Patents Examined by Richard A. Bertsch
  • Patent number: 5445502
    Abstract: A vacuum pump includes a positive displacement vacuum pump structure section disposed on a discharge opening side; a kinetic vacuum pump structure section, disposed on a suction opening side, for providing a high vacuum; and a kinetic vacuum pump structure section, disposed on a suction opening side, for providing a high pumping speed. The construction of the kinetic vacuum pump structure section is different from that of the kinetic vacuum pump structure section so as to differ relative thereto in one of ultimate pressure, pumping speed, and pumping speed of sucked gas with respect to a molecular weight of the sucked gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Itou, Teruo Maruyama
  • Patent number: 5445505
    Abstract: A manual/pneumatic dual-control oil pump facilitates a manual operation and pneumatic operation. The housing of the oil pump is provided with a pair of chambers receiving modular check valves, respectively. Hydraulic equipment can be connected to the oil pump through a high pressure hose. The two chambers are in communication with each other and the outlets of the chambers join together at a delivering conduit through which the liquid is supplied to the hydraulic equipment. Each modular check valve unit forms several check valves which can thus be replaced at one time in their entirety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Michael Hung
  • Patent number: 5443368
    Abstract: A vacuum system comprises, as an integral assembly, a turbomolecular pump with drive motor, a vent valve, a purge valve, a roughing valve, a heater and an electronic control module. The control module has a programmed processor for controlling the motor and valves and is user programmable for establishing specific control sequences. The integral electronic control module is removable from the assembly and is connected to the other devices through a common connector assembly. Proper introduction of a purge gas through the purge valve is detected by detecting the current load on the pump drive or by detecting foreline pressure. To test the purge gas status, the purge valve may be closed and then opened as drive current or pressure is monitored. After power failure, the controller will continue normal drive of the turbomolecular pump so long as the speed of the pump has remained above a threshold value. Otherwise the vent valve will have been opened, and a start-up sequence must be initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Helix Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alan L. Weeks, Gerald J. Fortier, Stephen R. Matte', Peter W. Gaudet, Martin Stein, Steven C. Rosner, Robert J. Lepofsky
  • Patent number: 5443587
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an injection molding machine includes a slipping detection device to detect the slippage of a pump motor which drives a hydraulic pump; a rotational velocity sensor which detects the rotational velocity of the pump motor, for example; and an instruction signal correcting circuit having an addition circuit which adds the operation circuit which obtains from the detected signal of the rotational sensor a flow rate instruction correcting signal to compensate the reduction of the discharge flow rate due to the increased slippage, and the flow rate instruction correcting signal to the flow rate signal, and then, detects the slippage of the pump motor and corrects the magnitude of the flow rate instruction signal thereby to compensate the discharge flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiaki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 5442920
    Abstract: A computer controlled, spark-ignited, turbocharged internal combustion engine has stored in memory, turbocharger compressor outlet absolute pressure for desired engine performance throughout the engine speed range at sea level (760 mm. H.sub.g) ambient pressure engine operating conditions. A sensor responsive to absolute pressure at the turbocharger compressor outlet continuously monitors the absolute pressure and compares it with the stored pressure for the engine speed at which the engine is operating at any particular time. When there is a difference, the computer responds to hold or change the waste gate position such as to hold or change the boost to re-establish the same compressor outlet absolute pressure as was stored for that engine speed under sea level ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mostafa M. Kamel, Greg A. Moore
  • Patent number: 5443590
    Abstract: A rotatable turbine frame includes annular outer and inner bands having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart struts extending therebetween. An annular drive shaft is fixedly joined to the inner band for transmitting output torque therefrom, and the struts are backwardly radially inclined relative to the direction of rotation of the frame so that gas flow between the struts tends to straighten the inclined struts to effect a compressive load component therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John J. Ciokajlo, Ambrose A. Hauser, Samuel H. Davison
  • Patent number: 5443376
    Abstract: A lubricating device for a horizontal type rotary compressor having an oil pumping chamber formed under the vane in the compression cylinder. The oil pumping chamber is provided in the compression cylinder under the vane and has an oil inlet port and an oil outlet port provided on at least one of its side walls. An oil piston is received in the pumping chamber such that it elastically vertically reciprocates in the pumping chamber in accordance with vertical reciprocation of the vane. The piston is biased upwards at the outside of the pumping chamber by a steel wire spring which is connected at one end thereof to the oil piston and at the other end thereof to one of the compression cylinder, the main bearing and the sub bearing. An oil feed pipe is connected between the oil outlet port of the pumping chamber and an oil conduit of the eccentric rotating shaft. A hydraulic diode, of which the upper diameter is not smaller than the lower diameter, may be axially formed in the oil piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Goldstar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Song Choi
  • Patent number: 5443372
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism for a compressor of an automotive air conditioning system which is equipped with a safety mechanism for preventing damage to the engine due to compressor failure or malfunction. A front end plate with a tubular extension which extends in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive shaft is attached to one end of the compressor housing. A pulley is rotatably supported on said extension by means of a bearing. At its terminal end, the drive shaft is connected to an armature which includes a centrally located hole through which the drive shaft extends. The armature is connected by means of a bolt and a nut and rotates with the drive shaft. The pulley transmits rotational motion from the engine to the drive shaft through an armature plate by means of coupling plate members which are interposed between the pulley and the armature plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kanoll
  • Patent number: 5443369
    Abstract: A self-contained seal air and instrument air system for a compressor includes a pneumatically controllable inlet valve and a pneumatically controllable valve means for depressurizing the compressor. An electronic controller directs compressor operation. A receiver tank is provided which includes an inlet through which compressed air enters and an outlet port. A means is provided for separating the compressed air flowing from the receiver into a first path which provides a first source of seal air to seals of a rotating shaft of the compressor, and a second path which provides instrument air. A means is provided for separating the compressed air flowing in the instrument air path into a first path which provides actuating air to the inlet valve and the valve means for depressurizing the compressor, and a second path which provides a source of signal air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Daniel T. Martin, Devin D. Biehler
  • Patent number: 5443374
    Abstract: A hermetic type scroll compressor includes a hermetically sealed compressor housing formed by first and second cup-shaped casings. A cylindrical housing portion is disposed between the first and second cup-shaped casings and has an annular inner block extending inwardly therefrom. The inner block divides the interior of the compressor into a first chamber in which the drive mechanism is housed and a second chamber in which the compression mechanism is housed. At one end, the drive shaft is supported by the inner block through bearings, and at the its other end, the drive shaft is supported by an annular projection extending from and integral with the second cup-shaped casing. Additionally, the stator is fixedly secured to the second cup-shaped casing. A gas passage, which allows the outer diameter of the compressor to be reduced, extends through the inner block to provide fluid communication between the first and second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshii, Takayuki Kudo
  • Patent number: 5442906
    Abstract: A power production process integrates geothermal steam and fossil fuel energy sources to give a higher energy efficiency than is normally obtained when using these energy sources individually. Geothermal steam is partially diverted from a steam turbine and injected into a combustion turbine. Although the steam turbine output is reduced by the diversion of steam, the plant efficiency and total plant output are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: John G. Broadus
  • Patent number: 5443371
    Abstract: A noise suppressor for hermetic compressors comprises a one piece elongate damper element twisted in the form of a helix, with adjustable pitch for the noise frequency band that one wishes to damp. The damper element is designed to be inserted in a gas passage duct of small hermetic refrigeration compressors, for the purpose of reducing the noise emitted by the compressor, by the opening and closing movements of the suction valve and by the flow of refrigerant gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Leonelo A. Calciolari
  • Patent number: 5442840
    Abstract: A seatbelt buckle safety sheath to prevent the inadvertent releasing of the seatbelt buckle by young children. Specifically, the seatbelt buckle safety sheath is made of a resilient material and frictionally encompasses the female portion of the seatbelt buckle. The resilient material of the safety sheath imposes a compressive force substantially greater than the normal force required to release the seatbelt buckle from a fastened condition. Thus, an adult can compress the resilient material to activate the seatbelt buckle release button, while a child will be prevented from accomplishing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Craig B. Ewald
  • Patent number: 5443375
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a multi-lobed trochoidal rotary engine, said assembly including a flat trochoid shape rotor which defines a bore by which the rotor is rotatably mounted on the crankpin of a crankshaft, and a steel hub, secured in the bore so as to project beyond one of the opposite side faces of the rotor, characterized in that the hub is mechanically inter-locked with the rotor in an arrangement which allows for differences in thermal expansion co-efficients of the rotor and hub, while substantially preventing relative rotation between the rotor and hub and substantially preventing radial separation of the rotor and hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Scalzo Automotive Research Limited
    Inventors: George K. Cureton, Mark S. Profaca
  • Patent number: 5441390
    Abstract: A worm pump for delivering a metal melt comprises a mounting flange, and a tubular pump housing mounted on, and suspended from, the mounting flange, the pump housing defining a lower inlet for receiving the metal melt and an upper outlet for delivering the metal melt. A drive motor is mounted on the mounting flange, the drive motor having a pump shaft extending into the tubular pump housing and comprising a conveyor screw between the inlet and outlet. A guide supports the pump shaft at a lower end thereof, and a universal joint is provided at an upper end of the pump shaft above the upper outlet, the universal joint permitting the pump shaft to pivot and the guide being arranged to support the pump shaft during a pivoting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Ing. Rauch Fertigungstechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Josef Rapp, Erich Rauch
  • Patent number: 5441358
    Abstract: A shaft (12) is connected to a disc (20) by a coupling which comprises a spigot (14) which extends from the shaft (12) and locates in a recess (22) in the disc (20). At ambient temperature there is an interference fit between the spigot (14) and the recess (22) which maintains alignment of the disc (20) and the shaft (12) so that they rotate concentrically. At elevated temperatures the interference fit loosens and alignment of the disc (20) and the shaft (12) is maintained by a plurality of ridges (27) on the face (25) of a flange (24) on the disc (20). The ridges (27) have a large radial component and engage with the confronting face (17) of a flange (16) on the shaft (12) to prevent lateral movement between the shaft (12) and the disc (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Dennis M. King
  • Patent number: 5440880
    Abstract: The exhaust gas recirculation system which includes a diverter valve system for selectively directing recirculated gas through an aftercooler includes a self regenerating catalyzed particulate filter which is positioned upstream of the aftercooler of the system to prevent soot from accumulating on the heat exchange surfaces of the aftercooler. Removal of the soot from the exhaust gas increases efficiency and longevity of the aftercooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Ceynow, Richard E. Jass, Robert X. Shi
  • Patent number: 5441240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fence panel assembly and fence that do not permit a line of vision from one side of the panels between the panels to the other side of the panels while still providing ventilation channels between the panels for resistance to high wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: James L. Arnold
  • Patent number: 5440879
    Abstract: An electronic control system for a variable geometry turbocompressor applied to a diesel engine, in which a first circuit produces, in response to input signals, a first closed-loop piloting signal supplied to an actuator which modifies the geometrical characteristics of the turbocompressor. The system further comprises a second circuit which receives as input a measurement signal proportional to the speed of rotation of the turbocompressor and generates a second piloting signal which is supplied to the actuator when the measurement signal exceeds a stored limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Iveco Fiat S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Dellora
  • Patent number: 5441339
    Abstract: A lamp assembly for a vehicle is integrally formed in a vehicle headliner which includes an aperture for receiving a lens. In some preferred embodiments, the lens snap-fits directly to the headliner. In another preferred embodiment the lens and a trim bezel interlockably engage the edge of the headliner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventors: Larry E. Mathias, Jason M. Hathaway, Elisabet A. Anderson