Patents Examined by Jaime Corrigan
  • Patent number: 6871794
    Abstract: A device that can be used for dispersing or dispensing a liquid is provided that comprises a container, a nozzle device, a secondary wick, and a control device in which the container comprises, an open end and a liquid; the nozzle comprises a primary wick, a first end being in fluid communication with the liquid, and a second end extending through the open end of the container and having an opening; the aperture has extended therethrough the primary wick; the secondary wick extends into proximity with the primary wick; and the secondary wick is securely connected to a control device, which controls the distance between the primary wick and the secondary wick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Charles Nehemiah McEwen
  • Patent number: 6868812
    Abstract: A valve timing control system for an internal combustion engine has: a drive force transmitter or a chain sprocket; a cam shaft; a housing, a vane rotor; an advanced angle chamber and a delayed angle chamber; an oil pressure conveyer; a protrusion shaft; a target plate; and a sensor. The protrusion shaft is formed on at least one of the vane rotor and the housing, and protrudes forward. The target plate is mounted on at least one of the vane rotor and the housing. The target plate is formed substantially flat through a press molding, and is press fitted to the protrusion shaft. The target plate has a plurality of detector protrusions and one index protrusion. The detector protrusion and the index protrusion are equal in width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Saito, Hideaki Nakamura, Katsuhiko Uchida
  • Patent number: 6863037
    Abstract: A controller that outputs control signals to an actuator of a variable valve timing mechanism is integrally equipped with a cam sensor that takes out from a camshaft signals for discriminating a cylinder corresponding to a reference piston position. The controller discriminates the cylinder corresponding to the reference piston position, computes a rotation phase of the camshaft relative to a crankshaft, and transmits the result of the cylinder discrimination process to an engine controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Iizuka, Hirokazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6860246
    Abstract: A marine drive has an engine, a propeller and a transmission to switch the propeller between a propulsion position and a non-propulsion position. The engine has a combustion chamber. An air induction system communicates with the combustion chamber through an intake port. An exhaust system communicates with the combustion chamber through an exhaust port. Intake and exhaust valves move between an open position and a closed position of the intake port and the exhaust port, respectively. Intake and exhaust camshafts actuate the intake and exhaust valves, respectively. A VVT mechanism changes an actuating timing of the intake camshaft at which the camshaft actuates the intake valve. An ECU controls the intake camshaft to set the actuating timing at a generally optimum timing. A transmission position change operation sensor senses that the transmission is under operation and sends a signal to the ECU. The ECU controls the VVT mechanism based upon the signal to move the actuating timing away from the optimum timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Goichi Katayama
  • Patent number: 6851403
    Abstract: A valve drive having a rocker arm mounted on a cylinder head is provided. One end of the rocker arm is actuated by a push rod to actuate a valve stem of a poppet valve that engages the other end of the rocker arm, which is pivotably held between its ends on a support pin that extends into the cylinder head, with a spherical mounting being provided between the support pin and the rocker arm. Provided on that side of the rocker arm remote from the cylinder head is a bolt head for adjusting the bearing spacing between the rocker arm and the cylinder head for adjusting valve play. To prevent unintended adjustment of the bolt head, the latter cooperates with a rotation preventing element that has an arresting portion that engages the bolt head, and a support portion that conveys the adjustment moment away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Bernhard Dürr, Bruhns Imke, Jürgen Häberlein, Harald Schliemann, Jörg Schlossarczyk, Manfred Rabis
  • Patent number: 6848404
    Abstract: An oil pressure control apparatus which includes a source of hydraulic pressure introducing the hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic actuator which is actuated by hydraulic pressure, a fluid passage which is connected between the source of hydraulic pressure and the hydraulic actuator for introducing and discharging hydraulic pressure from the source of hydraulic pressure to the actuator, a control valve which is disposed in the fluid passages for controlling the hydraulic pressure and a filter is disposed in a position that is between the actuator and the control valve. Thereby, the control valve is capable to be operated smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Akinobu Maeyama, Masanori Koda
  • Patent number: 6840200
    Abstract: An electromechanical valve assembly 46 for an internal combustion engine 36 is provided. The valve assembly 46 includes a rotor 68 centered about a first axis 122 having a bore 114 extending generally axially therethrough. The valve assembly 46 further includes a stator 66 operatively disposed about the rotor 68 for producing a torque to cause rotation of the rotor 68 about the axis 122. Finally, the valve assembly 46 includes a valve 70 having a valve stem 126 and a valve head 84 The valve stem 126 extends generally axially through the bore 114 of the rotor 68. The valve stem 126 is also configured to move generally axially responsive to the rotation of the rotor 68 to selectively engage and disengage the valve head 84 with a valve seat 124 of the engine 36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Michael Miller
  • Patent number: 6837475
    Abstract: A valve-operating device for an engine includes a camshaft which is disposed on one side of a plane including axes of an exhaust valve and an intake valve and which has an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane. The camshaft and the exhaust and intake valves are connected to each other through a first rocker arm and a second rocker arm which are swingably carried on a rocker shaft disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane. The camshaft is formed with a large-diameter exhaust cam and a small-diameter intake cam adjoining a portion of the exhaust cam on the side of the plane. The exhaust and intake rocker arms are provided with arm portions extending in an axial direction of the camshaft to come into sliding contact with outer peripheral surfaces of the exhaust and intake cams, respectively. Thus, it is possible to open and close the exhaust and intake valves with inherent opening and closing timings, while easily avoiding interferences among components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumio Ogata, Akihisa Shinoda
  • Patent number: 6837196
    Abstract: A valve actuator assembly for an engine includes a movable engine valve, a movable first spool valve, and a movable second spool valve. The valve actuator assembly also includes a driving channel interconnecting the second spool valve and the engine valve, an intermediate channel interconnecting the first spool valve and the second spool valve, and a feedback channel interconnecting the second spool valve and the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly includes an actuator operatively cooperating with the first spool valve to position the first spool valve to prevent and allow fluid flow in and out of the second spool valve and the driving channel to position the engine valve. The valve actuator assembly further includes an on/off valve in fluid communication with the feedback channel to enable and disable the feedback channel to control motion of the second spool valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Zongxuan Sun
  • Patent number: 6837198
    Abstract: The invention proposes a variable valve train (1) for throttle-free load control of an internal combustion engine. Each cylinder of the internal combustion engine is provided with two inlet valves (9). According to the invention, each inlet valve (9) cooperates with a particular adjusting element (8, 8a), and the adjusting elements (8, 8a) can be actuated independently of each another. This additionally enhances the variability of the valve train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Maas, Frank Himsel
  • Patent number: 6832583
    Abstract: A direct acting two-step valve train uses direct acting switching valve lifters combined with high and low lift or no lift cams providing differential valve lifts for dual intake valves of cylinders actuated by the low lift cams. The combination provides various alternative operating modes utilizing the charge enhancing qualities of differential intake valve lifts in low lift operation. These modes include (1) high lift to differential low valve lift and (2) high lift to low lift on one bank and high lift or no lift (deactivated) on the other. A cam phaser may also be included to vary cam phasing on single or dual camshafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Alan W. Hayman
  • Patent number: 6832585
    Abstract: A valve timing control device includes a drive pulley 2 driven by a crankshaft of an engine, and a driven camshaft 1. The camshaft 1 has a cam 70 that serves to open and close an intake port 72. An engine valve 71 is spring-loaded by a valve spring 73, whereas the cam 70 opens or closes the engine valve 71 against the bias of the spring 73. Torque is transmittable between the drive pulley 2 and the camshaft 1, and a rotation angle adjusting mechanism 4 is provided therebetween. The rotation angle adjusting mechanism 4 has a movable operating member 11 being movable in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: UNISIA JECS Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6832586
    Abstract: A variable timing duration camshaft has an outer shaft (1) and coaxial inner shaft (2) adapted so that the shafts (1, 2) are relatively slidable but not rotatable about each other. The outer shaft (1) has valve control lobes located on its outer surface and a valve control lobe modifying segments (4) is located on the inner shaft (2) and is slidingly fitted into a mating slot (5) in the outer shaft and in the valve control lobe whereby longitudinal axial movement of the inner shaft (2) relative to the outershaft by a control means (13, 14) causes the modifying segment (4) to move longitudinally and circumferentially relative to the valve control lobes thereby varying the duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Transtar Pacific Limited
    Inventor: Danny Russell Williams
  • Patent number: 6827051
    Abstract: A quantity of internal EGR gases remaining in an engine is estimated in accordance with an exhaust valve closing timing, an intake valve opening timing and an engine speed. The estimated internal EGR quantity is a sum of a base quantity and an increase correction quantity determined in accordance with a valve overlap period, its middle angular position in crankshaft rotation and intake pressure. The estimated internal EGR quantity is used for estimating an engine cylinder intake air quantity and for engine control such as ignition timing control, and intake air quantity control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kawasaki, Masahiro Arai
  • Patent number: 6817325
    Abstract: A hydraulic manifold assembly for variable actuation of engine valves. First and second plates have portions of flow passages integrally molded therein. The plates are formed preferably by injection molding of a suitable polymer, for example, glass-filled nylon, and are joined together as by cementing or preferably by fusion welding (vibration welding) along mating surfaces to form the full pattern of flow passages. This method of forming the manifold obviates the need for separate fasteners to connect the plates and for internal seals to form the flow passages. The assembly further comprises a retainer for retaining a plurality of individual solenoid-actuated valves in sockets formed in the plates. Preferably, the retainer is formed to function simultaneously as a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) baffle that attaches to the plates via integrally molded releasable snap tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike J. Dinkel, Dave Beiswenger, Doug Gnage, Michael Brosseau, Daniel F. Smith
  • Patent number: 6814037
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing system having a camshaft with a vane-type rotor, where oscillation of the housing relative to the vane is actuated by pressurized engine oil, derived in part from a torque pulse in the camshaft. An annular locking plate is positioned coaxially with the camshaft and the housing. It is moveable relative to the housing along the longitudinal central axis of the camshaft between two positions, the teeth on the locking plate engaging the teeth on the housing and where the teeth on the locking plate are disengaged from the teeth on the housing, each position preventing circumferential movement of the housing relative to the rotor. The locking plate is biased by a plurality of metallic straps towards engagement of the teeth on locking plate with the teeth on the housing. The straps have one end secured to the locking plate and another end secured to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin R. Smith, Roger Simpson, Marty Gardner, Braman Wing, Michael Duffield
  • Patent number: 6811099
    Abstract: A battery operated sprayer has an elongated handle for gripping by the operator for actuating the sprayer and for supporting the container to which the sprayer is attached, a removable battery pack forms a removable portion of the handle which solely supports a plurality of batteries which may be recharged or replaced by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Calmar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Krestine, David DeJonge
  • Patent number: 6810843
    Abstract: In a VCT system having a feedback loop for controlling a phaser angular relationship, a control law disposed to receive a plurality of set point values and a plurality of feed back values is provided to include: a computation block for receiving the plurality of set point values as inputs, the computation block outputting a first output and a second output; a first summer for summing the first output and the plurality of feed back values to produce a first sum (e0); a phase integrator and a phase compensator receiving the first sum (e0) and derivatives (e1) thereof outputting a processed value (e2); a amplifier amplifying the second output by a predetermined scale (Kff); and e) a second summer for summing the processed value (e2) and the amplified second output to produce a second sum (e3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley B. Quinn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6807932
    Abstract: A rocker arm 1 includes an arm body 4 prepared from a single plate material by means of a press work. The arm body 4 includes a pair of parallel side walls 5 and a connecting wall 6 bridging between the opposite side walls 5 and also having a pivot support hole 7 defined at a location generally intermediate of the length of the arm body 4. A roller support pin for rotatably supporting a roller 10 for driving engagement with a cam is mounted on one ends 1a of the opposite side walls 5, while the opposite end 1b of the connecting wall 6 defines an overlapped structure 13 formed by bending an end overlap piece 12, extending integrally from a side edge of the connecting wall 6, backwardly to overlap the connecting wall 6. This overlapped structure 13 in turn defines an adjustment element 16 having a mounting hole 15 defined therein for adjustably receiving a valve driving member 14. The rocker arm 1 may be designed to be an end pivot type, in which case the adjustment element 16 is provided with a pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventor: Katsufumi Abe
  • Patent number: 6807929
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system is provided. The system includes an engine valve moveable between a closed position and an open position. A spring is operatively connected to the engine valve to bias the engine valve towards the closed position. An actuator is operatively connected to the engine valve and is operable to selectively engage the engine valve to prevent the engine valve from returning to the closed position and to release the engine valve to allow the engine valve to return to the closed position. A sensor is configured to provide information related to the operation of the actuator. A controller is configured to transmit a signal to the actuator to engage the engine valve to prevent the engine valve from returning to the closed position and to release the engine valve to the allow the engine valve to return to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jason Kenneth Bloms, James J. Faletti, Richard Herman Holtman, Scott Alan Leman, David Andrew Pierpont