Combined Patents (Class 417/313)
  • Publication number: 20070189909
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and methods for manufacturing semiconductor devices and more specifically exhaust system apparatus and methods used in conjunction with a plurality of semiconductor processing chambers. The overall apparatus includes a plurality of process modules in which a semiconductor process is performed and an exhaust module to which the process modules are independently connected by fluid exhaust lines. The exhaust module amplifies an exhaust functionality of the system by more effectively and reliably drawing exhaust material from the process modules to be efficiently and effectively exhausted from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventor: Sung-Chul Youn
  • Patent number: 7255540
    Abstract: A gas processing well head pump assembly consisting of a reciprocating piston compressor pump having input and output ports; an internal combustion engine connected operatively to the compressor pump; a first gas conduit having a wall, a well head end, a pump end, and having an expanded bore between the well head and pump ends, the pump end being fixedly attached to the gas pump's input port, the wall having a first and at least a second aperture overlying the expanded bore; a second gas conduit having a pump end fixedly attached to the gas pump's output port, the second gas conduit entering the first gas conduit's expanded bore through the first aperture, and the second gas conduit exiting the expanded bore through the at least second aperture; and a natural gas liquids separator positioned within the first gas conduit's expanded bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Jerry A. Cooper
  • Patent number: 7234926
    Abstract: A compressor assembly comprising first and second housing structures connected to one another. A compression chamber is formed integrally within the first and second housing structures. A separation chamber is formed integrally within the first and second housing structures. An internal fluid passage extends between the compression chamber and the separation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Brian David Sowards
  • Patent number: 7207786
    Abstract: Fuel pump assembly 10 includes a filter 42 that rests on ledge 48, between the pump housing 22 and inlet cap 56. Filter detector 50 has a valve engager 62 for opening the check valve 58 and bearing feet 52 that engage the perimeter of the filter. When the filter is absent from the pump, the bearing feet 52 of the filter detector move beyond the ledge 48 into the recess 54 and the valve engager stem 62 retracts from the check valve 58 and the valve closes to terminate flow of fuel to the pump. The inlet and outlet caps 56 and 76 are rotatably mounted to the intermediate body of the pump to allow the fuel inlet and outlet to be oriented at angular intervals about the pump. A progressive seal is formed at the O-ring 86 between the inlet end cap 56 and the fuel pump housing to continue the seal as the end cap is removed or reassembled with the housing so that the check valve is closed before the housing is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Barry S. Grant
  • Patent number: 7201016
    Abstract: A refrigerant supply apparatus for supplying a refrigerant to a cooling target. The apparatus includes a refrigerant supply channel through which pure water as the refrigerant is supplied to the cooling target, an impurity removing unit disposed in an impurity removing channel which is a channel different from the refrigerant supply channel, a sensor which measures a purity of the pure water, and a valve which stops supply of the pure water to the cooling target when the purity of the pure water does not satisfy a predetermined standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7198473
    Abstract: An air compressor unit having an enclosure with a base. A motor is rigidly mounted to the base, and the motor drives both an airend and an impeller. The airend is pivotally mounted with respect to the base. The airend is directly connected to a horizontal separator tank, and the separator tank supports the airend. The airend and separator tank comprise a single integrated unit, and the separator tank is pivotally mounted to the base. The motor is a dual shafted motor having a drive side shaft and a non-drive shaft extending from opposite ends of the motor. A drive system is coupled to the drive side shaft and transfers power from the motor to the airend. The drive system is a belt and pulley system, and the airend is pivoted with respect to the motor to adjust belt tension. The impeller is coupled to the non-drive side shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Mark Stickland, Jason Hunt, Stephen Sharp
  • Patent number: 7198076
    Abstract: An air pump assembly is disposed within an inflatable article, and includes a movable member. When the movable member is moved relative to a base to an inflating position, an outflow outlet in the base is closed, and an inflow valve is activated to open an inflow outlet in the base so as to permit air to be sucked into the inflatable article through an inflow inlet and the inflow outlet in the base by an air pump. When the movable member is moved to a deflating position, the inflow inlet is closed, and an outflow valve is activated to open an outflow inlet in the base so as to permit air to be forced out of the inflatable article through the outflow inlet and the outflow outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Hsin-Tsai Wu
  • Patent number: 7195463
    Abstract: A method of installing a removable inlet port filter plate having a replaceable filter between a compressor inlet port and a suction hose assembly is taught. The inlet port filter plate includes a main body and mounting surfaces for attachment between the compressor and the suction hose assembly or between the compressor and the compressor hose block. The main body defines a passage that allows for refrigerant flow through a filter which is positioned in the passage. In one preferred embodiment the diameter of the filter is greater than the inside diameter of the compressor inlet port. In another preferred embodiment the diameter of the filter is greater than the inside diameter of the suction hose assembly outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas M. Wall
  • Patent number: 7189065
    Abstract: A regenerative source of heat is provided for the oil used to lubricate a compressor within a heating, cooling or refrigeration system. The regenerative source absorbs heat from the oil when it is circulating through the compressor at a relatively high temperature. The regenerative source gives up heat to the oil following deactivation of the compressor. The source of heat includes a thermal phase change material that is preferably a hydrated salt capable of storing sufficient thermal energy to maintain the oil above any temperatures that would cause damage to the moving parts of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin F. Dudley
  • Patent number: 7178592
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for handling fluids returning from a well. The fluids are introduced into a separator and a separated gas stream is recovered or recycled. The gas stream may comprise more than one phase. The separated gas stream is urged through a multiphase pump before it is recovered. Alternatively, the return fluids may pass through a multiphase pump before it is introduced into the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory H. Chitty, Jeffrey Charles Saponja, David Graham Hosie
  • Patent number: 7156625
    Abstract: Fuel pump 10 includes a filter 42 that rests on ledge 48, between the pump housing 12 and inlet cap 56. Filter detector 50 has a valve engager stem 62 for opening the check valve 58 and bearing feet 52 that engage the perimeter of the filter but the bearing feet are out of alignment with the ledge. When the filter is absent from the pump, the bearing feet 52 of the valve engager move beyond the ledge 48 and the valve engager stem 62 retracts from the check valve 58 and the valve closes to terminate flow of fuel to the pump, thus limiting the fuel that can escape from then pump when it is opened. At least one of the inlet and outlet caps 56 and 76 are rotatably mounted to the intermediate body of the pump to allow the fuel inlet and outlet to be oriented at angular intervals about the pump to facilitate the connection of fuel lines to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Barry S. Grant
  • Patent number: 7152265
    Abstract: An inflatable product includes a pack having a first vent with a first valve, a second vent with a second valve, a third vent in communication with the ambient, a first chamber in communication with the first vent, a second chamber in communication with the second vent, and an air pump pumping air into and out of the pack through the third vent when activated in a first and second direction. A first switch structure is movable between first and second orientations. The first orientation opens the first valve and activates the air pump in the first direction to inflate the first chamber. The second orientation closes the first valve. A second switch structure is movable between third and fourth orientations. The third orientation opens the second valve and activates the air pump in the second direction to deflate the second chamber. The fourth orientation closes the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Team Worldwide Corporation
    Inventor: Wang Cheng Chung
  • Patent number: 7134848
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pump (1) having a pump guide tube (13) for the transport of a heat-exchange medium (6) for a reactor having a bundle of catalyst tubes (2), where the pump (1) has a casing (14) which surrounds the pump guide tube (13), having an aperture (15) in the lower part of the casing (14) via which the heat-exchange medium (6) discharged from the lower region of the reactor by means of the pump (1) flows into the casing (14), flows upward in the region between the inner wall of the casing (14) and the outer wall of the pump guide tube (13), if desired via a heat exchanger (18), flows into the interior of the pump guide tube (13) via an aperture (16) in the upper region of the pump guide tube (13), flows through the pump guide tube (13) from top to bottom and flows via an aperture (17) in the lower region of the pump guide tube (13) into the reactor, into the upper region of the interspace between the catalyst tubes (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Olbert, Torsten Mattke, Matthias Kummer, Thomas Rühl, Frank Rosowski
  • Patent number: 7118353
    Abstract: A reduced pressure or pressurizing pump is provided which can be used in a wide variety of fields of foods, pharmaceuticals, medical treatment, agriculture, healthcare equipment, room air conditioning, combustion, biotechnology, and so on. By the application of the pump of the present invention, there can be materialized, for example, an oxygen enriching apparatus or a nitrogen enriching apparatus, which have the features of an oil-free structure, a small size, compactness, low vibration, low noise, long operating life, and so on. A transport groove of a viscosity pump, which exerts a force feed action on the fluid, is formed at a relative displacement interface between a rotor and a housing, and the rotor supported by a bearing capable of coping with a high-speed rotation is rotated at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Maruyama, Keigo Kusaka, Miyuki Furuya, Kazuichi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7114932
    Abstract: A pivoting vane rotary compressor includes a housing having a generally pear-shaped chamber. A rotor mounted within the chamber defines a main and constricted chamber regions. Reversible intake and exhaust ports alternately introduce air into and exhaust air from the chamber. The rotor carries pivotable vanes and a motor drives the rotor alternately in opposing first and second directions to open the vanes and define compartments that transmit the air through the chamber between the ports. Air introduced through one of the ports is compressed and discharged through the other port. A concentrator employs a pair of these compressors as well as associated filters and crossover valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Stuart Bassine
  • Patent number: 7100372
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle air compressor device which includes a motor device serving as a driving power source, and a drier device that conducts compressed air; the drier device arranged opposite to the motor device; and a supporting member for supporting the air compressor device on a vehicle at a portion where the motor device and the drier device are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morito Ohshita, Masakazu Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7094037
    Abstract: An oil-cooled screw compressor which can maintain the discharge temperature of discharge gas at an appropriate level is provided. The oil-cooled screw compressor comprises a compressor body, an oil separation/recovery unit disposed in a discharge path extending from a discharge port of the compressor body, and an oil feed path extending from the oil separation/recovery unit and communicating with the compressor body 12. The oil feed path is branched at an intermediate position thereof into a first feed path portion and a second feed path portion. An opening/closing valve is disposed in the first feed path portion, a pressure gauge is disposed in the discharge path, and a control unit is provided to control opening and closing of the opening/closing valve on the basis of a correlation between a discharge pressure detected by the pressure gauge and a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Nakamura, Junichiro Totsuka, Shoji Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7094036
    Abstract: A vacuum pumping system comprises a first gas supply for supplying a first gas, such as xenon, to a vacuum chamber. A pump receives the gas output from the chamber. A second gas supply supplies a purge gas, such as nitrogen or helium, for pumping with the first gas. A gas separator receives the pumped gases exhausted by the pump, and recovers the first gas and the purge gas from the stream. The recovered first gas is recirculated through the vacuum chamber, and the recovered second gas is recirculated through at least the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Darren Mennie, Ron Clark Lee, Robert Bruce Grant, Barrie Dudley Brewster, Joanne Rachel Greenwood
  • Patent number: 7077486
    Abstract: An enclosure for handling hazardous material includes a sealable housing which is configured with a first air inlet connected to a bubble gauge and a second air inlet disposed inside the housing for air evacuation from the housing is connected to a pump for maintaining subatmospheric pressure in the enclosure and for drawing a stream of air inwardly through the first air inlet via the bubble gauge into the housing and out the second air inlet. A filter interposed in the stream of air leading to the second inlet. At least one glove port is formed in the housing and has a flexible relatively gas impermeable glove connected thereto. An air exchange port in the housing is operably connected to a sealed bellows which provides for changes in air volume within the enclosure which occurs from moving the glove within the enclosure under subatmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen F. Tattershall
  • Patent number: 7052249
    Abstract: A group is provided for a compressed air distribution unit of the type including an intake regulator, an oil bath-screw type compressor, an air/oil separating tank, a minimum pressure valve, an air cooling radiator, a pressurized air collection tank, a thermostatic valve, and an oil cooling radiator, wherein the group includes the air/oil separating tank, the thermostatic valve, the minimum pressure valve, the oil cooling radiator, the air cooling radiator all connected to a cover for the air/oil separating tank resulting in a single-block group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Mietto Virgilio
  • Patent number: 7052250
    Abstract: A reciprocating compressor, being small-sized and compact, for compressing hydrogen gas to be used in a fuel-cell car, has a crankshaft, to which an end of a connecting rod is connected. The other end of the connecting rod is connected to a crosshead. To the crosshead are connected a pair of shafts, each extending in directions opposing to each other. To each of the shafts is connected a plunger. The each plunger is received within a cylinder at the tip portion thereof. A pair of plungers moves reciprocally on an almost same axis, and the crosshead is formed in one body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruo Miura, Shigeru Arai, Youichirou Fukai, Yasuo Fukushima
  • Patent number: 7048520
    Abstract: A multistage sealed pump is provided for use in an X-ray tube cooling system which is substantially more efficient than pumps of known construction and which provides substantially higher pumping pressure at lower motor current than conventionally. The pump employs multiple impellers which are plumbed in series and which are directly coupled to an electrical motor which with the impellers is submerged and runs in the coolant liquid. The impellers and motor are sealed within a housing and the pump unit is hermetically sealed, with no rotatable shaft seals being used or required. In one embodiment, the multistage pump employs a motor having oppositely extending motor shaft ends, with one or more impellers on each end of the motor shaft. The cooling liquid can be transferred from stage to stage by interconnecting tubing external of the housing or within the housing, through a hollow motor shaft, or through the motor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: James McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7037085
    Abstract: A dual gear, single outlet material pump includes a base plate, a lower gear plate and two associated gears, a spacer plate, an idler shaft, a drive shaft, an upper drive gear, and an upper gear plate. An upper idler gear is housed within a tri-lobed aperture of an upper gear plate. A plurality of screw holes are through a top plate. A plurality of heating plates are coupled to the sides of the assembled pump and a plurality of temperature sensors are coupled to the recesses in the spacer plate. An outlet manifold couples with each of the outlets of the lower gear plate and the upper gear plate to form a single outlet. The method of construction produces an easily disassembled, cleaned, and re-assembled pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventors: Patricia A. Stark, Jon Zook
  • Patent number: 7029243
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas compressor capable of preventing deformation of a filter used for separating oil contained in a compressed gas. The gas compressor includes a suction port, a suction chamber, a gas compressing portion, a compressed gas releasing portion provided in the gas compressing portion, a discharge chamber, and a discharge port. Provided in the discharge chamber is a filter for separating oil contained in the compressed gas. The filter is configured such that the outer peripheral portion of the filter is expanded peripherally upon its deformation caused when the force (dynamic pressure) of a jet stream formed by the flow of the compressed gas released from the compressed gas releasing portion and the force (static pressure) due to a difference in pressure between front and rear sides of the filter which is generated by the flow path resistance in the filter are applied to the filter whereby the force with which the filter is held in close contact with the filter installation portion is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Calsonic Compressor Inc.
    Inventor: Hiromiki Ono
  • Patent number: 7021903
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for evacuating a number of vacuum processing chambers containing incompatible gases. The gases are directed to a subatmospheric abatement chamber containing preconditioning devices. The gases are treated in the abatement chamber to render them compatible. The compatible gases are then drawn from the abatement chamber as a single stream through a backing pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Bailey, Michael S. Boger
  • Patent number: 7014431
    Abstract: A forced air warming unit has a casing with inlet and outlet openings. The casing encloses a scroll housing with a curved inside surface in which a blower is disposed. A circuit board in the casing encloses the blower in the scroll housing. At least one opening penetrates the circuit board. A heater plate is disposed between the circuit board and the blower. The blower draws air through the inlet opening, along a first side of the circuit board through the at least one opening into the scroll housing. The blower also forces air along a second side of the circuit board which faces the scroll housing, through air passages in the circuit board, along the first side through the at least one opening, into the scroll housing. The blower accelerates air along the curved inside surface and past the heater plate. Heated, pressurized air exits through the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Hansen, Allen Hamid Ziaimehr, Randall C. Arnold
  • Patent number: 7008193
    Abstract: A MEMS-fabricated microvacuum pump assembly is provided. The pump assembly is designed to operate in air and can be easily integrated into MEMS-fabricated microfluidic systems. The pump assembly includes a series of pumping cavities with electrostatically-actuated membranes interconnected by electrostatically-actuated microvalves. A large deflection electrostatic actuator has a curved fixed drive electrode and a flat movable polymer electrode. The curved electrodes are fabricated by buckling the electrode out-of-plane using compressive stress, and the large deflection parallel-plane electrostatic actuators are formed by using the curved electrode. The curved electrode allows the movable electrode to travel over larger distances than is possible using a flat electrode, with lower voltage. The movable electrode is a flat parylene membrane that is placed on top of the curved electrode using a wafer-level transfer and parylene bonding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Khalil Najafi, Hanseup S. Kim, Luis P. Bernal, Aaron A. Astle, Peter D. Washabaugh
  • Patent number: 7000424
    Abstract: A refrigerant cycling device is provided. The refrigerant cycling device comprises a compressor, an intermediate cooling circuit and a three-way valve device. The compressor is connected to a heat exchanger and a depressurizing means, for performing a cooling operation and a heating operation. The compressor further comprises a first and a second rotary compression elements within a sealed container, and a refrigerant that is compressed and discharged by the first rotary compression element is introduced to the second rotary compression element. The intermediate cooling circuit is used for radiating heat of the refrigerant discharged from the first rotary compression element. The three-way valve device for opening a passage of the intermediate cooling circuit during the cooling operation. In this way, the coefficient of production (COP) during the cooling operation can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Masaji Yamanaka, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Kazuya Sato, Kentaro Yamaguchi, Kazuaki Fujiwara, Akifumi Tomiuka
  • Patent number: 7001156
    Abstract: An improved structure of an air inflation device is disclosed. External air is drawn to the motor and cylinder to provide rapid cooling so that the efficiency of the motor is maintained. In the present invention, a plurality of air filters is used to filter air. Thereby the air inflation device is useful and practical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Chih-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 6992381
    Abstract: An integrated circuit to be cooled may be abutted in face-to-face abutment with a cooling integrated circuit. The cooling integrated circuit may include electroosmotic pumps to pump cooling fluid through the cooling integrated circuits via microchannels to thereby cool the heat generating integrated circuit. The electroosmotic pumps may be fluidically coupled to external radiators which extend upwardly away from a package including the integrated circuits. In particular, the external radiators may be mounted on tubes which extend the radiators away from the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah E. Kim, R. Scott List, James G. Maveety, Alan M. Myers, Quat T. Vu, Ravi Prasher, Ravi Mahajan, Gilroy Vandentop
  • Patent number: 6988874
    Abstract: A tile flood pump for attachment to a tile or drain pipe and pumping water from a field through the tile or drain pipe to a drainage ditch or canal. The tile flood pump is characterized by a cylindrical pump housing fitted with a flange for removably bolting to the existing tile or pump embedded in a levee or dike separating the field from the drainage canal and a cylindrical impeller housing enclosing one or more shaft-mounted rotating impellers, the impeller housing extending into the pump housing in angular relationship for pumping water from the field through the pump housing and the tile and into the ditch. A pump housing flapper valve on the intake end of the pump housing can be selectively open or closed by a control rod mechanism to facilitate a flow of water by direct drainage through the pump housing and the tile into the ditch, or for pumping water through the impeller housing, the pump housing and the tile when the water in the ditch is at a higher level than the water in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Rick D. Spargo
  • Patent number: 6981852
    Abstract: A combined strainer and valve release structure formed as a unitary part of polyethylene with the strainer having a perforated wall and the valve release having a pushrod located on one side of the wall and an actuator tab located on the other side of the wall, with the pushrod in proximity to a movable member of an inlet check valve in a rest position and manually movable to an actuated position to dislodge the movable member when the movable member is adhered to a valve seat in the inlet check valve. The strainer moves the pushrod to the rest position when released from manual actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventor: Steven A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6960066
    Abstract: A water pump includes a rotation member, a hollow shaft portion having an opening on one end and connected to the rotation member for unitary rotating with the rotation member, an impeller connected to the shaft portion for unitary rotating with the shaft portion, a body defining a fluid chamber in which the impeller is rotated, a bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft portion on the body, a sealing member provided between the shaft portion and the body for sealing the fluid chamber and a cover portion for substantively closing the opening of the shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yojiro Koga, Itsuro Hashiguchi, Masaki Chujo, Akihiro Katsumata, Takumi Hattori
  • Patent number: 6957604
    Abstract: The invention relates to an axial piston drive with a continuously adjustable piston stroke, which comprises a drive shaft (10, 12) on which a swash plate (16) is supported in a crank chamber (14) in such a way as to be tiltable and displaceable in the axial direction, as well as a controller (18, 20) by means of which an tilt angle and an axial position of the swash plate (16) can be adjusted, and at least one piston (26, 28) connected to the swash plate (16) so that it can be actuated to move within a cylinder (22, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Zexel GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Tiedemann, Otfried Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 6948920
    Abstract: A hand held an portable pump has a housing with an inlet on the bottom and an outlet on its side. A central tube extends up from the housing and has a bulb attached at its end. An inlet gate is positioned proximate the inlet to operate between a closed position in which the flow of liquid there through is inhibited and an open position in which liquid may flow through the inlet. The outlet has an outlet gate that is positioned to inhibit the flow of liquid into the housing in its closed position and to permit the flow of liquid out of the housing and into a discharge tube in the open position. The bulb is operated between an at rest position and a deflected or compressed position to urge fluid into and out of the bulb and in turn draw liquid through the inlet into the housing and to urge the liquid out of the outlet and into the discharge tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: SWS Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Stoner, Tyler Merica
  • Patent number: 6942467
    Abstract: There is provided an ultra high vacuum (UHV) compatible lead-through comprises (a) a housing, (b) a first space, within the housing, connected via a first port to a space outside the UHV-compatible lead through, (c) a second space, within the housing, connected via a second port to a closed system containing a polarized gas, (d) a movable component, separating the first space from the second space via an intermediate space, and (e) seals for limiting a penetration of volatile media from the first space into the second space. The lead through is particularly suited for use in the production of polarized gases, such as 3He.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventors: Anselm Deninger, Michael Ebert, Jan Hasse, Werner Heil, Ernst W. Otten, Jörg Schmiedeskamp, Reinhard Surkau
  • Patent number: 6926503
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the vibration and noise from a pump that is located in an analyzer. Vibration and noise dampening materials are used to secure the pump so that the vibration and noise are kept to a minimum, thereby, making it more comfortable for an operator to hold the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip McGee, Robert Kochie, Durval S. Ribeiro
  • Patent number: 6926502
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a driven element, a driving element operably coupled to the driven element, and a shield coupled to the driving element such that the shield at least partially covers at least one of the driven element and the driving element. The driven element includes a housing with an outer surface. The outer surface has a first raised portion and a first non-raised portion, the first non-raised portion at least partially surrounding the first raised portion, the first raised and first non-raised portions define a first surface pattern. The shield has an outer surface with a second raised portion and a second non-raised portion. The second non-raised portion at least partially surrounds the second raised portion, defining a second surface pattern substantially similar to the first surface pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Chih M. Lin, Norm R. Long, William J. Watkins, Ron Hirth
  • Patent number: 6923007
    Abstract: A system and method of pumping liquified gas. Applicants systems includes a liquified gas storage vessel and a smaller high pressure high pressure liquified gas storage cylinder. Applicant provides a pump between the two vessels for pumping the liquified gas from one vessel to the other. Applicants system also includes at least one heat exchanger through which the liquified gas passes as it is pumped from one vessel to the other, which heat exchanger cools the liquified gas that is being pumped to a temperature typically below the vaporization point of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventors: Trevor K. Markham, Glen M. Arnott
  • Patent number: 6913449
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the treatment of metallic workpieces (4) with cooling gas, having a cylindrical housing (3) with an opening at the end face for introducing and removing the workpieces (4), two support plates (6, 7) extending in parallel planes vertically in the housing (3) and two air-guiding plates (14, 15) are provided, the workpiece batch (4) being held between the support plates (6, 7), and the air-guiding plates (14, 15) each forming, with the adjacent support plates (6, 7) and with the respectively adjacent inner wall of the housing, shafts (16, 17 and 26, 27, respectively) through which the cooling gas conveyed by blowers held on the housing (3) flows, controlled by reversing flaps (18, 19, 20, 21) arranged at the upper and lower ends of the air-guiding plates (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: ALD Vacuum Technologies AG
    Inventors: Klaus Loeser, Georg Stueber, Gerhard Welzig, Volker Heuer
  • Patent number: 6905320
    Abstract: A scroll-type fluid machine such as a scroll compressor or a scroll vacuum pump generates compression heat during compressing operation. A scroll body comprises a stationary scroll and an orbiting scroll that is revolved with respect to the stationary scroll eccentrically. The stationary scroll has a stationary wrap and the orbiting scroll has an orbiting wrap engaged with the stationary wrap to form a compression chamber therebetween. In the scroll-type fluid machine, a cooler is provided to cool high-temperature compressed air discharged from a discharge bore at the center of the stationary scroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Anest Iwata Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Satoh, Tamotsu Fujioka
  • Patent number: 6899527
    Abstract: A closed-drift Hall effect plasma vacuum pump includes one or more pumping conduits which are linked with a radial magnetic field. The magnetic field separates a plasma from a plasma at a higher pressure which is formed by cross-field plasma transport from a plasma processing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Bill H Quon, Samuel S. Antley, Andrej S Mitrovic
  • Patent number: 6896491
    Abstract: A mounting flange for housing a bearing cup of a roller bearing is disclosed. The mounting flange includes a recess sized to receive the bearing cup. A radial wall is defined by the recess and an outer periphery of the mounting flange. The radial wall includes at least one region of greater radial thickness than the radial thickness at another region. The at least one region of radial thickness defines at least one ear. The mounting flange also includes at least one flexibility pocket in the at least one ear. The flexibility pocket is configured to provide substantially uniform, radial deformation to the mounting flange when the bearing cup is fit into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Timur T. Trubnikov, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6890160
    Abstract: A fuel pump is provided that is submersible within a fuel, for example, within a fuel tank of an automotive vehicle and is particularly suited for use with high alcohol content fuels that tend to contain ionic species. The fuel pump comprises an electric motor that includes a commutator and a negative brush electrode that is connected to a negative terminal of an external power supply. The electric motor is at least partially disposed within a metal shell that is in contact with the fuel. The metal shell is also connected to the negative terminal of the external power supply. During operation, a negative electrical potential is applied to the metal shell to preferentially react with ions within the fuel. In this manner, the metal shell serves as a anode to reduce the concentration of ionic species in the fuel, thereby decreasing reactions with the brush electrode and extending the useful life of the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dave Dokas
  • Patent number: 6887046
    Abstract: An impeller pump with thermostatically adjustable guide vanes is suitable for use as an automotive coolant pump. The pump is driven by a constant speed electric motor, and flow variation is controlled by varying the orientation of the vanes. Orientation of the vanes is effected by a wax-type thermostat, which senses coolant temperature: flow is increased when the coolant is hot, and decreased as the coolant cools. The variable guide vanes are mounted for pivoting about radial axes, and are located just upstream from the pump impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Flowork Systems II LLC
    Inventors: Walter Otto Repple, John Robert Lewis Fulton
  • Patent number: 6877964
    Abstract: Apparatus for inducing, impeding, selectively filtering or otherwise effecting fluid flow in microfluidics applications. Opposing mesh layers are placed into relative motion by a variety of motive forces. Fluid between the opposing mesh layers is compressed so as to be pumped through the mesh layers when the relative motion of the layers is toward each other. Mesh layers may also be offset from each other though an actuating force so that one mesh layer blocks the openings in the other mesh layer, thereby creating an impediment to fluid flow. The degree of offset may be varied so as to create a partial impediment to fluid flow, thereby presenting a filter effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Daniel J. Burns, Thomas E. Renz
  • Patent number: 6863508
    Abstract: A pump for gases to be measured having a pump housing in which a pump chamber is located. The pump chamber is sealed off by a working membrane that is connected to a crank drive by a connecting rod or similar lifting mechanism. A heating device is provided in an upper area of the pump housing, particularly in the pump head. Heat insulation covering at least the pump head is provided. The heat insulation is in the form of an insulating housing having an inner wall spaced apart from the pump head in order to form a gas insulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: KNF Neuberger GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Hauser
  • Patent number: 6860723
    Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring a rate of flow of a fluid, such as a CMP slurry, comprising a pump for pumping the slurry; a flow meter for monitoring the rate of flow of the slurry; and a controller operably connected to the flow meter and the pump. The controller receives signals from the flow meter indicating the rate of flow of the slurry and controls the operational speed of the pump responsive to the flow meter signals. A degasser equipped with a level sensor may be further provided in the system for removing gas bubbles from the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ben-Shu Chen, Chao-Jung Chang, Jui-Cheng Lo, Chin-Hsin Peng, Chien-Kuo Lu
  • Patent number: 6857860
    Abstract: The invention concerns a metering gear pump comprising a set of gears supported and guided solely by the inner peripheral surface of the lobe of the chamber wherein they are housed. They do not comprise any shaft to act as support or guide, thereby enabling to reduce significantly useless spaced difficult to rinse when changing the product to be pumped. For the same purpose, the driving shaft is flexibly connected to the driving gear. Such arrangement provides the advantage of requiring only one single packing seal. Such a pump, connected to a drive motor and an encoder delivering a signal proportional to the number of pump cycles, enables to provide an accurate metering pump for numerous uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Pomtava SA
    Inventors: Philippe Zimmermann, Joseph Ruegg
  • Patent number: 6840746
    Abstract: A resistive muffler attenuates sound generated by the gas intake and suction valve during compressor operation of a refrigerant compressor. The resistive muffler is assembled inline with the suction gas flow of the compressor and is positioned within the compressor housing. The resistive muffler attenuates the sound generated by the compressor during its operation as refrigerant gas is drawn into the compressor from an evaporator and passes through the resistive muffler in transit to the suction valve and hence to the region of the compressor where the gas is physically compressed. The resistive muffler includes a muffler housing having an intake end and an exhaust end. An acoustic foam assembly is incorporated into the muffler housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Edwin Marshall, David Rex Gilliam, Timothy Michael Wampler, David Turner Monk