Patents Examined by Samuel W. Engle
  • Patent number: 4213824
    Abstract: An improved containment for radiation shielding and pressure suppression is presented. The arrangement, which is particularly suited for marine propulsion application, includes, in a preferred embodiment, a double wall containment shell including water as a biological shield, a divided wet well arrangement and means for precluding discontinuity of the radiation shielding effect due to shifting of the liquid in the wet well at various ship attitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Felix S. Jabsen
  • Patent number: 4213172
    Abstract: Movable stand for lampholders comprising an articulated parallelogram member associated with one end to a supporting base and carrying, at the other end, a lampholder. In order to balance the articulated parallelogram friction means are provided acting on a rod member of the articulated parallelogram. The friction means comprise a pair of shoes, arranged opposite each other and having a substantially mating shape to the shape of the rod member whereon the shoes are acting. The pair of shoes is supported by a pair of leaf springs pivoted at their other ends to an opposite rod member to the rod member whereon the shoes are acting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Inventors: Antonio Scattolin, Sergio Bernardi
  • Patent number: 4212048
    Abstract: A device for illuminating, as well as enhancing contrast of, reflective dichroic liquid crystal displays utilizes a polarizing member extending across the thickness of a wedge illuminator. The light emitted from the wedge illuminator is polarized in a single direction, perpendicular to the elongated direction of the dichroic dye molecules in the light-transmitting areas of the display cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Donald E. Castleberry
  • Patent number: 4210954
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in reflectors including a first reflector, which is detachably fastened to a bulb and is combined with a small reflector, which is fixed in front of the bulb and opposite said first reflector in order to reflect direct beams from the bulb to said first reflector, which has a center hole, through which the neck of the bulb is inserted, the edge of said hole being placed against the lower part of the bulb and small reflector being placed on to the upper spherical part of the bulb, whereby said reflector and said small reflector are positioned in relation to each other in a certain optical position in relation to the center of the light of the bulb independently of how far into the socket the bulb is placed, said small reflector having the form of a paraboloid, the focal plane of which is placed so close to the vertex of the paraboloid, that the light beams emitted from the center of the lamp and reflected by said small reflector in the direction towards the lamp, will be
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1980
    Inventor: Max Laser
  • Patent number: 4208990
    Abstract: The operation of an electronic closed loop air-fuel ratio control system is inhibited while exhaust gas temperature is low, and a rich air-fuel mixture is intermittently fed to an internal combustion engine in order to properly initiate the operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Masaharu Asano
  • Patent number: 4208704
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp reflector comprises a dished body having a generally rectangular front opening and a bulb-receiving rear opening. The body is internally reflective and includes a first pair of laterally disposed reflective portions, a second pair of laterally disposed reflective portions, an upper reflective portion and a lower reflective portion. The portions are disposed inwardly of the respective portions, are on opposite sides of the opening and between the portions. The portions lie on the same paraboloidal surface while the portions lie on a different paraboloidal surface. The two paraboloid surfaces have common axes and common foci but the focal length of the paraboloidal surface in respect of the portions is less than the other paraboloidal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited
    Inventor: Geoffrey R. Draper
  • Patent number: 4208249
    Abstract: A typical embodiment of this invention provides a hydraulic mechanism for alleviating the effect of seismic forces and other stresses that are applied to a fuel assembly in a nuclear reactor. Illustratively, hollow guide posts protrude into a fuel assembly end fitting grid from biased spring pads. Plungers that move with the spring pads plug one end of each of the respective guide posts. Plates on the end fitting grid that have individual holes for fluid discharge partially plug the other ends of the respective guide posts, thereby providing a hydraulic means for absorbing the longitudinal component of seismic shocks and other anticipated forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Felix S. Jabsen
  • Patent number: 4208247
    Abstract: An improved neutron monitoring and startup source for a thermal nuclear reactor including a fast neutron emitting material encapsulated within a cladding substantially black to thermal neutrons. In another embodiment the inventive source, or any source, is advantageously affixed to movable control elements so as to reside out of the reactor core for periods of high neutron flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Albert J. Impink, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4208248
    Abstract: A typical embodiment of the invention provides a nuclear fuel assembly lock structure for control rod guide tubes. Illustratively, a sleeve telescopes over an end portion of a control rod guide tube which bears against an internal shoulder of the tube. The upper end of the sleeve protrudes beyond the control rod guide tube spider and is locked in place by means of a resilient cellular lattice or lock that is seated in a mating groove in the outer surface of the sleeve. A special tool is provided for disengaging the entire lock structure, washer, spider, spring and grill from the end of the fuel assembly in order to enable these components to be removed in an assembled state and subsequently replaced on the fuel assembly after inspection and repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Felix S. Jabsen
  • Patent number: 4207001
    Abstract: A particle size analyzer having an optical assembly with a light source and a lens producing by reflected light an image of a field of particles carried on a moving conveyor. The image is cast upon two photo-transducers which produce substantially identical signals relatively displaced in time by an amount inversely proportional to the rate of conveyor movement. These two transducer signals are fed to discriminator means to develop respective sets of pulse signals identifying predetermined transition characteristics in the light transmitted to the transducers. These two sets of pulse signals are used to develop a control signal for adjusting the frequency of a clock-pulse generator such that a given number of clock pulses represents a corresponding distance moved by the conveyor, irrespective of its speed. One of the sets of pulse signals is used to gate the generated clock pulses to a counter and accumulator system which provides output signals representing certain particle size parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: The University of Queensland
    Inventors: Alban J. Lynch, Eugene Gallagher
  • Patent number: 4206501
    Abstract: An apparatus for back lighting a display surface of a liquid crystal display includes a light source and a diffusing backplate interposed between the light source and the display. The diffusing backplate is selectively darkened to attenuate light rays from the light source to provide substantially uniform back illumination of the display. The diffusing backplate further includes a plurality of heating resistors and a thermistor for maintaining the temperature of the display above a predetermined minimum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Brooks
  • Patent number: 4206499
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp comprising a housing having a base wall and a peripheral wall surrounding the base wall and having a free edge and a first lens adapted to overlie the free edge of the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has an opening therein extending toward the lens and a second lens is provided in the opening and has a free edge aligned with the free edge of the peripheral wall. An annular gasket is positioned on the peripheral wall and engages and holds the second lens in position. The first lens and the gasket have cooperating portions to provide a seal between the first lens and the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Dominion Auto Accessories Limited
    Inventors: Karel Urbanek, Arthur F. Bleiweiss
  • Patent number: 4205635
    Abstract: A fuel mixture control apparatus for an electronic fuel injection system for internal combustion engines. In a warm-up controller, the fuel injection control pulses are lengthened for enrichment of the fuel-air mixture during engine warm-up on the basis of signals supplied by a temperature transducer. In order to make the warm-up enrichment dependent on prevailing engine states, for example on the conditions of idling and partial or full load, circuitry is provided to sense these conditions and to suitably alter the enrichment factor. A further circuit suppresses the dependence or enrichment on engine status during engine starting. Various embodiments are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Kirn, Ulrich Steinbrenner, Hans Schnurle, Peter Werner, Ulrich Drews, Klaus Streit, Erwin Gloss, Helmut Moder
  • Patent number: 4206497
    Abstract: A folding headlight for motor vehicles in which the housing holding the main headlights, has a topside which is made at least partially of a light-permeable material. An auxiliary headlight is located within the topside portion of the housing and serves as a light signal. The auxiliary headlight is aligned in the folded position of the housing and has its main beam axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. When viewed in the direction of travel, the auxiliary headlight is located ahead of the main headlights and is displaced upward relative to them. The auxiliary headlight is a broad-band headlight, and the main beam axes of the auxiliary headlight and the main headlight include an angle which corresponds to the tilt angle of the housing. In the extended position of the housing, the light signal is connected to the main headlight which is constructed as a long-distance headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Inventor: Karl Kressel
  • Patent number: 4204908
    Abstract: A method of identifying leaky components of a multi-component system in wh the individual components contain a charge. Additional substances having different element or isotope compositions are added to these charges to code them. If leaks occur, element or isotope analysis of the escaping charges then allows identification of the leaky component. If the multi-component system includes a nuclear reactor, different element or isotope combinations of krypton and xenon may be added to the individual fuel rods during production, and optical saturation spectroscopy may be used to analyze the leaking gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Gesellschaft fur Kernenergieverwertung in Schiffbau und Schiffahrt mbH
    Inventors: Walfried Michaelis, Claus Weitkamp
  • Patent number: 4204909
    Abstract: A self-actuated mechanism within a safety assembly in a liquid metal nuclear reactor comprising sensor fuel pins located in a reactor coolant flow path, a sensor bulb containing NaK located near the upper end of the sensor fuel pins and in the reactor coolant flow path, and a sensor tube connecting the sensor bulb to a metal bellows and push rod. The motion of the push rod resulting from the temperature dependent change in the NaK volume actuates a safety rod release mechanism when a predetermined coolant temperature is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Giuggio, Richard C. Noyes, Shakir U. Zaman
  • Patent number: 4205367
    Abstract: A cigarette lighter holder is constructed to fit into a conventional motor vehicle cigarette lighter socket and is made of insulating material to hold a conventional butane gas lighter or the like in place for subsequent removal and use by the driver and passengers of the motor vehicle. A flared collar extends from the open end of the holder to cover the cigarette lighter socket edges, and a light bulb is placed in the collar to illuminate the opening and to indicate its location to users of the lighter held in the holder/adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Benjamin L. Arnold, III
    Inventor: Benjamin L. Arnold, III
  • Patent number: 4204507
    Abstract: A single point fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine including a throttle body having first and second air intake throats corresponding to first and second intake manifold planes of the engine, the air flow through each throat being controlled by throttle plates positioned within each throat. The throttle body further includes a fuel accumulating bowl which is integrally formed with the throttle body, the bowl being enclosed by a diaphragm and cover member. Within the enclosure of the fuel bowl are positioned a pair of injectors which are adapted to inject pulsed portions of fuel through a sonic nozzle and into the air intake throat of the throttle body. The injection of pulses of fuel into the throat is timed in accordance with the sensing of the crankshaft reaching a position of 15.degree. before top dead center to enhance the distribution of fuel charge from cylinder to cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: The Bendix Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Casey, Granville Hurlong, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4204911
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing iodine-131 and iodine-125 from a liquid sodium reactor coolant. Non-radioactive iodine is dissolved in hot liquid sodium to increase the total iodine concentration. Subsequent precipitation of the iodine in a cold trap removes both the radioactive iodine isotopes as well as the non-radioactive iodine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Martin H. Cooper
  • Patent number: 4203569
    Abstract: The disclosed fin and nozzle unit comprises a generally cylindrical nozzle body having an axial nozzle opening therein for discharging a gaseous propulsion stream, a plurality of fins having pivot means mounting such fins on a rear end portion of the nozzle body for swinging movement between retracted launch positions and extended flight positions in which such fins are swung outwardly from the launch positions through a predetermined angle, such fins having bent or skewed portions which are positioned in the gaseous propulsion stream when the fins are in their retracted launch positions for causing the gaseous propulsion stream to act upon the bent portions so as to produce spinning movement of the rocket when it is being launched, the bent portions being movable outwardly out of the gaseous propulsion stream when the fins are swung outwardly into their extended flight positions to avoid imparting further spin to the rocket during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: BEI Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: William S. Marks