Patents Examined by Benjamin Osterhout
  • Patent number: 8197609
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for washing gas turbine engines comprising a manifold comprising one or more tubes; a pumping system for providing pressurized washing liquid to the manifold, the pumping system comprising a pump, and one or more valves; and a control unit for regulating the pumping system according to washing parameters associated to a particular engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Line Maintenance Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Per G. Alvestig, Sebastian Nordlund
  • Patent number: 8192557
    Abstract: A dish washing machine having a basket height adjusting apparatus. The dish washing machine includes a machine body having a washing tub defined therein, a basket disposed in the washing tub to receive dishes to be washed, and a basket height adjusting apparatus. The basket height adjusting apparatus includes a support bracket mounted at each side of the basket such that the support bracket can be moved vertically, rollers mounted to the support bracket to slide the basket forward and backward, and an adjusting lever mounted at the basket to adjust a vertical movement of the support bracket and to thereby adjust the height of the basket. The adjusting lever is moved along with the basket. Consequently, in the present invention, the thumb of a user is not caught in the basket and injured when the user rotates the adjusting lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Chan Ryu, Jae Young Choi, Yong Woon Han, Sung Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8181298
    Abstract: A novel washing method that is capable of smoothly washing laundry with low washing water consumption and low power consumption is disclosed. The control method is applied to a washing machine having a steam generation unit. The control method comprising a step of discharging water out of the steam generation unit when a rinsing operation of the washing machine is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seog Kyu Park, In Geun Ahn
  • Patent number: 8177914
    Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a blower and a method for landscaping and lawn maintenance. The blower includes an outer housing having an inner chamber, the outer housing defining at least one discharge port and an impeller disposed within the inner chamber of the housing. The impeller has a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein a first plurality of blades are mounted to the first side surface and a second plurality of blades are mounted to the second side surface. The second plurality of blades are a mirror image of the first plurality of blades. Air or other fluid is expelled through the discharge ports and can be directed using discharge tubes in order to redistribute debris or fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Clifford Peters
  • Patent number: 8171756
    Abstract: A steam generator is disclosed, which can prevent deformation of a housing in an injection molding process, so as to improve efficiency on connection of the housing, the steam generator comprising the housing which defines the exterior of the steam generator, and holds washing water therein; and at least one deformation-preventing rib provided in the housing so as to prevent the housing from being deformed in an injection molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ki Chul Cho, Hyon Su Ahn
  • Patent number: 8166983
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub formed by a plurality of walls defining an interior and an exterior, a first conduit coupled to the tub, a valve coupled to the first conduit, a rack moveable between an engaged horizontal position and a disengaged horizontal position and between an upper vertical position and a lower vertical position, and a second conduit coupled to the rack. A first portion of the second conduit engages the valve when the rack is in the upper vertical position, and a second portion of the second conduit engages the valve when the rack is in the lower vertical position. The valve permits fluid to flow from the first conduit to the second conduit when the rack is in the engaged horizontal position. The valve does not permit fluid to flow from the first conduit to the interior when the rack is in the disengaged horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Wolf Appliance, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin R. Clerkin
  • Patent number: 8168006
    Abstract: A utensil holder assembly for a dishwasher includes multiple utensil baskets that can be mounted in various different configurations in the dishwasher to provide a consumer with the flexibility to construct diverse arrangements of dishware, cookware, utensils and the like for a washing operation. In a first configuration, two utensil baskets are interconnected to form an elongated basket which can be mounted to an inner liner of a dishwasher door. In a second configuration, one basket is mounted to the inner liner and the other basket is supported on a rack in the dishwasher. In a third configuration, both of the baskets are supported on the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Debra L. Bengston, Mark Britton, Heather Hagans, Scott D. Raches, Wayne M. VanLandingham, Christopher W. Vaughn, Karl R. C. Wendt
  • Patent number: 8163103
    Abstract: A dishwasher is provided in which heights of basket(s) of a rack assembly may be easily changed. The dishwasher may include a frame configured to be inserted into and withdraw from a washing tub and plurality of basket positioning device configured to receive and support basket(s) at different heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gap Su Shin, Nung Seo Park, Yong Jin Choi, Young Hwan Park, Jae Won Chang
  • Patent number: 8161987
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a system for filling level recognition may be achieved which reliably determines the fluid level inside the dishwasher without the use of moving parts, whereby the dishwasher is provided with at least one capacitive filling level sensor for recognition of the fluid level of the rinsing fluid contained in the dishwasher, the electrical capacitance of which changes depending on the height of the fluid level. The fluid level in the dishwasher can thus be reliably determined without the need for moving parts and merely by the use of electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Curtius, Peter Schweier
  • Patent number: 8157922
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing an inside of a pipe which performs various works from an inside of a pipe, includes traveling drive units, a working device, rotation support mechanisms, a coupling mechanism, and suspension devices. The traveling drive units are inserted into the inside of the pipe, and the working device is moved in a circumferential direction along the inside of the pipe by the traveling drive units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Shimamura, Yutaka Togasawa, Takeshi Maehara, Yasuhiro Yuguchi
  • Patent number: 8156769
    Abstract: An automatic washing machine includes a wash basin having a plurality of apertures and an annular liquid reservoir formed at an upper portion of the basin. A plurality of flow channels are arranged around the exterior surface of the wash basin. The plurality of flow channels includes upward flow channels, configured for directing wash liquid extracted from the wash basin into the reservoir under centrifugal force generated in a spin cycle. The plurality of flow channels also includes downward flow channels configured for directing wash liquid from the reservoir to a central drain following the spin cycle. The arrangement avoids the need for an outer wash tub, and at the same time provides stabilization to the wash basin during high speed spins. In another aspect, the wash basin may include wash action ramps provided on a bottom surface of the wash basin and at an upper sidewall of the wash basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Leidig, David Irwin Ellingson
  • Patent number: 8151602
    Abstract: Top-loading clothes washing machine, including a wash tub, inside which there is arranged a cylindrical drum adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis thereof. The drum is provided with an access or loading port situated on a portion of the cylindrical side surface thereof, and at least a flap for closing/opening the drum access port. There is also provided a top lid adapted to close the aperture into the wash tub from above, and hinged with an edge portion thereof on the upper rear edge portion of the outer casing of the machine. The machine is provided with interference means applied on to a portion of the machine comprised between the drum and the top lid, and adapted to be rotated upwards when the drum flap is opened, thereby interfering with the top lid. As a result, the interference means will act to make it impossible for the top lid to be closed if the drum flap is not duly closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Ennio Zardetto
  • Patent number: 8142572
    Abstract: A lavatory pan washing apparatus includes a water supply unit supplying washing water into a rim so that a whirling flow is formed in a lavatory bowl, an air inlet pipe connected to a water discharge channel continuing to the downstream side of a water sealing portion of a pan, an air sucking unit sucking air through the pipe from the channel, and a control unit configured to activate the water supply unit at a time of washing of the pan so that the washing water is supplied into the water sealing portion. The control unit is configured to start activation of the air sucking unit after rise of a water level in the lavatory bowl, so that air is sucked through the pipe from the channel. The control unit is configured to deactivate the water supply unit after air has flowed through the air inlet pipe into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: LIXIL Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shirai, Osamu Matsumoto, Aki Shirako, Haruo Yamasaki, Kenichi Ito, Yasuhiro Kondo, Ken Hirabayashi, Atsushi Ito
  • Patent number: 8136539
    Abstract: Devices, including a wash ring assembly, and methods are provided for the removal of excess fluid or solids from the exterior or interior of a probe used to transfer fluids, for instance, in an automated assay device. Typically, a probe is used to aspirate and dispense a sample fluid material such as whole blood or a reagent. The devices and methods provided herein are useful for removing excess fluid from the exterior or interior of the probe so as to prevent dripping and cross-contamination between samples or reagents. It is also contemplated that, utilizing the devices and methods provided herein, washing and/or drying can be performed simultaneously as the probe is in motion, aspirating a sample and/or dispensing a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Nasser Jafari, Lawrence Blecka, Chris Tsai
  • Patent number: 8132581
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method and system for washing a sedimentation device in a water treatment system using ultrasonic waves. The system includes an ultrasonic transmitting device for transmitting the ultrasonic of a predetermined power and transmitting frequency to the sedimentation device, a carrying device positioned inside or outside of the water treatment system for moving the ultrasonic transmitting device over the sedimentation device. The carrying device may include an operation track, a moving car body erected over the operation track, a driving device, and a car body position detection and control device. The effects of the invention are greatly better than that of manual washing with high pressure water. The consumption of water, treatment reagents and manpower can be decreased, thereby decreasing effectively the cost of water production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Shun Guo
  • Patent number: 8122547
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a main body defining an outer appearance, a tub supported in the main body, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, a steam generating unit supplying steam into the drum, and a circulation pump returning washing water exhausted from a first side of the tub to a second side of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seok Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 8109282
    Abstract: A rinsing liquid (DIW) is discharged from a rinsing liquid discharge port formed in a blocking member to perform rinsing processing to a substrate surface while a nitrogen gas is supplied into a clearance space, and a liquid mixture (IPA+DIW) is discharged from a liquid mixture discharge port formed in the blocking member to replace the rinsing liquid adhering to the substrate surface with the liquid mixture while the nitrogen gas is supplied into the clearance space. Thus, an increase of the dissolved oxygen concentration of the liquid mixture can be suppressed upon replacing the rinsing liquid adhering to the substrate surface with the liquid mixture, which makes it possible to securely prevent from forming an oxide film or generating watermarks on the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Miya, Akira Izumi
  • Patent number: 8109119
    Abstract: A steam generating device and a washing machine having the same are disclosed. The steam generating device includes a lower housing, which contains water, in which a heater is arranged, and which has a vertical length longer than a horizontal length, an upper housing including a steam chamber for containing steam generated as the water is heated, a water level sensor for sensing a water level of the water chamber, and a receptacle for covering the water level sensor, the receptacle including an opening for allowing water to be introduced into the receptacle. In accordance with this configuration, it is possible to easily install the steam generating device, to achieve a superior performance, to prevent the water level sensor from malfunctioning, and to prevent spots from being formed on laundry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Geun Ahn, Kyu Won Lee, Seong Il Moon
  • Patent number: 8104488
    Abstract: A centrifugal workpiece processor for processing semiconductor wafers and similar workpieces includes a head which holds and spins the workpiece. The head includes a rotor having a gas system. Gas or air is sprayed or jetted from inlets in the rotor to create a rotational gas flow. The rotational gas flow causes pressure conditions which hold the edges of a first side of the workpiece against an angled annular surface on the rotor. The rotor and the workpiece rotate together. Guide pins adjacent to a perimeter may help to align the workpiece with the rotor. Outlets through the rotor allow gas to flow out of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason A. Rye, Kyle M. Hanson, Daniel J. Woodruff
  • Patent number: 8087419
    Abstract: A substrate holding rotating mechanism is used to hold and rotate a substrate to be processed. The substrate holding rotating mechanism according to the present invention includes at least three spindles, clamp rollers mounted respectively on the spindles for holding a periphery of a substrate, a rotating device for rotating at least one of the clamp rollers, at least one base member on which at least one of the spindles is installed, and a rotational mechanism adapted to allow the base member to be rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaneko, Takahiro Ogawa, Kenichi Sugita