Patents Examined by Cheryl Tyler
  • Patent number: 7182593
    Abstract: A jar candle includes at least two decorative elements located adjacent the interior of the jar and positioned in a predetermined relationship with respect to one another. A manufacturing method for forming the jar candle includes proving a jar having an interior surface defining an interior region. A sleeve having a predetermined pattern is slid over the jar. The sleeve and jar are aligned and a decorative element is applied to the interior surface of the jar element in alignment with the pre-determined pattern on the sleeve. The jar is then filled with wax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Silk Road Gifts, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent Lin
  • Patent number: 7181922
    Abstract: A cooled air temperature detector detects the temperature of air that has just passed through a refrigerant evaporator. The detector detects air temperatures for a plurality of locations on the cooling unit. When determining a control condition (ON/OFF condition) of the refrigerant compressor based on the post-evaporator temperature, an air conditioner ECU calculates and compares respective air temperatures detected by the detector and processes the lowest air temperature as the post-evaporator temperature. In another embodiment, a sensor detects a surface temperature at a plurality of locations on the refrigerant evaporator. The operation of the refrigerant compressor is controlled based on the lowest surface temperature detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7181923
    Abstract: An inverter device for variably controlling an operating frequency of an electric motor, which drives a compressor in a refrigerating cycle. the inverter includes a box-like resin case, having a metal film for shielding being applied or plated on a surface thereof and having a step portion on which a terminal block for the motor is arranged. A first substrate having mounted thereon power semiconductor devices constituting a converter and an inverter so as to be immersed in gel, and the first substrate is mounted in the case and brought into proximity of radiation fins at a reverse surface thereof. A second substrate having mounted thereon interface connectors into which signals from detection sensors for temperatures and pressures in the refrigerating cycle are input and photo-couplers for transmitting the input signals, and the second substrate is mounted in the case above the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kurita, Kuniaki Takatuka, Tatsuo Ando, Noriaki Yamada, Satoshi Furusawa
  • Patent number: 7175098
    Abstract: The invention is directed to temperature control system in which a programmable controller may be programmed to control a thermal output of said temperature-modifying device having a power connector. The programmable temperature control system may include at least one power coupler for removeably engaging the power connector from the temperature-modifying device. The programmable controller may be electrically coupled to the at least one power coupler and programmed to control the operation of the at least one temperature modifying device in response to the comparison of a measured temperature with at least one set point temperature. The power coupler may comprise one or more electrical outlets on the programmable temperature control system, for example, that may be used to individually control heating and cooling devices. The power controller may also include an power coupler for removeably engaging a power supply, such as an electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Lux Products Corporation
    Inventor: Michael R. DeLuca
  • Patent number: 7174739
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved drain valve for dew condensation in an air chiller unit mounted on an aircraft. The drain valve 160 attached to a drain of a drain pan in an air chiller unit is equipped with a valve seat member 162 having an opening 162a at the center and a valve member 164 disposed to contact the lower surface of the valve seat member 162. The valve member 164 is made of thin silicon rubber, and arms 164b created by slits formed thereto support a valve means 164e with extremely small spring constant. While the air chiller unit is operating, the valve means 164e is air tightly attached to the opening 162a of the valve seat by negative pressure, closing the drain valve. When the operation stops and dew drops gather on the valve means 164e, the valve means 164e is displaced by the weight and the valve is opened. When there are no dew drops, the valve is closed to prevent moisture from entering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventor: Masaji Ozaki
  • Patent number: 7171816
    Abstract: An air conditioner is disclosed to supply a room with oxygen as well as control temperature and humidity of the air. The present invention includes an outdoor module 10, an indoor module 20, a refrigerant tube 30, and an oxygen generating module. The oxygen generating module includes an oxygen generator 100 installed at the outdoor module 10 so as to generate oxygen by in-taking outdoor air, an oxygen exhauster 200 installed in the indoor module 20 so as to exhaust the oxygen, and an oxygen transport tube 300 transporting the oxygen generated from the oxygen generator 100 to the oxygen exhauster 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ho Geun Jang, Dong Jin Kwak, Min Chul Cho
  • Patent number: 7168255
    Abstract: The magnetic composite material of the present invention is used as a working substance in the magnetic refrigeration system and comprising at least two phases, including, a first phase composed of an intermetallic compound represented by a general formula: La(Fe(Co, Ni)Si)13, having an NaZn13 type crystal structure, and a second phase is composed of an iron alloy containing Si. The first phase is precipitated in an expansion size of 100 ?m or less in average. Preferably, the magnetic composite material contains Fe as a principal component, La in an amount from 4 atomic % to 12 atomic %, Si in an amount from 2 atomic % to 21 atomic %, and Co and Ni in a total amount from 0 atomic % to 11 atomic %, and the total amount of Fe, Co and Ni being from 75 atomic % to 92 atomic %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akiko Saito, Tadahiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7168258
    Abstract: A real temperature output air conditioner which lowers the ambient temperature of an interior space to a desired temperature and, once that has been achieved, delivers a constant flow of air at that specific temperature thereto. The present invention further includes a reservoir within the evaporator unit in which the evaporator coils and heater element are immersed. The evaporator coils and heat element act upon the fluid wherein thermal transfer to the ambient air is enhanced and dissipated to the interior space by the evaporator fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Osama Othman Mostaeen Al-Khateeb
  • Patent number: 7156087
    Abstract: An outdoor multi-method cooker for preparing a wide variety of different foods at the same time using selective convection, radiant, or conduction cooking operations with or without smoke, or combinations thereof, using a single heat source. The cooker has a horizontal central longitudinal chamber with a firebox at one end and a pair of stacks at the opposed end, a main oven, a pair of lateral smokeless ovens, a warming compartment, and a griddle above the firebox, all disposed transversely on the longitudinal chamber in parallel spaced relation, and a steam table along the upper portion of the longitudinal chamber. The cooker operates on the principle of equalization of natural differential pressures caused by rising warmer air, similar to the draw created by the upper portion of a fireplace, for drafting hot gases or smoke laden hot gases from the combustion source and selectively routing it through passageways into and around the various components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: Albert B. Churchill, III, Robert S. Churchill
  • Patent number: 7155921
    Abstract: A driving method of an air conditioning system is disclosed. The air conditioning system includes a first cooling device combined with a heating function and having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, a passage control device and an interior heat exchanger, a second cooling device provided at an outlet side of the blower and having a cooling pad containing moisture and ventilating, a tank storing refrigerant, a pump, a sprayer and a filter, a control unit electrically connecting to the first and second cooling devices and a humidity sensor and alternatively driving the first cooling device and the second cooling device according to humidity of outdoor air delivered from the humidity sensor during air conditioning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Yoon Jei Hwang, Chan Ho Song
  • Patent number: 7152417
    Abstract: A battery cooling apparatus for positively cooling an in-vehicle battery is disclosed. Air that has passed through a cooler (5) is supplied to batteries (1), and only internal air, but not external air, passes through the cooler (5). In this way, the batteries (1) can be cooled without being greatly affected by the disturbances such as the heat of an exhaust pipe and sunlight. Thus, the batteries (1) can be sufficiently cooled without increasing the heat radiation area, i.e. the surface area of the batteries (1). Noise of cooling air flow can be reduced while at the same time suppressing increases in both size and production cost of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Morishita, Yoshimitsu Inoue
  • Patent number: 7152429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of separating a dry feed gas (1) containing mostly methane, ethane and propane into a first product (17), called the treated gas, which is relatively more volatile, and a second product (34), called fraction C2 plus, which is relatively less volatile. The inventive method comprises: (i) an operation involving the cooling of the supply gas (1) into a cooled gas (2); (ii) an operation whereby the cooled gas (2) from operation (i) is separated and treated; and (iii) distillation in a distillation device (C3). The invention also relates to the corresponding installation. According to the invention, the distillation device (C3) comprises at least first and second distillation columns, (C1) and (C2), which operate at different pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Henri Paradowski
  • Patent number: 7150158
    Abstract: A freezing prevention system for a refrigeration device includes a freezing-prevention temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature in a refrigerant evaporator, and a control unit for controlling operation of a refrigerant compressor based on the detected refrigerant temperature. The control unit includes a calculating means for calculating an integral value of the detected refrigerant temperature integrating with respect to a passed time after the detected refrigerant temperature becomes equal to or lower than 0° C. When the integral value becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the control unit stops the operation of the refrigerant compressor. Accordingly, the freezing prevention system can accurately perform a freezing prevention control while its production cost can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Morita, Yuji Honda
  • Patent number: 7143590
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, at least one of an inner surface temperature of a passenger compartment and a surface temperature of a passenger in each detection area is the passenger compartment is detected by an infrared rays sensor, and a control unit determines a solar radiation condition such as a solar radiation amount and a solar radiation direction in the passenger compartment based on the surface temperature detected by the infrared rays sensor. The control unit controls operation of an operation member such as an air mixing door, based on the determined solar radiation condition. Thus, uncomfortable feeling given to the passenger can be reduced regardless of the solar radiation condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tomita
  • Patent number: 7144246
    Abstract: A candle with conformal polymer ornaments providing the appearance of an intricately carved candle is presented. The candle body has a plurality of cavities along its exterior surface and directly beneath each ornament. Adhesive is provided between the candle body and conformal ornaments and fills the cavities within the candle body. Ornaments are fixed to the candle via adhesive and mechanical bonds between each conformal ornament and the candle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Keith Barnstead
  • Patent number: 7140363
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a gas burner crown for kitchen hob, of the type with a radial series of notches, composed of shallower notches alternated with deeper notches, which act as small burner nozzles, from which small radial flames originate; the crown is characterised by the presence of eight regularly spaced angular sectors with shallower radial notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: SO. M. I. Press - Societa′ Metalli Iniettati S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piero Armanni
  • Patent number: 7137263
    Abstract: An air conditioning (A/C) system includes a condenser and an electric motor that drives a fan to induce air flow through the condenser. The electric motor includes an internal stator assembly and an external rotor assembly rotatable about the internal stator assembly. A housing is attached to the external rotor assembly. The fan is connected to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Michael T Collins, Ralph D Furmanek, S. Duke Snider
  • Patent number: 7131289
    Abstract: A container is disclosed which can include a container base having a cavity therein, a thermal source disposable in the cavity of the base, an insert being insertable within the cavity of the base such that the insert is in close proximity to the thermal source, and a cover. The cover and the insert can define a sealable compartment for the storage of food items. In other embodiments, the cover can be engageable directly with the base to define a storage compartment. The thermal source can act as either or both a heater and a cooler to help maintain the food items stored in the container at a desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Glad Products Company
    Inventors: Kara Lenee Harl, Anand Ramanujam, Timothy E. Kozikoski
  • Patent number: 7121103
    Abstract: An automobile air conditioning system controls the high pressure of the refrigeration cycle in a wide range of airflows from a low airflow region during an intermediate period to a high airflow region. When a dehumidifying mode is selected, the target high pressure at which the cycle efficiency calculated from a gas cooler outlet refrigerant temperature is maximized is defined as a target value to a valve such as a heating variable throttle valve to control the high pressure of the refrigeration cycle to the target value. This permits control such that the cycle efficiency of the refrigeration cycle is maximized in a wide range of airflow from a low airflow region during an intermediate period to a high airflow region at a relatively low, about 10° C., outside air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Itoh, Toshinobu Homan, Keiichi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7121099
    Abstract: In a Stirling cycle refrigerator, or in a method for controlling the operation of a Stirling cycle refrigerator, when it starts or stops being operated, or according to the detection result from position or temperature detecting means, the voltage supplied to a driving power source for driving a piston is controlled appropriately to prevent the piston from moving too far out of its movable range and thereby prevent breakage of a component resulting from collision between the piston and a displacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Shimizu, Naoki Nishi