Patents Examined by Andres Kashnikow
  • Patent number: 6173790
    Abstract: A process and a device for atomization of a liquid extinguishing medium, in which the liquid extinguishing medium and a liquid inert gas are mixed in a mixing unit to form a liquid extinguishing medium mixture. The mixture is conveyed through a conduit to a distributing device such as extinguishing nozzles. As the mixture exits the distributing device the mixture is atomized, forming an aerosol spray for extinguishing a fire within an extinguishing area defined by the aerosol spray. A detector arranged in the extinguishing area for detection of parameters relating to extinguishing of the fire is connected to an evaluation device which in turn is connected to a control valve. The control valve regulates the quantity of liquid inert gas supplied to the mixing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignees: Minimax GmbH, ASEA Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Manfred Russwurm, Frederic Aebischer
  • Patent number: 6173917
    Abstract: A granular material spreader is adapted for towing behind a yard tractor. A frame upports an inverted cone which is sized to contain a supply of granular material for distribution. The bin sweep rod is carried adjacent to the inside surface of the cone, and turns a drive spring. The drive spring drives a helix, which rotates about the bin sweep rod, driving the granular material toward the narrow base of the cone. Should the helix become jammed, the drive spring snaps past the helix, rather than risk damage by forcing its movement. A bin sweep drive wheel is also driven by the revolution of the bin sweep. Movement of the wheel against the an upper portion of the outside surface of the cone moves the bin sweep rod and helix in a circular path about the inside surface of the cone. A valve at the base of the cone allows granular material to drop into a housing which defines slots about portions of its perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: David Whitell
  • Patent number: 6173911
    Abstract: A water sprayer nozzle includes a barrel and a hand grip which is fastened at one end thereof with one end of the barrel and provided at other end thereof with a hose connector. The hand grip is provided therein with a water channel in communication with the barrel, and a receiving compartment in communication with the water channel. The hand grip is further provided with a water stopping member, an orientation push button, and a control push button for regulating the flow of water entering the water channel from the receiving compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Chao Hui-Chen
  • Patent number: 6173869
    Abstract: A multi-piston, ratcheted dispensing device for cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations comprising a hollow body, the body being interiorly divided into at least two channels; a ratchet cup for applying force to at least two ratcheting members, each ratcheting member being in rigid contact with one of at least two pistons, each piston being disposed within the channels; at least one recoil member for biasing the ratchet cup away from the pistons; exit orifices disposed within the body; and, optionally, conductors for directing the dispensed product, sealing mechanisms to prevent dry-out of the product and an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Color Access, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Thayer
  • Patent number: 6173913
    Abstract: A fuel injector nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle defining a guide bore, a fuel pressurization chamber, a seat, and a nozzle orifice. A check valve member has an impact area and a guide portion. The guide portion slides within the guide bore to allow the check valve member to slide between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the fuel pressurization chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle orifice. In the closed position the impact area of the check valve member is pressing against the seat of the nozzle, and the check valve member is blocking fluid communication between the fuel pressurization chamber and the nozzle orifice. The check valve member comprises a ceramic material having a coefficient of thermal expansion &agr;>8×10−6/° C. when averaged over a temperature range of 0° C. to 300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Rajan Tandon, Jayant B. Gondalia
  • Patent number: 6173914
    Abstract: A valve includes an orifice disk element having at least two sheet metal layers lying in sandwich fashion against one another. The orifice disk element includes at least a base region with the opening geometry necessary for spray discharge of the medium, and a seat region with a valve seat surface, so that the valve seat and orifice disk function are combined in one metal laminate element. The valve is suitable in particular for use in fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Hopf, Dieter Holz
  • Patent number: 6173904
    Abstract: An apparatus and system, preferably mounted on a service vehicle, provides synchronized application of fluid materials, either solid or liquid, to a vehicle travel surface in proportional amounts or spatially distributed proportions in response to user defined requirements and/or operation of a vehicle mounted component in response to conditions encountered in real time. A first embodiment is a vehicle mounted apparatus and system for coordinated application of a plurality of materials to a surface simultaneously and in desired proportions and/or widths automatically and/or selectively. A second embodiment includes a granular material distribution device and includes a plurality of liquid spray headers and pumping means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventors: John A. Doherty, Charles A. Kalbfleisch
  • Patent number: 6170760
    Abstract: A compact spray valve that provides an extended atomizing air cap for reaching between tightly spaced electronic components. The compact spray valve of the present invention includes an air body, a fluid control body and an extended atomizing air cap. The atomizing air cap along with a seat extension provides a plurality of laminar air flow conduits causing atomization of a fluid into a spray. The resulting spray pattern can be controlled to provide a narrow line spray pattern with clearly defined edges. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a flat spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Precision Valve & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard John Bievenue, Jonathan N. Urquhart
  • Patent number: 6170765
    Abstract: A shower head having a water inlet passage for providing a supply of water to the shower head and a plurality of nozzles for expelling water from the shower head. The flow of water from the water inlet passage to the nozzles is controlled by a pressure actuated toggle valve mechanism. The valve mechanism is in communication with a rotatable bottom portion of the shower head and rotates as the bottom portion of the shower head rotates. The valve mechanism can adjust the flow of water to the nozzles and shut it off altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventors: Amos Gil, Ben Ami
  • Patent number: 6170766
    Abstract: Valve, in particular glue valve, having a magnetostrictive actuator (14) for actuating a closure member (15) in consequence of a change in a magnetic field. In order to nullify the effects of uncontrolled changes in length of the actuator (14), in particular in consequence of temperature fluctuations, the actuator (14) is connected to a holder, more specifically a holding block (23), which can be moved with inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Harald Gosebruch
  • Patent number: 6170706
    Abstract: A hand holdable pump spray system where the pump mechanism is in the hand holdable wand rather than in the liquid container. The wand may be held with one hand while the pump handle is extended with the other hand. This creates a pressure differential which allows liquid to flow from the container into the wand. A biased spring provides force against the liquid so that when a thumb actuated trigger opens the nozzle, the liquid will be ejected. Should all of the liquid not be ejected, there is a liquid return mechanism which opens a check valve and allows the liquid to return to the container through a supply tube connecting the wand and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: OMS Investments, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Havlovitz
  • Patent number: 6170758
    Abstract: A multifunctional air gun, designed to be operable in a sucking mode, a blowing mode or a sucking and blowing mode, is disclosed. In the air gun, a tubular body has an on/off valve unit in addition to upper and lower openings communicating with each other. A fixed spool is set within the upper opening of the tubular body and connects the air supply tube to an air jet pipe while controlling the flowing direction of compressed air. A vacuum valve unit is set within the lower opening of the tubular body and is assembled with suction and exhaust nozzles at both ends while allowing the two nozzles to communicate with each other. The vacuum valve unit vacuumizes the interior of the two nozzles due to the compressed air. A first control knob is assembled with the fixed spool to control the compressed air for the vacuum valve unit, thus controlling the suction force generated by the compressed air for the vacuum valve unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Nambu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Howang Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6170757
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines, having a valve member that is displaceable axially outward counter to a restoring force in a bore of a valve body. On an end toward the combustion chamber, the valve member has a closing head. The closing head protrudes from the bore and forms a valve closing member and on a side toward the valve body has a valve sealing face. The valve closing member cooperates with a valve seat face, disposed on a face end toward the combustion chamber of the valve body. The valve closing member at least one injection opening on the closing head. The injection opening originating at a pressure chamber and outlet opening being covered, in the closing position of the valve member, by the valve body and being uncovered upon an outward-oriented opening stroke. A two-stage hydraulic stroke stop, which limits the opening stroke of the valve member and is embodied as a hydraulic damping chamber with a relief line that can be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Herrmann, Stephan Haas, Thomas Kuegler
  • Patent number: 6170764
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve having a swirl disk, located downstream from a valve seat (15), that is made of at least one metallic material and has at least two swirl channels emptying into a swirl chamber, with all layers being built up by electrodeposition (multilayer electroplating) so that they adhere firmly to each other. The swirl disk has an upper layer that includes multiple material areas separated from each other by opening structures. The material areas of the swirl disk rest against a valve seat body containing the valve seat. The fuel injection valve is especially suitable for injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin M{umlaut over (u)}ller, G{umlaut over (u)}nter Dantes, Jörg Heyse
  • Patent number: 6168091
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated fuel injector includes an injector body that defines a high pressure passage, a low pressure passage, a control passage, a fuel inlet, and a nozzle outlet. The injector body includes upper surface and a lower surface that partially define an armature cavity. The injector body also defines a fluid displacement passage that is separated from the upper surface and the lower surface and extends between the armature cavity and a low pressure area. The fluid displacement passage is positioned and sized such that an amount of oil is always maintained in the armature cavity at least to a level below the fluid displacement passage but above the lower surface. In addition, the fluid displacement passage is sized and positioned to ensure adequate drainage for cold start, yet provide a flow restriction especially at idle conditions to produce sufficient valve damping that a substantial reduction in impact noise occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Rodier, Haji Goudarz
  • Patent number: 6168094
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve is is described. The fuel injection valve includes a swirl disk downstream from a valve seat, the swirl disk being made of at least one metallic material, having at least two swirl channels opening into a swirl chamber, and in which all layers are adheringly deposited directly one on top of the other by electroplating (multilayer electroplating). A perforated spray disk having an outlet opening shaped so that it directly influences the flow of the fuel exiting through the outlet opening of the swirl disk is arranged directly downstream from the swirl disk. The fuel injection valve is particularly well suited for direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber of a compressed mixture externally ignited internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Schatz, G{umlaut over (u)}nter Dantes, Detlef Nowak, Jörg Heyse
  • Patent number: 6168089
    Abstract: A snow making tower with a water and air precooling system. An elongated aluminum pipe snow making tower is supported above ground in an upright manner and is provided with snow making nozzles at its upper end for ejecting air and water under pressure into ambient atmosphere for manufacturing snow in subfreezing conditions. Water and air supply connections are provided at the lower end for connection to sources of water and air under pressure. A closed loop antifreeze cooling system is mounted adjacent this tower and includes a radiator, a circulating pump and tubing for continually recirculating antifreeze fluid through the radiator with the pump. This tubing includes metal tubing that passes within the interiors of the aluminum pipe snow making tower for thereby precooking water and air passing through the tower prior to ejection from the snow making nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Herman K. Dupre
  • Patent number: 6168095
    Abstract: A fuel injector for internal combustion engines, with a nozzle body in which a valve needle with a sealing face is movably supported. The sealing face of the valve needle comes into contact with a valve seat face that is adapted to the sealing face and is formed on an inner wall region of an end cup of the nozzle body. At least one injection opening is provided in the valve seat face, wherein both the inner wall region with the valve seat face of the nozzle body disposed on it and an outer wall region are hardened. The nozzle body is comprised of a rustproof martensitic steel that is hardened by means of case hardening with nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Max Seitter, Friedrich Muehleder
  • Patent number: 6168093
    Abstract: An airless sprayer adapted to spray both paint and texture material. The sprayer uses a reciprocating piston that mechanically forces the material to be dispensed out of a charging chamber. The piston is driven by a motor mounted within a motor chamber. A working surface of the piston has a surface area adapted to dispense texture material. The sprayer is gravity fed with an overhead hopper. The sprayer is provided with a detachable overflow member that defines an overflow chamber for capturing texture material that leaks around the piston. This overflow chamber is configured relative to the motor chamber such that material leakage is contained within the overflow chamber and does not reach the motor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Homax Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester R. Greer, Jr., James A. Tryon
  • Patent number: 6168090
    Abstract: A flame spray system employs splatter blocking and automated rod delivery apparatuses. The splatter blocking apparatus includes a barrier member and an actuation mechanism. The barrier member is adapted to be moved between a blocking position in which the barrier member is extended across a spray path from a flame spray gun of a flame spray system preventing travel of particles of fusible material from the flame spray gun to a product being coated and an unblocking position in which the barrier member is displaced from the spray path of the flame spray gun permitting travel of particles fusible material from the flame spray gun to the product being coated. The actuation mechanism is connected to the barrier member and adapted to be selectively actuated to move the barrier member between the blocking and unblocking positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Edgar C. Baker