Patents Issued in September 4, 2012
  • Patent number: 8256182
    Abstract: A free-standing wall includes concrete base blocks adjacent to each other forming a base course; a first set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a first wall face; and a second set of concrete wall blocks stacked on the base course and on each other to form a second wall face that faces the opposite direction from the first wall face and that has the same number of courses as the first plurality of wall blocks. Methods of constructing the wall arrangement include laying the base blocks next to each other end to end; stacking individual blocks of a first set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a first wall face; stacking individual blocks of the second set of blocks on the base course and then on each other to form a second wall face that faces a direction opposite of the first wall face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Anchor Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Joel Wolter, Robert B. Burnquist, Harrison John Brown, Dale A. Buker, Jay J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8256183
    Abstract: Safety structure for a roof and more particularly a flat roof. The former includes an engagement structure. The engagement structure provides an attachment element to which a part to be safely attached to the roof, such as the belt of individuals present on the roof, a railing or the like has to be attached. According to the present invention, this attachment element is attached to a thickening and more particularly to a profiled section. This thickening is accommodated in a folded-over part of roof covering material and is situated in the folded-over part thereof. This roof covering material is attached to the existing roof covering by torching or gluing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Safeway GmbH
    Inventors: Anthonie Bernardus Berlee, Hans Antonius Borra
  • Patent number: 8256184
    Abstract: A protective cover for a wooden utility pole comprises a polymer envelope in which the bottom of the pole is placed. The envelope is sufficiently dimensioned to cover about 10 feet of the bottom of the pole. The envelope body is wrapped around the bottom portion of the pole and PVC tape is used to secure the body to the pole. A hermetic seal is placed over the mouth of the envelope which is located above the grade level of the excavation in which the pole sits thereby sealing the envelope to the pole. A metallic band is placed around the seal to protect it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Harry Lowe
  • Patent number: 8256185
    Abstract: An assembly, and method for constructing the assembly, to aid in the proper installation of shingles by providing panels of shingles and assembly guides that when followed, result in the installation of shingles that meet keyway width requirements, keyway alignment requirements, provide an aesthetically pleasing distribution of the shingles, and provides adequate ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Bryan J. Kirkey
  • Patent number: 8256186
    Abstract: A formed building element or “log” comprising a top filler section and a bottom filler section affixed on opposite sides of a center reinforcement member. The center reinforcement member may be a steel or metal rod or tube. The reinforcement member, which may be of approximately the same length of the filler sections, has one end extending out from the end of the building element. The extended end may have a vertical hole extending from top to bottom, adapted to accept a rod pin, which may or may not be threaded. Matching holes extend from the top to bottom of the filler section at the opposite end of the building element, so adjacent building elements may be attached end-to-end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Bryan
  • Patent number: 8256187
    Abstract: There is provided a medicine packaging apparatus, which is capable of rapidly coping with errors occurring during processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yuyama, Tomohiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 8256188
    Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging machine for closing a container having a lid, which includes a supply unit for delivering the container along with a loosely seated lid. A rotating crimping head is provided with a plurality of recesses for one container each, a plurality of tensioning units each hold a container into a recess, and a crimping unit crimps the lids onto the container in order to close the container. A plurality of sensor units are provided such that one sensor unit is arranged on each tensioning unit. Each sensor unit records a container rotation and/or a container tensioning force in the crimping head. Each sensor unit has a transmitter to send signals and a control unit which has a receiver to receive signals sent from the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Blumenstock, Christian Koehler, Jochen Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8256189
    Abstract: A punch assembly is provided in a form, fill, and seal machine that provides a package that includes a sealed end portion and contains an article. The punch assembly includes a housing, and a heat sink provided in and retained by the housing, where the heat sink includes a punch tip that is to provide an opening in the sealed end portion of the package. The punch assembly also includes a coil heater contacting the heat sink to provide heat to the heat sink and the punch tip, where one or more air gaps are provided between the housing and the heat sink to prevent heat transfer from the heat sink to a seal jaw assembly of the form, fill, and seal machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lako Tool & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis M. Montano, Larry Smith, William Witzler
  • Patent number: 8256190
    Abstract: A method for introducing at least one substance into a sealed enclosure holding at least one product. The sealed enclosure having at least one conduit through which one of gas or fluid may flow into or out of the sealed enclosure. Air is evacuated from the sealed enclosure through the at least one conduit to create a predetermined pressure within the sealed enclosure and a predetermined quantity of the at least one substance is injected into the sealed enclosure through the at least one conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Bowden Group
    Inventors: Lisa Bowden, R. Craig Bowden, James Nagamine
  • Patent number: 8256191
    Abstract: Methods of automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting include: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel D. Griggs, Dennis J. May, David T. Wince, William M. Poteat, Derek L. Brown
  • Patent number: 8256192
    Abstract: This invention is directed to film wrapped and heat shrunk bundles of gabled containers to form bundles that can be stacked on pallets and not be constrained by the gables in determining the size of the bundles. This is accomplished by nesting the gable containers on a conveyor on their side. The nesting of the gable containers on their side provides a stable structure that can be moved on a conveyor to be film wrapped. After film wrapping, the containers are conveyed to a heat shrink tunnel to form bundles of gable containers that can be placed on a pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Alain Cerf
  • Patent number: 8256193
    Abstract: A pet pad storage system having an open frame body having a bottom wall and four sidewalls extending upwards therefrom. One pair of sidewalls, opposite each other, terminates slightly before a centerline that runs across their length; hence, no sidewall extends upwards at a center portion of the bottom layer for two of the four edges. A length of strip runs across the inside edge at a top of the remaining pair of sidewalls. In this manner, a stack of sheets can be laid across the interior portion of the frame body. Two perforated edges run across a length of the bottom wall where the sidewalls terminate. A third perforated edge runs across the centerline between the other two. The outer sidewalls of the frame are pulled upwards towards one another to fold the frame member closed. The sheet is rollably folded therein so that the storage system can stand upright in a closet space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: OurPet's Company
    Inventors: Steven Tsengas, Gerald Sciarini, Konstantine S. Tsengas
  • Patent number: 8256194
    Abstract: Simulated commercial envelopes and methods of making the same are disclosed. An example envelope includes a first envelope portion having a front panel including a top edge and a bottom edge parallel to the top edge, connected by a pair of side edges. A top flap is integrally formed with the top edge of the front panel about a first fold line and a bottom flap is integrally formed with the bottom edge of the front panel about a second fold line. A second envelope portion having a rear panel is adapted to be secured to the front panel to form a pocket for a mailer insert. The bottom flap foldable about the second fold line and is secured to the rear panel on a side opposite the formed pocket, and the top flap is foldable about the first fold line and is also secured to the rear panel or the bottom flap on the side opposite the formed pocket to form the example envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: R.R.Donnelley & Sons Company
    Inventor: Philip Medwell Brown
  • Patent number: 8256195
    Abstract: An ice bagging apparatus which has a frame defining a first ice collecting zone with a collecting bin and an ice bagging zone, wherein the ice bagging zone has a film feeding mechanism that conveys two heat-sealable elongated plastic film webs and a welding apparatus to form a bag from the webs. The film feeding mechanism has rollers between which film webs are passed and pressed against each other. A measuring arrangement measures ice dispensed into the bag by a first ice transport system positioned between the two film webs that form the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Schur Technology a/s
    Inventor: Henrik Pape
  • Patent number: 8256196
    Abstract: An equine tongue tie has a small elastic tongue loop 14 and a large elastic jaw loop 12. The two loops 12, 14 are stitched or otherwise joined at a location 18 across the width of the loops. The two loops 12, 14 can be made from a single strap 2 of elastomeric material wherein the ends are preferably folded over prior to stitching or otherwise affixing so as to form four layers of the elastomeric material at the location 18 wherein the tongue loop 14 and jaw loop 12 are joined. Alternatively, each loop can be made from a separate strap, each tongue loop 14 and jaw loop 12 having its ends overlapped and sewn together to form a separate loop and these two separate loops 12, 14 being sewn together where the sewn ends overlap creating four layers of material at the location 18 where the loops are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: David Lawrence Burns
  • Patent number: 8256197
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling reverse mow condition in a tractor comprises a switch assembly having an ignition switch that is rotatable through a plurality of positions, a housing for supporting the ignition switch, and an actuator movably located in the housing. The enabling of a reverse mow condition is achieved by displacing the actuator from a rest position to two separate and distinct positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Kahnert
  • Patent number: 8256198
    Abstract: A mower is suspended from a frame and includes a header with a cutter. A tongue is pivotally connected to the mower frame and is moveable with respect to the frame by a hydraulic cylinder. At the front of the tongue is a front gearbox rigidly attached to the tongue. The front gearbox transmits rotary power from the power take off of the tractor to a rear gearbox pivotally attached the header and from the rear gearbox rotary power is passed on ultimately to the rotary cutting units. Pivoting of the rear gearbox is controlled by a steering connection operatively attached between the front and rear gearboxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Forage Innovations B.V.
    Inventor: Kent L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8256199
    Abstract: A two-for-one twister or cabling machine and a method for operation thereof, wherein a yarn (5, 25) is withdrawn from a supply bobbin (7, 21) and fed to a guide device below a twisted yarn plate (8, 24) of the spindle (2, 22) and from which the yarn (5, 25) exits virtually perpendicular to the axis of the spindle (2, 22) and is deflected to the outer edge of the twisted yarn plate (8, 24) and runs along the spindle (2, 22) as a free yarn balloon (B) encompassing the spindle (2, 22), until the yarn (5, 25) is fed into the twist or cabling point of a yarn guide device (9, 27) above the spindle (2, 22). The supply speed of the yarn (5, 25) is adjusted to achieve a yarn tension which minimizes the yarn balloon diameter as a function of the spindle geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Walter Schlagenhaft
  • Patent number: 8256200
    Abstract: A high-security cable is provided, wherein the high-security cable is capable of achieving a smoothing of a work-to-break energy curve. The high-security cable is manufactured of a mixture of plastic yarns or of plastic yarns and metal wires, wherein the cable comprises a first constituent part of untwisted or twisted yarns, or untwisted or twisted yarns and metal wires, a second constituent part of doubled yarn, the doubled yarn manufactured of plastic yarns or of plastic yarns and metal wires, and a third constituent part of cord manufactured from the doubled yarns, wherein the doubled yarn is manufactured from plastic yarns or of plastic yarns and metal wires. The high-security cable can be used as a safety arrester cable, and can also be used to form a netting to serve as safety arrester netting or falling-rock protection netting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cortex Humbelin AG
    Inventor: Walter Nuesch
  • Patent number: 8256201
    Abstract: A yarn brake for a two-for-one twisting spindle has a brake element mounted in the region of a hollow axle of the spindle between an upper and a lower brake face, the braking force being predeterminable in a defined manner by means of the pretensioning of at least one spring element, which acts on an axially displaceably mounted upper piston, in which the upper brake face is integrated, and the yarn brake being pneumatically releasable to introduce a yarn. The upper piston (27) receiving the upper brake face (28) is configured in such a way and guided with play (S) within a housing (16) of the yarn brake (14) in such a way that it can move aside if necessary into a position (I), in which its center longitudinal axis (37) forms an angle (?) with the center longitudinal axis (38) of the housing (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Beckers, Markus Beckmann, Ingo Filz, Heinz Fink, Jürgen Schnitzler
  • Patent number: 8256202
    Abstract: A high bypass flow turbofan engine in which the fan is driven by a fan turbine uncoupled from the core engine so that a lower speed can be used to drive a fan blade that is larger in diameter than the prior art fans. A low pressure compressor is driven by a low pressure turbine, and a high pressure compressor is driven by a high pressure turbine. Some of the high pressure air from the high pressure compressor is diverted into a second combustor to produce a hot gas flow that is delivered into the fan turbine to drive the fan. The remaining high pressure air from the high pressure compressor flows into the first combustor to produce the hot gas flow that drives the low and high pressure turbines. Because the fan turbine is uncoupled from the core engine, the fan turbine can be smaller to save weight and so that none of the bypass flow is blocked, further increasing the efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R Paulino
  • Patent number: 8256203
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to rocket based combined cycle (RBCC) propulsion units. In one exemplary embodiment, at least one rocket thruster is integrated with a jet engine but is external to the flow path of the jet engine, forming an altitude compensating plug nozzle. Since the rocket thruster is external to such flow path, the rocket flow from the rocket thruster interacts with the jet flow from the jet engine aft of the nozzle of the jet engine. Such interaction occurs without a significant performance penalty in the operation of the jet engine. In fact, it is possible that the interaction of the rocket flow with the jet flow may actually improve the efficiency of the jet engine under some conditions. Moreover, having the rocket thrusters positioned external to the flow path of the jet engine helps to avoid many of the problems plaguing conventional RBCC propulsion units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Alabama in Huntsville
    Inventors: James B. Blackmon, David B. Landrum, Sean Entrekin
  • Patent number: 8256204
    Abstract: A power unit for providing propulsive thrust includes an efflux duct defining a first fluid flow path along which gaseous fluid travels for discharge from a first fluid exit opening to provide propulsive thrust. The power unit also has a thrust reversing structure which, when in a deployed position, redirects the flow of gaseous fluid along a second fluid flow path to discharge from a second fluid exit opening to provide reverse thrust. The thrust reversing structure includes longitudinally translating cowl portions, which are moveable from a stowed position to the deployed position where the translating cowl portions block a major portion of the first fluid exit opening to cause gaseous fluid to efflux from the second fluid exit opening. The translating cowl portions move in a generally longitudinal direction towards the deployed position along a path which is inclined to the power unit axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Short Brothers PLC
    Inventor: Michael John Hatrick
  • Patent number: 8256205
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling a NOx sensor coupled to an engine exhaust system in a motor vehicle. One example method comprises generating an offset of the sensor based on an ambient air flow drawn into the exhaust system, the ambient air flow having circumvented cylinders of the engine, and adjusting an output of the sensor based on the generated offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: David Charles Weber
  • Patent number: 8256206
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control device for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of properly regenerating a NOx catalyst, while properly controlling NOx catalyst temperature and ensuring excellent drivability. As a regeneration operation, the exhaust emission control device feedback-controls a detected reducing condition of exhaust gases to a predetermined reducing condition, by controlling the amount of main fuel injected by main injection or feedback-controls the same to the predetermined reducing condition by controlling the amount of auxiliary fuel injected by auxiliary injection. The device determines whether the regeneration operation should be executed in a catalyst temperature control mode for controlling the NOx catalyst temperature. If, as a result of the determination, the regeneration operation should be executed in the catalyst temperature control mode, the device selects the feedback control of the main fuel amount, and otherwise selects the feedback control of the auxiliary fuel amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuji Wada, Norio Suzuki, Takashi Konomoto
  • Patent number: 8256207
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control device removes particulate matters contained in exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine and deposited in a particulate filter. The device has a catalyst judging block judging the catalytic activity of catalyst held in the particulate filter, an exhaust gas detecting block detecting a flow rate of the exhaust gas, an injection type selecting block selecting a first fuel injection type or a second fuel injection type according to the catalytic activity and the flow rate of the exhaust gas, and a fuel injection control block controlling fuel injected into the engine to heighten the temperature of the exhaust gas according to the first fuel injection type and to supply unburned hydrocarbons to the particulate filter according to the second fuel injection type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Takano, Shinichiro Okugawa, Tsukasa Kuboshima
  • Patent number: 8256208
    Abstract: According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for reducing NOx emissions in an engine exhaust gas stream of an engine system having a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system with an SCR catalyst positioned downstream of a reductant injector includes a NOx reduction target module and a reductant module. The NOx reduction target module is configured to determine a NOx reduction requirement, which includes an amount of NOx in the exhaust gas stream to be reduced on the SCR catalyst. The reductant module is configured to determine the amount of reductant added to the exhaust gas stream to achieve the NOx reduction requirement. The amount of reductant added to the exhaust gas stream is a function of at least one ammonia storage characteristic of the SCR catalyst, at least one reductant-to-ammonia conversion characteristic, and a conversion capability of an AMOX catalyst in exhaust receiving communication with the SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Joan M. Wills, John N. Chi, Weiwen Wang, Phanindra Garimella, Timothy R. Frazier, Abdul R. Ofoli, Joe V. Hill, Lisa A. Farrell, Neal W. Currier, Aleksey Yezerets, Andy Osburn
  • Patent number: 8256209
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the regeneration, temperature loading and/or thermal management of a component, which is assigned to an exhaust gas system, of an internal combustion engine preferably of a vehicle, having at least one injection valve, which operates preferably in a chatter mode as a function of the pressure of supplied fuel, for injecting fuel for the purpose of regeneration, temperature loading and/or thermal management into the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine. The invention is distinguished by at least one pressure control valve which is arranged upstream of the injection valve and dampens or eliminates pressure fluctuations. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Nestor Rodriguez-Amaya, Volker Reusing, Stefan Stein
  • Patent number: 8256210
    Abstract: One embodiment is a system including a controller operable to control fuel injection events. The system is operable in a base mode, and at least one of a deNOx mode, a deSOx mode, and a deSoot mode. The base mode includes a pilot injection pulse, a main injection pulse, a post injection pulse, and a second post injection pulse. The deNOx mode includes a pilot injection pulse, a main injection pulse, and a post injection pulse. The deSOx mode includes a pilot injection pulse, a main injection pulse, a post injection pulse, a second post injection pulse, and a third post injection pulse. The deSoot mode includes a pilot injection pulse, a main injection pulse, a post injection pulse, a second post injection pulse, and a third post injection pulse. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Bradlee J. Stroia, Samuel C. Geckler, Michael Cunningham, Wole Akinyemi, Paul R. Miller, Lyle Kocher
  • Patent number: 8256211
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine wherein when an aqueous urea solution should be fed from an aqueous urea solution feed valve (8), a feed pump (9) is operated forward and aqueous urea solution in an aqueous urea solution tank (4) is fed through an aqueous urea solution feed passage (10) into the aqueous urea solution feed valve (8). When ceasing the feed of aqueous urea solution from the aqueous urea solution feed valve (8), the feed pump (9) is operated in reverse whereby the ammonia gas generated in the aqueous urea solution tank (4) is drawn through a ammonia gas feed pipe (11) into the aqueous urea solution feed passage (10). Next, when the feed pump (9) is operated forward, the ammonia gas drawn into the aqueous urea solution feed path (10) is ejected from the aqueous urea solution feed valve (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Asaura, Tomihisa Oda, Shunsuke Toshioka, Yutaka Tanai
  • Patent number: 8256212
    Abstract: The exhaust system of an internal combustion engine includes a duct having an input end coupled to the engine for passing and processing the exhaust gases and fumes emitted by the engine such that the duct functions as an anti-explosion and fire arrester device. The duct includes a reinforced filter structure securely and firmly mounted within and across the duct opening. The filter structure is coated with a noble metal to enhance oxidation of the gases and fumes passing through the duct. An insulator layer is attached about and along the outer surface of the duct and a jacket for carrying a coolant is mounted above and about the insulator layer. The insulator layer isolates the coolant from the duct to ensure that the temperature on the external side of the jacket is less than a predetermined value. Simultaneously, the insulator layer isolates the duct from the coolant to enable the temperature within the duct to have a sufficiently high value to sustain oxidation of the gases and fumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Angelo B. Miretti
  • Patent number: 8256213
    Abstract: A cylinder head has at least three cylinders each coupled to at least one exhaust port, individual exhaust ducts coupled to each of the exhaust ports, and a combined exhaust duct coupling all individual exhaust ducts. The combined exhaust duct emerges from the cylinder head at a location displaced longitudinally from a center of the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Guenter Bartsch, Jens Dunstheimer, Martin Lutz
  • Patent number: 8256214
    Abstract: Internal combustion engine provided with a plurality of cylinders divided into a first group and a second group; a control unit for deactivating all the cylinders of the second group; a first exhaust conduit and a second exhaust conduit, which are reciprocally connected at an intersection and which are respectively connected to cylinders of the first group and to cylinders of the second group; a catalyzer, which is arranged along the first exhaust conduit upstream of the intersection and is provided with first sensors for detecting the exhaust gases; and a second catalyzer, which is arranged downstream of the intersection and is provided with second sensors for detecting the exhaust gas composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Rioli, Luca Poggio
  • Patent number: 8256215
    Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system that maintains proportional pressure control between an input side of a gear and assist pressures internal to the steering gear by relying upon a control valve. A pressure differential is maintained between the input side of a gear and assist pressures internal to the steering gear throughout certain events. Those events include running the pump to fully charge the accumulator, idling the pump after fully charging the accumulator, discharging pressure from the fully charged accumulator at an onset of a steering event having a demand for steering load, recovering the discharged pressure of the accumulator by running the pump after turning on the pump at the onset of the steering event, and opening the relief valve in the valve manifold during the steering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Robert Miller
  • Patent number: 8256216
    Abstract: An annular sealing member 95 for establishing sealing between a boosted hydraulic pressure application chamber 22 and an input-side annular chamber 93 formed between a casing and a backup piston 64A and connected to a hydraulic pressure source is disposed between the casing and the backup piston 64A, and communication passage 216 for establishing communication between the input-side annular chamber 93 and the boosted hydraulic pressure application chamber 22 as the backup piston 64A moves forward by a predetermined stroke or more is provided in one of the backup piston 64A and the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nissin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Sakai, Hiromitsu Takizawa, Takashi Kinoshita, Yoshiteru Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8256217
    Abstract: An ECU for determining whether a request for acceleration is made to a supercharged internal combustion engine includes an acceleration request determining unit that determines whether a pressure difference between the upstream pressure and downstream pressure of a throttle valve disposed in an intake system is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, and determines that a request for acceleration is made when the pressure difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value. The ECU also includes a variable valve actuating mechanism control unit that controls an InVVT and an ExVVT so that the intake charging efficiency and output torque of the engine become equal to the maximum intake charging efficiency and output torque at a certain downstream pressure when the acceleration request determining unit determines that a request for acceleration is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 8256218
    Abstract: A compressor comprises an impeller wheel mounted within a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. The wheel has a plurality of vanes and is rotatable about an axis. The housing has an inner wall defining a surface located in close proximity to radially outer edges of the impeller vanes which sweep across said surface as the impeller wheel rotates about its axis. The inlet comprises a tubular wall extending away from the impeller wheel in an upstream direction. An enclosed chamber is defined between said inner wall and an outer wall and in communication with at least one opening in said in said inner wall. The outer wall is penetrated by at least one ventilation aperture that is designed to be connected via a conduit to a location upstream of the inlet and downstream of an air filter. The arrangement maintains the advantages of a conventional MWE structure and further improves the surge margin. In addition, the risk of debris being drawn into the compressor via the opening is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Bahram Nikpour
  • Patent number: 8256219
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for generating electricity from renewable geothermal, wind, and solar energy sources includes a heat balancer for supplementing and regulating the heat energy fed to a turbine generator; a hydrogen-fired boiler for supplying supplementary heat; and an injection manifold for metering controlled amounts of superheated combustible gas into the working fluids to optimize efficiency. Wind or solar power may be converted to hydrogen in an electrolysis unit to produce hydrogen. A phase separator unit that operates by cavitation of the geothermal fluids removes gases from the source fluid. A pollution prevention trap may be used to remove solids and other unneeded constituents of the geothermal fluids to be stored or processed in a solution mining unit for reuse or sale. Spent geothermal and working fluids may be processed and injected into the geothermal strata to aid in maintaining its temperature or in solution mining of elements in the lithosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Canyon West Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Edward B. Hinders, Patrick J. Kelly
  • Patent number: 8256220
    Abstract: A method of controlling engine exhaust flow through at least one of an exhaust bypass and a thermoelectric device via a bypass valve is provided. The method includes: determining a mass flow of exhaust exiting an engine; determining a desired exhaust pressure based on the mass flow of exhaust; comparing the desired exhaust pressure to a determined exhaust pressure; and determining a bypass valve control value based on the comparing, wherein the bypass valve control value is used to control the bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Reynolds, Jihui Yang, Greogry P. Meisner, Francis R. Stabler, Hendrik Pieter (Peter) Jacobus De Bock, Todd Alan Anderson
  • Patent number: 8256221
    Abstract: An assembly (45) includes a plurality of separate pie-shaped segments (72) forming a disk (70) around a central region (48) for retaining a plurality of tubes (46) in a concentrically spaced apart configuration. Each segment includes a support member (94) radially extending along an upstream face (96) of the segment and a plurality of annularly curved support arms (98) transversely attached to the support member and radially spaced apart from one another away from the central region for receiving respective upstream end portions of the tubes in arc-shaped spaces (100) between the arms. Each segment also includes a radial passageway (102) formed in the support member for receiving a fluid segment portion (106) and a plurality of annular passageways (104) formed in the support arms for receiving respective arm portions (108) of the fluid segment portion from the radial passageway and for conducting the respective arm portions into corresponding annular spaces (47) formed between the tubes retained by the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Rubio, John C. Glessner
  • Patent number: 8256222
    Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel metering pump and a servo-flow pump that are used to supply fuel to one or more fuel manifolds and one or more fluid-operated actuators, respectively. The fuel metering pump and the servo-flow pump are driven by the same electric motor(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Mahoney, Larry A. Portolese
  • Patent number: 8256223
    Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a support structure and at least one combustor liner panel selectively attached to the support structure. The combustor liner panel includes an uncooled ceramic portion, a cooled ceramic portion and a support that receives the cooled ceramic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Dierberger, Kevin W. Schlichting, Melvin Freling
  • Patent number: 8256224
    Abstract: A wall element for a combustion space, the wall element comprising a ceramic body, a support within the body, and attachment means extending from the support and protruding from the body for securing the ceramic body to a combustion space wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Ian Murray Garry, Michael Lawrence Carlisle, Daniel Clark, Carl Lee Barcock
  • Patent number: 8256225
    Abstract: A turbofan engine includes a fan variable area nozzle having a multiple of vents through a fan nacelle and a sleeve system movable relative to the vents by an actuator system. The fan variable area nozzle changes the effective area of the fan nozzle exit area to permit efficient operation at predefined pressure ratios. The vents include a grid structure which directs and smoothes the airflow therethrough as well as to reduce noise generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Constantine Baltas, Joseph R. Hauser
  • Patent number: 8256226
    Abstract: A burner for use in a gas turbine engine includes a burner tube having an inlet end and an outlet end; a plurality of air passages extending axially in the burner tube configured to convey air flows from the inlet end to the outlet end; a plurality of fuel passages extending axially along the burner tube and spaced around the plurality of air passage configured to convey fuel from the inlet end to the outlet end; and a radial air swirler provided at the outlet end configured to direct the air flows radially toward the outlet end and impart swirl to the air flows. The radial air swirler includes a plurality of vanes to direct and swirl the air flows and an end plate. The end plate includes a plurality of fuel injection holes to inject the fuel radially into the swirling air flows. A method of mixing air and fuel in a burner of a gas turbine is also provided. The burner includes a burner tube including an inlet end, an outlet end, a plurality of axial air passages, and a plurality of axial fuel passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Abdul Rafey Khan, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, Christian Xavier Stevenson
  • Patent number: 8256227
    Abstract: An engine comprises a combustion chamber, an expansion cylinder with a piston adapted for reciprocating motion in the expansion cylinder via combustion products combusted in the combustion chamber, and a transmission associated with the expansion cylinder. The transmission has a guide frame with a first drive wheel rotatably mounted at one end of the guide frame and a second drive wheel rotatably mounted at an opposite longitudinal end of the guide frame. Each of the drive wheels is driven by an inextensible continuous loop. The guide frame has a crank head adapted to reciprocatingly translate along the guide frame. The crank head has a drive connection pivotally connecting the crank head to the loop. The crank head is operatively connected to the piston such that reciprocating motion of the piston results in corresponding reciprocating motion of the crank head, movement of the loop, and corresponding rotation of the drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: John Arthur Devine
  • Patent number: 8256228
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a clearance between a blade tip of a turbine engine and a blade track spaced radially outward of the blade tip is disclosed herein. The method includes the step of operably coupling an elongate member to a blade track in a turbine engine. The method also includes the step of directing a fluid stream having a temperature in proximity to the elongate member. The temperature of the fluid stream can change over time. The method also includes the step of transferring heat between the fluid stream and elongate member to a change a size of the elongate member and move the blade track radially relative to a centerline axis of the turbine engine. An exemplary apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Mark O'Leary
  • Patent number: 8256229
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine includes a turbine and a high pressure compressor. The high pressure compressor includes a last stage having a last stage compressor blade and a last stage vane. The gas turbine engine includes a first flow path through which bleed air flows to the turbine and a second flow path through which air from the last stage of the high pressure compressor flows. The bleed air in the first flow path exchanges heat with a portion of the air in the second flow path in a heat exchanger to cool the air in the second flow path. The cooled air in the second flow path is returned to the high pressure compressor to cool the high pressure compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jorn A. Glahn, Peter M. Munsell, Steven B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8256230
    Abstract: A method for reliquefying boil-off gas generated in a cargo tank of a liquefied natural gas ship generally includes the steps of compressing boil-off gas generated in the cargo tank with a compressor, sub-cooling the compressed boil-off gas in a heat exchanger, feeding the liquefied gas to a gas phase separator, venting flash gas generated in the gas phase separator through a first pipe, feeding the vented flash gas from the gas phase separator to a gas combustion unit of the ship via the first pipe, oxidizing the vented flash gas in the gas combustion unit, diverting a portion of the compressed boil-off gas from the compressor through a second pipe, feeding the diverted portion of compressed boil-off gas from the compressor to an upper region of the gas-phase separator and returning liquefied gas from the gas-phase separator to the cargo tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventors: Hyung-Su An, Nam-Su Kim, Jin-Yeol Yun, Hyun-Jin Kim, Hyun-Ki Park
  • Patent number: 8256231
    Abstract: A cryostat includes a rotatable mounting arranged to rotate about a first rotational axis, the mounting extending substantially in a first plane, a sample plate arranged in use to support a sample, located on the rotatable mounting, and a heat sink located adjacent the side of the mounting distant from the sample plate. A thermal conductor extends between the sample plate and the heat sink. The conductor extends through an aperture in the rotatable mounting. A rotatable sample holder for a cryostat includes a sample plate having a first side arranged in use to support a sample, a drive gear arranged to rotate about a first rotational axis, and a driven gear arranged to rotate about a second rotational axis, engaged with the drive gear and coupled to the sample plate such that rotation of the drive gear causes the driven gear and sample holder to rotate. The first rotational axis does not intersect the second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils
    Inventor: David Teehan