Patents Examined by B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11975356
    Abstract: Provided is a resin curing device capable of improving work efficiency when curing a liquid resin. A controller (2) of a resin curing device (1) controls opening degrees of three valves (51 to 53) so that a gas flow passage becomes a circulation passage (40) when an execution condition of an operation of feeding air to a curing furnace (10) is satisfied, and controls the opening degrees of the three valves (51 to 53) so that the gas flow passage becomes a bypass passage (41) when the execution condition is not satisfied (STEPS 30 to 41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Yamamoto, Nobuhisa Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11971197
    Abstract: There is disclosed a receiver panel. In an embodiment, the panel is configured to receive a curtain of particles in a solar central receiver system. A porous structure of the panel has a top end and a bottom end. The porous structure is disposed between the top end and the bottom end. The porous structure has a size to impede movement of the particles during downward travel from the top end to the bottom end. There is disclosed a solar central receiver system. In an embodiment, the receiver system includes a plurality of receiver panels, a tower supporting the plurality of receiver panels in a configuration to receive solar irradiation, and a hopper forming a slot configured to dispose the particles at a given location on to the porous structure. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hany Al-Ansary, Abdelrahman El-Leathy, Zeyad Al-Suhaibani, Saeed Al-Zahrani, Sheldon Jeter, Said Abdel-Khalik, Dennis Sadowski, Matthew Golob
  • Patent number: 11953266
    Abstract: Techniques for utilizing excess heat generated by an oven to generate electricity are provided. In one example, an oven can comprise a coolant pathway positioned adjacent to a hollow space within the oven, wherein the hollow space can contain heat. The oven can also comprise a chamber in fluid communication with the coolant pathway. The oven can further comprise a turbine in fluid communication with the chamber and an outlet. Moreover, the oven can comprise a generator connected to the turbine, wherein rotation of the turbine can power the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TPS IP, LLC
    Inventors: Lyle Oscar Dingman, Michael Abraham Schneck, Gary Allen Hanson, David Allen Strand, Michael Laddie Grande, Geoffry Allen Gromiuk, Steven Edward Kempowski, Jon Allen Ludlum
  • Patent number: 11953232
    Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a heat exchanger assembly having a plurality of heat exchanger tubes. Each heat exchanger tube can include a baffle. The baffle can include a first end and a second end, a length of the baffle being defined as a distance between the first end and the second end, a body having a first side and a second side, a hanging portion located proximate the second end, and a plurality of fins disposed along the body. The plurality of fins can extend outwardly from the body and upwardly towards the second end at an angle relative to a central axis of the body. The plurality of fins can include a first fin positioned proximate the first end and having a first angle and a second fin positioned proximate the second end and having a second angle, the first angle being less than the second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Qian Zhang, Elmer Rodriguez, Oscar Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11953267
    Abstract: Techniques for utilizing excess heat generated by an oven to generate electricity are provided. In one example, an oven can comprise a coolant pathway positioned adjacent to a hollow space within the oven, wherein the hollow space can contain heat. The oven can also comprise a chamber in fluid communication with the coolant pathway. The oven can further comprise a turbine in fluid communication with the chamber and an outlet. Moreover, the oven can comprise a generator connected to the turbine, wherein rotation of the turbine can power the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: TPS IP, LLC
    Inventors: Lyle Oscar Dingman, Michael Abraham Schneck, Gary Allen Hanson, David Allen Strand, Michael Laddie Grande, Geoffry Allen Gromiuk, Steven Edward Kempowski, Jon Allen Ludlum
  • Patent number: 11944080
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to preventing or lessening ice in remote water tanks. The remote water tanks can include a body at least partially defining a chamber that receives a liquid and having an open top portion that provides one or more animals access to the liquid. Further, a heat exchanger can be at least partially received within the chamber, and can receive a thermal transfer fluid that is circulated therethrough to maintain a temperature of the liquid in the chamber. Also, an external heat collector can be in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to transfer solar or other heat to the thermal transfer fluid as the thermal transfer fluid is circulated therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Mike Lisk
  • Patent number: 11920801
    Abstract: A digital fluid heating system may include a solar collection system configured for focusing sunlight on a focal axis, an elongated flow element arranged and configured for transporting fluid along the solar collection system at the focal axis, and a flow-control assembly comprising a digitally controlled valve configured to control the flow of the fluid in the elongated flow element such that pathogens present in the fluid are substantially inactivated before the fluid exits the fluid heating system and at a maximized flow rate under the given energy providing conditions. The system may also include one or more digital controls and communication systems for remote and/or automatic control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: WTS LLC
    Inventors: Brian Plourde, Andrew Gikling, John Abraham, Richard Pakonen, Douglas Plourde
  • Patent number: 11913724
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a furnace for debinding and sintering additively manufactured parts comprising a unitarily formed retort having at least one open side, a heater for heating a sintering volume within the retort to a debinding temperature and to a sintering temperature, an end cap sealing the at least one open side, a forming gas line penetrating the end cap for supplying forming gas at a flowrate, and a heat exchanger within the retort, outside the sintering volume, and adjacent a heated wall of the retort, the heat exchanger having an inlet connected to the forming gas line and an outlet to the sintering volume, wherein the heat exchanger includes a heat exchange tube length sufficient to heat the forming gas to within 20 degrees Celsius of the sintering temperature before the forming gas exits the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: MARKFORGED, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Mark
  • Patent number: 6988864
    Abstract: A refuse receptacle lifter is disclosed which is movable between a retracted and a dumping position for lifting and inverting refuse receptacles of the type including spaced apart upper and lower engagement surfaces. The lifter may include an actuator with a rotary output shaft, a lift arm attached to the rotary output shaft, an upper engagement member carried at least in part by the lift arm, a first actuator arm pivotally mounted to the lift arm and a second actuator arm pivotally mounted to the base. The actuator arms are attached to an extension assembly that carries a lower engagement member. Upon rotation of the output shaft, the upper engagement member is moved between a lower retracted position and a raised position and the lower engagement member is moved between a retracted position and an extended position, for lifting and inverting a refuse receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Perkins Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ramiro Arrez, Carlos Arrez
  • Patent number: 6948544
    Abstract: A blind lift rod control lock includes a housing having an axle hole, a rotating member revolvably mounted in the axle hole of the housing, the rotating member having a non-circular through hole, which receives a lift rod for enabling the rotating member to be synchronously rotated with the lift rod, a reverse ratchet, and a forward ratchet, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has a follower member, a first hooked portion adapted to engage the reverse ratchet, and a second hooked portion adapted to engage the forward ratchet. The follower member is selectively controlled to force the first hooked portion into engagement with the reverse ratchet or the second hooked portion into engagement with the forward ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Nien Made Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming Nien
  • Patent number: 6758647
    Abstract: A system and method of manufacturing wafers are provided suitable for a semiconductor manufacturing system and a method thereof capable of shortening the processing period composed of a series of processes applied to objects to be processed, mainly carry out processes and conveyance peace by peace, and which can manufacture even various kings of products. The system is provided with a plurality of processing units each having therein a conveying mechanism, and is provided therein with a conveyer device for conveying the objects to be processed to the processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsunori Kaji, Yoichi Uchimaki, Yuko Egawa
  • Patent number: 6733243
    Abstract: An interbay transportation system includes bays in which process equipment are provided, stockers provided for the individual bays, and a vehicle traveling through the stockers for transporting a semi-processed product from one of the stockers to another. Timing to start transportation is determined according to the operation status of the process equipment and the number of semi-processed products in the stocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., Ryoden Semiconductor System Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Ogata, Hirofumi Ohtsuka, Taichi Yanaru
  • Patent number: 6685038
    Abstract: A extendible boom incorporates a locking mechanism that mechanically engages an extended boom section in response to the loss of hydraulic fluid pressure to the lift cylinder for that boom section so as to prevent unintended boom lowering. The locking mechanism includes locking devices, such as toothed cams, that are located on opposite sides of the boom and that are configured to move, 1) from a disengaged position permitting unobstructed movement of the extended section relative to the adjacent section, 2) to an engaged position in which the locking devices engage opposite sides of the extended section to prevent unintended boom lowering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: J & R Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Johnston, Roger L. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6669039
    Abstract: A control system for a loading crane provided with a control site, the control system consisting of a control site for a crane operator, a directional control valve positioned external to the control site and arranged to control a hydraulic system of the crane to provide different operations of the crane, and a mechanical rod-driven control lever system influencing actuator spindles of the directional control valve for the control of the directional control valve from the control site of the crane. To provide an efficient control system, the directional control valve is arranged at the sides of the control site in such a way that the actuator spindles are in a substantially horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Loglift Oy AB
    Inventors: Arto Moilanen, Asko Repo, Jorma Renvall
  • Patent number: 6669038
    Abstract: A self-propelled crane provides a possibility to lift the heavy and large-size loads and includes a mobile unit as a base unit, which carries a pivoting platform, a traverse, a boom, the bottom of which is by the hinge connected to the platform and the upper end of a boom is attached to a luffing arm. The upper end of the boom has the first hoist cable roller and another end of the luffing arm has the second hoist cable roller. The first hoist cable is connected to a crane hook mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: David Zingerman
  • Patent number: 6644486
    Abstract: A system which can both be adapted to existing single point lift mechanisms, and constrain a hoisted load in all six degrees of freedom, includes a suspension point, an assembly, a lateral tension lines member, and a control system. The assembly includes first and second platforms connected by a plurality of control cables which can precisely control the position, velocity, and force of a hoisted element in six degrees of freedom. The position or tension of the control lines can be controlled either manually, automatically by computer, or in various combinations of manual and automatic control. Advantages associated with the system include not only the ability to control the position, velocity, and force of the attached load, tool, and/or equipment in six degrees of freedom using position and tension feedback, but its ready adaptation to existing single point lift mechanisms and relatively light weight, and its flexibility, ease, and precision of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventors: Adam Stephan Jacoff, Roger Vernon Bostelman, James Sacra Albus
  • Patent number: 6634450
    Abstract: During occurrence of slippage at drive wheels, a traction controller calculates a feedforward term of a desired drive engine torque as a sum of an accelerating resistance torque and a running resistance torque determined immediately before the occurrence of slippage. The traction controller calculates a feedback term of the desired drive torque as a function of a slip error from a desired value and determines a target engine torque in response to the feedforward and feedback terms and a speed ratio established in a transmission. The traction controller alters an engine torque modifier in the form of a throttle arranged upstream of an accelerator controlled throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Fukumura, Hitoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 6631816
    Abstract: Drums each having an independent drive source is installed on a trolley and each of the drums has a lifting rope which is wound around it and has an unwound end locked on a suspension piece, which will suppress any need to design the lifting rope in longer length and the drums in larger size. Sun gears, carriers and planetary gears disposed in each of the drums as well as internal teeth in each of the drums so as to be integrally rotated with the drum constitute a speed reducing mechanism for transmitting rotation of a drive source to each of the drums, will enable the entire hoist to be compact in size. Unwound length of the lifting rope from each drum is adjusted to control posture of the suspension piece and load in adequate state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isao Miyazawa, Hiroshi Asano, Kunio Noui
  • Patent number: 6612449
    Abstract: An intelligent power assisted manual manipulator controllable by operator inputs from an operator for moving an object is provided. The manipulator includes a movable base supporting a lift mechanism for moving the object. The manipulator also includes at least one servomotor for actuating at least one of the movable base and the lift mechanism for moving the object. An operator control mechanism for receiving the operator inputs is supported on the lift mechanism. A plurality of force sensors are disposed between the operator control mechanism and the lift mechanism for sensing said operator inputs and actuating at least one of the at least one servomotor. The movable base includes an overhead rail defining a generally horizontal first axis and a carriage supported on the overhead rail and movable along the first axis. The lift mechanism includes a turret assembly supported on the carriage having a generally vertical second axis, and a generally horizontal third axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: FANUC Robotics North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest M. Otani, Donald S. Bartlett, Hadi A. Akeel, H. Dean McGee, Lupcho Najdovski, James C. Hobson, Stan H. McClosky, Robert V. Bauer, Jr., Robert Frease
  • Patent number: 6461096
    Abstract: A tilt bed for a truck or a trailer, the tilt bed being able of carrying loads and providing its own ramp. The tilt bed comprises a frame, and a deck mounted on and supported by the frame, the deck having a front portion and a rear portion. The deck has rollers connected to the front portion, and the frame has tracks mounted at an angle, the tracks for guiding the deck rollers. The trailer bed further comprises a hydraulic cylinder that has a first end connected to the frame and a second end connected to the trailer bed. The hydraulic cylinder has a piston and a cylinder. As the piston moves from an extended state into a retracted state, it causes the trailer bed to move in a rearward position. At the same time, the tracks force the deck rollers in an upward motion and cause the trailer bed to tilt. Finally, the hydraulic cylinder remains parallel to the trailer deck at all times. This orientation is accomplished because the trailer deck and the hydraulic cylinder tilt around a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Trail King Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl R. Mentele, Bernard VanWassenhove