Patents Examined by Kenneth B. Rinehart
  • Open/close door drive controller for drawer-type heating cooker
    Patent number: 7793650
    Abstract: When a user manually opens/closes the door of the drawer-type heating cooker, a pulse generation means attached to an electric motor generates pulses for counting the number of revolutions. A determination means determines whether the door is opened/closed manually or not on the basis of detection of the pulses. A prediction means predicts whether the manual operation is door opening or door closing in response to the status of position detection switches for detecting the position of the door. A motor control means decides the rotation direction of the electric motor in accordance with the prediction by the prediction means and controls the rotation of the electric motor on the basis of the decision. Hence the burden of door opening/closing operation is alleviated with the help of the driving force of the electric motor even when both hands of the user are occupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirokazu Nishio
  • Cultivated biomass power system
    Patent number: 7789026
    Abstract: In a power generation system biomaterial is grown in a biomass field near a furnace. The plants or oils from the plants are periodically harvested and burned by the furnace to generate steam which runs a generator. Waste heat from the furnace and condenser is collected and returned to the biomass field. The by-products of combustion, principally heat, carbon dioxide, water vapor and ash, are in part cycled back to a biomass field as input energy and nutrients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: John E. Traina
  • Fuel injector, burner and method of injecting fuel
    Patent number: 7789659
    Abstract: A primary flow of the burner air stream is slowed relatively to a secondary flow of the air stream. Fuel is injected at a lower rate into the primary flow, which generates a more stable flame, and fuel is injected at a higher rate into the secondary flow, which generates a stronger flame. If the stronger flame is blown out, fuel in the secondary flow can be lit by the flame from the primary flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: 9131-9277 Quebec Inc.
    Inventor: Gilles Godon
  • Solid fuel burner-gasifier methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 7784415
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivery of a solid particulate fuel to a heating system. The present invention provides a lock-up transport system to deliver particles of solid fuel in a downstream direction while maintaining the position of the particles relative to each other. The lock-up transport system provides a linear mass flow through the gasification stages of the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Wolfgang Engel
  • Oven
    Patent number: 7784457
    Abstract: The oven (1) which is the object of the present invention, comprises an outer cabinet (2) preferably in a rectangular prism shape, a cooking chamber (3) located inside this outer cabinet with spacing between, fan(s) (9) moving the air inside the oven, heater(s) (10) that heat the air, a fan cladding (11) located at the back of the cooking chamber (3) that directs the air moved by the fan, a side wall (4) enabling the transfer of the air moved by the fan and received from the inlet, towards the middle and the back sections of the cooking chamber at required temperature and pressure rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Levent Akdag, Bertan Bayram, Deniz Seker, Levent Oner, Haluk Karatas
  • Modular flue adapter system and method
    Patent number: 7784458
    Abstract: A modular flue adapter system and method is described to accommodate a conduit for exhaust between a firebox and a firebox flue, wherein the firebox is inserted into a firebox opening, by providing an offset distance and/or direction between the exhaust of the firebox and the firebox flue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: FPI Fireplace Products International Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Richter, George H. K. Lau
  • Barbecue grill with a movable heater
    Patent number: 7779828
    Abstract: A barbecue grill with a movable heater includes a main body having at least a rail, a heater movably resting on the rail, and a storing plate closable on the main body. The heater can be freely moved to and from above baking foods placed on a net to let a user operate conveniently and safely. And, with the storing plate closed on the main body, not only the heat can be kept in the main body to shorten baking time for saving energy, but also the well-baked foods and the frozen foods can be put on the storing plate for respectively keeping warm and being unfrozen to increase space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Chien-Chang Lu
  • Solar thermal collector manifold
    Patent number: 7779829
    Abstract: A solar thermal energy collector manifold is provided. The manifold is connected to solar collector tubes for collecting solar energy. A fluid is used to transfer the heat collected from the collector tubes. The manifold includes an inlet path for receiving the fluid, a fluid flow path for transferring the fluid to the solar collector tubes, and an outlet path for outputting the heated fluid. To facilitate the flow paths, the manifold includes a plate with depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: SolFocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Horne, Mary Jane Hale, Eric Prather, Peter Young
  • Heat absorbing pack
    Patent number: 7780713
    Abstract: A pouch includes a mixture of a crystalline substance and liquid that is solid at room temperature (e.g., 70° F.) and melts when in contact with a human body, therein cooling the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: John B. Roberts
  • Drying apparatus and method of using the same
    Patent number: 7779556
    Abstract: Exemplary mobile drying containers and related methods are provided. In one embodiment, the mobile drying container includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall having a gate, an interior bottom, an upper volume and a lower volume separated by a ventilated floor supported by support members, wheels positioned below the lower volume, and one or more support legs positioned below the lower volume to provide support between the mobile drying container and the ground. The upper volume holds the crop to be dried, and the gate of the second end wall is operable to open and provide a path to dump or remove the crop. The lower volume is operable to receive a flow of air from an opening to assist with the drying of the crop. The present invention also encompasses other embodiments and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: APT Advanced Trailer and Equipment, LP
    Inventor: Randal W. Hill
  • Combustion head for a gas burner
    Patent number: 7775792
    Abstract: A combustion head comprising: a pipe, having a central axis of symmetry, suitable for conveying a flow of comburent air in a combustion chamber, and a plurality of gas tubes spaced out along a circumference. Each gas tube has a first portion, having an axis of symmetry parallel to the axis, and a second portion, placed in series with respect to the first portion. The second portion in inclined at an angle with respect to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Riello S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco De Boni, Roberto Marchetti, Flavio Pastorato, Lorenzo De Fanti
  • Method and apparatus for staged combustion of air and fuel
    Patent number: 7775791
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel-fired furnace including at least one burner is provided. The method includes channeling a first fluid flow to the at least one burner at a first predetermined velocity, and channeling a second fluid flow to the at least one burner at a second predetermined velocity during a first mode of operation of the at least one burner. The second predetermined velocity is different than the first predetermined velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Larry William Swanson, Roy Payne
  • Holding construction of barbecue stove
    Patent number: 7775202
    Abstract: A barbecue stove includes a body with a hole and a grease plate. The hole is formed on the bottom of the body. The body further includes a frame around the hole and secured with the body. A receive space is formed between the frame and the bottom of the body for receiving the grease plate. A plurality of pivots are fixed on the bottom of the body. Two feet are pivotally connected with the pivots individually. The grease plate includes a bent portion. When the barbecue stove is in use, the grease plate can be mounted on the frame by the bent portion. When the barbecue stove is not in use, the grease plate can be locked by the feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Pro-Iroda Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan-Nan Chen
  • Solid fuel burner, solid fuel burner combustion method, combustion apparatus and combustion apparatus operation method
    Patent number: 7770528
    Abstract: A solid fuel burner and its combustion method suited for encouraging fuel ignition and avoiding slugging caused by combustion ash, wherein a gas of low oxygen concentration (exhaust combustion gas) is used as a carrier gas of such a low grade solid fuel as brown coal. An additional air nozzle for jetting additional air having a velocity component in the circumferential direction of a fuel nozzle is provided in the fuel nozzle, thereby encouraging mixing between the fuel and air in the fuel nozzle. Further, the amount of air supplied from the additional air nozzle is adjusted in response to the difference in combustion loads. Under light load, the amount of air supplied from the additional air nozzle is increased so as to increase the oxygen concentration of the circulating flow formed downstream of the outside of the outlet of the fuel nozzle, whereby stable combustion is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Babcock- Hitachi K.K.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Okazaki, Kenji Yamamoto, Kenji Kiyama, Kouji Kuramashi
  • Combustion apparatus
    Patent number: 7771192
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a combustion apparatus equipped with a pilot burner and a main burner capable of establishing a stable combustion state without involving generation of CO and unburned substances at the main burner even when the supply of a gas fuel to the pilot burner is stopped. A combustion apparatus equipped with a pilot burner and a main burner according to the present invention is characterized in that, when the main burner is in a combustion state, the amount of air supplied to the pilot burner can be adjusted. Here, the amount of air supplied to the pilot burner is an amount allowing the pilot burner to be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Miura Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanta Kondo, Koichi Masuda, Tatsuya Fujiwara
  • Safety mechanism for a torch
    Patent number: 7771191
    Abstract: A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. The safety mechanism disables the operative connection between the trigger and the igniter such that the safety mechanism does not lock the trigger (the trigger may move relative to the torch body) but the movement of the trigger does not actuate the igniter. An actuating button is provided such that the user manually controls the position of the disabling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Johnston, Thomas A. Burdsall
  • Gas-powered tool
    Patent number: 7766650
    Abstract: A controller includes a shell, a valve, a temperature-sensitive regulator and a cover. The shell defines an intake, a first space in communication with the intake, a second space in communication with the first space and an outlet in communication with the second space. The valve is installed in the first space for shutting the intake. The temperature-sensitive regulator is installed in the second space for contact with the valve. The cover is used to shut the second space and contact the temperature-sensitive regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Arlo Lin
  • Solar energy collector
    Patent number: 7766007
    Abstract: A solar collecting apparatus for collecting solar energy in a heat transfer fluid includes an upper header member, a lower header member, and a plurality of collector tubes, each collector tube connected at an upper end thereof to the upper header member and connected at a lower end thereof to the lower header member. The collector tubes are arranged such that axes of the collector tubes form an array wherein no three adjacent axes are on the same plane, typically in a cylindrical or like array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Udo Staschik
  • Dual fuel vent free gas heater
    Patent number: 7766006
    Abstract: A dual fuel vent free gas heater having at least one gas burner with a plurality of gas outlet ports in an upper surface thereof. The gas outlet ports are in flow communication with at least one pilot flame burner. An adjustable fuel injector or at least two fuel injectors feed fuel to the burner providing for introduction of more than one fuel to the burner. Optionally, an oxygen detection system, manual fuel selection control valve, and/or temperature shut off control system may be incorporated into the dual fuel vent free heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Steve Manning
  • Gas radiation burner and controlling method thereof
    Patent number: 7766005
    Abstract: A gas radiation burner includes a gas supply unit for spraying a mixed gas of a gas and air; a burner body having a burner pot accommodating the mixed gas supplied by the gas supply unit and a burner housing provided on the burner pot to configure a combustion chamber; a burner mat provided over the burner pot to emit a radiant heat generated by combustion of the mixed gas supplied by the burner pot; and an air supply unit supplying air to the burner housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dae Rae Lee, Jung Wan Ryu, Dae Bong Yang, Young Soo Kim, Yang Ho Kim