Patents Examined by David P. Bryant
  • Patent number: 7921565
    Abstract: A working fluid injection apparatus has an upper chamber that stores a working fluid and a lower chamber that removably receives a bearing unit having a housing and a shaft that is inserted in the housing to form between the shaft and the housing a gap into which the working fluid is to be injected. A partition divides the upper chamber and the lower chamber into top and bottom parts, respectively. A first exhaust system brings the inside of the upper chamber to a decompressed state. A second exhaust system brings the inside of the lower chamber to a decompressed state. A valve unit opens and closes an internal cavity of the lower chamber relative to an external environment. A tapered hole is formed in the partition and communicates the upper and lower chambers to one another. A tapered shaft is inserted into the tapered hole from the upper chamber. A shaft drive unit moves the tapered shaft in the axial direction in the tapered hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Junji Teraya, Yutaka Makishima, Naoki Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7921555
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine has annular cooling passage arranged in the vicinity of the piston crown and radially on the outside, which, in those regions of the pin bosses which lie close to the boss holes, has boss cooling passages which are connected to the cooling passage and are intended for improved cooling of the pin bosses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Arnold Benz, Helmut Kollotzek, Markus Leitl, Sven Schilling, Ernst Limbach, Josip Zvonkovic
  • Patent number: 7918268
    Abstract: A heat exchanger (10) comprises a first sheet (12), a second sheet (14) and an additional sheet (30). The first and second sheets (12,14) are wound around an axis (X), each sheet (12,14) has hot and cold edges at the hot and cold ends (16,18) respectively of the heat exchanger (10). The hot and cold edges of the first sheet (12) are joined to the hot and cold edges of the second sheet (14). The end (12A) of the first sheet (12) is joined to the second sheet (30) by an axially extending join (28) at a position spaced from the end (14A) of the second sheet (14). The end (30A) of the additional sheet (30) is joined to the end (14A) of the second sheet (14) by an axially extending join (28). The additional sheet (30) is thicker and wider than the first and second sheets (12,14) such that at least one of the hot and cold edges (30C,30D) of the additional sheet (30) extend beyond the hot and cold edges of the first and second sheets (12,14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: James I Oswald
  • Patent number: 7918026
    Abstract: A method for production of masts with extruded bodies includes joining at least three mast elements at corners of the mast by cooperating rail sections and channel sections. The channel sections are provided with tapered inner wall sections. The mast elements are joined by inserting the rail section of one mast element into a channel section of an adjacent mast element and clamping the rail section in the channel section. The clamping is accomplished moving a roller in a longitudinal direction on the external sides of the channel section and causing permanent deformation of the walls of the channel section around the rail section to establish a permanently joined corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Juralco A/S
    Inventors: Kim Heglund, Johnny Sk{hacek over (o)}ld
  • Patent number: 7918016
    Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Prairie Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Hollis, Dimitri Stamatiou
  • Patent number: 7918025
    Abstract: A thermal spreading device disposable between electronic circuitry and a heat sink includes a substrate having parallel first and second faces and conduits extending through the substrate between the faces. The substrate material has a first thermal conductivity value in a direction parallel to the faces and a second thermal conductivity value in a direction normal to the faces, with the second thermal conductivity value being less than the first thermal conductivity value. The conduit material has a thermal conductivity value associated with it, with the thermal conductivity value being greater than the second thermal conductivity value of the substrate. One method of fabricating the thermal spreading device includes disposing a molding material radially about the rods and hardening the material. Other methods include press fitting and shrink fitting the rods into a substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7918004
    Abstract: A tampon applicator barrel including a cardboard tube having a first end and a second end and at least one gripping structure defined from the cardboard tube proximate the second end is provided. The cardboard tube has a wall thickness of between about 0.015 and about 0.020 inches, while the gripping structure has a height of up to about 0.035 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne D. Melvin, Michael L. Miller, Jamshid Rejai, Van T. Pham, Joseph S. Konrad, Wojtek S. Drewnowski
  • Patent number: 7918024
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a turbine nozzle assembly using a fixture includes providing a first position of the fixture, positioning at least one datum of the turbine nozzle assembly adjacent at least one datum location point on the fixture when the fixture is in the first position, coupling the turbine nozzle assembly to the fixture when the fixture is in the first position, rotating the fixture from the first position into a second position that facilitates manufacturing the turbine nozzle assembly, and performing a manufacturing process on the turbine nozzle assembly when the fixture is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frank Delano Mooney, Jr., Gary Eugene Wheat, Timothy Riggs, Kenneth Ray Hill, Jr., Ronald Dale Edwards
  • Patent number: 7918005
    Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Prairie Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Hollis, Dimitri Stamatiou
  • Patent number: 7918023
    Abstract: A variable-vane cartridge mechanism for a turbocharger is assembled from a nozzle ring, an insert that engages a turbine housing bore, and a plurality of spacers. Holes larger in diameter than the spacers are formed in the nozzle ring and a nozzle portion of the insert, such that the spacers fit loosely in the holes. A locating fixture is engaged with the nozzle ring and insert for precisely locating these parts radially (and optionally also axially) with respect to each other; the spacers can move within the holes as needed to allow the positions of the parts to be adjusted. Once located relative to each other, the nozzle ring and insert are fixed in the desired relative positions by affixing the spacers to them, such as by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lorrain Sausse, Eric Boucher, Pierre Barthelet, Olivier Espasa, Emmanuel Séverin
  • Patent number: 7913372
    Abstract: A dual wall cooking vessel has an inner cooking portion or shell with a thermally conductive outer cladding that terminates prior to the interior of the rim of the cooking vessel. The construction provides uniform temperature during the cooking process, yet minimizes heat loss after cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Meyer Intellectual Properties Limited
    Inventor: Stanley Kin Sui Cheng
  • Patent number: 7913386
    Abstract: Flat gasket comprising a first sheet metal layer consisting of a spring steel and a second sheet metal layer consisting of a ductile steel, the first layer being provided with a sealing bead, and the second layer being provided in an edge area bordering on an edge of the layer with a thickened zone as supporting element for receiving pressing forces; to increase the design possibilities for such a supporting element, the latter is formed by at least one elongate arch of the second layer, which is stamped into the edge area of the second layer and extends approximately parallel to the free edge of the edge area, the arch being compressed in such a way that the metal volume of the supporting element is at least three times the total hollow space volume which the supporting element and two tangential planes abutting on the latter and extending parallel to the plane of the second layer include between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: ElringKlinger AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Werz, Tobias Gruhler, Peter Schenk, Wolfgang Fritz, Willi Brodbeck, Matthias Baur
  • Patent number: 7914430
    Abstract: A roll is supported at the middle thereof, for a paper, board or finishing machine is composed of two sections, a so-called inner shell (54?) and an outer shell (52?), supported by one another in the middle area of the roll (50?). The nominal stiffness of the manufacturing material of the inner shell (54?) of the roll is substantially greater than the nominal stiffness of the manufacturing material of the outer shell (52?) of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Matti Pajala, Aaron Mannio
  • Patent number: 7914431
    Abstract: A self-cleaning mounting system for a ground roller assembly to be used on a mower such as a flail mower including a stationary sleeve bearing positioned on mounting shafts extending from either end of the ground roller. The stationary sleeve bearing is positioned in a housing which is vertically positionably with respect to the mower housing. The housing includes a stationary helical flight and a seal guard which fits within the ground roller. The stationary sleeve bearing is protected on either end from dirt and debris getting between the inside surface of the stationary sleeve bearing and the outside surface of the mounting shafts on either end of the ground roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Alamo Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart L. Trevillyan, Brian E. Hardy, Mark A Otten, Allen C Larson
  • Patent number: 7914429
    Abstract: Deflection controlled roll that includes a rotating roll jacket, a rotationally fixed yoke arranged to axially pass through said roll jacket, and at least one hydrostatic support element is arranged on said yoke to exert a supporting force on an inner side of said roll jacket. The at least one hydrostatic support element includes a pressure space, a hydrostatic pocket, and at least one device coupled to said at least one hydrostatic pocket. The pressure space is structured and arranged to receive pressure fluid to charge said at least one hydrostatic support element. The at least one device is structured and arranged to convey the pressure fluid at a constant fluid pressure to said at least one hydrostatic pocket such that constant fluid pressure is applied at an end of said at least one device remote from said at least one hydrostatic pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf van Haag
  • Patent number: 7913389
    Abstract: A flapper valve assembly and a method of making the same. The flapper valve assembly is mountable to a manifold as a unit. The flapper valve assembly can include bearings that do not require assembly on a shaft of the flapper valve. More particularly, the flapper valve can include a shaft having one or more flap portions and one or more bearing portions molded in place on the shaft as a unitary structure. The bearing portions are separated from adjacent flap portions and/or the shaft thereby forming a bearing that rotates independently of flap portions on the shaft. The flapper valve is mounted to a flapper valve carrier that can include sealing members for facilitating a tight seal between the flapper valve and the carrier and/or the carrier and a manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Robert M. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 7913387
    Abstract: A thermal spreading device disposable between electronic circuitry and a heat sink includes a substrate having parallel first and second faces and conduits extending through the substrate between the faces. The substrate material has a first thermal conductivity value in a direction parallel to the faces and a second thermal conductivity value in a direction normal to the faces, with the second thermal conductivity value being less than the first thermal conductivity value. The conduit material has a thermal conductivity value associated with it, with the thermal conductivity value being greater than the second thermal conductivity value of the substrate. One method of fabricating the thermal spreading device includes disposing a molding material radially about the rods and hardening the material. Other methods include press fitting and shrink fitting the rods into a substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7908740
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling bearings and a stub into a bore of a hub. The apparatus includes a block defining a receiving position for the hub. A feed mechanism arranges plurality of bearings in the form of an annular array. A first mandrel is axially displaceable toward one side of the hub to push the annular array of bearings into the bore of the hub. A second mandrel is axially displaceable toward an opposite side of the hub to push a stub within the annular array of bearings in the bore of the hub. The stub includes at least one outwardly biased detent for retaining the bearings in the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventors: Brian Hasiak, Brian V. Vloch
  • Patent number: 7909516
    Abstract: A mounting system is disclosed for mounting a bearing assembly or other mechanical element to a shaft. The mounting system uses a tapered sleeve mechanism to secure the bearing assembly on the shaft. Specifically, a plurality of screws point load the tapered sleeve and drive it from a pre-assembled position to an initial position. Once the initial position has been reached a plurality of fasteners then drive the sleeve from the initial position to a final position. The difference between the initial position and final position determined by the width of a removable spacer used in the mounting system. The system also incorporates a jack screw mechanism used to dismount the bearing assembly from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Baldor Electric Company
    Inventors: William Gregory Hewitt, Joseph J. Maloney
  • Patent number: 7908730
    Abstract: A Push To Connect (PTC) fitting cartridge for connecting to a pneumatic device, such as, an air brake or a height control valve, the PTC fitting cartridge including at least one protrusion positioned on an outer surface of the PTC fitting cartridge, which is provided to interact with an undercut positioned on an inner surface of a port. The undercut interacts with the protrusion to substantially eliminate stress on the surrounding material to reduce the chance of fraction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Corporation
    Inventor: Victor A. Plath