Patents Examined by Thach H. Bui
  • Patent number: 6840330
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for extinguishing a fire in a burning building includes a hollow, conically-shaped, hardened metallic device attached to an articulating arm of a boom. The device is provided with plural nozzles formed through its outer surface. The device is impelled from the articulating arm to impact and crash through the building adjacent the fire. Fire extinguishing fluids are supplied via the plural nozzles to extinguish the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: David W. Lancaster
  • Patent number: 6834781
    Abstract: An air operated grease gun has an air bleed valve comprising a threaded stem with a longitudinal groove operable to allow air to bleed from a grease pumping chamber and a grease supply passage. Grease from a cartridge flows through the grease supply passage into the pumping chamber when air is bled from the gun whereby a plunger reciprocating in the grease pumping chamber pumps grease past a check valve into a grease dispensing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: John J. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6832734
    Abstract: A media discharge device includes a support member, a telescoping device supported by the support member, and a media discharge port provided at a first end of the telescoping device. The telescoping device is supported via a joint structure that allows the telescoping device to rotate with respect to the support member with at least one degree of freedom. The telescoping device includes a first member and a second member that moves with respect to the first member in an extending direction and a retracting direction. An actuator may drive the second member in the extending direction and in the retracting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: William J. Rafferty, William C. Flannigan
  • Patent number: 6827296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method an apparatus for atomizing liquids. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for atomizing heavy hydrocarbon fuels such as diesel, as part of a fuel reforming process. During normal operating conditions the fuel is atomized by a high pressure fluid. Under start-up conditions when only a low pressure gas is available the fuel films across part of the nozzle and is subsequently atomized by a radially directed low pressure dispersion gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Vincent J. Novick, Rajesh K. Ahluwalia
  • Patent number: 6827293
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted to mix in a mixing chamber within the apparatus a waterless paint concentrate maintained in a reservoir within the apparatus. The concentrate is stored in the reservoir in a concentration unsuitable for application to a paintable surface. The concentrate is mixed with water received into the mixing chamber under external waterline pressure forming a paint suitable for application to a paintable surface. The paint is then discharged from the apparatus through a spray nozzle. Mixing occurs in the apparatus concurrently with discharge through the nozzle as water flows through the apparatus. The apparatus as largely a container of waterless paint concentrate with a simple mix and discharge spray head attached is disposable after consumption of the concentrate without need for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: George Seeman
  • Patent number: 6827286
    Abstract: A diffuser device (100) for diffusing solutions comprises a refill (6) containing the solution to be diffused, a wick (7) disposed partially inside the refill (6) to absorb the solution, a heater (1) coupled to the refill (6) and to the wick (7) and comprising a resistance (8), able to increase in temperature when crossed by a current, for heating the wick (7) and supply means (5) able to electrically supply the resistance (8), the resistance (8) being supported by a support (20) mounted movably in the heater (1) to be able to pass, by manual operation, from a position distal to the wick (7) wherein minimum heating of the wick occurs to a position proximal to the wick wherein maximum heating of the wick occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Zobele Holding SpA
    Inventor: Franco Zobele
  • Patent number: 6824072
    Abstract: A spray gun cleaning system uses a separate cleaning fluid container which is substituted for the normal applied product container of the spray gun. The product feed tube of the spray gun is inserted into the cleaning fluid container, which is then sealably clamped to the spray cap of the spray gun. The container has a side opening, to which one end of a fluid hose is sealably attached. The other end of the hose is sealably attached to the nozzle portion of the spray gun. Pressurized air is discharged into the spray gun and this pressurization causes the cleaning fluid to circulate through the spray gun. As long as the pressurized air is discharged into the spray gun, cleaning fluid will automatically continue to circulate, without user involvement, through the sealed, closed circuit or path formed by the body of the spray gun, the fluid hose, the cleaning fluid container, and the feed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventor: Darren R. Minder
  • Patent number: 6820828
    Abstract: The invention discloses a circle irrigation system providing improved chemical application control within said system by varying the height from the chemical application nozzles to the application area, spacing of the nozzles along the boom, delay switches for movement of the towers relative to turning the nozzles on and off, diaphragms providing quick cycling of the on-off of the nozzles without leakage, pressure valves for varying the nozzle pressure within a boom and means for mixing and monitoring a plurality of chemicals within water and eliminating the possibility of back flushing the chemical mixture into the water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Arnold J Greenwalt
  • Patent number: 6820823
    Abstract: A nozzle insert, and/or an actuator nozzle structure, for use in dispensing a material to be dispensed from an aerosol can. The nozzle insert or actuator nozzle structure divide the spray of dispensed material into two independent, simultaneously emitted aerosol streams, which may have different attributes and may be emitted in different directions. One stream may be an upwardly directed fogger stream and the other stream may be a forwardly directed, aimable stream. This permits a user to direct, for example, an insecticide at a particular target, while simultaneously more generally fogging an area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Parsons, Steven B. Mineau, Gary A. Hurtienne, Stanley J. Flashinski, Juan Carlos Blanco
  • Patent number: 6817552
    Abstract: A broadcast spreading top dresser (10) includes a diverter (200) which can be positioned in an upper position for light applications and a lower position for heavy applications, with the diverter (200) extending through a slot (210) in an upper sheet (58) of the spinner assembly (40) and beyond and below the upper sheet (58) in the lower position. The leading edges (204) of the diverter (200) are spaced from the circular disks (154) of the spinners (54) intermediate the radial position that the material is dispensed unto the spinners (54) and the maximum rearward extent of the circular disks (154). The lower edges of the diverter (200) extend at differing distances into the thickness of the propelled top dressing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Kinkead, Thomas E. Isaman, Donavon D. Kotula, Steven Ferguson
  • Patent number: 6817551
    Abstract: A convertible material spreader in which a single hopper bin with a conveyor is converted into a dual bin hopper with dual independent conveyors by nesting a secondary hopper and conveyor combination into the primary bin after removing an end gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Highway Equipment Company
    Inventors: John Williams, Gerald Brechon
  • Patent number: 6814303
    Abstract: A fluid-cooled mount for an injector; suitable, for example, for mounting an automotive fuel injector on a combustion exhaust system to inject an NOx reducing fluid into the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Cleaire Advanced Emission Controls
    Inventors: Bradley L. Edgar, Richard G. Lemke, Marc D. Rumminger, Michael Streichsbier, Dean B. Wehrley
  • Patent number: 6814307
    Abstract: An atomizer spray plate is provided for discharging fuel oil. The spray plate has a cylindrical rear portion and a conical front portion. A frusto-conical whirl chamber extends from the rear portion to the front portion with a decreasing radius. The rear portion includes a number of whirl slots extending radially inward from an outboard region of the rear portion to the whirl chamber to provide the fuel oil with rotational energy. A discharge slot is provided in the front portion of the spray plate for receiving fuel oil from the whirl chamber with rotational energy. The discharge slot includes a cylindrical through-hole with a diameter d, and at least three lobes (slots) equally spaced about the through-hole and oriented in a radial direction, each lobe having a semi-circular cross-section with radius r and extending approximately perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Combustion Components Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Hurley, John N. Dale
  • Patent number: 6814314
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve, in particular an injection valve for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, is made of a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator and a valve closing body that can be set in motion by the actuator via a valve needle and that interacts with a valve seat surface to produce a seat. To compensate for the temperature expansion, at least one damping element made of a solid is present and exhibits an almost static behavior at a high deformation rate and is elastically or plastically deformable at a low deformation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Ruehle, Hubert Stier, Matthias Boee, Guenther Hohl, Norbert Keim
  • Patent number: 6814313
    Abstract: Fuel injector having a valve body, which is provided with a valve operated by an electromagnetic actuator and capable of controlling the flow of fuel, and with a cylindrical, tubular container closed by a sealing element; the sealing element is arranged so as to close a lower end of the tubular container, is provided with a multihole atomiser and a valve seat, and is composed solely of a cylindrically symmetrical main body, which comprises the valve seat and ensures fluid-tight closure of the lower end of the tubular container, and of a perforated disc, which is welded coaxially to the main body and defines the multihole atomiser in conjunction with an underlying truncated conical surface defined in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Michele Petrone, Luca Mancini, Massimo Mattioli
  • Patent number: 6810965
    Abstract: A fire engine or a truck carrying a fire extinguishing system having a device for supplying a powder fire extinguishing agent coated with a waterproof film, e.g., a silicone resin, and a fire-fighting water delivery pipeline, is used. The powder fire extinguishing agent is added and mixed into the fire-fighting water delivery pipeline, and mixed water is delivered through a fire house and discharged from a spray nozzle provided at the distal end of the fire hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignees: Miyake Engineering Co., Ltd., A.R.P. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Matsukawa, Susumu Miyake
  • Patent number: 6808133
    Abstract: A fuel injector for directly injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a solenoid coil, an armature that can be acted upon by the solenoid coil in a stroke direction in opposition to a first resetting spring, and a valve needle connected to a valve-closure member. The valve needle has a first limit stop for the movable armature, the armature additionally being acted upon by a second resetting spring. A stationary second limit stop is provided for the armature. The second resetting spring acts upon the armature contrary to the stroke direction and, in the resting position, when the solenoid coil is not excited, the second resetting spring holds the armature in position at the second limit stop such that the armature is at a preestablished distance from the first limit stop configured on the valve needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Stier
  • Patent number: 6802458
    Abstract: A nozzle gate valve is provided in an irrigation sprinkler for quick and easy shut-off of water flow to a sprinkler spray nozzle. The gate valve is mounted within a sprinkler spray head at an upstream side of the nozzle for displacement between open and closed positions respectively permitting and preventing waterflow to the nozzle. In the preferred form, the gate valve has a generally conical shape and defines an elbow-shaped flow path movable between the open position aligned with the nozzle for normal water supply thereto, and the closed position misaligned with the spray nozzle to prevent water flow thereto. In the closed position, the spray nozzle can be removed and/or replaced, or other sprinkler adjustments can be performed, without requiring a main system water supply to be turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Christian T. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6799736
    Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus, for use with a circular workpiece, includes a nozzle having a wedge-shaped aperture. The nozzle is attached to a dispenser body, and a solenoid valve is operable to start and stop material flow through the apparatus. A rotatable turntable is preferably provided below the nozzle for rotatably supporting a workpiece. In a method of adding a flowable material to a workpiece, having a circular outline, the workpiece is supported on a rotatable support member, and a dispenser nozzle, having a wedge-shaped outlet aperture, is positioned over a selected portion of the annular workpiece, with a wide end of the aperture adjacent an outer side wall of the workpiece. Then, a valve is opened to allow material to flow through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Osterfeld, Gary G. Parent
  • Patent number: 6796514
    Abstract: A material supply assembly for use with a spraying device, which material supply assembly includes a housing of stiff material comprising a side wall having a top end defining an opening into a recess defined by the housing; and a pre-filled container comprising a stiff annular lip adapted to be positioned along the top end of the side wall, and a flexible portion fixed to the annular lip and adapted to extend into the cavity in the housing when the annular lip is positioned along the top end of the side wall. The flexible portion has an inner surface defining a cavity, and a quantity of material is within the cavity in the flexible portion. A polymeric membrane extends across and is sealed to the annular lip to retain the material in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Thomas W. Schwartz