Patents Examined by Timothy S. Thorpe
  • Patent number: 6602219
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cleaning a medical device tube, for example a catheter tube. The distal end portion of the tube has a distal opening and at least one side opening adjacent to the distal opening. The distal end of the tube is disposed in a closed chamber with the distal opening generally opposite from a first orifice defined in the chamber. A liquid is introduced into the chamber and is drawn into the distal opening in the tube, for example by a suction force. A different fluid medium, such as air, is drawn through the first orifice and into the distal opening in the tube. A turbulent flow path is established with the fluid medium wherein the medium is drawn through the first orifice, into the distal opening in the tube, out the side opening in the tube, and back into the distal opening in the tube. This turbulent flow path enhances the cleaning action of the liquid introduced into the chamber for cleaning the distal end portion of the tube within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward B. Madsen, Wayne D. Carlsen, Chet M. Crump
  • Patent number: 6585491
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head is provided having a heating member for generating thermal energy to create a bubble in liquid, a discharge port adapted to discharge the liquid, and a liquid flow path communicated with the discharge port having a bubble generating area for enabling the liquid to create the bubble. A movable member is arranged in the bubble generating area to be displaced along with the development of the bubble. A regulating portion regulates the displacement of the movable member within a desired range, and by means of energy at the time of bubble creation, the liquid being discharged from the discharge port. The regulating portion is arranged to face the bubble generating area in the liquid flow path. A support member is directly connected to the movable member. The bubble development causes the movable member and the regulating portion to be in contact forming an essentially closed space with the exception of the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoichi Taneya, Sadayuki Sugama, Hiroyuki Ishinaga, Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Satoshi Shimazu
  • Patent number: 6572344
    Abstract: A fluid translating device is provided that includes a first member having fluid inlet/outlet ports and a second member having a plurality of pistons disposed therein secured to a stationary central shaft. A camplate and port plate is disposed in the fluid translating device about the stationary central shaft and located between the first and second members. The camplate is in communication with the fluid inlet/outlet ports and the plurality of pistons is in mating contact with the port plate. An outer input/output member is secured about the camplate and is rotatably disposed about the first and second members to form a compact arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hajek, Jr., David P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6565331
    Abstract: A pump having a main pump body including a casing to which a fluid is supplied, and a pump section, an input valve section, and an output valve section which are provided opposingly to one surface in the casing. Each of the pump sections, the input valve section, and the output valve section has an actuator section. The input valve section, the pump section, and the output valve section are provided opposingly to the back surface of the casing for selectively forming a flow passage on the back surface of the casing in accordance with selective displacement action of the input valve section, the pump section, and the output valve section in a direction approaching or separating from the back surface of the casing. The fluid is controlled for its flow in accordance with the selective formation of the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Tsutomu Nanataki, Iwao Ohwada
  • Patent number: 6558126
    Abstract: Low voltage electrical power is supplied to a diagnostic control device in a sealed compressor. Electrical power is tapped from a high voltage power line and transformed to low voltage power that in turn operates the diagnostic control device. The diagnostic control device and the electric voltage transforming system are housed within the sealed compressor shell, thus eliminating the need for additional openings in the compressor shell. Other low voltage devices can be powered in this way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: Greg Hahn, Zili Sun, Carlos Zamudio, Jason Hugenroth, Thomas Barito, James W. Bush, Joe T. Hill, John R. Williams
  • Patent number: 6547540
    Abstract: A fan having a supercharging structure includes a casing having an air passage hole with an air inlet at a first end thereof and an air outlet at a second end thereof. A base is mounted to the air outlet end of the casing. A supporting plate is mounted in the air passage hole of the casing or an air outlet in the base for engaging with a stator bobbin that pivotally holds a fan wheel to be driven. Plural supercharging plates are mounted between the supporting plate and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Horng, Ching-Shen Hong, Ching-Lin Wu
  • Patent number: 6513330
    Abstract: An annular diffuser for a gas turbine engine includes inner and outer walls spaced apart to define a diffuser flow path, and a support member coupling the inner wall to the outer wall while allowing independent radial displacement therebetween. The support member includes a first end portion rigidly connected to the inner wall, and a second end portion extending outside of the diffuser flowpath and coupled to the outer wall by a radially extending pin. An aerodynamically-shaped shroud member surrounds the support member to thermally isolate the support member from the diffuser flowpath, thereby shielding the support member from transient thermal loads. The shroud member is pinned to the support member at a single axial location. A combustor dome panel is attached to the downstream end portion of the shroud member and is adapted to independently support inner and outer combustor liners in spaced relation to define a combustion chamber therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Allison Advanced Development Company
    Inventors: Edward C. Rice, Kenneth W. Froemming
  • Patent number: 6499970
    Abstract: A combination electric motor-pump unit which is installed on a body of a vehicle. The pump unit includes motor fastening screws with which the electric motor is fastened to the pump housing and which connect the pump unit to the vehicle body. This significantly reduces the number of required parts. The pump unit is provided for a brake system of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Siegel, Arnold Pahl, Rolf Hummel, Barbara Schwind-Grellmann, Martin Mohle, Erika Mank
  • Patent number: 6491506
    Abstract: A linear compressor includes a casing having a suction pipe and a discharge pipe and a unit including a cylinder formed therein and an inner stator assembly and an outer stator assembly installed on the exterior of the cylinder and a magnet assembly inserted into the certain void of the inner and outer stator assembly for performing a reciprocating motion linearly and a piston connected to the magnet assembly by forming a connection portion and a gas through hole formed in the connection portion of the magnet assembly and piston, which is capable of decreasing a flow resistance by forming the gas through holes in the connection portion of the magnet assembly and the piston and decreasing the specific volume of the suction coolant by making the coolant gas filled the both area of the connection portion flow reciprocally in the reciprocating motion of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Sik Oh, Jung Sik Park, Kyung Bum Hur, Gye Young Song
  • Patent number: 6481980
    Abstract: A cassette for directing fluid flow, comprising a body and a valve chamber formed in the body, provides a centralized, programmable, and integrated platform to carry out diverse and coordinated pumping and valving functions, e.g., such as required for blood processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R Vandlik, Tom Westberg
  • Patent number: 6468050
    Abstract: A reciprocating compressor of a type includes a cylinder block having a plurality of bores disposed in parallel with each other, a valve plate having suction ports corresponding to the respective bores, a cylinder head for closing the outer end of the cylinder block through the valve plate which is held between the cylinder head and the cylinder block and on which suction valves and discharge valves are mounted, a suction chamber formed in the cylinder head adjacent to a refrigerant introduction port, and pistons inserted into the respective bores so as to reciprocate in a predetermined phase difference. In the reciprocating compressor, partitions are disposed in the cylinder head around the outer periphery of the suction chamber for introducing suction gas into the respective bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Hashimoto, Yoshito Matsumura, Yoshinobu Ichikawa, Taizo Sato
  • Patent number: 6454549
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor including a housing, a compression mechanism disposed in the housing, a motor disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the compression mechanism, the motor including a stator, the stator having, re lative to the compression mechanism, a proximal end and a distal end, at least one fastener extending through the stator, the stator being fixed, relative to the compression mechanism, by the fastener, a motor cover disposed over the distal end of the fixed stator, a portion of the fastener extending through the cover, and a clip engaging the portion of each the fastener, the cover being retained to the fixed stator by the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Ronny A. Shafer
  • Patent number: 6454538
    Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided with a motor protector for stopping operation of its motor should conditions be indicative of a problem. The motor protector is sensitive to elevated temperature, and stops operation of the motor should a sensed temperature exceed a predetermined maximum. The motor protector is positioned in a chamber in a rear face of a base of the non-orbiting scroll. A port extends through the base of the non-orbiting scroll to connect a motor protector chamber to a suction chamber. Electric wires connect the motor protector to the motor and extend through this same port. In some embodiments, a pressure relief valve also communicates with the motor protector chamber. In one embodiment the motor protector chamber is enclosed by a cap and the pressure relief valve is mounted in that cap. In another embodiment the pressure relief valve extends through a wall of the non-orbiting scroll. In other embodiments, a pair of mating plugs connect the protector to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Scroll Technologies
    Inventors: Robert Carl Witham, Jason Hugenroth
  • Patent number: 6450786
    Abstract: In a pump, particularly for cooling water, with an impeller wheel (2) that is supported so that it can rotate in a pump chamber (6), an excitation device (12) for driving the impeller wheel (12) to rotate, and a control circuit (19) for the excitation device (12), the control circuit (19) and the excitation device (12) are thermally separated from one another by the pump chamber (6). The waste heat of the excitation device (12) is removed by the fluid circulating in the pump chamber (6) to the extent that the control circuit (19) is prevented from overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Koch, Stefan Kotthaus, Joerg Wolf
  • Patent number: 6443710
    Abstract: A magnetic pump comprises a front casing (1) for forming an interior pump space (2) and having an inlet (3) for drawing in a fluid to be pumped and an outlet (4) for discharging the fluid, a rear casing (6) for forming a cylindrical space (5) extending from the pump space (2), a supporting shaft (7) having a rear end supported by a rear end of the rear casing (6) and a front end facing to the pump space (2), and a rotator (10) rotatably supported by the supporting shaft (7). The rotator (10) includes a totally cylindrical magnetic can (13) having an inner circumference on which a cylindrical rotary bearing mounted and an outer circumference on which a driven magnet is mounted, and an impeller (14) secured on a front end of the magnetic can (13) and accommodated in the pump space (2) so as to rotate integrally with the magnetic can (13). A rear bearing (19) is located at a rear end of the rotary bearing (11) via a cushion member (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Iwaki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tatsukami, Yoshihiro Iba, Toshinori Yanagihara, Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 6439855
    Abstract: A motor and fan structure 10 includes direct current motor assembly 18 having a stator assembly 20 including a flux plate 22 and permanent magnet structure 24 mounted on the flux plate 22. The flux plate 22 defines one end of the motor assembly and define a magnetic flux path of the motor assembly. The motor assembly also includes a generally cylindrical armature assembly 32 defining another end of the motor assembly. The armature assembly is radially wound with windings 40, and an outermost part of the armature assembly and at least a portion of the windings is exposed to the environment. The structure includes a fan 12 having a generally cylindrical hub 14 receiving and covering the outermost part and the portion of the windings of the armature assembly. The hub 14 has a plurality of blades 16 extending therefrom. Thus, the weight and axial length of the motor assembly can be reduced since no case is required to cover the armature assembly yet the armature assembly is protected by the fan hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Lakerdas, Andrew Paul Smith, Martin Volkening
  • Patent number: 6435846
    Abstract: A fluid pump for pumping a volume of fluid under pressure from a fluid source to a fluid dispenser includes an electric motor. A pump drive assembly is operably coupled to the motor for reducing an output of the motor. A pump assembly is operably coupled to the pump drive assembly and is fluidly communicable with the source of fluid, the pump assembly being actuated by the pump drive assembly, the actuation causing the pump assembly to pump the fluid. A single main housing, the main housing in part the pump drive assembly and having a pump housing defined therein, the pump housing being integral, unitary therewith for housing the pump assembly. A method of making a fluid pump for pumping a volume of fluid under pressure from a fluid source to a fluid dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Cooper, Thomas L. Kruzel
  • Patent number: 6425241
    Abstract: A steam-cooled second-stage nozzle segment has an outer band and an outer cover defining a plenum therebetween for receiving cooling steam for flow through the nozzles to the inner band and cover therefor and return flow through the nozzles. To measure the temperature of the buckets of the stage forwardly of the nozzle stage, a pyrometer boss is electron beam-welded in an opening through the outer band and TIG-welded to the outer cover plate. By machining a hole through the boss and seating a linearly extending tube in the boss, a line of sight between a pyrometer mounted on the turbine frame and the buckets is provided whereby the temperature of the buckets can be ascertained. The welding of the boss to the outer band and outer cover enables steam flow through the plenum without leakage, while providing a line of sight through the outer cover and outer band to measure bucket temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond Joseph Jones, Francis Lawrence Kirkpatrick, James Lee Burns, John Robert Fulton
  • Patent number: 6416292
    Abstract: Method for transporting at least one vaporous substance through the wall (4) of a vacuum chamber and into the vacuum chamber and device for executing and utilizing the method. In the method, a vaporous substance is introduced from the outside through an interior pipe (1) of a double-walled pipe into the vacuum chamber, with electric current from a power supply (3) applied to the interior pipe (1) and exterior pipe (2) of the double-walled pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Leybold Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Liehr
  • Patent number: 6412269
    Abstract: Gas turbine engines working on an inverted Brayton cycle (IBC) which provides increased power output at a same fuel flow as is currently used in some other known cycles (e.g., air bottoming cycle) are described. In one embodiment, the engine includes a compressor coupled by a first shaft to a high pressure turbine. A combustor is located in the flow intermediate the compressor and high pressure turbine. A free wheeling power turbine is located downstream of the high pressure turbine, and the power turbine is coupled to a load by a second shaft. The flow from the power turbine is supplied, e.g., via ducts, to an axial turbine coupled to an axial compressor by a third shaft. A heat exchanger is located in the flow intermediate the axial turbine and axial compressor. In operation, the working fluid (e.g., air) is compressed by the compressor, and the compressed air is injected into the combustor which heats the air causing it to expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William R. Hines, Padmakar M. Niskode, Michael W. Horner