Patents Examined by L. Heyman
  • Patent number: 5390086
    Abstract: The instant invention teaches the use of conventional chemiluminescent constituents of different colors disposed within at least two chambers [place] placed in a parallel or helically woven pattern. Each chamber sets forth a distinct color that when viewed in combination with an adjoining color emitting chamber, provides a combination color or rainbow type product that cannot be obtained by mixing dyes in a single chamber. The invention further provides [the unique] various color combinations not commonly available due to dye incompatibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Lexington & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Holland
  • Patent number: 5388411
    Abstract: A method of operating a combined gas and steam turbine cycle system including a steam turbine provided with steam from at least one heat recovery steam generator having a high pressure section and a low pressure section, wherein the steam turbine includes high pressure seals and low pressure seals, includes the steps of:a) when the steam turbine is operating at a load below a self-sealing load, supplying steam at a controlled, predetermined pressure to the high and low pressure seals from the high pressure section of the heat recovery steam generator; andb) after steam from the lower pressure section of the heat recovery stem generator exceeds the predetermined pressure, supplying the high and low pressure seals with steam from the lower pressure section of the heat recovery steam generator at a pressure higher than the predetermined pressure, andc) supplying steam from the high pressure section of the heat recovery steam generator whenever a turbine metal inlet temperature exceeds a predetermined reference t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Craig W. McKeever, Daniel T. Lee
  • Patent number: 5388410
    Abstract: A Stirling engine includes an expansion cylinder, a compression cylinder, and a plurality of conduits which each extend between and connect the expansion cylinder and the compression cylinder. A plurality of heating portions are provided, each of which is disposed in one of the conduits in order to be connected with the expansion cylinder. A plurality of cooling portions are also provided, each of which is disposed in one of the conduits in order to be connected with the compression cylinder. A plurality of regenerative portions are also included, each of which is disposed in one of the conduits in order to connect one of the heating portions and one of the cooling portions. Each of the regenerative portions possesses a length according to the temperature of the working fluid in the corresponding heating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Momose, Tetsumi Watanabe, Hiroyuki Ohuchi
  • Patent number: 5390085
    Abstract: A light diffuser (100) for illuminating a display (304) comprises a rectangular light distributor (108) which is coupled to a light director (208) located along an edge normal to a major axis (110) of the light distributor (108). The light director (208) directs light received from a lamp (14) into the light distributor (108). The light distributor (108) has a polished, planar top surface (210) and a bottom surface (112) comprising a predetermined serration pattern oriented normal to the major axis (110) of the rectangular light distributor (108). The predetermined serration pattern comprises a plurality of grooves (116, 118, 120) having a predetermined pitch gradient corresponding thereto. The plurality of grooves (116, 118, 120) further have roughened surfaces for diffusing light impinging thereon toward the polished, planar top surface (210) of the light distributor (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerardo M. Mari-Roca, Lori Vaughn, Jeffrey S. King, Kevin W. Jelley, Alan G. Chen, George T. Valliath
  • Patent number: 5386349
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly having a recalibration device for providing the correct aim of the headlamp in a horizontal plane and characterized in that the recalibration device includes a transparent member which allows a leveling device to be visible to an observer so as to indicate whether or not the headlamp is in a correct aimed position in a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald A. Wheat, David R. McMahan, Paul D. Van Duyn
  • Patent number: 5386355
    Abstract: The underwater portable drop light for use illuminating work sites in nuclear facilities has a high pressure sodium arc lamp sealed to a stainless steel base with a flexible, radiation-resistant seal to provide a watertight and shock-absorbing connection. A wet-mateable connector is attached to the base to permit underwater-changeable connection to a cable which supplies power from a ballast power supply. A light-transmissive, impact-resistant cover is formed around the arc lamp and attached to the base. The cover has openings through which water can flow in and out to conduct heat away from the arc lamp. The combination of the above elements creates a compact modular unit which is replaced as a whole when the arc lamp burns out, and which may be replaced in or out of the water, allowing maintenance work to continue essentially uninterrupted when radiation exposure time is an issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Remote Ocean Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Acks
  • Patent number: 5383334
    Abstract: A compressor integral with a Stirling engine having a pressure space comprises a housing, a partition wall provided in the housing, a first pressure chamber defined in the housing at one side of the partition wall and connected with the pressure space of the Stirling engine, and a second pressure chamber defined in the housing at the other side of the partition wall and connected with the first pressure chamber via an orifice. A rod passes through the partition wall and has a first end and a second end located in the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber, respectively. A third pressure chamber is defined by a first plate which is connected to the first end of the rod and a first bellows located between the first plate and the partition wall. A fourth pressure chamber is defined by a first plate which is connected to the second end of the rod and a second bellows located between the second plate and the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Kaminishizono, Tetsumi Watanabe, Yutaka Momose
  • Patent number: 5384693
    Abstract: The tail light comprises several light emitting diodes used as light sources. At least one of these diodes generates light emitted into a backward direction. The other diodes are emitting light into lateral and upward directions. For this purpose an arrangement of reflecting surfaces deflects part of the light of the diodes upwardly. In this way it is possible to reach a required light distribution at a considerably reduced power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Vereinigte Drahtwerke A.G.
    Inventors: Edwin Schwaller, Walter Zurcher
  • Patent number: 5379586
    Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning system has a catalyzer provided in the exhaust passage of the engine and an adsorbent provided upstream from the catalyzer. The adsorbent temporarily adsorbs unburned hydrocarbons emitted in large amounts immediately after the engine is started. The system provides an amount of air required to substantially eliminate unburned hydrocarbons, based on the temperature of the adsorbent and the oxygen concentration in exhaust gas upstream from the catalyzer. An air supplying unit is provided upstream from the adsorbent. A temperature sensor is provided for the adsorbent. An oxygen sensor is provided at the inlet of the catalyzer. A control unit calculates the amount of air (oxygen) necessary for the catalyzer to convert the unburned hydrocarbons released from the adsorbent, based on signals from the temperature sensor and the oxygen sensor and the exhaust flow rate. The control unit accordingly controls the air supplying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Honji, Toshio Ogawa, Osamu Kuroda, Hisao Yamashita, Takahiro Tachi, Hiroshi Miyadera, Masakatsu Fujishita
  • Patent number: 5381311
    Abstract: A chemiluminescence device comprising a first sealed container containing first substance therein which emits light chemically when it mixes with second substance, a hollow protrudent portion protruded from the first sealed container, and second sealed container containing the second substance therein and arranged in the first sealed container. The shape of the hollow protrudent portion can be changed by external force. At least a part of the second sealed container is breakable and arranged in the hollow protrudent portion. The part of the second sealed container can be broken by changing the shape of the hollow protrudent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Nihon Kagaku Hakkou K.K.
    Inventor: Masahiko Fujita
  • Patent number: 5377086
    Abstract: A lighting system employs luminaires having reflectors with a fluorescent lamp support frame at the base end of the inside of the reflector. The support frame includes a plurality of extensions for holding the bases of compact fluorescent lamps arranged in a general star configuration around the center line of the reflector. The extensions are at an angle to cause the compact fluorescent lamps to follow the outwardly-flared inside surface of the reflector. A system of luminaires then provides a substantially uniform volume of light in a facility due to the patterns of overlapping light contributed by the individual luminaires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Sportlite, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerold A. Tickner
  • Patent number: 5377089
    Abstract: A light projector includes a lamp on an optical axis, energized from a remote source of electrical power and focussing illumination at an image plane. The lamp is disposed within a housing having a fan drawing cooling air into the housing through one or more inlets and expelling air through an outlet vent. A chassis within the housing supports the lamp and the fan. The chassis, including the lamp, fan, and a connector to the remote source of electrically power is removable from the housing. In a preferred embodiment, resilient vibration isolation mounting is provided between the lamp and the chassis and between the fan and the chassis, whereby the lamp is substantially isolated from fan vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Jack V. Miller
  • Patent number: 5372007
    Abstract: The generation of electricity via a steam turbine-driven generator is improved by mixing high-pressure fuel gas with the steam supplied to the turbine. The turbine discharge is separated into gas and steam condensate. The gas is burned to convert the condensate into the steam supplied to the turbine. Maximum benefits of such operation are attained by conducting the combustion of the separated gas with a porous fiber burner to suppress the formation of air pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Paul W. Garbo
  • Patent number: 5371660
    Abstract: An illumination system includes an artificial radiant source that emits energy in the visible and infrared regions of the spectrum. A radiation splitter splits the majority of the visible energy from the majority of the infrared energy to form an illumination beam and a heating beam. A light conductor conducts portions of the visible light to at least one area to be illuminated, and a heat recovery system recovers energy from the heating beam and provides it at an energy output. A solar collector may direct a solar beam on the radiation splitter to supplement the artificial source beam. A supporting portion may support a lighting fixture. An artificial illumination source is placed at a position that is unsupported by the supporting portion, and a light conductor provides an optical path for radiation produced by the source to the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Kurt A. Levens
  • Patent number: 5367878
    Abstract: A microdevice in the form of an electrical switch. A microdevice for providing switching at a high repetition rate, including a cell divided into two chambers by a bistable movable membrane. A charge of gas in the cell and a source for directly heating the gas to increase the gas pressure and move the membrane, the source for heating including a pulsed source for generating transient gas pressure increases, with the cell including an arrangement for cooling the gas for reducing the gas pressure after an increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Eric P. Muntz, Richard N. Nottenburg, Geoffrey R. Shiflett
  • Patent number: 5367875
    Abstract: The automated catalytic reduction system for an engine exhaust stream includes an oxidation catalyst spaced from a selective catalytic reduction catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxides. A reducing agent is introduced into the space between the two catalysts and is controlled in volume by a volume control valve. Transducers connected to the engine provide real time engine operating parameter signals to a processor which has stored map data indicating instantaneous nitrogen oxide values for various engine loads. The processor selects an instantaneous nitrogen oxide value in response to the engine condition signals and uses this value to calculate a setpoint value for comparison with the flow volume of the reducing agent. Any difference resulting from this comparison causes the processor to operate the control valve to equalize the flow volume with the setpoint value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Coltec Industries Inc
    Inventors: Francois W. Aboujaoude, Eugene A. Kasel
  • Patent number: 5365734
    Abstract: A plurality of lean NOx catalysts are installed in passages of a dual passage portion of an exhaust conduit of an internal combustion engine. A space velocity changing means including a valve is provided at a connecting portion of the passages so that the amount of exhaust gas flowing through the lean NOx catalysts is altered periodically. When a space velocity of exhaust gas at the lean NOx catalyst changes from a low velocity to a high velocity, an NOx purification rate of the lean NOx catalyst increases momentarily. By repeatedly generating the NOx purification rate increased conditions, the NOx purification rate of the NOx purification apparatus including the plurality of lean NOx catalysts is greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Takeshima
  • Patent number: 5365416
    Abstract: A vehicular sun visor having a single molded plastic core member. A first face of the core member includes an integrally molded channel member for receiving an extender blade therein. The opposite face of the core member includes a series of integrally molded channels and grooves for the reception of a series of wires and lamps comprising the lighting circuitry. An upholstery cover member is folded over the core member and secured along a seam. The cover member is adhered to a rigid foundation and includes a pair of access openings therein through which a mirror and lens assembly is removably attached to the core member. The cover member defines the shape of the sun visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Crotty Corporation
    Inventor: Don M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5361585
    Abstract: In a steam turbine system including a high pressure turbine section, a reheat turbine section and a low pressure turbine section coupled to a generator, and wherein a boiler supplies steam to the high pressure turbine and wherein a condenser is arranged to receive spent steam from the low pressure turbine and to return the spent steam to the boiler, a process including the steps of: a) during cold start-up, bypassing a portion of the steam generated by the boiler around the high pressure turbine section, reheat turbine section and low pressure turbine section and feeding the bypass portion directly to the condenser, accelerating the turbine to a predetermined speed less than approximately 1000 rpm utilizing control valves at an inlet side of the high pressure turbine section while keeping closed a plurality of intercept valves at an inlet side of the reheat turbine section; and wherein steam pressure to the high pressure turbine section is controlled by a high pressure bypass valve; and b) upon reaching said
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernd A. K. Westphal, Thane M. Drummond
  • Patent number: 5361190
    Abstract: A mirror assembly is disclosed which includes a dichroic mirror which allows a predetermined narrow spectral band to pass through the mirror and be seen from a position forward of the mirror, and which further reflects a broad spectral band of light which originates from a direction forward of the mirror; a light source is positioned rearwardly of the mirror and emits light in the predetermined narrow spectral band passed by the dichroic mirror; and an electronic circuit is provided which is operable to step up, or step down the voltage supplied to the light source thereby maintaining a constant voltage source which is utilized to energize the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: K. W. Muth Co. Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Keith R. Spencer