Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Tuttle
  • Heating system for a vehicle
    Patent number: 7258605
    Abstract: A heating system for a vehicle has a heating air blower (24) for generating a heating air stream to be introduced into the interior space of a vehicle, a heater (22) with a heat exchanger arrangement (26) for heating the heating air stream being delivered by the heating air blower (24), a mixing arrangement (20) for setting an outside air/ambient air ratio of the air to be fed to the heat exchanger arrangement (26), an outside temperature sensor arrangement (60) for generating an output linked with an outside temperature, and an actuating device (42, 46). The actuating device (42, 46) actuates the mixing arrangement (20) for setting the outside air/ambient air ratio on the basis of an output of the outside temperature sensor arrangement (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co.KG
    Inventors: Patric Schlecht, Uwe Kohle, Oliver Sauter
  • Cylinder deactivation method to minimize drivetrain torsional disturbances
    Patent number: 7260467
    Abstract: A system and method are described for reducing engine vibration during cylinder deactivation in selected operating conditions. The method utilizes open valve deactivation to better match the cylinder pressure of deactivated cylinders to combusting cylinders. This mode is utilized, along with cylinder closed valve cylinder deactivation, to improve overall fuel economy, while at the same time reducing vibration felt by the vehicle driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. Megli, Nate Trask
  • Interior mirror with a drive mechanism for adjusting a wedge mirror glass
    Patent number: 7258455
    Abstract: An interior mirror (01) for a motor vehicle having a carrier arm (06) which can be mounted in the vehicle and having an adjustment mechanism (04) which is adjustably mounted on the carrying arm (06), whereby a wedge mirror glass (03) is directly or indirectly mounted on the adjustment mechanism (04) and whereby the wedge mirror glass (03) is adjustable between a normal position and an anti-glare position by operation of the adjustment mechanism (04) and whereby a drive mechanism (05) is provided for operation of the adjustment mechanism (04). At least one elastic tension element (31) is provided in the interior mirror (01); with this tension element, the adjustment mechanism (04) is put under elastic tension in the normal position and/or in the anti-glare position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Donnelly GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut Weimer, Hans-Joachim Fuchs
  • Structure of improved pneumatic gripper assemblies
    Patent number: 7258378
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic gripper assembly structure which comprised a supporting body (11, 111) composed of at least two wall elements or symmetrical half-shells (15, 115), realized and finished individually using a forming process and then put together to form a single body capable of receiving, supporting and guiding other structural and functional components of the gripper assembly. The complementary wall elements or half-bodies are produced using die-casting, sintering or forging techniques with material compatible for such processes and provides a housing for jaws and a drive piston of the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Gimatic S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Bellandi, Giuseppe Maffeisi
  • Machine tool comprising parallel tool spindles that can be repositioned in relation to one another
    Patent number: 7258514
    Abstract: A machine tool is provided, in particular for the synchronous machining of workpieces. The tool includes two or more spindle units (2, 3), which run parallel in a machining unit and are designed to hold tools and repositioning devices for the precise adjustment of the position of the spindle units (2, 3) in relation to one another, preferably in all three directions x, y and z of the orthogonal co-ordinate system in the machining unit (4). The repositioning devices for displacing at least one of the spindle units (2, 3), at least in an x and/or y direction, include an eccentric bush (5, 6), which can be rotated about a central shaft (B1, B2) and locked and in which the spindle units (2, 3) are mounted eccentrically, parallel to the central shaft (B1, B2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Witzig & Frank GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Bauer, Timo Remmel, Helmut Nebeling
  • System and method for controlling catalyst storage capacity
    Patent number: 7257944
    Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. The oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is adjusted by controlling engine spark in response to an estimate of a current amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst and an estimate of the total available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst. To maintain engine speed in spite of adjustments to the engine spark, the engine air mass is also adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald James Lewis, Kevin Ronald Carlstrom, Stanley Larue Bower, Jr., Stephen L. Hahn
  • Gas sensor with increased measuring sensitivity
    Patent number: 7257986
    Abstract: A gas sensor (1) with a detector element (2), which is specific to a gas to be measured and sends a measured signal that depends on the measured gas concentration, has increased measuring sensitivity for measurements in the concentration range from less than 1 ppb to a few ppb. The detector element (2) is exposed in a gas admission adapter (4) to a gas to be measured via a diaphragm (3) arranged in front of the detector element (2), wherein the gas admission adapter (4) has at least a first opening (20) for the entry of the gas to be measured as well as at least a second opening (30), which is connected with a pressure modulator, which generates periodic gas pressure vibrations in the gas admission adapter (4) and is designed, for example, as a pump (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Stephan Haupt, Michael Sick, Rigobert Chrzan, Andreas Nauber, Dieter Krüger, Christoph Bernstein, Wilfried Diekmann
  • Spark plug heating for a spark ignited engine
    Patent number: 7255080
    Abstract: A system for an engine of a vehicle, comprising of at least one combustion chamber located in the engine, a delivery system configured to deliver a fuel and a fluid to the combustion chamber, an ignition system including a spark plug configured to ignite the fuel within the combustion chamber, a spark plug heating system configured to supply heat to the spark plug, and a control system configured to vary an amount of heat supplied to the spark plug by the spark plug heating system responsive to a condition of the ignition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Leone
  • Compression ignition engine with pressure-based combustion control
    Patent number: 7255090
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion cylinders configured to operate in a compression ignition mode. A pressure sensor is provided to sense pressure within a combustion cylinder of the engine. A combustion control system, including an electronic engine controller, is configured to receive electrical signals from the pressure sensor and, based on such signals, determine a maximum rate of pressure increase occurring in the combustion cylinder during a first time interval. Based on the determined maximum rate of pressure increase, the combustion control system is configured to control one or more charge inputs to the combustion cylinder during a second time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hugh Fader, Christopher Warren
  • Automobile headrest
    Patent number: 7255401
    Abstract: A headrest stay for supporting a headrest is inserted in a headrest bush and is supported. A height adjusting mechanism is attached to the headrest bush at a position corresponding to an upper end portion of a seat back. A headrest removal prevention device for preventing the headrest from being removed is built in the headrest bush at a position inside the seat back. The height adjusting mechanism and the headrest removal prevention device are formed of the same component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yokoyama, Satoshi Katahira
  • Dashpot with amplitude-dependent shock absorption
    Patent number: 7255211
    Abstract: A dashpot featuring amplitude-dependent shock absorption, especially intended for the wheel of a vehicle and including a hydraulically parallel cylindrical pressure-compensation chamber (8). The pressure-compensation chamber is partitioned by an axially displaceable floating piston (10). At least one face (25) of the floating piston is provided with a resilient bumper (18). The object is a dashpot with a floating piston that arrives more gently at its limit inside the pressure-compensation chamber (8). The bumper is accordingly accommodated in an axial hollow (17) that extends through the body (15) of the floating piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventors: Ole Götz, Andreas Nevoigt, Walter Burböck, Dirk Feist, Claus Weimann, Ralf Wilhelm, Ulrich Hartig, Elmar Lauer, Markus Schmidt, Andreas Kaup, Tina Eisenring, Joachim Körner, Alfons Schreiner, Thomas Jost
  • Stabilizer for optical devices
    Patent number: 7255449
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for stabilizing components is provided. In some embodiments, an apparatus for positioning an optical component relative to a frame is provided including a stabilizer. The stabilizer may be configured to be coupled to the optical component and the frame, wherein in a first configuration the stabilizer is configured to enable select adjustment of the optical component in at least two directions and in a second configuration a position of the optical component may be fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: T. Scott Engle
  • Lure
    Patent number: 7254916
    Abstract: A lure has a body (10) provided with a recess (12), forming a decoy and defining a longitudinal axis (AA?), a connecting member (26) inserted into the body (10) via an inner end thereof, and attachable to a line (30) at the other, outer end. The point at which the connecting member is inserted into the body (10) defines the forward portion of the lure with a hook (24) positioned in the recess (12), and an attachment device (22) for securing the connecting member (26) and the hook (24) provided in the body (10). The attachment device (22) include a resilient member (23) at least indirectly attached to the body (10) at one end and to the hook (24) and the connecting member (26) at the other end, and a guide member (22c) for guiding the hook (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Patrick Mussot
  • Valve selection for an engine operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode
    Patent number: 7255066
    Abstract: A method to control valve patterns in a cylinder operating in a multi-stroke cylinder mode. Valves are controlled to improve drivability and emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, John O. Michelini
  • Mounting portion of water jet pump of personal watercraft, and personal watercraft
    Patent number: 7252566
    Abstract: A mounting portion of a water jet pump of a personal watercraft is disclosed. The mounting portion typically includes a tubular pump casing configured to accommodate the impeller, and a pump bracket configured to fasten the pump casing to the body of the watercraft. The pump casing is configured to be mountable to the pump bracket in such a manner that an internal fitting portion of the pump casing is internally fitted to a casing receiving portion of the pump bracket from rearward with a ring-shaped seal element fitted into a groove provided on the pump casing, and an outer peripheral surface of the internal fitting portion and an inner peripheral surface of the casing receiving portion are sealed by the seal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kunihiko Kamio, Takahide Komoriya
  • Flat valley fresnel lens
    Patent number: 7253954
    Abstract: A Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens includes an input side configured to receive the image and an output side, opposite the input side, configured to display the image. The input side includes a first facet angled to receive input light constituting at least a portion of the image. The input side also includes a second facet at least partially facing the first facet and a third facet linking the first facet to the second facet, wherein the third facet and the output side are substantially parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Mark David Peterson, Jeffrey Alan Gohman
  • Apparatus for the control of brakes in bicycles and the like
    Patent number: 7249661
    Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus for the control of brakes in bicycles and the like, to be used, in particular, for disc brakes mounted on bicycles and comprising a pump able to push fluid into a hydraulic circuit connected to the brake, characterized in that the pump is held inside the handlebar or a part associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Formula S.R.L.
    Inventors: Andrea Fiorenzo Becocci, Francesco Becocci
  • Speed control method
    Patent number: 7249588
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unit, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John David Russell, Brian D. Rutkowski
  • Lamp for attachment to a ceiling or wall
    Patent number: D549384
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Flos S.p.A.
    Inventor: Johanna Grawunder
  • Ceiling lamp
    Patent number: D549385
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: FLOS S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piero Lissoni