Patents Examined by Richard A. Bertsch
  • Patent number: 5435697
    Abstract: An improved quick-change fluid section for piston-type paint pumps having a mounting flange with keyhole shaped apertures at one end and a threaded fitting at the other end to couple a fluid section housing to driving means via a slide housing. The piston and slide are retained in reciprocable driving relationship via a transverse pin held in place by a circumferential spring received in a circumferential groove on the slide. The spring and pin are accessible via diametrically opposed apertures in the mounting flange. The fluid section housing is bifurcated and has sealing means which may be either a packing set of alternating elastomeric and leather V-rings or lip-type seals. The sealing means is immediately available upon separation of the two portions of the fluid section and may be removed without the need for special tools. An inline or right angle inlet or suction fitting may be utilized with the fluid section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Ferdinand N. Guebeli, Norman A. Cyphers
  • Patent number: 5435127
    Abstract: An ejecting exhaust nozzle in a gas turbine engine includes a convergent section, a divergent section, extending downstream from the convergent section, and an ejector for ejecting an airflow into the core airflow is fed by a boost pump. The boost pump includes a flow mixer with a boost plane wherein a fan airflow is injected into a ram airflow and then mixed in a mixing section extending downstream from the boost plane. Varying the fan airflow to boost the ram airflow to control a boosted ram airflow pressure allows ejector operation throughout the flight envelope of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. Luffy, John B. Taylor, Jr., William V. Sutherland, Frederick J. Stine, James A. Crowley, David E. Mann, William Steyer
  • Patent number: 5433588
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump includes a panel member having a rotatably driven rotor with roller elements on it, two projections which each have insert-receiving slots, two cover-supporting slots each extending away from a respective projection, and an orientation tab disposed between the projections. A one-piece insert has a platelike portion with ends slidably received in the insert-receiving slots, a recess which receives the orientation tab, and two pairs of aligned projections on opposite sides thereof, the insert further including a flexible tube extending around the rotor and having its ends engaging respective projections on one side of the platelike portion. A cover member is removably supported on the panel member by flanges which slidably engage the cover-receiving slots and by locking surfaces thereon which engage locking surfaces on the projections, the cover member including a curved surface adjacent and facing the roller elements on the rotor, and serving as a cover for the tube and rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Monk, Kris D. Eager, Jerry A. Culp
  • Patent number: 5433069
    Abstract: A system and method are described for transferring excess air from the compressor of a combustion-gas turbine having a paired compressor and expander, to at least one separate combustor where it is mixed with fuel and burned to power at least one non-paired expander. In a preferred embodiment, the non-paired expander is an "off the shelf" unit which can be readily purchased and installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: James Houghton, Dieter G. Lamprecht
  • Patent number: 5433550
    Abstract: A connecting device for releasably interconnecting first and second bodies includes a housing which can be applied to a holding means, and a locking pin having a locking head which can be turned to and fro between a starting position in which the locking head can be introduced into a receiving opening in the holding means and a locking position in which the locking head engages under a support portion formed by edge regions of the receiving opening. A stressing spring arrangement is operable to urge the locking pin from an axially advanced position in the starting position of the device into an axially withdrawn position in the locking position, in which the pressure contact surface of the locking head is pressed by the spring arrangement against the support portion of the holding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Barvaria Cargo Technologie GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 5433179
    Abstract: A rotary engine in which two rotors having interleaving radial vanes (3,4,8,9) revolve inside a cylindrical cavity and are connected to a planetary output gear system which causes them to alternately speed up and slow down. An axial shaft (5) attached to one rotor and passing through the other rotor contains a thrust bearing (10) to prevent the rotors from moving apart. The rotor vanes and disk-shaped end plates (1,6) which contain cooling means divide the cylindrical cavity into four chambers in which intake, compression, explosion and exhaustion occur. A passageway (39,39') containing an adjustable, pressure-sensitive valve (40) vents the compression chamber to the intake chamber to allow the compression ratio to be varied and to provide for a greater compression ratio than expansion ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: David B. Wittry
  • Patent number: 5433070
    Abstract: A flexible engine inlet duct mounting system for integrating an engine inlet duct in combination with an engine system to minimize or eliminate turbulence-inducing structural discontinuities therebetween wherein non-turbulent intake airflow is provided to the engine system. The mounting system includes a mechanical support assembly that constrains the relative motion between the aft ends of the inlet duct and the engine system, and a dual seal assembly that accommodates such relative motion while concomitantly maintaining seals between the inlet duct and the engine system. The duct support assembly includes an annular duct support member and an annular spherical adaptor member having interacting ends that have complementary arcuate configurations which constrain the relative motion of the aft ends of the inlet duct to in-plane displacements about a duct pivot point coincident with the engine system centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Armand F. Amelio
  • Patent number: 5433026
    Abstract: A vehicularly-mountable message board that can be automatically maneuvered between an upright message-displaying position and a retracted position by utilizing a side-mounted actuating motor and side-mounted moment arm. The vehicularly-mountable message board achieves the benefits of high-profile visibility of the message board in the upright position without obstruction by the actuating motor or the moment arm, while at the same time achieving the benefits of the location of the side-mounted actuating motor and side-mounted moment arm to achieve a low profile for the message board in the retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventors: Vernon C. McDermott, Vernon C. McDermott, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5433024
    Abstract: A tapered-transparent acrylic plate has advertising or the like applied to front or back surfaces. The thick end of the plate has openings to receive illumination sources. Incandescent sub-miniature lamps are mounted to a circuit board and are closely coupled to the openings in the plate. The lamps and tapered plate provide uniform illumination of the advertising. The tapered plate and circuit board are retained in a plastic channel which is secured to a base. The channel has ventilation means for the cool operation of the display. The display is powered by a remote transformer which operates the lamps at a level below the design voltage of the lamps. Operating lifetime is significantly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Displayonix Corp.
    Inventor: Richard D. Lerner
  • Patent number: 5433590
    Abstract: In a cooling device for a rotary piston compressor, in particular a screw-type compressor, which is part of a refrigerant circuit together with a condenser and an evaporator, coolant of the refrigeration system and oil serving to lubricate bearings as well as to cool and seal the screw-type compressor are injected into the screw-type compressor. In order to cool the oil serving to lubricate the compressor bearings separately and to thereby achieve a more economical functioning of the entire cooling device, it is suggested that only the part of the oil serving to lubricate the bearings of the compressor is cooled as a function of the oil temperature sensed behind the bearings and that a branched stream of coolant is used for this, the stream on its part subsequently being fed to the compressor again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Bitzer Kuhlmaschinenbau GmbH & Co.KG
    Inventors: Hossner Klaus, Stenzel Adalbert
  • Patent number: 5433587
    Abstract: A paint circulation system for supplying paint to a plurality of distributors utilizing a circulating pump to circulate paint to the distributors and an injection pump operated by a closely controlled electric motor for injecting paint into the circulation network from a paint supply reservoir to maintain a predetermined pressure within the circulation network. A "leakage" passage having a predetermined restriction permits paint to leave the circulation network when the valved paint distributors are closed, and the use of an automatic timing valve within the leakage bypass permits flow rates within the circulation network to be varied. The components permit paint viscosity and volumes to be determined, settling of the paint particles within the circulation network and degradation of the circulating paint is minimized, and circulating motor wear may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Bankert, Lawrence A. Gawne
  • Patent number: 5431546
    Abstract: Fluid transfer apparatus comprising a fluid reservoir and a pump connected to the reservoir by a supply line, wherein the apparatus is configured so that vapor generated in the pump during periods of inoperation may escape from the pump cavity through the pump inlet, rather than being trapped in the pump cavity, and liquid may flow into the pump cavity from the supply line through the pump inlet to replace escaping vapor, thereby providing reliable pump start-up during intermittent operation. The apparatus may be employed to pump LNG for fueling of vehicles. Where LNG or another cryogenic fluid is being pumped, the pump is preferably driven by a motor located above the pump and connected thereto by an elongated shaft. Shaft seals may be provided to prevent the fluid being pumped from contacting the motor or the bearings supporting the motor shaft. A vapor trap may be provided beneath the shaft seals to prevent contact between liquid being pumped and the shaft seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Liquid Carbonic Corporation
    Inventor: George D. Rhoades
  • Patent number: 5431545
    Abstract: A pumper system is adapted to enable pumps to be switched between parallel operation, for the high flow conditions normally desired for in-situ pigging operations within a line to be cleaned, and series operation, for the high pressure conditions needed in the event the pigging device becomes obstructed in the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry F. Knight, Bobby N. Chaffin, Ronald W. DeLorme
  • Patent number: 5431010
    Abstract: A high speed control apparatus and method utilized in a system having a high pressure fluid supply for producing precisely controlled, amplitude and duration variable thrust are disclosed, the apparatus including a piezoelectric stack responsive to a control signal input, a displacement amplifier operatively associated with the stack, and a high pressure axial valve assembly coupled with the amplifier. A microprocessor control system and energy storage and power amplifier system provide the calibrated output voltage control signal which drives the piezoelectric stack in such a manner as to produce rapidly changing displacements in the stack (as frequent as 10 microseconds) which are subsequently amplified by the displacement amplifier. The valve assembly opens as the piezoelectric stack expands upon application of a step change in voltage, allowing fluid to expand through the valve assembly and create thrust that is substantially equal in duration and directly proportional in amplitude to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce
    Inventor: William C. Stone
  • Patent number: 5431551
    Abstract: A rotary device containing a housing having a curved inner surface with a profile equidistant from an trochoidal curve, an eccentric mounted on a shaft disposed within the housing, a rotor mounted on the eccentric shaft which contains at least three intersecting faces and a partial bore located at the intersection of adjacent faces, and at least three rollers rotatably mounted within the partial bores of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventors: Giovanni Aquino, Ewan Choroszylow
  • Patent number: 5431549
    Abstract: The invention provides a series of bi-directional aseptic volume filler cylinders, that are able to provide measured volume fillers as the piston is driven in both directions by providing an aseptic disk value which is able to direct material in the desired directions. Both sides of the chamber are able to draw material from a single passage and output material to a single passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Ian M. Vokins, James B. Abbott
  • Patent number: 5431552
    Abstract: A sliding vane pump having an inside liner with a constant radius pump arc and a constant radius stop arc, connected together by cycloidal arcs. The liner has inlet slots arranged extending around a perimeter of a liner extending into the pump arc for maximum filling of the pumping volume. A herringbone-shaped slot arrangement is provided on a outlet side which increases vane life, increases sealing around the vanes on the outlet side, and decreases liner wear. A relief/fill porting arrangement is provided to pressurize the fluid in the pump chamber, or alternately to relieve pressure from the pump chamber. An improved thrust absorber is described particularly useful for truck mounting of the pump. An asymmetrical inside profile for the liner assists in pump operation by providing a fluid mathematical profile which approaches zero acceleration forces at the point of tangency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Corken, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Davis, James D. Gray, Michael F. Hughes, Ronald A. Schuller, Michael W. Spidell, Alan P. Tiefenbrun
  • Patent number: 5431548
    Abstract: Pump apparatus for an evaporative cooler includes an impeller housing sealed on its top wall by a closed cell foam element and a bearing and seal element. The impeller housing has only one water inlet and one water outlet. The sealing of the impeller housing allows the level of the water in which the pump is disposed to be substantially lower than with prior art pumps, and substantially eliminates air intake into the impeller housing except through the one water inlet. Water outflow is only through the impeller housing outlet. Two embodiments are illustrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Inventor: Robert L. Koble, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5431547
    Abstract: A liquid refrigerant pump includes a housing having a hollow interior for receiving liquid refrigerant, a motor disposed within the interior of the housing and connected to a source of power, a rotatable pump member disposed within the interior of the housing and a shaft interconnecting the motor and pump member for rotating the pump member to increase the pressure of the liquid refrigerant upon the motor receiving electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Phoenix Refrigeration Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James Boyko
  • Patent number: 5431508
    Abstract: A connecting mechanism has a reversely tapered fit portion, an elastically expandable collet chuck fitted on the fit portion, a locking sleeve surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the fit portion and axially slidably mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the collet chuck, and a spring for biasing the locking sleeve in its advancing direction. The locking sleeve advances with the collet chuck being fitted on the fit portion and locks the collet chuck such that the collet chuck cannot be expanded in the fit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Japan Aircraft Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Kitamura