Patents Examined by Timothy S. Thorpe
  • Patent number: 6273685
    Abstract: A radial piston pump for generating high-fuel pressure in fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, in particular in a common rail injection system, having a drive shaft which is supported in a pump housing and has an eccentrically embodied shaft portion on which preferably a plurality of pistons, disposed radially in a respective element bore are supported relative to the drive shaft. The pistons move back and forth in the respective element bore by rotation of the drive shaft. An axial bearing disk with a plurality of lugs which are disposed on the circumference and engage corresponding grooves in the pump housing is mounted in the pump housing with the aid of a retaining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Kuhn
  • Patent number: 6273689
    Abstract: An enabling an easy increase in the accuracy of a plunger stroke is provided in an electromagnetic pump, in which an inner yoke and a plunger constitute a magnetic circuit, and where an electromagnetic force acts on the magnetic circuit so that a magnetic gap between the inner yoke and the plunger is diminished. The plunger is reciprocated within a cylinder by the electromagnetic force and a restoration force of a spring. In such an electromagnetic pump, the stroke of the plunger is limited by two planes of respective members disposed opposite each other with the cylinder being disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Mikuniadec Corporation
    Inventors: Kubota Kenichi, Takehana Norio, Sato Kiyoshi, Maita Katuya
  • Patent number: 6272847
    Abstract: A centrifugal direct injection engine having an open-ended compartment with a combustion chamber at a closed end thereof and an exhaust nozzle at its open end. The compartment is provided with a narrow portion defining a throat that connects the combustion chamber and the exhaust nozzle. A propellant injection manifold is rotatably mounted within the combustion chamber, the propellant injection manifold being configured for rapid rotation within the combustion chamber. The propellant injection manifold includes an upper disk member, an intermediate disk member and a lower disk member, the disks being joined together to form an integral member with the outer perimeter of the disks being in registration with one another. A fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber through the propellant injection manifold and the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Carl C. Dietrich
  • Patent number: 6272845
    Abstract: The invention concerns an acoustic igniter for igniting a mixture of rocket fuels in a liquid propellant rocket engine combustion chamber comprising a cylindrical precombustion chamber (101) including a cylindrical wall (111) and first and second end walls (112, 113), a rocket fuel injection nozzle (103) emerging into the precombustion chamber (101) through the first end wall (112) via an orifice of diameter dn, a rocket fuel injector (104) arranged inside said nozzle (103) along the axis thereof, at least an outlet orifice (102) of minimum diameter df provided in the cylindrical wall (111), an acoustic resonator (105) defining a cavity opening into the precombustion chamber (101) opposite the nozzle (103), through the second end wall (113), via an orifice (151) of diameter dr. The acoustic resonator (105) is enclosed by a housing (106) which defines around the acoustic resonator (105) a closed auxiliary chamber (160) which communicates only with the precombustion chamber (101) by at least one conduit (107).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Sociate Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation - S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventors: Khoze Kessaev, Vassili Zinoviev, Vladimir Demtchenko
  • Patent number: 6272841
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant is disclosed, which has a backup function operating during the normal operation as well as when the plant is activated, so as to reliably maintain the steam cooling operation when an abnormal phenomenon occurs. In this power plant, the cool steam of the steam cooling system for cooling a high-temperature portion of the gas turbine is the high-pressure exhaust gas of the high-pressure turbine. When the exhaust gas is unexpectedly insufficient, high or medium-pressure steam output from the exhaust heat recovery boiler is introduced as cool steam into the steam cooling system, thereby reliably continuing the steam cooling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Hideo Kimura
  • Patent number: 6270326
    Abstract: The structural complexity of conventional transfusing devices is eliminated, and it is made possible to supply a minute amount of liquid medicine with high accuracy with a simple structure, whereby a portable transfusion pump is realized. A cylindrical rotary drive member (24) equipped with a rotation shaft (23) is arranged opposite to a support plate (22), and a liquid supply tube (16) is arranged between the support plate (22) and the rotary drive member (24). On the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drive member (24), a pressing protrusion (24a) extending spirally around the axis is formed integrally. A flexible sheet (25) is provided between the rotary drive member (24) and the liquid supply tube (16). The upper and lower ends of this sheet (25) are directly or indirectly fixed to a base (10) and the support plate (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 6269628
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to gas turbine engines in which distinct components are integrally cast so as to increase resistance to thermal stress and thus decrease the amount of cooling airflow required to maintain the structural integrity of the components. The inner duct wall of a reverse airflow duct is integrally cast with a circumferentially extending shroud surrounding the stator vanes forming the turbine nozzle. The integral casting permits the inner duct wall to withstand greater degrees of thermal stress and thus require less cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Roger Jonathan Gates
  • Patent number: 6269629
    Abstract: A single energy storage capacitor is used to apply electrical energy to selected propellant modules, each module generating thrust in a desired direction by the high voltage induced vaporization of the copolymer spacer material in a conventional coaxial cable within the selected module. A lightweight, low cost, and EMI free thruster is thus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Gregory G. Spanjers
  • Patent number: 6270325
    Abstract: A magnetically assembled cooling fan is disclosed. The cooling fan has an annular permanent magnet received therein and a metal plate with a pair of diagonally formed winged sections. The pair of diagonally formed winged sections are able to attract the fan assembly downward with respect to the housing, such that the problem caused by frictional resistance is overcome. Furthermore, a thrust bearing is provided at the free end of the shaft of the fan assembly so as to enable the shaft to rotate smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Hsin-Mao Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6270673
    Abstract: A fluid processing assembly is used in association with a cassette that conveys fluid and a holder to hold the cassette. A door is carried by the holder for movement between an opened position to expose the holder and a closed position enclosing the cassette in the holder. The door carries an expandable gasket. The expandable gasket normally rests, when the door is in the closed position, in a relaxed state out of sealing contact with the held cassette. An actuator applies pressure to the expandable gasket to achieve, when the door is in the closed position, an expanded state in sealing contact against the held cassette. The assembly also includes a latch assembly on the door and holder, which makes engagement when the door is in the closed position. The engagement is unlocked when the gasket rests in the relaxed state. The engagement becomes locked when the gasket achieves the expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher C Belt, Tom Westberg, Mark R Vandlik, Chris Tesluk, Patrick A McCormick
  • Patent number: 6270320
    Abstract: A motor with a fan wheel for forming an axial or radial fan, having a drive unit and a control unit that has a control housing. The drive unit has a stator, a rotor, and at least one electric coil, and the control unit has an electronic circuit for open- or closed-loop control of the supply of current to the coil. The drive unit and the control unit are formed by modules, and contact elements associated with one another are provided for mutual electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Heyder, Wolfgang Schwenk
  • Patent number: 6270327
    Abstract: A hand pump has a tubular pump housing with a longitudinal axis. A piston with a peripheral seal reciprocates along the axis to compress air against a sealed end of the housing. A tubular plunger nested in the housing connects to the piston to reciprocate the piston and compress the air. A flexible hose is placed in fluid communication with the compressed air. The hose is coiled to fit entirely within the tubular plunger during storage. A removable handle is inserted through a distal end of the plunger to make it easier to reciprocate the plunger. The handle, tire repair tools and materials, and other items can be placed inside the plunger for storage, and enclosed by placing an end cap on the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventors: Darren L. Wolz, Kennen L. Cluff, Troy H. Manwill
  • Patent number: 6269647
    Abstract: A rotor system for a rocket engine comprises a first hollow shaft portion and a surrounding annular duct. The interior of the first hollow shaft portion is adapted to receive a first propellant component, and is in fluid communication with a first rotary orifice. The annular duct is adapted to receive a second propellant component, and is in fluid communication with a second rotary orifice located proximate to the first rotary orifice. The rotor system further comprises a third rotary orifice operatively connected to second hollow shaft portion and in fluid communication with the interior of the first hollow shaft portion for discharging a second portion of the first propellant component at second location. The rotary orifices are operatively connected to respective rotary pressure traps that isolate the pressure at the respective rotary orifices from the respective inlet pressures of the respective propellant components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventors: Robert S. Thompson, Jr., Gregg G. Williams
  • Patent number: 6267569
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston pump, in particular for an antilock and slip-controlled vehicle brake system. In order to embody a filter, the invention proposes providing a bushing of the piston pump with a bushing that encompasses it, wherein the bushing has beads on its ends, which are provided with grooves after the fashion of a knurling, through which incoming brake fluid flows between a wall of a pump bore and the bead into the piston pump and is therefore filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Alaze
  • Patent number: 6267568
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a diaphragm pump comprising an entirely pneumatic control mechanism, which has a double acting jack (18), to which is connected a diaphragm (19), delivery being obtained by the pressurizing of several chambers (15, 16, 17), admission being obtained by the preparation of a first chamber (15), the other chambers (16, 17) being under atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Imaje S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Pagnon, Jean Denis Garcin
  • Patent number: 6266961
    Abstract: A combustor liner for use in a gas turbine engine includes a first annular panel section having a first cooling nugget formed at one end thereof and a second annular panel section having a second cooling nugget formed at one end thereof. A first row of cooling holes is formed in the first cooling nugget, and a second row of cooling holes is formed in the second cooling nugget. The second row of cooling holes is arranged in a preferential cooling pattern including a plurality of arrays, each array has a first set of cooling holes having a first diameter and a second set of cooling holes having a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. The cooling hole arrays are preferably arranged to minimize tooling set-ups and thereby reduce cost. At least one igniter tower is formed in the first annular panel section and is circumferentially aligned with one of the second sets of cooling holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Howell, Jennifer Waslo
  • Patent number: 6267564
    Abstract: A bag arrangement for containing fluid for use with an infusion pump. The bag arrangement includes a first end and a second end, and includes a panel defining a interior chamber. The arrangement further includes a fluid outlet port in the panel, the outlet port in fluid communication with the interior chamber. An elongated hollow member is in fluid communication with the port, and extends from the first end toward the second end of the bag arrangement tangentially along the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: SIMS Deltec, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Rapheal
  • Patent number: 6263665
    Abstract: The invention provides a microthruster which includes a housing having a propellant container and a discharge section, means to heat the propellant to drive vapors toward the discharge section, a heating element to heat the vapors and one or more ports to discharge the vapors to provide thrust. Further provided is a method for powering a microthruster by flowing gas in free molecular flow therein so that a plurality of molecules of the gas contact a heating element before discharge from the microthruster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Andrew D. Ketsdever, Eric P. Muntz
  • Patent number: 6265786
    Abstract: A power control system for a turbogenerator which provides electrical power to pump-jack oil well. When the induction motor of a pump-jack is powered by three-phase utility power, the speed of the shaft varies only slightly over the pumping cycle but the utility power requirements can vary by four times the average pumping power. This variation makes it impractical to power a pump-jack oil well with a stand-alone turbogenerator controlled by a conventional power control system. This control system comprises a turbogenerator inverter, a load inverter, and a central processing unit which controls the frequency and voltage/current of each inverter. Throughout the pumping cycle, the processing unit increases or decreases the frequency of the load inverter in order to axially accelerate and decelerate the masses of the down hole pump rods and oil, and to rotationally accelerate and decelerate the motor rotors and counter balance weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Capstone Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Bosley, Edward C. Edelman, Steven W. Lampe, Brian W. Peticolas
  • Patent number: 6263659
    Abstract: A method for the separation of a feed gas mixture comprising oxygen and nitrogen in which an oxidant gas and fuel are combusted in a combustion engine to generate shaft work and a hot exhaust gas, the feed gas mixture comprising oxygen and nitrogen is compressed, and the resulting compressed feed gas mixture is separated into two or more product gas streams with differing compositions. The shaft work of the combustion engine is utilized to provide at least a portion of the work required for compressing the feed gas mixture, one of the product gas streams by is heated by indirect heat exchange with the hot exhaust gas from the combustion engine, and the resulting heated product gas is work expanded to generate shaft work and yield an expanded product gas stream. The combustion engine may be a gas turbine combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lloyd Dillon, IV, John Louis Griffiths