Patents Examined by Denise L. Ferensic
  • Patent number: 6059654
    Abstract: A discharge grill of an air conditioner is capable of preventing the discharge port from being blocked by the rotation of horizontal blades. The discharge grill comprises a frame which is fixed into a discharge port of an air conditioner, a rightward/leftward air direction adjusting means having a plurality of vertical blades which are disposed on the frame in a perpendicular relation with the upper/lower walls of the frame to be rotated rightward/leftward, an upward/downward air direction adjusting means having a plurality of horizontal blades which are disposed on the frame in a horizontal relation with the upper/lower walls of the frame to be rotated upward/downward, and the rotational movement limiting means for limiting a rotational movement of the horizontal blades when the horizontal blades are rotated upward/downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Soon Kim
  • Patent number: 6055945
    Abstract: A feedwater control system for a pressurized water steam generating system, and a method for using such, includes a steam generator, at least one feedwater pump which receives an output signal from the feedwater control system, an economizer feedwater control valve which receives the output signal and automatically controls flow of feedwater to the steam generator when a power level of the feedwater control system is at a first predetermined range, preferably between about 10 and 100%, and a downcomer feedwater control valve which receives the output signal and automatically controls the flow of feedwater to the steam generator when the power level is at a second predetermined range, preferably between 0 and about 10%. A first input signal is provided, determined by the feedwater flow of the steam generator, along with a second input signal, determined by the steam flow of the steam generator, and a third input signal, determined by the level of the steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard P. Simoni
  • Patent number: 6055943
    Abstract: Improved air port castings are employed in a recovery boiler, eliminating the use of a crotch plate in a membrane/tube type boiler. The casting extends over the exposed portion where the membrane begins again at an air port, providing a sacrificial member that is replaceable. An upper mounting bolt is employed, but no lower bolt is required, making replacement of the casting simpler. A damper guide is formed as an integral portion of the air port casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Anthony-Ross Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Cochrane, Kenneth A. Pingel
  • Patent number: 6055944
    Abstract: A storage water heater including a vessel for accumulating a volume of water which is to be heated, said vessel having water inlet and outlet means, at least one gas burner, an exhaust gas outlet and a temperature regulating device. In order to evaluate the storage water heater behavior a calorimetric relationship is defined between the calories supplied by the burner and the volume of the vessel (Q/V) which ranges between 200 and 800 Kcal/H.l.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Eskabe S.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Santiago
  • Patent number: 6056544
    Abstract: An apparatus for baking resists on semiconductor wafers, which is capable of preventing cold air from entering the interior of the baking chamber while a baking process is carried out, by controlling the temperature of ambient air surrounding the baking chamber to equal the internal temperature of the baking chamber. This control is achieved by providing a hot air supply unit and nozzles. The hot air supply unit generates hot air heated to a desired temperature and supplies the generated hot air to the nozzles. The nozzles are connected to the hot air supply unit and arranged near the baking chamber. The nozzles inject the hot air onto the outer surface of the baking chamber. The nozzles may be arranged around the entrance of the baking chamber where a wafer to be baked is loaded. In this case, the nozzles inject heated air onto opposite surfaces of the wafer being loaded or unloaded. The baking apparatus may have a configuration including a cooling chamber, a feeding chamber and a baking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-Geol Cho
  • Patent number: 6056010
    Abstract: A low spill anti-check fluid coupling for pressurized fluid systems is disclosed. The coupling includes a female part and a male part. The female part has a body member and a sleeve mounted for axial movement within said body member. A spring biased female valve is positioned within the body member. A handle mounted for rotation on said body member is operatively connected to the sleeve for opening said female valve to initiate fluid flow through the coupling. An anti-check spring is operatively connected to the female valve for retaining said female valve is an open position when the fluid coupling is in an open fluid flow condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventor: Michael P. Wells
  • Patent number: 6053808
    Abstract: An exhaust vent for venting exhaust air from an electronic chassis includes a body portion having a length. The body portion is mounted to the electronic chassis. The body portion includes an upper portion that extends along the length of the body portion and a lower portion that also extends along the length of the body portion. The upper portion includes a deflector portion and the lower portion includes a curved portion. The deflector portion of the upper portion and the curved portion of the lower portion define an exhaust opening in the body portion to allow the exhaust air from the electronic chassis to pass through the exhaust opening in a downward direction and to conceal an inside portion of the electronic chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Amir Koradia, Philip A. Ravlin, Hong Li
  • Patent number: 6053205
    Abstract: An arrangement for use with a valve system permits facilitated adaptation to conditions where modified lever ratios are desired while an actuation force requirement remains unaffected, or where a modified actuating force requirement is desired while lever ratios remain unchanged. In order to avoid or reduce costs associated with modification of the actuation force requirement of the valve system, a spring is provided which acts upon an operating element thereof, in addition to a pressure force, and codirectional therewith, against the actuating force in such manner that a predetermined actuating force requirement results. The invention finds particular significance in applications directed to vehicle braking systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Wabco GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Feldmann
  • Patent number: 6053194
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are closures that are formed via an injection molding process with a thin breakable web. When they are first placed in a fluid conduit and exposed to line pressure the web will break open so as to thereby create a duckbilled type check valve. Thus, the closure can provide a seal during long-term storage prior to use. However, once used it functions as a check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Cory J. Nelson, Peter M. Neumann, Robert W. Balfanz
  • Patent number: 6050813
    Abstract: Cement clinker is produced using high sulfur fuels by combusting high sulfur fuel within a kiln. The feed material is introduced at an inlet of the kiln and is sintered by the combusting fuel to form sintered material. The sintered material is cooled to form cement clinker. The production of the sintered material is controlled by measuring the sulfur content in the cement clinker and using that measurement to control the concentration of oxygen at the inlet of the kiln. The fuel may contain up to 14% sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Cement Petcoptimizer Company
    Inventor: Joseph Doumet
  • Patent number: 6050294
    Abstract: A resilient disc check valve with a spring return mechanism is provided. The spring return mechanism is contained entirely within the valve body. The spring return mechanism is in the form of a leaf spring or similar structure which engages a back side of the disc and does not require any attachment to the disc by way of fasteners or other mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Val-Matic Valve and Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Ted J. Makowan
  • Patent number: 6050282
    Abstract: A batch system wherein a constant, metered flow, is established for each of the ingredients of the batch. Having a constant flow rate and constant pressure in the fluid flow, a diverter valve diverts the flow for a predetermined length of time to yield a predetermined volume of each ingredient. Since each ingredient is in a separate flow path, the diverter valve can provide one ingredient at a time, or a plurality of ingredients at a time. A computer controlling the system stores various recipes or batch formulas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Kuesters Corporation
    Inventor: Alvin W. Whaley
  • Patent number: 6050227
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a boiler including a boiler enclosure having a plurality of spaced-apart heat exchange tubes positioned therein comprising a movable support positioned outwardly of the boiler enclosure having a first, elongated hollow pipe extending therefrom which is introduced into the boiler enclosure. A pair of spray arms are mounted on the end of the first pipe and rotate with the pipe to supply high pressure cleaning water onto the tubes so that debris is washed from the heat exchange tubes. An optional cooling jacket is also described which may be positioned around the first pipe for cooling the first pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Meylan Enterprises
    Inventor: Robert R. LaMotte
  • Patent number: 6050293
    Abstract: A check valve assembly mounted for engagement with a valve seat includes a flapper valve and a lever arm. The flapper valve includes a bracket pivotably mounted along a first hemisphere of the valve seat, a valve plate mounted to the bracket along a region generally spaced from a periphery of the valve plate, and a mounting assembly adjustably joining the valve plate to the bracket. The flapper valve has a closed position with the valve plate in sealing engagement with the valve seat about the periphery of the valve plate. The lever arm is pivotably mounted to the valve seat along a second hemisphere of the valve seat opposite the first hemisphere. The lever arm includes a lever surface disposed for moving contact with an engagement surface of the bracket and a biasing means for biasing the lever surface toward contact with the engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Watts Investment Company
    Inventors: Ping Lin, Rand Ackroyd
  • Patent number: 6050292
    Abstract: An absolute pressure regulator valve assembly for controlling the absolute pressure (P.sub.C) of a fluid source. The absolute pressure regulator valve assembly includes a hollow housing having an inlet port and a discharge port. The inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid source. The discharge port is associated with a valve seat. A bellows assembly is positioned within the housing. The bellows assembly has an open first end and a closed second end. The first end is gas-tight sealed to the housing and is in fluid communication with a means for providing a reference pressure (P.sub.R) within the bellows assembly. A valve closure element is attached to the closed end of the bellows assembly. The valve closure element is positioned relative to the valve seat wherein motion of the bellows assembly provides opening and closure of the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
    Inventors: Isaac Richman, James D. Gehris, Wesley A. King
  • Patent number: 6047944
    Abstract: A poppet adapted for movement in a passage extending between an inlet port and a control chamber of a poppet valve for controlling a fluid flow rate into the control chamber from the inlet port responsive to changes in a fluid flow rate from the control chamber, the poppet including at least one metering port positioned for communicating with the control chamber, a conduit connecting the metering port with an opening positioned for communicating with the inlet port for the flow of the fluid from the inlet port to the metering port, and at least one flow increasing element communicating with the conduit positioned to be covered by an inner sidewall when the poppet is within a predetermined range of displacement from a closed position toward the control chamber, the flow increasing element being increasingly exposed to the control chamber when the poppet is displaced toward the control chamber beyond the range, and the flow increasing element cooperating with the metering port when the poppet is at a predetermi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hajek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6048199
    Abstract: A tunnel kiln for firing ceramic honeycomb structural body comprising a vestibule region, a carbonaceous material release region located downstream of the vestibule region and a sintering region located downstream of the carbonaceous material release region and having a multiplicity of kiln cars adapted to convey materials to be fired through the kiln. A gas distribution system is provided which includes a series of conduits each which operatively communicates with an injection site which operatively communicates with the interior of the release region for introducing a gas into the carbonaceous release region. The injection sites include a combustion burner located site, a vestibule located site, an undercar located site, a rooftop located site, and a sidewall located site or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan T. Dull, Thomas S. Hinkle
  • Patent number: 6047730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the drive system for double seat valves comprising two individually movable closure members which, in addition to the open position, can each be individually moved into a partial open position. The object of the invention is to construct a device which is easy to assemble and is space-saving and which should be able to provide externally adjustable, partial lift stops for both closure members. Said object is attained in that a piston (107) of a first individual adjustment device (1b) for the partial open position (T1) of the independently driven closure member (4) is displaceably arranged, to form a seal, externally in a drive housing (100) of the drive device (1), and a piston (108) of a second individual adjustment device (1c) for the partial open position (T2) of the dependently driven closure member (5) is displaceably arranged, to form a seal, externally in a cylindrical recess (107a) of the piston (107), which recess faces a main adjustment device (1a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Tuchenhagen GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Robert Coura, Jurgen Schreiber
  • Patent number: 6044804
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a feed-water supply to a continuous-flow or once-through steam generator, wherein steam temperature of evaporated feedwater is employed for determining a feedwater supply rate in the method, includes indicating an actual value of the steam temperature jointly with a setpoint value thereof obtained from operationally induced parameters, and a device for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Franke, Eberhard Wittchow
  • Patent number: 6044862
    Abstract: A valve assembly has a discharge valve member and a suction valve member. One of these valve members includes a reed valve. The reed valve has a tab which includes a slot which engages a cantilevered pin. The cantilevered pin allows flexing of the pin upon contact with the reed valve. In addition, the cantilever mounting of the pin provides a lubricant reservoir for lubricating the interface between the pin and the reed valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley P. Schumann, Frank Shue Wallis, Jason Patrick Beresik, Ernie Roger Bergman, Deborah Louise Monnin