Gas Outlet Patents (Class 261/65)
  • Patent number: 11698649
    Abstract: Provided is a concentration control module that improve responsiveness of concentration control of a vaporization system, and is used in a vaporization system. The concentration control module includes a concentration measuring part configured to measure a concentration of a source gas; a valve provided in a lead-out pipe configured to lead out the source gas from the tank; a pressure target value calculating part configured to calculate a pressure target value inside the tank by using a concentration target value of the source gas, and a concentration measured value of the concentration measuring part; a delay filter configured to generate a pressure control value by applying a predetermined time delay to the pressure target value obtained by the pressure target value calculating part; and a valve control part configured to feedback-control the valve by using a deviation between the pressure control value obtained by the delay filter, and a pressure inside the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11598429
    Abstract: An eclipse valve includes at least two reciprocating obturator plates captured in a sealed housing. The obturator plates fill the width of a cavity within the housing and can be moved between aligned and unaligned positions. Each of the obturator plates have an opening through the plate, and when the obturator plates are aligned, the openings through the plates are aligned with each other, and with front and rear openings in the housing, allowing flow through the valve. The plates can be moved to reduce the overlap of the openings through the plates within the housing in an eclipse manner to adjust the rate or amount of flow, and to shut off flow by completely un-aligning the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Chad Heffernan
  • Patent number: 11312609
    Abstract: A kit for dispensing a beverage through a dispense tube comprising a dispense valve, the kit comprising: •—an assembly of a keg (1) and a closure (2), the keg (1) and closure (2) assembly comprising: •a. an inner vent mechanism incorporated in the closure or at the interface of keg and closure, the inner vent mechanism configured to fluidly connect the inner space and intermediate space when an overpressure of predetermined value Poo occurs in the flexible bag; and •b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Vanessa Valles, Lieven Dirx, Daniel Peirsman
  • Patent number: 10001086
    Abstract: A carburetor with throttle shaft retainer system. The throttle shaft retainer system employs a retainer member in the form of a retainer pin or retainer clip that is pressed into the body of the carburetor to engage a retainer groove formed about or partially about the circumference of the throttle shaft. The interaction between the retainer member and the retainer groove prevents movement in the axial direction of the throttle shaft. With certain drilling and machined cuts to the throttle shaft, the retaining pin acts as the wide-open-throttle (WOT) stop when the throttle is rotated to a WOT position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: USA ZAMA, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Hutchinson, Jay A. Perry
  • Patent number: 9127854
    Abstract: A damper having a housing includes a rotatable damper vane therein constructed to minimize the passage of air between the vane and the housing when the vane is in a closed position. The housing includes a pair of opposed walls having a channel or flute therein adjacent outer edges of the vane when the vane is in the closed position. The outer edges of the vane terminate in domed or arcuate shaped surfaces that generally correspond with the channel. The arcuate shaped surfaces are a distance apart that is greater than a distance between the opposed walls such that the arcuate shaped surfaces are received in the channels when the vane is in the closed position. The housing also includes a pair of opposed sidewalls having a ridge therein at a location that aligns with an edge of the vane when the vane is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: AIRFIXTURE LLC
    Inventors: Scott Michael Briar, Michael J McQueeny
  • Publication number: 20150082991
    Abstract: A system for making a personalized malt-based beverage may comprise at least one packaged base liquid and at least one separately packaged flavor ingredient. The at least one packaged base liquid may comprise at least about 0.1% wt ethyl alcohol, at least about 3% wt malt extract solids, and a carbon dioxide level between about zero grams per liter and about 1.5 grams per liter. The separately packaged flavor ingredient may comprise a dry ingredient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: ANHEUSER-BUSCH, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome PELLAUD, Frank Z. HELLWIG, James P. KEANE, Wilfried LOSSIGNOL, Aaron PENN, Patrick O'RIORDAN
  • Publication number: 20150024088
    Abstract: A system and method is described for providing different levels of carbonated water on demand. The system includes a pressurized chamber to hold at least one of water and carbonated water, a gas canister to dispense carbon dioxide (CO2) into the pressurized chamber, a controller to control the dispensing of the CO2 according to level of carbonation required and a valve to vent excess gas from the pressurized chamber after carbonation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Avi COHEN, Allan RING, Alon WAISMAN, Israel BAUMBERG
  • Publication number: 20140327159
    Abstract: A soda machine with a safety fitting, which includes a carbon dioxide steel cylinder, a soda cylinder, a gas outlet controller fitted to the carbon dioxide steel cylinder and a gas inlet fitted to the soda cylinder; said gas outlet controller includes a gas inlet body, a drive rod, a valve core and a valve core seat, the gas inlet body including a drive rod channel, a valve core seat chamber and a gas outlet hole; a limit disk being provided at a junction area of the drive rod and the valve core; and further comprising a safety valve, a gas inlet hole of the safety valve communicating to the gas outlet controller, and a gas outlet hole communicating to the gas inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Ning Song
  • Publication number: 20140239518
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a body, a carbonated water tank to produce carbonated water through mixing of clean water with carbon dioxide gas, a sensor unit inserted, at at least a portion thereof, into the carbonated water tank, to sense an internal state of the carbonated water tank, and a holding unit disposed at one side of the carbonated water tank while holding the sensor unit in a fixed state. Through this configuration, it is possible to achieve easy coupling of the sensor unit and lines to the carbonated water tank while preventing water leakage even when the internal pressure of the carbonated water tank is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Koog AN, Kyung Ho HWANG, Sang Min PARK
  • Publication number: 20140225285
    Abstract: A beverage preparation machine of the type which uses pre-packaged containers of beverage ingredients is described. The beverage preparation machine is configured for controlling the volume of air resident in at least a part of a delivery system of the machine to produce predetermined characteristics in a prepared beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Kraft Foods R&D, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Andrew Hansen, Andrew Charles Bentley, Elizabeth Jane Hinckley, Mark Richard Thomas Norton
  • Publication number: 20140077399
    Abstract: A system for carbonating a personalized beverage may comprise a base container including at least one sidewall defining a liquid storage area, and a carbon dioxide storage member configured to be sealingly coupled to said base container. The system may further comprise a carbon dioxide cartridge configured to selectively release carbon dioxide when engaged with said carbon dioxide storage member, and wherein said carbon dioxide storage member further comprises a pressure regulator configured to, when actuated, release the said carbon dioxide from said carbon dioxide cartridge at a rate configured to carbonate a beverage within said liquid storage over a period of time greater than 6 hours and less than 36 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: ANHEUSER-BUSCH, LLC
    Inventor: ANHEUSER-BUSCH, LLC
  • Patent number: 8641016
    Abstract: The carbonation device includes a cap system selectively mounted to the mouth of a liquid container. The cap system includes a cap, a syringe piston reciprocable within the cap, an actuating mechanism for reciprocating the syringe piston, and a reaction vessel selectively attached to the bottom of the cap. The syringe piston includes a storage area to be filled with water by repeated activation of the actuating mechanism. The water from the charged syringe piston discharges into the reaction vessel that has been filled with a preselected amount of reactants to initiate the carbonation reaction. In an alternative embodiment, the carbonation device includes a rotatable control ring to selectively puncture a CO2 cartridge inside the reaction vessel or introduce water into the reaction vessel to initiate carbonation reaction. In both embodiments, the CO2 flows from the reaction vessel into the container to carbonate the beverage contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Patrick J. Tatera
  • Publication number: 20130309361
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a carbonated water production module integrally provided with a carbon dioxide gas cylinder having carbon dioxide gas stored therein and a carbonated water tank to mix purified water with the carbon dioxide gas to produce carbonated water. The carbonated water production module is mounted to the rear surface of the door, and thus it may be cooled by cool air in the refrigeration compartment and be easy to access, and thereby repair and replacement thereof is facilitated. The dispenser includes a carbonated water discharge channel into which carbonated water from the carbonated water tank is discharged, and a purified water discharge channel into which purified water from the water tank is discharged. Since the purified water discharge channel does not pass through the carbonated water tank, a user is allowed to selectively dispense purified water or carbonated water anytime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Soo KYONG, Sang Tak Lee, Kyung Ho Hwang, Hyun Hee Lim
  • Patent number: 8561971
    Abstract: A carburetor has a throttle element rotatably supported on a throttle shaft and a choke element rotatably supported on a choke shaft. A first coupling element is fixedly connected to the throttle shaft. A second coupling element is connected to the choke shaft. The first and second coupling elements define in a locked position a start position of throttle element and choke element. The locked position is released by rotation of the throttle shaft in opening direction of the throttle element. The locked position is released by rotation of the choke shaft in opening direction of the choke element. One of the first and second coupling elements is an at least partially elastic coupling element. Upon rotation of the choke shaft from the locked position into an open position, the elastic coupling element is elastically deformed and releases the locked position between the first and second coupling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Levien, Alexander Kraus
  • Publication number: 20130228177
    Abstract: A CPAP humidifier system includes an air pump, a humidifier tank, a control valve, and an auxiliary reservoir. The humidifier tank has an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. The air inlet opening fluidly connects to the air pump, and the air outlet opening fluidly connects to an air mask. The control valve is attached to the air outlet opening and defines both an air outlet passageway and a liquid inlet passageway. The auxiliary reservoir fluidly connects to the liquid inlet passageway for providing liquid to the humidifier tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald Schueller
  • Patent number: 8511650
    Abstract: A carburetor assembly includes a carburetor (9) wherein a section of an intake channel (10) is configured. A throttle element and a choke element are pivotally journalled in this intake channel (10). A first coupling element is fixedly connected to the throttle element so as to pivot therewith and a second coupling element is fixedly connected to the choke element so as to pivot therewith. The first and second coupling elements form a blocking arrangement which prevents an engagement of the choke element when the throttle element is not actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens-Peter Kern, Arne Jensen, Ralf Schenk, Johannes Lang, Thomas Hilt, Erik Andresen, Steffen Joos, Juner Bytyqi
  • Publication number: 20130187297
    Abstract: The water aerator using a compressed gas container is a self-contained unit having a float and a container of compressed gas (e.g., air, oxygen, etc.) installed beneath a perforated diffuser plate that, in turn, is positioned below the float. High-pressure gas from the container flows through a pipe or tube to a regulator valve and pressure gauge at the top of the pipe. A larger diameter low-pressure pipe or tube is placed concentrically about the high-pressure pipe. Regulated low-pressure gas flows down through the outer low-pressure pipe to a dispensing nozzle below the diffuser plate, whereupon the gas flows upward and is broken up by the perforations in the diffuser plate to form smaller aeration bubbles. An electrical power source, pressure switch, and light may be provided to indicate when the compressed gas container is depleted. The device may be motorized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: BADER SHAFAQA AL-ANZI
  • Patent number: 8459291
    Abstract: To prevent loss of control of a pressure of a source gas within a movable range of a control valve, a source gas concentration control system is provided. The system may include a first valve that is provided on an outlet line, a concentration measurement part that measures a concentration of the source gas in mixed gas, and a concentration control part that controls a stroke of the first valve such that the measured concentration of the source gas becomes equal to a predetermined concentration setting. The measured concentration may be measured in the concentration measurement part. The system may further include a temperature controller that controls a temperature inside the tank to meet a temperature setting, and a temperature setting part that sets the temperature setting of the temperature controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: HORIBA, Ltd., HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Minami, Masaki Inoue
  • Patent number: 8459290
    Abstract: A material gas concentration control system for keeping a concentration of a material gas in a mixed gas constant comprising a tank to accommodate the material, an inlet line to input a carrier gas for evaporating the accommodated material into the tank, and an outlet line to output the mixed gas consisting of the material gas evaporated in the tank and the carrier gas, and further comprising a first valve arranged in the inlet line, a concentration measuring part that measures the concentration of the material gas in the mixed gas, and a concentration control part that controls an open degree of the first valve so as to make the measured concentration of the material gas measured by the concentration measuring part become the previously determined set concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Horiba, Ltd., Horiba Stec, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Minami, Daisuke Hayashi, Yuhei Sakaguchi, Katsumi Nishimura, Masaki Inoue, Kotaro Takijiri
  • Publication number: 20130118977
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for enriching a first liquid with a gas and introducing the gas-enriched first liquid into a second liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Blissfield Manufacturing Company
  • Publication number: 20130113124
    Abstract: A carbonated water manufacturing device, including a sleeve and a bottle cap which are mutually independent, wherein the sleeve includes a sleeve body and a plug body inside the sleeve; the sleeve body and the plug body are provided with a first through-hole and a second through-hole at their side surfaces, respectively; the bottle cap is provided with a perforated through-hole whose bottom is connected with an injection tube; the upper part of the bottle cap is fittingly connected with the lower part of the plug part; the opening at the lower part of the sleeve body is fittingly connected with the lower part of the outer edge of the bottle cap, and the top of the sleeve body acts on the carbon dioxide housing body in the sleeve body; the connection of the lower part of the bottle cap and the injection tube is provided with a check valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventor: David Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8297598
    Abstract: A simple start diaphragm carburetor includes a carburetor body, a main adjutage, a throttle subassembly, a choke spindle, a linkage subassembly and a start fuel passage. The linkage subassembly includes a first linkage subassembly, a reset element and a second linkage subassembly which cooperates with the first eccentric element to form a linkage. When the first linkage subassembly opens the start fuel passage, the second linkage subassembly drives the main fuel supply channel to be open partially. Rotate the throttle subassembly and the choke spindle is reset by the reset element, thereby closing the start fuel passage. The simple start diaphragm carburetor can increase the probability of the successful start of an engine and keep the engine warmed-up for a long time, and reduce the burden of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Qi An Chen
  • Patent number: 8240639
    Abstract: A carburetor configured for use with an internal combustion engine includes a body defining a passageway therein, a throttle lever including a cam surface, and a throttle valve positioned in the passageway and responsive to movement of the throttle lever. The throttle valve is configured to rotate about a first axis from a wide-open first position to a second position at least 50 degrees from the first position. The carburetor also includes a choke lever including a follower surface configured to be engaged by the cam surface and a choke valve positioned in the passageway and responsive to movement of the choke lever. One of the cam surface and the follower surface includes an arcuate segment having a constant radius centered on a second axis. The arcuate segment is sufficiently long such that the throttle valve is configured to move at least 15 degrees while the other of the cam surface and the follower surface engages the arcuate segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventor: David D. Roth
  • Publication number: 20120052964
    Abstract: An underwater device for generating a vortex ring includes a liquid chamber, and a fluid or air chamber contiguous to the liquid chamber and separated by a partition wall. The liquid chamber includes a generally rigid section and a compressible or flexible section. The rigid section includes an opening for selectively loading the liquid chamber with a liquid and for discharging a vortex ring therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Eric W. Curry
  • Patent number: 8074970
    Abstract: A fragrance disperser in one form includes a single fan that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance. A second form has the fan reversible to provide two different airstreams that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power. An alternative source has a reservoir for fragrance and a wick located in an air passage forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance. Where two fragrances are provided, the fragrance sources may be located side-by-side and matching fragrances may have, for example, matching indicia on the sources so that the match can be easily determined visually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: CTR Consultoria Técnica e Representações Lda.
    Inventors: Richard P. H. Pankhurst, Brian D. Smith, Michael J. Evans
  • Patent number: 8047510
    Abstract: An evaporation supply apparatus for raw material used in semiconductor manufacturing includes a source tank in which a raw material is pooled; a flow rate control device that supplies carrier gas at a regulated flow rate into the source tank; a primary piping path for feeding mixed gas G0, made up of raw material vapor G4 and carrier gas G1, an automatic pressure regulating device that regulates a control valve based on the detected values of the pressure and temperature of mixed gas G0 to regulate the cross-sectional area of the passage through which the mixed gas G0 is distributed so as to hold the pressure of the mixed gas G0 inside the source tank constant; and a constant-temperature heating unit for heating the source tank to a set temperature, in which mixed gas G0 is supplied to a process chamber while controlling the pressure inside the source tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Kaoru Hirata, Masaaki Nagase, Atsushi Hidaka, Atsushi Matsumoto, Ryousuke Dohi, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7975988
    Abstract: A device for carbonating a liquid (L) in a container (10) with a pressurized gas (G) comprises a receiving flask (20) for the container (10) and a filling head (30) which has means (31) for adding gas into said liquid in the container (10). The receiving flask (20) and the filling head (30) are movable in relation to each other between an insertion position (I) and a carbonating position (C). In the insertion position (I) the filling head (30) is spaced from the receiving flask (20). In the carbonating position, the receiving flask (20) and the filling head (30) are in contact with each other such as to form a substantially closed cavity (19). An interlocking connection directly connects the receiving flask (20) to the filling head (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Soda-Club Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Anthony Thomson, Antony Frank Pateman
  • Patent number: 7950630
    Abstract: This invention relates to a gas-liquid mixing device, forming a safety valve, designed capable of being incorporated into a gas-cleaning installation including a liquid tank (4), an inlet (1) for gas to be cleaned and an outlet (7) through which the gas flow is evacuated. It is characterized in that it has: a tube (2) sliding around the gas inlet (1) and including a peripheral float (8) located in its lower end and designed capable of floating in said tank (4), said sliding tube (2) being open in its lower portion, in order to draw liquid from said tank (4) by a venturi effect and to create a mist in a pressure-relief zone (5); a mixing chamber (6) interposed between said sliding tube (2) and said outlet (7), and designed capable of conveying the flow of said mist towards the bottom of said tank (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: WINDDROP
    Inventor: Gerard Curien
  • Publication number: 20110109706
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly comprising an array of nozzles fed by a corresponding ink inlet. An ink chamber corresponding to the array of nozzles is fluidly connected to the ink inlet. An air extraction chamber includes an air chamber, a one-way relief valve having an open position that allows venting of the air chamber to ambient, and a closed position that does not allow venting of the air chamber to ambient. A compressible member forces air to be vented from the air chamber through the one-way relief valve in its open position. It also applies a reduced air pressure to a membrane while the one-way relief valve is in its closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Richard A. Murray
  • Publication number: 20110042108
    Abstract: A portable compressed gas foam system having a rocket engine, fueled with hydrogen peroxide and a suitable propellant, which produces exhaust gases. The exhaust gases are injected into a water tank, aerating the water and pressurizing the water tank. Foam concentrate may be added to the tank or separately in a mixing stage and is aerated by the aerated and pressurized water. The aeration produces bubbles in the foam and entrains exhaust gas within the bubbles. The aerated foam can then be sprayed onto a fire through a foam injection nozzle, extinguishing the fire both by wetting the burning materials and by smothering it by reducing the amount of oxygen available to burn. The invention may also be adapted for use in a firehose or in an underslung bucket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Kurt Hiebert
  • Patent number: 7758024
    Abstract: A dissolving water making unit and a bubble generating unit are provided. The dissolving water making unit includes a gas dissolving device for dissolving gas in water. The bubble generating unit includes a bubble generating nozzle and a bubble generating cartridge. The dissolving water making unit sucks water from a water source, and sucks gas to make dissolving water from a mixed solution in which the water and the gas are mixed together. The dissolving water is obtained by dissolving the gas in the water. The bubble generating unit generates microbubbles from the dissolving water supplied from the dissolving water making unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Shoei Butsuryu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsunejiro Takahashi, Toshitaka Okumura, Koichi Kubo
  • Patent number: 7621511
    Abstract: A fragrance disperser includes a first source (25) of fragrance associated with a first flowpath (21) and a second source of fragrance (26) associated with a second flowpath (23). A fan (17) provides a flow of air along the first flowpath (21) or the second flowpath (23) to release the associated fragrance. A flow controller (38, 52) is movable by an actuator (34) to open and close the flowpaths (21, 23) so that only one fragrance is released at a time or a proportionate mixture of the two fragrances is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Carbonate Limited
    Inventors: Paul Richard Hayes-Pankhurst, Keith Graham Lacy, Paul Simon Wells
  • Patent number: 7533872
    Abstract: An oxygen generator including: a humidifier tank moves up and down according to a horizontal movement of an adjustment knob so that the humidifier tank can be readily detachable, and thus a user can securely and conveniently use the oxygen generator without any water leakage from the humidifier tank during an operation of the oxygen generator. Also, it is possible to reduce noise due to driving of a compressor, noise due to the nitrogen exhaustion, and noise due to driving of a fan portion when the oxygen generator operates, to display purity information about the discharged oxygen, sensed by an oxygen sensor, as a digitalized numerical value on a display portion so that a user may readily recognize a current oxygen purity, and to drive the compressor at a low power consumption based on a discharge flow rate of oxygen and thereby reduce the power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Oxus Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae Soo Lee, Yoon Sun Choi, Young Duck Kim
  • Patent number: 7497419
    Abstract: A carburetor (1) has an adjusting element which is mounted in an intake channel (3). An actuating element (19) is provided for actuating the adjusting element. The carburetor (1) has a coupling element for connecting the actuating element (19) to the adjusting element. The coupling element has a receptacle (23, 43) for the actuating element (19). In the receptacle (23, 43), the actuating element (19) is held moveable in its longitudinal direction opposite to the actuating direction (35). The coupling element has an access opening which makes the receptacle (23, 43) accessible at the periphery. An unintended unhooking of the actuating element (19) out of the coupling element is avoided when the access opening has an access slot (26) which extends at an angle to the receptacle (23) up to the receptacle (23). The access slot (26) is connected to the receptacle (23) via at least one connecting slot (31, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Sonnenkalb, Steffen Joos, Heinz Hettmann, Juner Bytygi
  • Patent number: 7438285
    Abstract: A refrigerator incorporating in its door a water dispenser within a compartment present on the outside of the door, the dispenser being connected to a water container of given capacity carried by the door and provided to enable the contained water to be carbonated via a connection to a cylinder that contains the carbonating gas and is also disposed in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marco Maritan, Stefano Tavolazzi
  • Patent number: 7434793
    Abstract: A throttle body for an air intake system of an internal combustion engine, which includes a combustion chamber. The throttle body includes a body, a throttle plate and a coating. The body defines a throat through which air flows to the combustion chamber. The throttle plate, which is pivotally mounted with respect to the body, moves between first and second configurations with respect to the throat. The first configuration of the throttle plate substantially prohibits the air flow through the throat, and the second configuration of the throttle plate permits air flow through the throat. The coating, which is on at least one of the throat and the throttle plate, sheds contaminants that extend between the body and the throttle plate in the first configuration of the throttle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Carlton Kunath, Dennis Lanni, Mathias Warmbrunn
  • Patent number: 7431270
    Abstract: A heating tower apparatus for heating a liquid having an air flow inlet stream and a first air flow outlet and a second air flow outlet. The first air flow outlet provides a first outlet air flow stream and has a first outlet door that moves between an open position and a closed position. The second air flow outlet provides a second outlet air flow stream and has a second outlet door that moves between an open position and a closed position. The heating tower also includes a heat exchange portion having coils through which liquid to be heated flows. The heating tower is operable in a first configuration wherein the first outlet door is in the open position while the second outlet door is in the closed position. The heating is also operable in a second configuration wherein the second outlet door is in the open position while the first outlet door is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eldon F. Mockry, Jidong Yang, Gregory P. Hentschel, Jason Stratman, Glenn S. Brenneke, Darrin Ray Clubine, James Douglas Randall, Ohler L. Kinney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7427057
    Abstract: A combustion engine carburetor has a control valve assembly that generally controls flow through a fuel-and-air mixing passage extending through a body of the carburetor. The control valve assembly has at least one valve preferably of a butterfly-type having a shaft that extends transversely across the fuel-and-air mixing passage and journaled for rotation in the body about a rotation axis. The shaft has opposite trailing and leading end portions that project from generally opposing sides of the carburetor body. Axial movement of the shaft with respect to the body is limited by an axial retention feature that preferably has a radially enlarged end cap formed unitarily to the trailing end portion and a coupler snap fitted to the leading end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Erin E. Kampman, George M. Pattullo
  • Patent number: 7416170
    Abstract: A carbonator for a beverage dispenser is characterized by a carbonator tank that is placed at a generally inaccessible first location in the beverage dispenser. Liquid and CO2 are supplied to the tank to carbonate liquid in the tank and carbonated liquid at an outlet from the tank is delivered to a beverage dispensing valve. To control delivery of liquid to the carbonator tank and thereby the level of liquid in the tank, a liquid level sensor is fluid coupled to an interior of the tank and is placed in the beverage dispenser at a generally accessible second location that is remote from the first location and from the tank. Placement of the liquid level sensor remote from the carbonator tank and at an accessible location facilitates its repair and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventors: Thaddeus M. Jablonski, Andrew J. Tobler
  • Patent number: 7344123
    Abstract: A fragrance disperser (10) in one form includes a single fan (101) that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance (102). A second form has the fan (11) reversible to provide two different airstreams (29a, 29b; 60a, 60b) that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets (31, 40; 47, 48) joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick (37a, 37b; 56a, 56b) and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power (45). An alternative source (81a, 81b) has a reservoir (82a, 82b) for fragrance and a wick (87a, 87b) located in an air passage (83a, 83b) forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Carbonate Limited
    Inventors: Richard P. H. Pankhurst, Brian D. Smith, Michael J. Evans
  • Patent number: 7288276
    Abstract: The water carbonation method and apparatus of the present invention consists of a square mixer within a carbonated chamber. The mixer is partially filled with water. Carbon dioxide is then added above the level of water. A rotating member attached to the mixing motor then mixes the water and carbon dioxide to form a carbonated solution. Varying the time for which the carbonation operation is carried on may vary the degree of carbonation. After the specified carbonation cycle, excess carbon dioxide is then relieved through an exhaust solenoid and the remaining carbonated solution is released through the dispensing solenoid into a cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventors: Gyorgy Rona, Janos Oscenas, Scott Nicol
  • Patent number: 7114707
    Abstract: The water carbonation method and apparatus of the present invention consists of a square mixer within a carbonated chamber. The mixer is partially filled with water. Carbon dioxide is then added above the level of water. A rotating member attached to the mixing motor then mixes the water and carbon dioxide to from a carbonated solution. Varying the time for which the carbonation operation is carried on may vary the degree of carbonation. After the specified carbonation cycle, excess carbon dioxide is then relieved through an exhaust solenoid and the remaining carbonated solution is released through the dispensing solenoid into a cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventors: Gyorgy Rona, Janos Oscenas, Scott Nicol
  • Patent number: 7104527
    Abstract: A choke valve is fixed to a predetermined position even after manual release, whereby an improved start and a subsequent stable operation are obtained. A fixing force and a valve opening force are applied to a choke valve shaft. Further, a pin of a choke valve lever pushes an arm piece of a throttle valve lever to slightly open a throttle valve when a choke valve is in a fully open position, and the choke valve opens half way to return the throttle valve to an idle position by a valve closing spring when a complete firing of the engine is achieved. When opening the throttle valve, a cam of the throttle valve lever pushes the pin to open the choke valve, a valve opening force overcomes a fixing force near the fully open position to set the choke valve to the fully open position, and the pin separates from the cam to open and close the throttle valve without interference with the choke valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Z AMA Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kimio Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7097160
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved apparatus (10) for treating a liquid with a gas having a generally cylindrical outer housing (24) and a coaxial inner housing (40) defining both an outer and an inner chamber (26, 46) and a plurality of inlets (70, 80) for introducing a fluid and a gas therein to generate a helical current throughout both chambers (26, 46). The present invention further includes a re-circulated fluid outlet (100) and a primary fluid outlet (104) for removing mixed fluid and gas that is disposed radially outwardly in a bottom portion of the inner chamber (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Ozone Safe Food, Incorporated
    Inventor: William R. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6915555
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a loudspeaker comprises: continuously forming diaphragm portions and alignment portions on a band resin film; positioning one of a frame and a protector at an upper die or lower die; aligning other alignment portions formed on the frame, the protector, or the upper or lower die having the film disposed thereon, with the alignment portion formed on the film; bonding the frame and the resin film that is to form the diaphragm; and cutting a diaphragm out of the resin film. A position of bonding the diaphragm to the frame or the protector can be easily determined by aligning the alignment portion formed on the band resin film with another alignment portion provided on the frame, the protector, or the lower or upper die on which the frame or protector is disposed. Further, a conventionally-indispensable ring can be eliminated to reduce a number of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Ajiki
  • Patent number: 6880812
    Abstract: A carburetor is provided that supplies an appropriate amount of fuel at engine start-up and in a specific range of rotational speed, and allows stable engine operation at a target rotational speed. The carburetor comprises a first fuel system (F1) for metering fuel from the constant fuel chamber (18) with a metering needle (32) linked to a throttle valve (5), and delivering the fuel to an air intake passage (2); and a second fuel system (F2) for controlling fuel compressed by a fuel pump (8) with an electromagnetically driven control valve (52) and delivering the fuel to the air intake passage (2); by supplying pressured fuel controlled by the control valve (52) in a predetermined specific range of rotation and controlling the rotational speed during start-up and warm-up, a target rotational speed can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Zama Japan
    Inventor: Takumi Nonaka
  • Patent number: 6863268
    Abstract: A method of humidifying gases to 100% relative humidity and a humidifier to carry out such a method are provided to humidify gases for fuel cells and for other applications. The humidification of gases is thermally controlled and thermal energy is managed to provide an efficient system. A pre-humidifier accommodates a wide range of flow rates of dry gas to initially humidify and pre-heat the gas, and a boiler provides steam to mix with the effluent from the pre-humidifier to humidify the gas to saturation. A thermal insulator between the boiler and bulk water and/or pre-humidifier enhances the steam generation from the boiler and prevents direct heating of water or gases by heat from the boiler. Above the boiler, bulk water, and pre-humidifier, a mixing chamber further functions as a condenser and water separator. The mixing chamber provides a space for mixing gases and steam and separates saturated gases from condensed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Chaojiong Zhang
  • Patent number: 6843470
    Abstract: An air diffuser (2) having a diffuser tube (5) immersed sidewardly in a tank (1), a flushing pipe (9) opening at its tip an outlet (11) at an upper position of the diffuser tube, and a flushing valve (12) disposed in the flushing pipe (9). The diffuser tube (5) is made up of a main pipe (6) communicated at its basal end to an air supply source (8) and communicated at its tip to the flushing pipe (9), and a plurality of branch pipes (7) being communicated to the main pipe (6) and opening at their tip as a blowhole (10) at a lower position of the main pipe (6). During air diffusion, air is supplied from the air supply source (8) with tile flushing valve (12) closed, and the air is diffused from the blowholes (10). During flushing, air is supplied from the air supply source (8) with the flushing valve (12) opened and an intra-tank mixed liquor is sucked from the openings of the diffuser tube (5), thereby flushing the inside of the diffuser tube (5) with the sucked intra-tank mixed liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunobu Okajima, Tatsuya Uejima, Masaaki Nagano, Kiyoshi Izumi
  • Patent number: 6827339
    Abstract: A variable venturi-type carburetor has a base defining a central channel having an upper inlet end and a lower outlet end. A variable venturi assembly is situated in the middle of the central channel. The variable venturi assembly has a support, a conical body, and a resilient member. The support is fixed in the base, the bottom of the conical body is movably connected to the support, the surface of the conical body and the base define a venturi throat and the resilient member is situated between the support and the conical body. A fuel reservoir is provided in the base. A path structure connects the fuel reservoir and the venturi throat. A cam control mechanism is also part of the venturi assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Ming Ching Wang
  • Patent number: 6824125
    Abstract: An apparatus, and its method of operation, are described that allow for the production of gas-filled vortex rings in a host liquid. A source of gas under pressure is connected via a tube to the inlet of a regulation valve whose outflow is connected via a similar tube to an accumulator volume. The accumulator has an outlet that feeds the gas in the accumulator to an electrically operated solenoid valve that is normally closed. The outlet of this valve leads to a nozzle that protrudes upwards into a vessel containing the liquid in which it is desired to form the rings. Upon receiving an electrical pulse of known duration, the solenoid valve opens for that duration and allows a momentary pulse of gas to flow from the accumulator into the nozzle. If the pulse duration is correctly set, a vortex bubble forms at the exit of the nozzle which self-organizes into a defined ring once the gas flow ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Andrew S. W. Thomas