Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Tuttle
  • Method and system for pre-ignition control
    Patent number: 8260530
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for mitigating engine pre-ignition based on a feed-forward likelihood of pre-ignition and feedback from a pre-ignition event. In response to an indication of pre-ignition, a cylinder may be enriched while an engine load is limited. The enrichment may be followed by an enleanment to restore exhaust catalyst feed-gas oxygen levels. The mitigating steps may be adjusted based on engine operating conditions, a pre-ignition count, as well as the nature of the pre-ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Eric Rollinger, Chris Paul Glugla, Robert Roy Jentz, Robert Sarow Baskins, Karen Willard
  • Refrigerator and/or freezer with hinge
    Patent number: 8256064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with a door or flap for closing the appliance interior, with a hinge, by means of which the door or flap can be swivelled relative to the body of the appliance, wherein the hinge includes means for producing a closing force acting in closing direction of the door or flap, and with a damper which at least over a part of the closing movement of the door or flap applies a force directed against the closing movement of the door or flap, wherein the means for producing a closing force include an eccentric and means which exert a force that acts on the eccentric and is dependent on the opening angle of the door or flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Liebherr-Hausgeraete Ochsenhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Blersch, Oliver Weidelener
  • Method and device for drying circuit substrates
    Patent number: 8256131
    Abstract: Method and device for drying circuit substrates (13), in particular semiconductor substrates, in which a circuit surface (30) of the circuit substrate is flushed using a flushing liquid (10) in a flushing step and the circuit surface is dried in a subsequent drying step, the circuit substrate being moved in the flushing step in the direction of its planar extension transversely and in relation to a liquid level (28) of the flushing liquid in such a way that a liquid meniscus forms at a transition area between the circuit surface and the liquid level, which changes because of the relative movement, and thermal radiation (36) is applied to the transition area wetted by the liquid meniscus in the drying step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Pac-Tech—Packaging Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Elke Zakel, Ghassem Azdasht
  • Reinforcement of kiss-off in rotationally molded watercraft
    Patent number: 8256368
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to the efficient reinforcement of molded kiss-offs in a kayak. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a personal self-propelled watercraft comprising a unitary molded plastic body comprising a hull and a seat, a kiss-off connecting two proximate surfaces of the self-propelled watercraft, and a plastic reinforcing structure welded within an interior of the kiss-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Jackson Kayak, Inc.
    Inventor: Brad Sisco
  • EGR extraction immediately downstream pre-turbo catalyst
    Patent number: 8250866
    Abstract: A turbocharged, diesel engine has a small catalyst provided upstream of the turbocharger with EGR collected from the exhaust stream downstream of the catalyst and upstream of the turbocharger. By making the catalyst small, it packages into a pipe coupling the manifold to the turbocharger, readily reaches lightoff, and absorbs little exhaust energy, thereby providing acceptable conversion of hydrocarbons and CO, but still allowing fast turbocharger response. In one embodiment, the engine has two cylinder banks, two exhaust manifolds, and two pre-turbo catalysts installed upstream of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph Styles, Christopher Oberski, Christopher Cowland, Patrick Sexton
  • Enhanced powertrain performance during knock control
    Patent number: 8255142
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for controlling combustion stability in an engine driving a transmission. One example method comprises limiting airflow to the engine in response to a spark timing retarded beyond a spark retard threshold, the limiting airflow to the engine reducing engine torque output and compensating for the reduction in engine torque output by adjusting a transmission operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Michael Howard Shelby, Tobias John Pallett
  • Ball and socket joint
    Patent number: 8251605
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint, especially for the wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, with a ball pivot (1), which is equipped with a first spheroidal bearing surface (3) mounted pivotably and rotatably in a housing (2). A roller bearing (5) is present between the first spheroidal bearing surface (3) and another spheroidal bearing surface (4), which is mounted in the housing (2) and is connected to the ball pivot (1). The roller bearing (5) is a roller bearing transmitting radial and axial forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hans-Gerd Brunneke
  • Vehicle control system
    Patent number: 8251044
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an engine via an outlet control device of an intake manifold, such as via variable valve lift operation. The engine may further include an inlet control device, such as an electronic throttle, as well as coordination between the inlet and outlet control devices for controlling airflow in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John David Russell, Allan J. Kotwicki, Brian D. Rutkowski
  • Instrumentation and schematization of learning application programs in a computerized learning environment
    Patent number: 8251704
    Abstract: A computerized learning method is provided. The method may include receiving a write request from a first learning application program to write a learning level for a skill in a user profile. The user profile is configured to store data indicative of a plurality of skills and a learning level for each skill. The skills and learning levels are defined according to a profile schema. The method may further include writing the learning level for the skill in the user profile. The method may also include receiving a read request from a second learning application program to read the learning level for the skill in the user profile. The method may finally include retrieving the learning level from the user profile, and sending the learning level to the second learning application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Susan D. Woolf, Mythreyee Ganapathy, Patrick O'Kelley
  • Lattice structure for a distensible fuel tank
    Patent number: 8251171
    Abstract: A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The fuel tank may include a housing enclosing a lattice structure including at least two intersecting wall members, each wall member including a plurality of panels arranged in a repeating pattern, the plurality of panels having planar sides including a compliance panel having a first and second section configured to fold about a crease line. In this way, multi-directional compliance of the fuel tank can be achieved, while increasing structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Frank Cragel, Russell Randall Pearce, Patrick Sullivan
  • Using compressed intake air to clean engine exhaust gas recirculation cooler
    Patent number: 8250865
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using compressed intake air that is free of soot particles to clean the EGR cooler of an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger are provided herein. One example system includes an EGR valve for selectively diverting a portion of exhaust gas through an EGR conduit to an intake side of the internal combustion engine. The EGR cooler is disposed in the EGR conduit. The compressed intake air delivery system is configured to selectively divert a portion of compressed intake air compressed by the turbocharger through the EGR cooler to remove soot particles deposited in the EGR cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gavin James Robert Pearson
  • Lumber inspection method, device and program
    Patent number: 8253793
    Abstract: An imaging means captures a color image of lumber. An image processing means obtains the color distribution of the color image captured by the imaging means, compares the obtained color distribution with a predetermined color distribution of normal lumber, judges the obtained color distribution as an abnormal one when it is deviated from the color distribution of normal lumber by a predetermined value or more, and detects a defect of the lumber having the abnormal color distribution deviated by a value larger than the predetermined value in an area on the surface of the lumber captured by the imaging means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Meinan Machinery Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Hiraoka
  • Cooling system expansion tank
    Patent number: 8251024
    Abstract: An expansion tank for an engine cooling system comprises a housing forming a main chamber and a swirl chamber, the swirl chamber being defined by a cylindrical wall. An inlet connection discharges through an inlet orifice towards a collector duct having an entrance. From the inlet orifice the coolant is directed as a stream or jet along the adjacent surface of the cylindrical wall towards the entrance of the collector duct, guided by circumferential ribs. The kinetic energy of the stream is converted into pressure energy so that the pressure delivered from the outlet connection is slightly above the pressure at the top of the swirl chamber, above the level of liquid. This swirl chamber pressure is set by the relief pressure allowed by a filler cap, the gain in pressure helping to avoid cavitation in a coolant circulation pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Jaguar Cars Limited
    Inventor: William Richard Hutchins
  • Respirator
    Patent number: 8251244
    Abstract: A closing device is provided for a container of a respirator with two container shells (2, 2?) joining each other at front surfaces, with at least one tightening strap (4), which encloses a part of a container shell outer surface located at right angles to the front surfaces. Two holding elements (5, 5?) are each provided with a recess (6, 6?) and are formed at the free ends of the tightening strap (4). A closing element (7) is formed in a U-shaped pattern with two legs (8) and meshes with each recess (6, 6?) of the holding elements (5, 5?). The legs (8) of the closing element (7) can be pulled out of the recess (6, 6?) of the holding elements (5, 5?) to take off the tightening strap (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Dirk Henf, Christian Wilhelm
  • Actuating device for motor vehicle transmissions
    Patent number: 8250943
    Abstract: An actuating device for motor vehicle transmissions, especially for automatic transmissions has a selector lever (1), a transmission structure for sensing and transmitting the shift commands from the actuating device to the motor vehicle transmission, as well as a hinge structure with a four-bar mechanism (2) in which the selector lever (1) is mounted in such a way that it can perform shifting motions. The actuating device presents a small space requirements for installation with good ergonomic properties, good force-displacement curve at the selector lever qualities, as good sensing and signal transmission aspects. Visual shift gates and gear shifting gates can also be embodied at actuating devices of very compact design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake, Jörg Meyer
  • Magnet arrangement for magnetic levitation vehicles and method for the production thereof
    Patent number: 8248196
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnet arrangement for magnetic levitation vehicles. Said arrangement comprises a magnetic back box and a plurality of magnetic poles that are connected to said back box and that have magnetic pole faces bordering on a common reference surface. According to the invention, the reference surface extends along an elastic line when the magnetic pole is in the unloaded state, said elastic line being inverse to the curvature of the surface that is obtained under a nominal load of the magnetic poles when the magnetic pole faces are in the unloaded state on a plane. The invention also relates to a method for producing said type of magnet arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Transrapid GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Bugiel, Harald Pfannkuch, Wolfgang Hahn, Joachim Krämer
  • Crane
    Patent number: D666375
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Bohnacker
  • Display device with graphical user interface for a combined weighing instrument
    Patent number: D666516
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Yamashita
  • Display device with graphical user interface for a combined weighing instrument
    Patent number: D666517
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Yamashita
  • Illumination device for inspection
    Patent number: D666756
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: CCS Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Kani, Kenji Miura