Patents Issued in June 25, 2013
  • Patent number: 8468776
    Abstract: In a flange to adapt a wind power generator to a pre-stressed concrete tower, the flange includes an annular tapered pre-stressed concrete shell having a bulging which inwardly protrudes toward a central axis of the flange, and a steel component to be embedded within the pre-stressed concrete shell. The bulging includes a horizontal flat surface for settling the steel component. The steel component includes an annular tapered body having an upper and lower end, a plurality of vertical and radially extended fins joined to an external face of the steel component, a connecting ring joined to the body upper end and including a plurality of holes for introducing bolts to join the wind power generator, and an annular base joined to the body lower end, which is settled on the bulging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Cortina Innovations S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Jose Pablo Cortina-Ortega, Alejandro Cortina-Cordero, Jose Pablo Cortina-Cordero
  • Patent number: 8468777
    Abstract: Provided is a tablet filling device capable of continuing an operation without stopping the supply of the tablet container, filling with tablets, etc. even when the prescribed operations cannot be performed at the operating positions. The tablet filling device includes: a tablet supply unit (3) that fills a tablet container (12) with tablets; a carrying member (41) which carries the tablet cassette (12) from the tablet supply unit (3) to a standby position; a container holding member (65) provided at a delivery position and having a plurality of holding parts (67, 68) capable of holding the tablet container (12) according to a difference in outer diameter dimension; and another carrying member (52) which carries the tablet container (12) held by a container holding member (65) to an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yuyama, Hirokazu Chihara
  • Patent number: 8468778
    Abstract: The invention is a do-it-yourself baggage wrapping, protection, anti-tamper and anti-pilferage device. The all-in-one device consists of the stretch film, a dispenser able to draw, stretch and wrap film up to 12 inches in width, consisting of a stopper-ring secured at the very beginning of the extended core followed by a semi-compressible sleeve with embedded guide rings encircling core extension contoured guide-rings or an anti-clockwise coiled and freely rotating spiral-shape flexible sheet to let freely rotate same when film is being drawn off roll, thus followed by a second stopper-ring secured about one inch from the remote end of core extension. Both stopper-rings are dimensioned to prevent the sleeve from separating from the extension at any position or angle and total spacing between the two is greater than the total length of the sleeve to provide free rotation of latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Friedrich Windheuser
  • Patent number: 8468779
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to an apparatus for forming and/or sealing an inflatable mailer. Particularly, the disclosed apparatus comprises an inflation assembly that comprises upper and lower support arms and at least one inflation nozzle. In addition, the disclosed apparatus comprises a sealing assembly comprising upper and lower support arms, upper and lower heat seal jaws, two solenoids, and at least one heat seal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Charles Kannankeril, Ian M. Donegan
  • Patent number: 8468780
    Abstract: A method for creating mailpieces from a single web of printed material. The web of printed material includes printed matter to be used on envelopes, and other printed matter to be used on mail content to be included in the envelopes. The method starts with cutting consecutive sections of the web into separated sheets. Some of the separated sheets are envelope sheets including envelope printed matter, and some of the sheets are mail content sheets including mail content printed matter. The method includes cutting variable sized sheets depending on whether a sheet is a mail content sheet, or an envelope sheet. The method further includes cutting variable sized envelope sheets depending on the size of the mailpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Clare E Woodman, Denis J Stemmle, John W Sussmeier, Eric A Belec, Boris Rozenfeld, Gregory P Skinger, Michael J Cummings
  • Patent number: 8468781
    Abstract: A stacking apparatus and method of multi-layer stacking of objects of different sizes on a support to form a stacked support includes providing a support handler. A support is elevated with the support handler and objects of different sizes and shapes are stacked on the support to form a stacked support. A stacked support is removed and an empty support supplied with the support handler. A placeholder is provided above the support handler. The placeholder has a first mode for receiving objects on the placeholder. The placeholder has a second mode for providing access to a support on the support handler. The placeholder is put in the first mode while the support handler removes a stacked support and supplies an empty support. The placeholder is put in the second mode when the support handler is elevating a support being stacked with articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Roland Fritzsche, Martin Dirks, Lorne A. Weeter, Steven D. McArthur
  • Patent number: 8468782
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a bottle-like or tube-like container, especially a tubular pouch (10), having a tubular pouch body (20) and a sealed-in end (30), such as, for example, a base, especially a stand-up base, and optionally a sealed-in top part and/or shoulder part, wherein at least the base (30) and, where applicable, the top part and/or the shoulder part is introduced into the tubular pouch body (20), the tubular pouch body (20) being stretched, especially expanded, at least in the region of introduction, by a predetermined amount before and/or during introduction of the base (30) and, where applicable, of the top part and/or the shoulder part. The invention relates also to a tubular pouch so produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Michalsky, Jürgen Pfrommer
  • Patent number: 8468783
    Abstract: A pouch-gripping apparatus includes a frame having a vertical mounting surface and a base mounted to that surface. A stationary arm projects outwardly from the vertical mounting surface. The stationary arm has an “L”-shaped distal free end that defines a stop wall. A second arm is rotatably mounted to the stationary arm and a plug is secured to the free end of the second arm. The second arm has a position of repose where it is angled relative to the stationary arm. The plug bears against the stop wall when the second arm rotates from the position of repose to a substantially horizontal position. A rim of a pouch sandwiched between the plug and the stop wall is held by the pressure between the plug and the stop wall and the pressure increases as a weight of the pouch increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Mamata Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy M. Uebler, Fred Freed, Huy Do, Tamas Szalkai
  • Patent number: 8468784
    Abstract: An ice bagging system and method according to which ice is automatically disposed in respective bags provided from a first source of bags, and ice is automatically disposed in respective bags provided from a second source of bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Patent number: 8468785
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing and hot-filling a PET container comprising the following steps: a) providing a PET preform capable of being blow molded; b) blow molding the preform in the cavity of a mold so as to form a container; c) removing the container from the mold cavity; d) filling the container with a liquid, the temperature of which is above 80° C.; e) sealing the container in a leaktight fashion; f) sterilizing and cooling the container; and g) shrinking the container, characterized in that: in step a) a PET preform composed of a copolymer based on terephthalic acid is used; in step a), at least one part of the preform is at a temperature greater than or equal to 110° C.; the temperature of the mold used in step b) is less than or equal to 65° C.; and during step g) the container is heated for a duration between 1 and 5 seconds at a temperature between 600 and 1000° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Aisapack Holding S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Thomasset
  • Patent number: 8468786
    Abstract: A food package for sliced food products to be maintained with a fluffed appearance, the package including a rigid base member forming a compartment for receiving the food product and a rigid lid sealed to the compartment. Advantageously, the base member includes a bottom wall and side wall portions that are configured to engage the food product to hold the slices in a fluffed arrangement thereof. Preferably, one or more tapered side wall portions hold the food product upwardly toward the lid and inwardly toward a center of the package. In preferred embodiments, the base member and lid provide a rigid-rigid construction of the food package. In preferred embodiments, the food package is also configured to stand-up in a vertical display orientation and does not require the food product be contained within a sealed pouch within the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLC
    Inventors: Bonita May Hinze, Chad Michael Evenson, Andrew Scott Ives
  • Patent number: 8468787
    Abstract: A sprinkler is designed to be stacked upon a like sprinkler. The sprinkler includes a spray tube, a sled, a projection extending from either a top or bottom surface of the sled, and a recess formed at the top or bottom surface of the sled. The recess accommodates the projection extending from the sled of the like sprinkler so that the sprinkler can be stacked with the like sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Melnor, Inc.
    Inventors: Juergen Nies, Vicky Ann Michael, Ha Van Duong, Richard King Boyle
  • Patent number: 8468788
    Abstract: A deck having a horizontally oriented top wall and a vertically oriented side wall and an opened bottom. The deck has a front and a back. A pair of front wheels extend from the side wall adjacent to the front. A pair of rear wheels extending from the side wall adjacent to the rear. An open front is formed in the side wall forwardly of the front wheels. An open side is formed in the side wall laterally between a front and adjacent rear wheel. An open rear is formed in the side wall rearwardly of the rear wheels. A motor is mounted in a central region of the deck with a rotatable drive shaft extending vertically downwardly therefrom. A rotatable blade is mounted on the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Laszlo Vastag
  • Patent number: 8468789
    Abstract: A crop header has generally horizontal flail disks mounted for driven rotation about generally upright axes. A pair of conditioner rolls is mounted in a discharge opening. A crop converging system includes two over-shot auger elements defined by a common auger shaft with an auger flight carried thereon arranged generally longitudinal of the cutter bar so as to carry the cut crop longitudinally of the cutter bar to the entrance opening. Each auger element is arranged with a forwardmost tangent to the auger flight located behind the axes of the rotary disks and with an outer end thereof spaced outwardly of the respective end of the entrance mouth. The common auger shaft is driven by a common rotary drive with the bottom roll of the conditioner rolls. The augers terminate inwardly of the outer end of the cutter bar to locate the drive inboard of the end plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Neil Gordon Barnett, Geoffrey U. Snider
  • Patent number: 8468790
    Abstract: A conveyor (16) includes a plurality of conveyor disks (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) that are arranged coaxial to one another and are rotatable about a common central rotational axis, wherein teeth are distributed around the edge of said conveyor disks. A first conveyor disk (20), and a second conveyor disk (22) situated directly adjacent to the first conveyor disk (20), are spaced apart by a smaller axial clearance than that between the second conveyor disk (22) and a third conveyor disk (24) that is situated directly adjacent to the second conveyor disk (22) and arranged on a side of the second conveyor disk (22) that faces away from the first conveyor disk (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jens Grobmeier, Clemens Rickert, Martin Hüning, Klemens Weitenberg, Leo Schulze Hockenbeck, Ralf Robert, Mathias Schnelting
  • Patent number: 8468791
    Abstract: A texturing machine is described comprising a plurality of processing points for texturing a plurality of multifilament threads. The texturing machine comprises a plurality of delivery mechanisms per processing point and a texturing system for guiding, drawing and texturing one of the threads. A central heating device is associated with the processing points for thermal treatment of a plurality of threads, wherein the texturing systems within the processing points downstream of the heating device each delimit a texturing distance. In order to treat all threads qualitatively the same, according to the invention the texturing systems of the processing points associated with a thread outlet of the heating device are held in a symmetrical arrangement with respect to the heating device such that the threads within the processing points can be guided in texturing distances of the same length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Bartkowiak, Detlef Oberstrass, Martin Fischer, Hans-Georg Schröder, Stefan Conrad, Jörg Schippel
  • Patent number: 8468792
    Abstract: A fiber guide channel device for an open-end spinning mechanism with a fiber guide channel body, for fixation in an opening roller housing and having a receiving opening for a fiber guide channel insert in the region of a fiber guide channel entry defining a central fiber guide channel for pneumatically transporting individual fibers combed by an opening roller from a feed sliver to a high speed spinning rotor in a negative pressure rotor housing. The fiber guide channel body (14) is configured of a plastics material and the fiber guide channel insert (27) is manufactured as a sleeve-like annularly-closed component of a highly abrasion-resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Lothar Winzen
  • Patent number: 8468793
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a chain comprising a plurality of first links (100) interconnected with a plurality of adjacent links, the first links comprising polymeric multifilament yarns (110) and having a thickness (Formula (I)), at least at the portion where they interconnect with the adjacent links wherein said adjacent links have a thickness (Formula (II)) at least at the portion where they interconnect with the first links and wherein the ratio (Formula (II)/Formula (I)) is at least 1.2. The invention further relates to the use of the chain for storing, securing, and handling cargo, e.g. in lifting, hauling and rigging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Dietrich D. Wienke, Roelof R. Marissen, Martinus Johannes Nicolaas M. J. N. Jacobs, Christiaan Henri Peter Dirks
  • Patent number: 8468794
    Abstract: An electric propulsion machine includes an ion thruster having an annular discharge chamber housing an anode having a large surface area. The ion thruster includes flat annular ion optics with a small span to gap ratio. Optionally, a second electric propulsion thruster may be disposed in a cylindrical space disposed within an interior of the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Michael J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8468795
    Abstract: A fan-turbine rotor assembly includes a diffuser section (114) which turns and diffuses the airflow from a radial core airflow passage (80) toward an axial airflow direction. Diffuser flow passages communicate with the diffuser passages (144) at a location which reduces separation of the airflow as the airflow is turned from the radial core airflow passage (80) toward an axial airflow direction through airflow aspiration at the potentially turbulent locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel L. Suciu, James W. Norris, Craig A. Nordeen
  • Patent number: 8468796
    Abstract: A by-pass turbojet including a thrust reverser is disclosed. The thrust reverse includes a deflector device which deflects all or part of the primary stream gas in such a manner that the deflected primary stream gas encounters the secondary stream, thereby reducing the injection speed of the secondary stream in an aft direction, and thus generating the thrust-reversal effect. The secondary stream escapes from the aft end of the nacelle. In the thrust-reversal position, the deflector device is inscribed radially substantially within the section of the primary nozzle cowl at the aft end of the nacelle. Such a thrust reverser is particularly simple in design, inexpensive, and makes it possible to avoid having moving parts present on the outside portion of the nacelle, thus simplifying the design of the turbojet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Yves Emprin, Jeremy Edmond Fert, Jean-Pierre Valentin Wesolowski
  • Patent number: 8468797
    Abstract: An exemplary gas turbine engine includes a turbine section operative to impart rotational energy to a compressor section. The turbine section includes at least a low-pressure turbine and a high-pressure turbine, and a ratio of a number of stages in the low-pressure turbine to a number of stages in the high-pressure turbine is 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Om P. Sharma, Michael F. Blair
  • Patent number: 8468798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the lambda control of an internal combustion engine with exhaust catalyst, having a lambda probe mounted downstream from the exhaust catalyst as control probe, a probe by means of which a post-catalyst lambda value of an exhaust gas flow leaving the exhaust catalyst is registered. Furthermore, a lambda control mechanism is provided by means of which the post-catalyst lambda value is set to a predetermined value such that a specific, predetermined degree of oxygen charging of an oxygen reservoir of the exhaust catalyst is set, the value predetermined for the degree of charging with oxygen of the oxygen reservoir being predetermined as a function of a predetermined degree of conversion of the exhaust catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Bodo Odendall
  • Patent number: 8468799
    Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure and a device for controlling an air supply system of a combustion engine with an exhaust gas system and an exhaust gas purification system with a particle filter in the exhaust gas system, whereby a boost pressure of an air supply current is controlled or can be controlled in the air supply system over a combustion air supply duct with the aid if a throttle valve and/or an exhaust gas recirculation between the exhaust gas system and the combustion air supply duct. Regarding the procedure it is provided according to the invention, that the air supply current is determined directly before or during a regeneration of the particle filter by different means with the aid of signals from measuring devices that are arranged in the air supply system and/or sensors that are arranged in the exhaust gas system and that the results are compared to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Post, Oliver Zink, Andreas Nagel
  • Patent number: 8468800
    Abstract: A four-stroke engine (1) structured to introduce fresh air and EGR gas into a cylinder (1a) includes a blowdown supercharging system (40) using a combustion chamber internal pressure when exhaust valves open in an expansion stroke of a first cylinder (hereinafter denoted as an exhaust blowdown pressure) for introducing EGR gas into a second cylinder from near a bottom dead center of an intake stroke to near a bottom dead center of a compression stroke of the second cylinder which is different from the first cylinder in combustion timing, and a secondary air supply system (20) supplying secondary air to an exhaust port (1e) of the second cylinder prior to arrival of the exhaust blowdown pressure at the second cylinder. The secondary air in the exhaust port and the EGR gas are supercharged into the second cylinder by the exhaust blowdown pressure from the first cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Koichi Hatamura
  • Patent number: 8468801
    Abstract: A warming-up system performing a catalytic converter warming-up method has an electric motor (1m) enabling a turbocharger (1) to increase the amount of air supplied to an internal combustion engine (2) regardless of the amount of exhaust gas flowing through a turbine (1t) of the turbocharger (1), a variable nozzle (1n) regulating the flow of exhaust gas through the turbine (1t), and an ECU (5) for controlling the operation of the electric motor (1m) and the variable nozzle (1n) and the amount of fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine (2). After the internal combustion engine (2) is started, the ECU (5) warms up the catalytic converter (4) by driving the electrical motor (1m) to forcibly rotate the turbine (1t), opening the variable nozzle (1n), and increasing fuel supply to the internal combustion engine (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Shimizu, Kazuhiko Shinagawa
  • Patent number: 8468802
    Abstract: An exhaust gas system for combustion engines is provided having at least one exhaust gas duct, in particular an exhaust pipe, and having an exhaust gas treatment device such as an oxidation catalyst, an SCR catalyst or a diesel particulate filter downstream of the exhaust gas duct, wherein, to improve the efficiency of downstream gas treatment devices, at least one secondary flow duct, in particular a secondary flow pipe, is provided in the exhaust gas duct with a cross-section reduced with respect to the exhaust gas duct which imparts coerced guidance of some of the exhaust gas flow differing from the actual exhaust gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Friedrich Boysen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Mueller
  • Patent number: 8468803
    Abstract: A soot resistant and efficient diesel fuel reformer for a diesel exhaust aftertreatment system has serially arranged first and second catalyst supports. The first support is nearer the inlet and has a monolith structure that is uniform in the direction of flow. The second support has a modified monolith structure that is non-uniform in the direction of flow. Preferably, the first support has straight channels. Preferably, the second support has internal leading edges spaced periodically through its length to break up the flow. The first support has a catalyst coating comprising at least an oxidation catalyst. The second support has a catalyst coating comprising at least a steam reforming catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Bret Robert Armanini, Jacques F. Nicole, David R. Sheridan, David Yee
  • Patent number: 8468804
    Abstract: An exhaust line of an internal-combustion engine contains a catalyst and a bypass pipe bypassing the catalyst. The bypass pipe can be shut-off by way of a shut-off valve. The shut-off valve has a diagnostic device for diagnosing a tightness of the shut-off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hubert Graf
  • Patent number: 8468805
    Abstract: A moisture adsorbent (32) for adsorbing moisture in exhaust gas and an NOx adsorbent (34) for adsorbing NOx are disposed in a bypass passage (30) for bypassing an exhaust passage (16) of an internal combustion engine (10). When an adsorption operation to the NOx adsorbent (34) is executed, inflow of the exhaust gas to the bypass passage (30) is allowed until the moisture amount that flows into the water adsorbent (32) reaches an allowable moisture inflow amount. The allowable moisture inflow amount is determined based on a residual moisture amount before the starting of the adsorption operation in the moisture adsorbent (32). The residual moisture amount in the water adsorbent (32) can be determined based on the temperature of the moisture adsorbent (32) at the immediately preceding execution of the purge operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Wakao, Takaaki Itou, Keisuke Sano, Kimikazu Yoda
  • Patent number: 8468806
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for operating an exhaust aftertreatment system of an engine in which one or more constituents of the exhaust gas are oxidized in an oxidation catalyst and one or more constituents of the exhaust gas are deoxidized by means of a group of possible chemical reactions of different type between the one or more constituents of the exhaust gas and catalytic material arranged in a selective-catalytic-reduction catalyst, wherein the exhaust gas flows from the oxidation catalyst to the selective-catalytic-reduction catalyst, wherein the steps are performed: (a) adjusting at least one desired ratio among one or more pairs of the one or more constituents by varying a space velocity of the exhaust gas in at least the oxidation catalyst; (b) varying the space velocity of the exhaust gas by varying one or more operation parameters of the engine; and (c) establishing the ratio to a value at least approaching the desired ratio among the one or more pairs of the one or more constituents at th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Lennart Andersson, Jonas Edvardsson, Jonas Jansson, Carl-Johan Karlsson, Lucas Megas, Anders Tuomivaara
  • Patent number: 8468807
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system which, in a wider temperature range, can reduce and remove nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas by a reduction catalyst with the use of hydrogen as a reducing agent is provided. The exhaust gas purification system has an electronic control device (41) which controls an EGR valve (4) and an EGR pipe (5) so that the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas obtained from a data map based on the state of an engine (10) becomes less than a predetermined value, and which controls a microreactor (19) so that hydrogen is added to the exhaust gas when the concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gas is less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Katsuki, Masazumi Tanoura, Shuuji Fujii, Daishi Ueno, Yuko Ujihara
  • Patent number: 8468808
    Abstract: A method of controlling the regeneration of a particulate filter includes defining a regeneration trigger limit for at least one operating parameter of the vehicle, modifying the regeneration trigger limit based upon a sensed ambient operating condition and a sensed vehicle operating condition to define a modified regeneration trigger limit, and regenerating the particulate filter when the modified regeneration trigger limit for the operating parameter is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Raffaello Ardanese, Michelangelo Ardanese, Christopher Whitt, Paul Jasinkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8468809
    Abstract: A system is provided for removing particulate matter from a particulate filter. The system includes an engine controller coupled to a sensor and an engine, and a locomotive controller coupled to the engine controller. The sensor outputs a first alert signal to the engine controller, including the current load and the loading rate of one or more particulate filter units. The engine controller determines a projected load and projected loading rate of the one or more particulate filter units along a route, and a time gap or distance gap based on a trip plan until the one or more particulate filter units are fully loaded. The engine controller determines a time region or distance region to remove particulate matter from the filter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shawn Michael Gallagher, Roy Primus, Jennifer Topinka
  • Patent number: 8468810
    Abstract: An NOx injection system for treating a vehicle exhaust system comprises an injector for injecting a select material into the vehicle exhaust system and including an electrical coil. An impedance element is connected in series with a flyback diode across the coil. An injector firing control circuit is electrically connected to the injector for driving the coil, the switching circuit operating in an on mode to fire the injector and in an off mode to turn off the injector. The impedance element increases reverse voltage to increase injector turn off response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Thomas, James Reynolds, Sean Keidel, Michael Shovels
  • Patent number: 8468811
    Abstract: In a land vehicle of the type having an engine and an exhaust system including an exhaust pipe, a flow diffuser for the exhaust pipe generally includes a substantially tubular body having an outer wall, an interior, and first and second ends, the first end being an exhaust inlet configured to be attachable to an exhaust pipe, the second end being an exhaust discharge portion having an exit plane, a plurality of radial struts extending inwardly from the inner surface of the outer wall to the center of the exit plane for dividing the exhaust discharge portion divided into a plurality of exit channels, and a plurality of air channels extending from the outer wall to the interior of the tubular body configured for delivering air to the interior of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8468812
    Abstract: An exhaust scavenging system for an internal combustion engine including exhaust passages extending from the engine and an exhaust outlet system. A collector extends from the bundled ends of the exhaust passages to the exhaust outlet system. A central exhaust passage extends into the collector from a central position among the bundled exhaust passage outlets. The transverse cross-sectional area of the central exhaust passage through at least half of the transition collector portion from the outlet plane is not substantially less than the transverse cross-sectional area of the central exhaust passage at the outlet plane in the extended position and does decrease continuously through the transition collector portion from the outlet plane in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Gale C. Banks, III
  • Patent number: 8468813
    Abstract: A muffler for an internal combustion engine exhaust system includes a housing having an inlet and outlet headers enclosing opposite ends of an outer shell. A partition divides a housing interior into first and second chambers, the first chamber having sound absorbing material positioned therein. The partition has an aperture allowing fluid communication between the first and second chambers. A through pipe extends through the inlet and outlet headers and the partition and has a plurality of perforations enabling fluid communication between the through pipe and the first chamber. A valve assembly has a valve flap positioned inside the through pipe for rotation with an axle pivotally coupled to the pipe between a closed position and an open position. The valve is positioned downstream of the pipe perforations such that all of an exhaust gas flowing through the muffler passes through the valve regardless of the valve flap position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Hill, Howard C. Macaluso, Steven Clayton
  • Patent number: 8468814
    Abstract: A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: LightSail Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle A. Fong, Stephen E. Crane, Edwin P. Berlin, Jr., AmirHossein Pourmousa Abkenar, Kartikeya Mahalatkar, Yongxi Hou, Todd Bowers, Karl E. Stahlkopf
  • Patent number: 8468815
    Abstract: In various embodiments, cylinder assemblies are coupled in series pneumatically, thereby reducing a range of force produced by or acting on the cylinder assemblies during expansion or compression of a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: SustainX, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy O. McBride, Robert Cook, Benjamin R. Bollinger, Lee Doyle, Andrew Shang, Timothy Wilson, Michael Neil Scott, Patrick Magari, Benjamin Cameron, Dimitri Deserranno
  • Patent number: 8468816
    Abstract: In a hybrid working machine in which the maximum engine output is set at the average power and the maximum pump input is set to be larger than the maximum engine output in a normal state, in an abnormal state in which the level of charge of a battery decreases and assistance ability of a motor function of a power machine is lost, the minimum pump flow rate is reduced to a value equal to or smaller than a standby flow rate, the standby flow rate being the minimum pump flow rate used in normal state control, and a set value of the maximum pump input is changed such that the maximum pump input is smaller than the maximum engine output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Sora
  • Patent number: 8468817
    Abstract: A compressed-air energy storage system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a reversible mechanism to compress and expand air, one or more compressed air storage tanks, a control system, one or more heat exchangers, and, in certain embodiments of the invention, a motor-generator. The reversible air compressor-expander uses mechanical power to compress air (when it is acting as a compressor) and converts the energy stored in compressed air to mechanical power (when it is acting as an expander). In certain embodiments, the compressor-expander comprises one or more stages, each stage consisting of pressure vessel (the “pressure cell”) partially filled with water or other liquid. In some embodiments, the pressure vessel communicates with one or more cylinder devices to exchange air and liquid with the cylinder chamber(s) thereof. Suitable valving allows air to enter and leave the pressure cell and cylinder device, if present, under electronic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: LightSail Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Danielle A. Fong, Stephen E. Crane, Edwin P. Berlin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8468818
    Abstract: There are provided: an HST hydraulic circuit that is formed through a closed circuit connection of a variable displacement hydraulic pump 2 and first and second variable displacement hydraulic motors 3 and 4; a charge pump 6 that replenishes the HST hydraulic circuit with hydraulic oil; a cooling circuit through which an excess of the hydraulic oil that has been replenished from the charge pump 6 to the HST hydraulic circuit is returned to a reservoir through the hydraulic pump 2, the first hydraulic motor 3, and the second hydraulic motor 4; a hydraulic source 7 that supplies hydraulic oil to an hydraulic device other than the first and second hydraulic motors; and a merge circuit through which a portion of hydraulic oil from the hydraulic source 7 is merged into an intermediate oil line 22 that lies downstream of the first hydraulic motor 3 and upstream of the second hydraulic motor 4 in the cooling circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hyodo, Kazuo Ishida, Tsuyoshi Takeyama, Tadayoshi Aoki, Takehiko Katsuragi, Shoroku Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8468819
    Abstract: A pump and engine combination having a pair of hydraulic pumps and at least a portion of the engine disposed in a portion of an engine housing that defines a sump, and the hydraulic pumps each have a trunnion that extends out of one of the sidewalls of the sump portion of the engine housing. The trunnions may be detachably connected to swash plate bodies engaged to the pumps in order to facilitate assembly of the combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael L. Bennett, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 8468820
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining the brake pedal actuation force exerted by a vehicle driver on an actuating pedal in an electrohydraulic brake system which includes a brake master cylinder and an electromechanically driven booster stage connected upstream of the brake master cylinder. The brake pedal actuation force sought is determined according to the formula FPed,Bet=FBet,Hz?FVerst by evaluating output signals of a pressure sensor which detects the pressure induced in the brake master cylinder, and of an auxiliary force determining device which detects the boost force made available by the booster stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventor: Stefan A Drumm
  • Patent number: 8468821
    Abstract: A system for a sequential turbocharger includes a loop control module, a set-point module, and a loop operation module. The loop control module generates a loop control mode signal based on an engine speed signal and an engine load signal. The loop control mode signal indicates one of a single-loop control mode and a dual-loop control mode. The set-point selection module determines at least one of a boost pressure set-point value and an exhaust pressure set-point value based on the loop control mode signal, the engine speed signal, and an engine torque signal. The loop operation module operates at least one of a variable geometry turbine and a bypass valve of the sequential turbocharger during the single-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value, and during the dual-loop control mode based on the boost pressure set-point value and the exhaust pressure set-point value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventors: Zhiping Steven Liu, Anupam Gangopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8468822
    Abstract: A process and electromechanical system for conditioning the incoming air or air/fuel charge for an internal combustion engine to result in an optimally prepared charge in terms of temperature of the charge and fuel dispersion in the charge. The process includes compressing intake air, bifurcating the compressed intake air stream to provide for heating one branch of the stream while not further purposely heating the other. The process further includes controlling the proportion between the bifurcated stream portions to provide for a desired set point temperature of the combined stream. The process includes selection of the set point temperature such that the temperature of the air is in the vicinity of the fuel self ignition temperature at the end of the compression stroke. Primary components include one or more of an air compressor, heat exchanger, bypass duct, proportioning valve, airflow director, and attendant control system including sensors, processor, and actuator(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Rix E. Evans
  • Patent number: 8468823
    Abstract: Disclosed is a supercharged direct-injection engine, which comprises a supercharging device (25, 30) for compressing intake air, and an injector 10 for directly injecting fuel into a combustion chamber 5. In the engine, an excess air factor ? as a ratio of an actual air-fuel ratio to a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, at least in an engine warmed-up mode, is set to 2 or more in the entire engine-load region. Further, compressed self-ignited combustion is performed in a low engine-load region, and a supercharging amount by the supercharging device (25, 30) is increased along with an increase in engine load in a high engine-load region to allow the excess air factor ? to be kept at 2 or more. The engine of the present invention can effectively reduce NOx emission, while improving fuel economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Hitomi, Masahisa Yamakawa, Takashi Youso, Toshiaki Nishimoto, Keiji Araki
  • Patent number: 8468824
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving vehicle performance by application of pneumatic boost to vehicle engines, including diesel engines having at least one turbocharger supplying air to the engine, in a manner which increases engine torque output while minimizing the potential for exceed various operating limits to the maximum practicable extent. The vehicle's pneumatic booster system controller implements strategies for shaping the rate of the air injection during a boost event, tailoring the air injection to obtain maximum engine torque output while respecting the operating limits, by controlling the timing, duration, quantity and/or injection pattern during a boost event to achieve a refined distribution of compressed air injection over the course of the boost event to provide desired engine torque output and fuel efficiency while minimizing the potential for exceeding a wide variety of operation limits, regulatory, engineering and passenger comfort limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: William J. Schaffeld, Nicholas Asmis, Mark W. McCollough, Richard Beyer
  • Patent number: 8468825
    Abstract: One or more methods for generating electricity using waste heat are provided herein. The method can include providing an exhaust gas to a first silencing chamber within an inner housing of a heat recovery silencer, flowing the exhaust gas from the first silencing chamber to a second silencing chamber within the inner housing, flowing the exhaust gas from the second silencing chamber to a third silencing chamber within the inner housing and imparting a spiral flow path to the exhaust gas as the exhaust gas enters the third silencing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Maxim Silencers, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Cone, Mitzi Jones Gass, Matthew Wayne Wishert