Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Tuttle
  • Boosted engine control responsive to driver selected performance
    Patent number: 8165780
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for operating an engine in a vehicle in response to a driver performance/economy mode. One example method comprises delivering a first fuel to a cylinder of the engine from a first injector, delivering a second, different, fuel to the cylinder of the engine from a second injector, varying a relative amount of said first and second fuel as an operating condition varies; and adjusting delivery of at least said second fuel based on a driver-selected performance mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John D. Russell
  • Back torque reducing device of a friction clutch and motorcycle comprising the same
    Patent number: 8162119
    Abstract: A friction clutch includes a clutch cam which is movable with respect to a clutch hub in a center axis direction of a transmission shaft. The clutch cam has a release rod which penetrates through the clutch hub and is extended toward the pressure plate. An adjustment bolt which is provided at the pressure plate and is configured to restrict a moving range of a clutch cam in the center axis direction is disposed to face an end portion of the release rod which is closer to the pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Starter arrangement for an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8161933
    Abstract: A starter arrangement for an internal combustion engine the arrangement including a starter motor having a pinion gear coupled to an output shaft, the pinion gear being arranged in constant engagement with a corresponding crank gear of a crank wheel located between an engine block and a flywheel of the engine. The crank wheel is operatively coupled to a crankshaft of the engine via a one-way clutch unit loosely fitted to an end of the crankshaft, the crankshaft including a circumferential slot carrying a clip ring. The one-way clutch unit including a tube shaped hub loosely fitted to an end of the crankshaft, the axial movement of the one-way hub is fixed via a clip-ring in co-operation with a first axially delimiting member and a second axially delimiting member at least partially enclosed by the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Gast, Jonas Forssell, Lars Stenvall, Petter Almhagen
  • Methods and systems for heating transmission fluid
    Patent number: 8162797
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for heating transmission fluid in a vehicle, the vehicle comprising an engine and a transmission, the engine including a heat exchanger. One example method comprises, during a first engine running condition, operating an auxiliary transmission fluid pump to generate pressure in the transmission fluid and pump transmission fluid to the heat exchanger, and during a second condition where the engine is not running, operating the auxiliary transmission fluid pump to generate pressure in the transmission fluid and pump transmission fluid to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Hydrocarbon retaining and purging system
    Patent number: 8161733
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine having a hydrocarbon retaining system and an emission control device coupled to an engine exhaust, the engine exhaust comprising a venturi. One example method comprises, during a storing condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi without generating a venturi action, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, while bypassing the emission control device, to store hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon retaining system, and during a purging condition, routing exhaust gas through the venturi while generating venturi action, then to the emission control device, and then to the hydrocarbon retaining system, to purge stored hydrocarbons, wherein a flow of purged hydrocarbons is drawn back to the venturi via venturi action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, James Michael Kerns, Shane Elwart, Jason Aaron Lupescu
  • Engine and vehicle comprising engine
    Patent number: 8156908
    Abstract: An engine of the present invention comprises a valve body configured to open and close ports and formed in a cylinder head, a drive cam mechanism operable in association with a crankshaft by a driving power transmission mechanism, a pivot cam mechanism which is configured to be pivoted according to movement of the drive cam mechanism to cause the valve body to open and close and is configured to change a pivot state to change a lift characteristic of the valve; and a servo motor configured to change the pivot state of the pivot cam mechanism, wherein the servo motor is positioned at one end portion of the pivot cam mechanism such that the servo motor is distant from the driving power transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Nishida, Kazuki Nagasawa, Yoshio Watanabe, Yoji Fukami, Toshiyuki Yanamoto
  • Process and automatic commissioning unit for filling an order container
    Patent number: 8157081
    Abstract: A method and an automatic picking machine is provided for filling an order container by means of an ejector and conveyor belt. An ejector is provided configured as a revolving belt directly as a substantially horizontal product storage element. The stored products (3) to be picked are placed onto the conveyor belt (2) or directly into the order container (10) upon actuation of the revolving belt. The preferably bulky non-stackable products (3) are located preferably individually in product compartments (5) of the ejector and are ejected individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Knapp AG
    Inventor: Karl Freudelsperger
  • Volumetric feeder for powdery- or granular-material and powdery- or granular-material combination weigher
    Patent number: 8157129
    Abstract: A volumetric feeder made of a plurality of independent feeder elements 20a, 20b. Each of the feeder elements is provided with a stationary portion 21 and a movable volumetric measure 22 that moves back and forth in the stationary portion 21. Each movable volumetric measure is provided with a measure portion 23 for accommodating a predetermined volume of powdery or granular material. The movable volumetric measure in the feeder elements are capable of moving independently of one another between a charging position at which the measure portions 23 coincide with charging apertures 24 of the stationary portion 21, and a discharging position at which the measure portions 23 coincide with discharging apertures 26 of the stationary portion 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shozo Kawanishi, Kazuo Usui
  • Vehicle speed control system and straddle-type vehicle
    Patent number: 8160790
    Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for a vehicle including a failure detector configured to determine whether or not a failure occurs in the vehicle, a vehicle speed restriction controller configured to control a driving power source to decrease a vehicle speed of the vehicle when the failure detector detects the failure, and a driving state detector configured to detect a driving state of the vehicle. The vehicle speed restriction controller is configured to determine a deceleration pattern according to the driving state detected by the driving state detector at detection of the failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeru Oshima, Takuya Sakamoto, Satoru Sakanaka, Tatsuya Hirokami
  • Keyboard with plural key switch matrices to detect ghosting
    Patent number: 8159372
    Abstract: Keyboard apparatus and methods for processing keyboard depressions are disclosed. One disclosed keyboard apparatus includes a keyboard having a plurality of keys configured to be depressed in a concurrent depression state, and a plurality of key switch matrices. Each key switch of the plurality of key switch matrices may be configured to be actuated by a corresponding key of the keyboard. The keyboard apparatus may further include a keyboard controller configured to determine whether a sensed key depression in the concurrent depression state is a ghost key depression, based on sensed key switch states of respective key switches in each of the plurality of key switch matrices which correspond to the sensed key depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan C Sherman
  • Method for determining the resistance of the respiratory system of a patient
    Patent number: 8160817
    Abstract: A method for automatically determining the resistance of the respiratory system of a spontaneously breathing intubated patient. The method includes measuring flow (V?) and airway pressure (Paw)) as a function of time; determining the airway pressure at the end of the occlusion period as end of occlusion airway pressure Paw(tc)=Poccl; analyzing a time 5 dependence of the flow starting at the end of the occlusion period to determine a transition time td at which the slope of the flow changes from a first high value to a second lower value; determining the flow at the transition time as transition time flow V?(td)=V?peak and determining the airway pressure at the transition time as transition time pressure Paw(td); and calculating the resistance on the basis of the ratio of an estimated driving pressure at the transition time Pdrv(td) and the transition time flow V?peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Ranieri, Cosimo Micelli, Lorenzo Appendini
  • Method and system for pre-ignition control
    Patent number: 8156923
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to address engine pre-ignition. One or more cylinders are alternately rich and lean operated for a duration to reduce engine thermal loading while maintaining an exhaust air-to-fuel ratio around stoichiometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lorenz, Helmut Hans Ruhland, Moritz Klaus Springer, Georg Louven
  • Test adapter for a gas-measuring device
    Patent number: 8156782
    Abstract: A test adapter for the saturated vapor calibration of gas-measuring devices. The test adapter (2) has, in an adapter housing (15), a peripheral edge (7) for receiving a gas-measuring device and has a depression (10) for receiving the sample liquid in the area of the gas-sensitive surface of the gas-measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Matthias Studer, Mladen Schlichte, Markus Wansing, Volker Kuhn
  • Mouse dongle storage
    Patent number: 8154515
    Abstract: A computer mouse for use with a computing device, and a user input device assembly including a computer mouse and a communications dongle, are provided. The computer mouse may include a body having an outer casing, the outer casing having a battery compartment formed therein, and a battery door releasably secured to the outer casing in an orientation that covers the battery compartment. The battery door may include a mounting structure configured to releasably secure a communications dongle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Monique Chatterjee, Eric Wahl, Ge Weiguo, William R. Wylde, KeLong Zhao
  • Internal combustion engine comprising a variable valve lift profile system and a method for controlling valve lift profile shifting
    Patent number: 8151748
    Abstract: A method for an internal combustion engine that reduces the possibility of misfire during transitions between a lower valve lift mode and a higher valve lift mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Litorell, Thomas Lyngfelt
  • Side airbag structure
    Patent number: 8152197
    Abstract: A side airbag unit disposed in a side support of a seat capable of absorbing collision energy sufficiently during a side collision of a vehicle is described. In one example, the airbag unit comprises: a low expansion member disposed inside of a front skin of the seat, wherein one end of the low expansion member is attached to the inside of the front skin in the vicinity of a fragile part of the seat and the other end of the low expansion member is attached to the seatback frame through a slit. The low expansion member inhibits the front skin from expanding due to the inflation of the airbag, and a cushion pad located outside of the slit in the vehicle width direction and inside of the fragile part in the vehicle width direction is moved outward and frontward by the inflation of the airbag in a vehicle collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Seigo Taguchi, Kazuya Fukutani, Hideharu Saiki, Nobuo Inoue
  • Double-faced electrode package and its manufacturing method
    Patent number: 8154110
    Abstract: A dual-face package has an LSI chip sealed with a mold resin, and electrodes for external connections on both of the front face and the back face. The LSI chip is bonded onto the die pad of a leadframe whose outer lead portions are exposed as back-face electrodes at least the back face. The LSI chip and a plurality of inner lead portions of the leadframe are connected by wiring. At least some of the plurality of inner lead portions have front-face electrodes integrally formed by working a portion of the leadframe. Head faces of the front-face electrodes, or bump electrodes connected to the respective head faces of the front-face electrodes serve as electrodes for external connections to another substrate, element, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Masamichi Ishihara, Harufumi Kobayashi
  • End reflector for a flat panel lens
    Patent number: 8152349
    Abstract: End reflectors, flat panel lens that may utilize the end reflector, and methods are provided. The end reflector for a flat panel lens may include a first grating having a first set of parallel planes. The first set of parallel planes may be of layers of alternating refractive indexes disposed at a first angle with a central plane of the flat panel lens. The end reflector may also include a second grating having a second set of parallel planes. The second set of parallel planes may be of layers of alternating refractive indexes of alternating refractive indexes disposed at a second angle with the central plane. The second angle may be equivalent to the first angle reflected about the central plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian Travis, Timothy Andrew Large, Neil Emerton
  • Gear arrangement
    Patent number: 8151663
    Abstract: A gear arrangement is provided with a built-up for a shaft or pinion to rotate in unison therewith. The gear includes a gear rim and two flanges arranged axially on both sides and fixed them against the gear rim in a positive-locking connection. A hub, over which the respective other parts of the gear are pushed, is formed on at least one of the parts of the gear. The parts of the gear are held together without the use of rivets or screws by a clamped connection including a clamping ring, which is caused to mesh with a groove extending circumferentially on the circumference of the hub or shaft. The clamped connection presses the respective flange outer surface in a spring-mounted manner. Mutually corresponding elevations and depressions on the axial outer surfaces of the gear rim as well as on the axially inner surfaces of the flanges mesh with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Olaf Beutler, Waldemar Rogowski, Remt Blankenspeck, Günter Lohfink
  • Light emitting diode lamp
    Patent number: D658312
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: CCS Inc.
    Inventor: Takuzo Togawa