Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas W. Speckman
  • Patent number: 5075141
    Abstract: This invention relates to decorative strips for shower partitions. The decorative strips are constructed in the form of a circular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Inventor: Jurgen-Peter Sudmann
  • Patent number: 5064636
    Abstract: A paramagnetic oil emulsion for enteric administration composed of about 5 to about 30 volume percent oil and about 70 to about 95 volume percent aqueous-based paramagnetic carrier, the aqueous-based paramagnetic carrier having a magnetic resonance contrast effective and less than a toxic amount of at least one water-soluble paramagnetic agent. The paramagetic oil emulsion provides high intensity magnetic resonance signals in the gastro-intestional tract for MRI evaluation of the abdomen and pelvis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Inventors: King C. P. Li, Peter G. P. Ang
  • Patent number: 5055690
    Abstract: A method of eliminating additional absorption caused by water vapor in detecting gases wherein absorption of infrared light is used to determine measured abosrption signals and interference absorption signals. The method of eliminating water vapor absorption comprises the steps of emitting infrared light from a light source into an optical cell, and admitting sample gas into the optical cell. The infrared light is passed through the optical cell to a chopper wheel which positions at least two band pass filters and the filtered light emitted from the band pass filters is detected by an infrared radiation detector. The interference caused by water vapor absorption at a measurement channel is subtracted and thus, a true measurement channel which is free of any interference caused by water vapor absorption is produced. The true measurement channel is used to positvely and accurately identify the gas. The method of this invention may also be used to eliminate interference around more than one measurement channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Ulrich Bonne
  • Patent number: 5052360
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for timed port injection and enriched stratified charge of fuel, preferably gaseous fuel, into an internal combustion engine. The process begins with forming a lean fuel/air mixture with a first fuel portion in an intake manifold upstream of a port injector. The lean fuel/air mixture is uniformly distributed into a combustion chamber during an intake phase of an engine cycle. A subsequent fuel portion is injected in a controlled manner during the intake phase so as to form a stratified charge near the ignitor within the cylinder. The stratified charge within the cylinder is ignited and combusted. Combustion products are then exhausted from the combustion chamber. This invention also provides an apparatus and process for injecting a gaseous fuel within a combustion chamber to form an enriched portion of a stratified charge near the ignitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: William D. Ingle, III, Allen D. Wells
  • Patent number: 5052584
    Abstract: A pill dispenser having two cylindrical main components that fit into one another, an inner concentric wall and an outer concentric wall displaceable relative to one another in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the pill dispenser. The outer concentric wall or the inner concentric wall has at least one recess and a counterpart is positioned on the other concentric wall so that the one main component of the pill dispenser is moveable within the recess upon actuation of the pill dispenser whenever the two main components are aligned in a suitable angular position with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Firma Createchnic AG
    Inventor: Werner F. Dubach
  • Patent number: 5050582
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for heating fluids, particularly for heating cooking oil within a deep fat fryer. A fuel-air mixture is introduced and combusted within a combustion tube, preferably of either a power burner or a pulse combustor. The flue gases are discharged from the combustion tube, into a plenum. A baffle arrangement is used to direct the flue gases from the plenum through a passageway, creating flue gas flow in one direction over a primary portion of an outer surface of the fluid container, and then in a counterflow direction over a secondary portion of the outer surface of the fluid container. The flue gases are then discharged from the passageway into a flue stack. According to the process and apparatus of this invention, flue gas temperatures are reduced to about 200.degree. F.-400.degree. F., nitrogen oxides can be reduced to 10 ppm or lower, carbon monoxide is reduced to 4 ppm or lower, and the overall thermal efficiency of the fluid heater is increased to approximately 80-85 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Arkansas Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: James Almond, Wayne Wooldridge, Robert E. Davis, Ralph Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 5046545
    Abstract: A tension mounting system and assembly for suspending a flexible sheet material in a taut condition from a generally planar support surface and providing selective tension adjustment of the flexible sheet material is provided. The mounting system and assembly is especially suitable for use in signs displaying advertising material, such as billboards, signboards, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Joseph K. Favata
    Inventors: Russell M. Loomis, Joseph K. Favata
  • Patent number: 5045413
    Abstract: A fully internally manifolded fuel cell stack is provided by each separator plate and electrolyte in the fuel cell stack having a plurality of aligned perforations forming gas manifolds extending for the length of the cell stack. Each perforation through the separator plate is surrounded by a flattened manifold wet seal structure extending to contact the electrolytes on each face of the separator plate to form separator plate/electrolyte wet seals under cell operating conditions. Conduits through the extended manifold wet seal structure provides gas communication between one set of manifolds and the anode chambers on one face of the separator plates and conduits through the extended manifold wet seal structure on the opposite face of the separator plates provides gas communication between the other set of the manifolds and the cathode chambers on the other face of the separator plates. Extended wet seal structures formed of thin plate metal provide limited flexibility and resiliency to assure good sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: Marianowski, Leonard G., Randy J. Petri, Mark G. Lawson
  • Patent number: 5043505
    Abstract: A catalytic process for gas phase oxidative coupling of aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds to produce higher molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds, the catalyst being a mixed basic metal oxide or sulfide catalyst. One preferred mixed basic metal oxide catalyst is boron/alkali metal promoted metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: Erek J. Erekson, Anthony L. Lee, S. Peter Barone, Irvine J. Solomon
  • Patent number: 5035647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for securing a receptacle housing, positioned at the end of a cable, in an opening of a wall. The receptacle housing and the opening have a generally rectangular cross-sectional area and can be connected with each other in at least two positions, offset by 90.degree. from each other. The receptacle housing has detent springs which engage with the wall, from behind. A securing strap is fixed on the cable which is connected to the receptacle housing. The other end of the securing strap is connected to a cover. The cover can be mounted on the contact side of the receptacle housing. The cover can be guided through a groove-shaped recess while the securing strap is pushed through a side wall of the opening. The alignment between receptacle and opening, without impairment of the passage of the securing strap, is achieved in that the opening of the wall only has recesses for the securing strap of the cover in two side walls, located at right angles to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Schafer
  • Patent number: 5033944
    Abstract: A lubricant circuit and a process for circulating a lubricant through such lubricant circuit of a compressor unit incorporating a planetary rotating compressor having a piston in an opening of a cylinder-piston. One embodiment of a circuit and one embodiment of a process of this invention relies on pressure in a lubricant separator vessel to force the flow of lubricant through the circuit to the compressor, and used lubricant pump as a scavenge pump. Another embodiment of a circuit and another embodiment of a process of this invention relies on the pressure developed by the lubricant pump to force the flow of lubricant through the circuit to the compressor, and utilizes a float operated valve to maintain constant lubricant level in the lubricant separator vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Unotech Corporation
    Inventor: Marek J. Lassota
  • Patent number: 5029607
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant fluid connector is mounted to a wall for quickly connecting and disconnecting a fluid supply line to an appliance or other device. The tamper-resistant fluid connector has a housing body with an inlet. A plug is rotatably secured within the housing body. The plug has a plug through hole that is communication with the inlet, in an open position of the tamper-resistant fluid connector. The plug is retained within housing body and is lockable in a closed position. In the closed position of the tamper-resistant fluid connector, communication between the plug through hole and the inlet is interrupted. When a removable connector assembly, which defines a connector through hole, is engaged with the housing body and then rotated with respect to the housing body, the plug is unlocked from the closed position and, the inlet, the plug through hole and the connector through hole are in communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Frank V. Blazek, David J. Rath, William L. Wian
  • Patent number: 5027644
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and introducing an acoustic signal into a piping system, such as a natural gas distribution system. A first case is sealably secured to a second case to form a diaphragm case. A diaphragm is sealably positioned within the diaphragm case between the first case and the second case. The first case and the diaphragm define a first chamber and the second case and the diaphragm define a second chamber. The first chamber is preferably in communication with the ambient atmosphere and operates at atmospheric pressure. The diaphragm case is one component of a pressure regulator that has an inlet and an outlet for connecting the pressure regulator within a piping system. The pressure regulator regulates fluid pressure within the piping system, downstream from the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator has a valve plug and a valve stem connected to the valve plug. An opposite end of the valve stem is connected to the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ziolkowski, James E. Huebler
  • Patent number: 5024588
    Abstract: A rotary compressor and process of compressing compressible fluids wherein the compressor comprises a housing having at least two axially spaced walls and rotatable in relation to the housing cylinder-piston and piston elements journaled on eccentric portions of cylinder-piston and piston shafts rotating in opposite directions. The axially spaced walls of the housing form stationary walls, and the cylinder-piston and piston elements form moveable walls of at least two compression chambers. Circulated compressible fluid is drawn into the compression chambers through intake channel and intake port in the piston shaft and ports in the piston element, and discharged after compression through the same ports in the piston element, and through discharge port and into the discharge channel located in the piston shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Unotech Corporation
    Inventor: Marek J. Lassota
  • Patent number: 5022863
    Abstract: An apparatus for an electric connection between a printed circuit board inserted into a receiving channel of a guide rail and a module rail carrying the guide rails of a component rack is disclosed. A sliding bow contact is aligned parallel to the inner walls of the first receiving channel of a guide rail into which the peripheral region of a printed circuit board in which region is located a ground conductor path is inserted. The sliding bow contact is secured to the guide rail. The sliding bow contact has at least one contact tip and at least one contact lug which are in electrical communication with the module rail and a divider strip insertable into a second receiving channel in the module rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gary Keens, Roger Fursier
  • Patent number: 5022970
    Abstract: A process for photoelectrochemical reduction of CO.sub.2 and/or CO to gaseous hydrocarbons, predominately methane, in a liquid aqueous containing electrolyte dispersion of semiconductors in the presence of copper which may be deposited on the semiconductor surface or dispersed in the electrolyte and transiently in contact with the semiconductor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Ronald L. Cook, Anthony F. Sammells
  • Patent number: 5020456
    Abstract: A furnace for combustion wherein a combustion chamber is configured such that waste can be advanced from a drying zone, to a combustion zone, to a burnout zone, and then into an ash pit. An air source provides air for drying, combustion and burnout in a primary combustion zone (PCZ). Fuel or a fuel/recirculated flue gas mixture is injected above the PCZ to create a mostly reducing substoichiometric secondary combustion zone (SCZ), to reduce NO.sub.x and decompose other nitrogen bearing compounds entering the SCZ. Vitiated air is injected into the combustion chamber above the mostly reducing SCZ. A process for combustion of the waste includes introducing the waste into the combustion chamber, advancing the waste through the combustion chamber, supplying combustion air to the combustion chamber for drying and combusting the waste and final ash burnout, and removing ash products from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: Mark J. Khinkis, Hamid A. Abbasi, Robert A. Lisauskas, Daniel C. Itse
  • Patent number: 5021303
    Abstract: A molten carbonate fuel cell start-up process wherein at least one cell unit having a metallic cathode, a metallic anode, and green tapes of electrolyte matrix and electrolyte carbonate between the cathode and anode is heated to temperatures about 250.degree. to about 350.degree. C. in the presence of oxygen-containing gas with continued heating to temperatures above the melting point of the carbonate electrolyte in the presence of inert gas and about 0.5 to about 10 mole percent hydrogen, based upon the total gas composition, and maintaining temperatures above the melting point of the carbonate electrolyte for a time sufficient for the carbonate to distribute itself to the cell components, and then introducing oxidant gas to contact the cathode and fuel gas to contact the anode for operation of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventor: Rafael A. Donado
  • Patent number: D319106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Metronic Electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Bucher
  • Patent number: D319107
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Metronic Electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Bucher