly may be attached to, and removed from, the filter base by a push-actuated release. Upon insertion, the filter key shifts the filter lock longitudinally to receive interlocking segments. Upon extraction, the same axial push shifts the filter lock further to align the interlocking fingers within gaps that allow for easy extraction. The specific key lock design allows a user to identify and match certain filter configurations received by the mechanical support, and reject other filter configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: KX TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Michael J. Sherman, Steven J. Haehn
  • Publication number: 20120144855
    Abstract: A modular water filter assembly is disclosed. The modular water filter assembly includes a primary module having primary filter media for treating water; a secondary module having a first end and a second end; and a manifold defining an inlet connectable to a water source, and an outlet connectable to a water dispenser. The secondary module is removably coupled to the manifold at the first end thereof, and to the primary module at the second end thereof, the secondary module defining a flow path for carrying water therethrough. The water filter assembly is variably configurable for treating water passed from the water source through the inlet of the manifold and through at least one of the primary module and the secondary module and then through the outlet of the manifold. An appliance incorporating such a modular water filter assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew Reinhard Krause, Ramesh Janardhanam, Abdel J. Hamad, Richard Devos, Alan Joseph Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20120144856
    Abstract: The refrigeration unit has a storage area for objects to be cooled. A channel having one or more evaporator coils is located within the storage area. A fan circulates air within the storage area through the channel past the one or more evaporator coils and circulates the air from a bottom of the channel through the storage area and back into an upper portion or the channel. Each evaporator coil preferably is located substantially within a vertical plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: RUSSELL J. SHERLOCK
  • Publication number: 20120144857
    Abstract: The invention relates to binary compositions of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and difluoromethane, as a heat transfer fluid in compression, low-temperature and average temperature refrigeration systems, with exchangers operating in counterflow mode or in split flow mode with counterflow tendency. The invention also relates to a heat transfer method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Arkema France
    Inventor: Wissam Rached
  • Publication number: 20120144858
    Abstract: A refrigeration connection tube. The tube comprises a flexible section of tubing that includes a ribbing. The ribbing circumscribes the flexible section of tubing in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a long axis of the flexible section of tubing. The ribbing traverses an entire thickness of the flexible section of tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Colby Logan, James Timbs
  • Publication number: 20120144859
    Abstract: A household appliance, in particular a refrigerator, includes an evaporator unit which includes a control panel electronic circuitry having a display unit and a control panel electronics fixing element which is placed over the control panel electronic circuitry. An outer sheet is provided to cover and close the control panel electronic circuitry. Covering the display unit is a transparent cover which is secured on both sides about its periphery between the control panel electronics fixing element and the outer sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Ziya Arslankiray, Ercan Engin, Cemalettin Hastürk
  • Publication number: 20120144860
    Abstract: A process for removing harmful substances from a gas steam which includes carbon dioxide and substances of value, such as at least one of the gases hydrogen H2 carbon monoxide CO, nitrogen N2 or noble gases, and harmful substances such as a substance from the group of mercury, sulphur, mercury compounds or sulphur compounds, wherein a carbon dioxide condensation is performed in order to obtain liquid carbon dioxide, adsorptive removal of the harmful substances from the condensed carbon dioxide is performed to remove the harmful substances from the carbon dioxide. A process temperature of less than ?30° C. but great than ?70° C. is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Manfred Baldauf, Carsten Graeber, Marc Hanebuth, Gerhard Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20120144861
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high pressure nitrogen is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Shinji Tomita, Kouhei Nakamura, Kenji Hirose, Jerome Beauvisage, Bao Ha
  • Publication number: 20120144862
    Abstract: This bracelet comprises a plurality of articulated elements (1) in which one transverse edge of each element is interlocked in a transverse edge of an adjacent element, a transverse passageway passing at least partially through the adjacent interlocked portions in order to form a bearing (7) in which an articulation member (10) is engaged and is held at least one end of the said transverse passageway. The mid-portion of the said articulation member (10) comprises at least one O-ring placed on the portion of the said articulation member (10) situated inside the said bearing (7) and close to its ends and in jointed contact with the wall of the said transverse passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ROLEX S.A.
    Inventor: Adrien Catheline
  • Publication number: 20120144863
    Abstract: To provide a process for producing granules of glass raw materials which have excellent strength and are less likely to form fine powder even when pneumatically conveyed to an in-flight heating apparatus and which are suitable for use in the production of glass by an in-flight melting method, and a process for producing a glass product, whereby high quality glass having a uniform composition can be obtained. A process for producing glass raw material granules for producing a borosilicate glass, which comprises a step of preparing a raw material slurry comprising glass raw materials including boric acid, and a liquid medium in which boric acid is soluble, wherein the amount of boric acid in the raw material slurry is from 5 to 30 mass % to the solid content of the raw material slurry, and the pH of the raw material slurry is at least 6.6, and a step of producing glass material granules from the raw material slurry by a spray drying granulation method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Shinohara, Hitoshi Onoda
  • Publication number: 20120144864
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass sheet, including: running down molten glass along both side surfaces of a molded body; joining and integrating the molten glass just under a lower edge part of the molded body; and pinching and downward delivering an end in a width direction of an integrated sheet-shaped glass ribbon by a roller pair, thereby drawing downward the glass ribbon and molding a center in the width direction of the glass ribbon to have an average thickness of 0.3 mm or less in which a pinching force is adjusted in a desired range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Masahiro Tsuda, Takashi Mukai, Takeshi Naraki
  • Publication number: 20120144865
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a sheet glass material excellent in flatness. A manufacturing method of glass substrate for magnetic disk including a pair of principal surfaces, the method comprising the steps of: dropping process for dropping a lump of molten glass; pressing process for forming a sheet glass material by performing press forming to the lump while sandwiching the lump from both sides of the dropping path of the lump with facing surfaces of a pair of dies, the pair of dies being set to substantially the same temperature; and processing process for processing the sheet glass material, while the lump drops down while revolving around its dropping axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji EDA, Hideki Isono, Akira Murakami
  • Publication number: 20120144866
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing curved glass sheet includes the following steps: providing a mold which includes a first mold core and a second mold core corresponding to the first mold core; providing a raw glass sheet and placing the raw glass sheet on the second mold core; heating the first mold core to a first temperature, and heating the second mold core and the raw glass sheet to a second temperature which is equal to or lower than the glass transition temperature of the glass sheet but higher than the first temperature; closing the mold and hot pressing the first mold core on the glass sheet; opening the mold, and cooling the glass sheet to obtain the curved glass sheet. An annealing step can also be provided to the curved glass sheet. A mold for manufacturing the curved glass sheet is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: SHYAN-JUH LIU, CHU-SHENG CHEN, LAI-BING HUANG, REN-JUN YANG, LEI LIU
  • Publication number: 20120144867
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of patterning glass substrate in a glass heat-strengthening line and the resulting patterned heat-strengthened glass. Such patterned heat-strengthened glass substrates are useful, for example, in glass-based solar cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Cardinal FG Company
    Inventor: Kelly J. Busch
  • Publication number: 20120144868
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the amount of moisture introduced into the forming hood area in the manufacture of mineral fiber insulation products. Moisture from coolant liquids, binder dispersions and binder diluents are all introduced deliberately into a forming hood; ambient moisture and water from combustion are additional sources. A series of global variable control valves, one for each fluid system; as well as individual variable control valves for each fiberizing unit are provided with associated meters. Sensors monitor fibrous pack conditions and ambient conditions and provide inputs to the valve control system. A specific 3-ring liquid dispensing system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: OWENS CORNING INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Mirth, Steve Geiger, Scott Blackwood, Frank Bruce Inglis, Terry Burn
  • Publication number: 20120144869
    Abstract: A method of incorporating within a glass optical waveguide a material of interest having a property of interest that would be neutralized by exposure to molten glass includes combining pieces of a light-transmissive first glass with the material of interest. The combined first glass and material of interest are shaped within a container and heated to a temperature sufficiently high to cause the glass pieces and material of interest to mutually coalesce and form a light-transmissive core rod, but not high enough that the first glass melts and neutralizes the property of interest. A cladding tube is heated and fused about the core rod to define a mono rod. An optical waveguide through which light propagates by internal reflection, and which incorporates the material of interest, is defined when the cladding tube comprises a glass that renders the cladding of lower refractive index than the core rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin F. Tabor, Paige L. Higby
  • Publication number: 20120144870
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the amount of moisture introduced into the forming hood area in the manufacture of mineral fiber insulation products. Moisture from coolant liquids, binder dispersions and binder diluents are all introduced deliberately into a forming hood; ambient moisture and water from combustion are additional sources. A series of global variable control valves, one for each fluid system; as well as individual variable control valves for each fiberizing unit are provided with associated meters. Sensors monitor fibrous pack conditions and ambient conditions and provide inputs to the valve control system. A specific 3-ring liquid dispensing system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: OWENS CORNING INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Johnson, David R. Mirth, Michael Timothy Pellegrin, Frank Bruce Inglis, Terry Burn
  • Publication number: 20120144871
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a rotatable treating chamber and configured to determine the presence of an over-sudsing condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Anthony H. Hardaway
  • Publication number: 20120144872
    Abstract: An apparatus and techniques for automatic self-washing of a clothes washing machine are provided. The clothes washing machine includes one or more storage tanks, and a user interface, wherein the user interface enables a user to schedule an automatic recurring self-cleaning wash cycle. The techniques include enabling the washing machine to automatically run the self-cleaning wash cycle according to schedule, wherein enabling the washing machine to automatically run the self-cleaning wash cycle comprises automatically dispensing an amount of self-cleaning additive from one of the one or more storage tanks into the cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Jerrod Aaron Kappler, Christopher Hoppe, James Rulon Young Rawson, David Gilles Gascoyne, John Ouseph
  • Publication number: 20120144873
    Abstract: A water-level/vibration detection apparatus includes a diaphragm adapted to be moved by air pressure applied through an air hose and a core slidably placed on a support shaft of the diaphragm while being elastically supported by an elastic member. The water-level/vibration detection apparatus detects the level of water and vibration via movement of the core into a coil which constitutes a resonance circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Il BACK, Song Yik Lee
  • Publication number: 20120144874
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: DONALD E. ERICKSON, FARSHAD FARID, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK, VISHAL VERMA, MARK M. XIE
  • Publication number: 20120144875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry processing apparatus. In particular, the laundry processing apparatus comprises: a cabinet; an outer chamber provided within the cabinet and in which wash water is filled; an inner chamber rotatably provided within the outer chamber to hold laundry; an upper balancer disposed at an upper portion of the inner chamber; and a lower balancer disposed at a lower portion of the inner chamber, wherein either the upper balancer or the lower balancer is a liquid balancer filled with liquid, and the other balancer is a ball balancer having a ball therein, such that the advantages of maximized balancing results and an effective reduction in vibration may be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Young Jong Kim, Hyuk Soo Lee, Seong No Yoon, Dong Yoon Kim, Dong Min Kim
  • Publication number: 20120144876
    Abstract: A front loading washing machine including a housing; a water reservoir installed in the housing to contain washing water; a spin tub provided in the water reservoir to hold laundry to be washed, the spin tub rotatable with respect to a horizontal axis of the washing machine, the spin tub including a cylindrical body, a front cover and a rear cover, the front cover having a front wall with an opening formed therein for receiving laundry and an annular recess having a predefined depth formed in the front wall of the front cover such that an outer annular side wall defining the annular recess establishes direct physical contact with a predefined area of an inner surface of the cylindrical body; and at least one balancer installed in the annular recess of the spin tub, the balancer comprising an annular shaped race formed of a plastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Doo Young RYU, Ja Young Kim, Ito Michiaki, Myung Sun Kang
  • Publication number: 20120144877
    Abstract: An agitator assembly for a clothes washing machine is provided. The agitator assembly includes a base rotatably mounted on a lower portion of a rotary drum. The base includes an upper surface and a lower surface and is configured to rotate about a first rotational axis. A plurality of vanes is mounted on the upper surface of the base and is rotated together with the base about the first rotational axis. Each vane extends radially from the first rotational axis toward a periphery of the base. The impeller is configured to rotate along with rotation of the base about a second rotational axis which is radially offset from the first rotational axis. Rotation of the impeller imparts an upper flow through the base to the water contained in a water basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: American Trim, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Byrne, Bret E. Kline
  • Publication number: 20120144878
    Abstract: Embodiments of an appliance are described that are configured for bulk handling and dispensing of an additive. The appliance includes a dispensing device that has in one example a bulk compartment and a dispense compartment. The dispensing device also includes a flow control device such as a valve that controls gravity-flow communication of the additive between the bulk compartment and the dispense compartment. In one embodiment, a fluid conduit carries a washing fluid such as water to the dispense compartment, thereby flushing the additive from the dispense compartment and into a wash tub of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Alaknanda Acharya, David Dunn, Mohan Ponnaganti
  • Publication number: 20120144879
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vishal Verma
  • Publication number: 20120144880
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald E. Erickson, Farshad Farid, Dennis L. Kehl, Vishal Verma
  • Publication number: 20120144881
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Farshad Farid, Vishal Verma
  • Publication number: 20120144882
    Abstract: Security devices according to the present invention may be configured to secure merchandise supported by a display card. The security device may include a housing defining an aperture configured to receive a secured portion of the article, an engagement member disposed generally proximate the aperture, and a sliding member configured to move the engagement member from the release position to a capture position. The secured portion may be removed from the aperture while the engagement member is in the release position and the secured portion may be inhibited from removal while the engagement member is in the capture position. The engagement member may define an engagement aperture where the secured portion of the article that is received through the aperture of the housing is also received through the engagement aperture of the engagement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Shute, Mark Ezzo
  • Publication number: 20120144883
    Abstract: A theft deterrent hasp assembly for shrouding the shackle of a pad lock device. The disclosed hasp comprises a hingeable arm having a protective shroud at its distal end and a pad lock hoop engagement hole. The engagement hole is positioned at an angle with regard to the length of the hingeable hasp and along a diagonal within the shroud enclosure to allow improved access for pad lock shackle insertion therein. This access allows the shackle to be more easily inserted into a pad lock hoop protruding through the engagement hole of the hasp after placement thereover, while the protective shroud provides plurality of upstanding members that form a three sided structure for protection against tampering. The shroud members are adapted to cover a majority of the padlock shackle while in use, preventing cutting tools or saw blades from achieving access thereto while in a locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Danny Longwell
  • Publication number: 20120144884
    Abstract: A resistant mechanical combination lock and improvements thereto are described herein to include one or more of the following features: an improved combination change/set feature that includes a tumbler interlocking lever with digitated micro-fingers suitable for interdigitating with digitated micro-fingers on the peripheral edge of a combination tumbler ring, the tumbler interlocking lever and the combination tumbler ring sandwiched between a pair of outer gate rings to form a tumbler wheel assembly; a key stabilization feature in which an internal boss and a pivot recess together help stabilize the change key when changing the combination of a lock to help prevent “lock out”; an improved duress feature that includes a duress tumbler wheel assembly (that includes a duress lever) and an interchangeable microswitch; and/or a fence control feature that preferably includes an overcenter spring and trigger plate for controlling fence contact with the drive cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Michael J. Walsh & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20120144885
    Abstract: A cable alarm system is provided that includes: a lock; a temper proof fiber optic cable coupled to the lock and operative to conduct a light signal; an LED and a light signal detector coupled to the fiber optic cable and operative to detect light from the LED; a battery; a GPS system and a wireless transceiver. On detection of light signal interruption, the cable alarm system sends a wireless message containing GPS information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Ian Michael Mills
  • Publication number: 20120144886
    Abstract: An anti-theft lock assembly used in conjunction with ignition switches and locks which are operated by universal keys. The device can be attached to, and operate, the universal switch or lock by the use of non-universal key. Once the device is attached to the universal switch or lock the key to operate the device can be turned to the key lock position and then extracted, locking the device to the universal key switch or lock, therefore restricting the ability to operate the switch or lock with a universal key. The device can be easily removed by simply inserting the key into the device, rotating the key to the vertical position and removing the device, giving on the ability to operate the switch or lock with the universal key as normal. The device does not, however, need to be removed in order to operate the switch or lock. With the device attached, the switch or lock can be operated in the same manner as before using the key provided with the device to operate the switch or lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Eric Wolfgang Melchior
  • Publication number: 20120144887
    Abstract: An ICBTL system having a low GHG footprint for converting coal or coal and biomass to liquid fuels in which a carbon-based feed is converted to liquids by direct liquefaction and optionally by indirect liquefaction and the liquids are upgraded to produce premium fuels. CO2 produced by the process is used to produce algal biomass and photosynthetic microorganisms in a photobioreactor. Optionally, lipids extracted from the some or all of the algal biomass is hydroprocessed to produce fuel components and biomass residues and the carbon-based feed our gasified to produce hydrogen and syngas for the direct and indirect liquefaction processes. Some or all of the algal biomass and photosynthetic microorganisms are used to produce a natural biofertilizer. CO2 may also be produced by a steam methane reformer for supplying CO2 to produce the algal biomass and photosynthetic microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ACCELERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rocco A. Fiato, Richard F. Bauman, Sioma Zaczepinski, Attilio Bisio
  • Publication number: 20120144888
    Abstract: A composition comprising at least one nutrient element, wherein the at least one nutrient element possesses a relative energy-state value greater than the relative energy-state value of the at least one nutrient element in a preexisting state, the composition being effective, perhaps because of the greater energy-state value, to improve the ability of a soil, when combined with the composition, to support plant growth better than the soil, when not combined with the composition. Also a composition comprising at least one nutrient element, wherein the composition possesses an energy spectrum more positive than the energy spectrum of the composition in a preexisting state, the composition being effective, perhaps because of the more positive energy spectrum, to improve the ability of a soil, when combined with the composition, to support plant growth better than the soil, when not combined with the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Jianmin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120144889
    Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention provide an improved low cost and easy to manufacture vacuum-proof shatter-resistant enveloping component, having superior temperature stability, as well as high temperature and mechanical reliability, that is readily usable with any electronic/thermoelectric device that utilizes enveloped vacuum in the operation thereof. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, rather than being made from a single layer glass or a ceramic material, the novel vacuum enveloping component comprises a hollow housing fabricated from a thermo-stable metal alloy, and provided with an inner insulating layer composed of a non-conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: NEW SENSOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dmitriy Yevgenyevich Sobolev
  • Publication number: 20120144890
    Abstract: Uniform nano-scale microstructures can be reliably formed on the surface layer of this metal product while still improving the surface roughness and make the surface layer robust enough not to disappear due to wear. The surface of the metal product is repeatedly subjected to instantaneous rapid heating and rapid cooling by intermittently ejecting onto the surface of the metal product shot with a mixture of three or more approximate but different particle sizes for a high ejection density, thereby forming uniform microstructures near the surface of the metal product and forming micro-diameter dimples in the metal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI KIHAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshio Miyasaka