Patents Examined by Timothy S. Thorpe
  • Patent number: 6213734
    Abstract: The motor fuel delivery unit for delivering motor fuel includes a delivery pump (11) and an electric motor (12) for driving the delivery pump (11). The delivery pump (11) includes a housing (13) provided with a pump chamber (14) and an impeller wheel (16) arranged in the pump chamber (14). The electric motor (12) includes a stator (28) provided with an armature winding (32) and a rotor (29) provided with permanent magnets (30). The electric motor (12) is brushless and consists of the impeller wheel (16) of the delivery pump (11). The stator (28) has an inner ring face consisting of a peripheral wall (143) of the pump chamber (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Imhof, Klaus Dobler, Michael Huebel
  • Patent number: 6209311
    Abstract: An impeller is directly driven by an output shaft of a core engine. The airflow produced by the impeller rotates an air turbine and a fan disposed integrally with the air turbine. The impeller and the air turbine form a fluid coupling which serves also as a speed reducing mechanism. The rotational speed of the fan can be reduced to be lower than that of the output shaft while retaining efficiency of the core engine. The outer diameter of the fan can be increased, raising a bypass ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Nikkiso Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Itoh, Hideo Takeda
  • Patent number: 6210130
    Abstract: A rotary compressor having a piston provided integrally with a blade is contained in a hermetic vessel which is operated at a suction pressure of the rotary compressor and not to discharge pressure. The rotary compressor includes a compression mechanism portion having a cylinder which includes a suction port formed in a cylinder chamber, a piston which eccentrically revolves in the cylinder, a blade which is integrally formed with the piston and partitions the cylinder chamber into a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber, and a driving shaft for revolving the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Kakuda, Eiji Watanabe, Yoshihide Ogawa, Minoru Ishii, Masao Tani, Munehisa Gunjima, Takashi Yamamoto, Susumu Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 6210134
    Abstract: In an electronic apparatus having a housing and a cooling device for cooling at least one section of heat-generating sections in the housing, the cooling device of the present invention has air-discharge-openings provided on the housing and a cooling fan motor that is thermally coupled with at least one part of the heat-generating section. The cooling fan motor of the present invention has a motor section including a rotary shaft, blades mounted on the shaft and a case, wherein the motor section is disposed at one end of the case and an opening is provided at the other end of the case. The case is made of heat conductive material, and is placed so that the openings face the air discharge openings. This structure effectively and sufficiently dissipates the build-up heat produced by the heat-generating components in the housing, and cools them down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., LTD
    Inventor: Masaharu Miyahara
  • Patent number: 6210129
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-pressure pump for a fuel injection device of an internal combustion engine, with a pump housing, with at least one work chamber disposed in the pump housing functionally between an inlet region and a supply region. A working element is movably disposed in the work chamber, and a pump shaft is provided in the pump housing by means of which the working element can be driven. In order to obtain a shortened structural length, and an extended service life of the pump, a provision is made that the pump housing can be fastened to a wall of a motor housing of the internal combustion engine, wherein the pump shaft can be radially supported against a shaft of the internal combustion engine, which shaft is supported in the motor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Stiefel
  • Patent number: 6206650
    Abstract: An axial piston displacement machine for converting hydraulic work into mechanical work or vice-versa with a plurality of hydraulic cylinders which are rotatably arranged with substantially parallel axes about a joint longitudinal axis, including pistons which are movably arranged in the cylinders and which are in connection with a swivellable plate an adjusting device for setting the swiveling angle of the plate a sleeve which rotates with the cylinders and is arranged outside of the plate, and engagement means for transmitting a torque between the plate and the sleeve on the plate and on the sleeve. An increased efficiency is achieved by including a toothed wheel attached on the outer circumference of the sleeve in order to tap a torque from the sleeve or to introduce a torque to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: TCG Unitech Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jörg Thurner
  • Patent number: 6206660
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling gas temperature during compression or expansion. The apparatus comprises a chamber for containing gas, a piston for changing the volume of gas in the chamber, a plurality of atomisers for spraying liquid into the chamber and means for delivering liquid to the atomisers. Each atomiser comprises a spray aperture and means defining a flow path for imparting rotary motion to the flow of liquid about the axis of the aperture so that on leaving the aperture the liquid divides into a conical spray. Spray apertures are positioned adjacent one another and the axes of adjacent spray apertures are oriented such that their respective sprays intersect at a position proximate at least one of the respective adjacent spray apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: National Power PLC
    Inventors: Michael W. E. Coney, Richard A. Huxley
  • Patent number: 6205766
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for supplying fuel to an engine, the system including a fluid flow valve having a valve element movable alternatively to a first operative position in which a relatively low fluid flow rate is permitted through the valve, for achieving a normal gradual shut-off of fuel supply, and a second operative position in which a relatively high fluid flow rate is permitted through the valve, for achieving a rapid emergency shut-off of fuel supply. Also disclosed is a fluid flow valve for use in the system. The invention has application in aircraft gas turbine engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventors: Glyn Edward Dixon, Trevor Stanley Smith
  • Patent number: 6206643
    Abstract: A method of controlling a reciprocating compressor comprising of starting the reciprocating compressor at a minimum speed in which a frequency of 45-52 Hz is applied, operating the reciprocating compressor at a frequency of 52˜60 Hz and operating the reciprocating compressor at a predetermined rotational speed. Therefore, an optimum amount of lubricating oil is supplied to a sliding part of the reciprocating compressor so that the reliability of parts thereof is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Won-Bae Jeong
  • Patent number: 6203287
    Abstract: A compressor including an airflow manifold located within a compressor housing where the airflow manifold includes a heat exchanger flow connected to a shroud that includes a hopper that terminates in a spout that extends through the bottom compressor housing panel and is located outside the compressor housing to permit particulate matter dislodged from the heat exchanger to be discharged from the compressor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Dean P. Hendrix, Charles A. Swartz
  • Patent number: 6203291
    Abstract: A displacement pump with a pump housing containing a pump chamber of varying volume, the limiting walls of which includes a moveable portion or diaphragm, the movement and/or deformation of which varies the pump chamber volume. The pump chamber has a fluid inlet on the suction side of the pump and a fluid outlet on the pressure side. Both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, or possibly only one of them, includes a flow controlling element having one diffuser and one diffuser inlet which, for the same flow, has a larger pressure drop in one flow direction (the nozzle direction) than in the opposite flow direction (the diffuser direction). A drive element is coupled to the diaphragm, whereby the diaphragm can be caused to oscillate, so that the fluid volume in the pump chamber is caused to pulsate and thereby produce a net flow of fluid through the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventors: Erik Stemme, Goran Stemme
  • Patent number: 6203280
    Abstract: A method for totalizing the volume of liquid pumped to or from a vessel by a set of pumps. The method comprises the following steps: Calculating a running time for each of the pumps. Determining a first rate of change of volume when each of the pumps is turned on and a second rate of change a predetermined period after each of the pumps is turned on. Determining a draw down rate for each of the pumps and calculating the volume pumped by each pump based on the running time and draw down rate. Summing the volume pumped by each of the pumps to give a total volume pumped for the vessel over the operating time for the pumps. The totalizing method is incorporated with a control system for controlling the pumping of liquid to or from a vessel using one or more pumps. The control system comprises a level sensor, an actuator for each of the pumps, and a controller. The controller is programmed to issue control signals to the actuators and execute process steps for totalizing the volume of liquid pumped in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Milltronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian D. Van Zyl
  • Patent number: 6203283
    Abstract: A device for varying the displacement of a variable displacement bent axis unit includes a one-piece yoke having a bucket portion adapted to carry a cylinder block kit of the bent axis unit, a trunnion bearing portion for swing control on one side of the bucket portion, and a trunnion portion for fluid porting on the other side of the bucket portion. The bucket portion has a bottom wall, a continuous side wall, and an open top. Inside the yoke is a pair of fluid passages intersecting the interior of the bucket portion and extending separately and entirely within the bottom wall and the side wall before opening onto the trunnion portion for fluid porting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sauer Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Fleming, Scott D. Meyer, Dave D. Dirks
  • Patent number: 6202402
    Abstract: Described are a gas-turbine construction and a method of operating this gas-turbine construction, having an air compressor, a heat exchanger connected downstream of the air compressor, a combustion chamber, and a turbine which can be driven by hot combustion gases and from which the combustion gases are fed to the heat exchanger for heating the compressed supply air coming from the air compressor. The invention is distinguished by the fact that the heat exchanger and the combustion chamber are integrated in a common unit, and that fuel can be added to the supply air before entry into the unit, which fuel can be ignited catalytically in the form of an air/fuel mixture inside the unit, in which a catalyst is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Sattelmayer
  • Patent number: 6203282
    Abstract: A method to control stops of an intermittently operating electric motor that drives a submersible pump arranged in a pump station for sewage water, wherein starts and stops of the motor depend on the water level in the pump station or on any other electric parameter possible to measure, and where a stop of the motor is initiated when the water level has gone down to the upper part of the motor. The method involves the steps of selecting intervals for pumping down to a level below that of the upper part of the motor where the pump starts sucking air, and pumping down to the lower level at each of the selected intervals until the pump starts sucking air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Flygt AB
    Inventor: Anders Morin
  • Patent number: 6200106
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fan for an internal combustion engine. The fan has a locking device for a fluid friction clutch in the form of a pivoting hook that may be mounted subsequently at a fixed location using a holding device and may be triggered using an electromagnet. The electromagnet may be accommodated in the circuit of an ignition lock such that when the engine is started, the fan wheel is prevented from rotating unintentionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignees: Behr GmbH & Co., Magenta GmbH Systemlieferant Fuer Elektromagnetische Baugruppen, Bayerishce Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Martin, Franz A. Bierbrauer, Rudolf Wichtl, Wolfgang Kuttler
  • Patent number: 6199362
    Abstract: In a method of controlling and regulating a power plant (50), in which power plant (50) thermal power is generated in a combustion chamber (35) from a gaseous fuel and the thermal power is at least partially converted into electrical power in conversion equipment (36), and in which power plant (50) the fuel for the combustion chamber (35) is produced in a fuel producer (31) from a feed product with the application of thermal and/or electrical power, which is removed at the outlet of the conversion equipment (36), and said fuel is passed on to the combustion chamber (35), optimal stability with a simultaneously wide control dynamic range are achieved in that the production of the fuel in the fuel producer (31) is stabilized by a first control loop (31, 51, 53, 60), and the conversion of the fuel into electrical power in the conversion equipment (36) is stabilized by a second control loop (36, 33, 55, 56, 58), and in that the power plant (50) as a whole is kept within a predefined operating range (a, b) by coup
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventor: Stephan Hepner
  • Patent number: 6200100
    Abstract: A lift amount of a valve plug is controlled with respect to a period of time from valve-closing operation instruction time for an electric opening/closing valve to arrival at a preset quick valve-closing operation position at which a flow line of a fluid discharged from a discharge port of a nozzle is in a constricted state, in accordance with a driving action of an electric actuator. The valve plug of the electric opening/closing valve is controlled to be at a closed position after the arrival at the quick valve-closing operation position. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the incontinent liquid drip from the nozzle during the valve-closing operation of the electric opening/closing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Qinghai Yang, Hirosuke Yamada, Kazuya Tamura, Nobuhiro Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6199365
    Abstract: An igniter that uses the change or fluctuation pressure in a system or process to generate electrical energy by means of a piezoelectric element. This electrical energy is then relayed to an ignition device or devices that ignites combustible liquid or mixture of liquids and gasses or mixtures of gasses. The ignition can take place either in the systems combustion chamber, or, in the case of burn off of excess gasses/fluids, at the systems vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Mide Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Jacob van Reenen Pretorius, Marthinus Cornelius van Schoor
  • Patent number: 6200113
    Abstract: A fluid coupling assembly includes a first connection member, a second connection member, and a flow sealing member. The first connection member has an exterior surface, an interior surface and a threaded through hole from the exterior surface to the interior surface. The second connection member has a first sealing surface facing the interior surface of the first connection member, and a first flow passage. The first sealing surface is rigidly fixed with respect to the first connection member. The flow sealing member has external threads that mate with the threaded through hole, a second flow passage aligned with the first flow passage of the first member, and a second sealing surface that seals with the first sealing surface around the first and second flow passages upon application of sealing force via rotation of the external threads in the threaded hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Dyax Corp.
    Inventor: Peter C. Van Davelaar