Patents Examined by Timothy Thorpe
  • Patent number: 5890412
    Abstract: A control plate (1) of a hydraulic machine having a core (2) is disclosed, which at least on its upper side (O), lying in operation against a cylinder drum, is covered with a layer of friction-reducing plastics material (3). The plastics material (3) is joined to the core (2) by means of a connecting element (8) which, as a result of interlocking engagement with the plastics material (3) and/or the core (2), takes up tensile forces substantially at right angles to the upper side (O).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Lars Martensen, Ove Thorb.o slashed.l Hansen
  • Patent number: 5890880
    Abstract: A motor driven centrifugal fluid pump has the a pump rotor, and the pump drive motor both enclosed in a sealed housing that contains sealed inside the fluid that is pumped, the pump rotor being carried on the motor drive shaft so that the rotor rotates freely within the housing when driven by the motor drive shaft, a fluid input from an outside source to the housing, a fluid output to an outside utilization system from the housing and means carried on the motor drive shaft for compelling some of the fluid inside the housing to flow in heat conducting proximity to the motor to cool the motor and also reduce the thrust load on the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Ferdinand Lustwerk
  • Patent number: 5890876
    Abstract: A control valve in a compressor that adjusts the discharge displacement based on controlling of an inclination of a cam plate. The compressor includes a supply passage for connecting a discharge chamber with a crank chamber. The control valve is placed midway on the supply passage for adjusting the amount of the gas introduced into the crank chamber from the discharge chamber. The control valve has a valve hole and a valve chamber respectively disposed midway on the supply passage. A valve body is located in the valve chamber to adjust the opening size of the valve hole. A reacting member reacts to the pressure in the first area. The reacting member moves the valve body via a first rod in accordance with the pressure in the first area. A solenoid is opposed to the reacting member with respect to the valve body. The solenoid has a fixed core, a plunger and a plunger chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho, NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Suito, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroshi Kubo, Tomohiko Yokono, Norio Uemura, Kazuaki Nagayoshi, Ichiro Hirata, Kouji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5885063
    Abstract: A variable capacity control scroll compressor, including: a cylinder disposed in the end plate of the fixed scroll incorporating a reciprocating shuttle valve to selectively enable fluid passage through a first group of bypass holes communicating with a pair of fluid pockets in a given compression stroke, and further through a second group of bypass holes communicating with a single fluid pocket as the pair of fluid pockets merge into one pocket during compression, sequential opening and closing of these bypass holes being controlled by a pressure control valve administering a control pressure Pm to operate the shuttle valve, the control valve being provided in the fixed end plate such that all of the control mechanism components are integrated into a single structure to reduce fabrication costs and enhance control efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Matshushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Makino, Akihiko Shimizu, Tatsuhisa Taguchi, Daisuke Ito
  • Patent number: 5881629
    Abstract: A control device for variable hydraulic machines, and specifically for variable axial piston machines equipped with a servo system that is connected to a swash plate so that the discharge/displacement volume is infinitely variable. The hydraulic machine is equipped with a sensor that detects the piston displacement and is connected with an electronical control unit that controls the swash angle position of the swash plate and is pressure controlling the servo system by an electrohydraulic converter. A method for the infinite controlling of the volume flow of hydraulic machines, by which the servo system is connected to the swash plate of the hydraulic machine, and by which a conduction of a signal from a sensor to the control unit, a pressure controlling of the servo system by an electrohydraulic converter as well as the controlling of the swash angle position of the swash plate by the electronical control unit is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Sauer Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelm Gollner, Eckhard Skirde
  • Patent number: 5875819
    Abstract: An improved discharge valve apparatus for a hermetic compressor which is capable of fixing the retainer based on the elastic force of the elastic protrusions formed in the retainer itself and the shape of the head cover engaged with the retainer, for thus reducing the number of parts and the number of processes. The apparatus includes a head cover, a head engaged with the head cover and having a groove formed in an upper surface of the head, a discharge valve inserted into the groove of the head, a valve spring inserted into the groove of the head for limiting a movement of the discharge valve, and placed on an upper surface of the discharge valve, and a retainer inserted into the groove, and positioned on an upper portion of the valve spring, and having elastic protrusions formed at both sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Moon Hwang
  • Patent number: 5873234
    Abstract: Adequate cooling of the coolant of a gas turbine of a gas and steam turbine system is assured under all operating conditions, and especially in peak-load operation. The coolant of the gas turbine is cooled by heat exchange with a medium circulating in a separate evaporator loop connected to the steam drum. The cooling capacity is adapted to the operating state of the gas and steam turbine system. An injector connection is provided between a feedwater delivery pipe and the separate evaporator loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Bruckner, Erich Schmid
  • Patent number: 5873705
    Abstract: A tire pump includes a head portion with a tubular portion extending therefrom and a main passage is defined through the head portion and communicates with the tubular portion, a connecting member slidably mounted to the tubular portion and having at least one first passage defined therethrough, a first cylinder retractably mounted to the tubular portion and having one of two ends fixedly connected to the connecting member and a first member slidably received therein which is fixedly connected to a free end of the tubular portion and detachably connected to the connecting member by an actuating device and has a uni-directional valve disposed therein. At least one second cylinder is retractably mounted to the first cylinder and has a second member slidably received therein which has a uni-directional valve disposed therein and a portion fixedly received in the other end of the first cylinder. A third member is fixedly received in the second cylinder and has a uni-directional valve disposed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Chiang-Pei Chen
  • Patent number: 5871339
    Abstract: A drive unit for driving an electrically-operated compressor mounted in an automotive vehicle is provided with a ventilation arrangement. The ventilation arrangement includes a casing having a vent hole defined therein. A filter having an air permeability and a water repellency is mounted on the casing so as to cover the vent hole. An elongated ventilation member is mounted on the casing so as to communicate with the vent hole and extends in a direction diverting from the direction in which the casing is splashed with water. The filter may be accommodated in the elongated ventilation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naomi Goto, Norio Yoshida, Katsunori Makino
  • Patent number: 5871337
    Abstract: A compressor has a swash (slanting-cam) plate located in a crank chamber and mounted on a drive shaft. The cam plate is tiltable between a maximum inclined angle position and a minimum inclined angle position with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of a drive shaft according to a difference between the pressures in the crank chamber and a cylinder bore. The cam plate varies the stroke of a piston in the cylinder bore based on an inclination thereof to control the displacement of the compressor. A shutter member is movable between a first position where the shutter member connects a external circuit with a suction chamber and a second position where the shutter member disconnects the external circuit with the suction chamber in response to the inclination of the cam plate. The cam plate moves the shutter member to the second position when the cam plate is at the minimum inclined angle position to minimize the displacement of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tetsuhiko Fukanuma, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Ken Suitou, Tomohiko Yokono
  • Patent number: 5871338
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a vacuum pump (1) with a closable line (63, 102) through which gas ballast can be fed into the pump chamber (8, 9); to eliminate the danger that a recipient hooked up to the vacuum pump may be charged with air in the event of a pump failure, the invention proposes that the line be equipped with a control valve (59, 60, 61; 98, 99; 109, 110) to regulate the gas ballast feed as a function of operating conditions, such that the line is closed in the event of a pump failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Leybold Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Abelen, Lutz Arndt, Peter Muller
  • Patent number: 5868554
    Abstract: A flexible plunger apparatus includes an elongated flexible member having a pair of opposite end portions and a longitudinal length extending between the opposite end portions, with the flexible member being adapted to flex in transverse relationship to its length and to undergo free movement through a hollow tubing of a well. The apparatus also includes a physical barrier producing mechanism attached to and extending between the opposite end portions of the flexible member for substantially separating gas under pressure in the tubing below the lower end portion of the flexible member from a slug of liquid in the tubing above the upper end portion of the flexible member. The physically barrier producing mechanism is carried along the interior surface of the tubing in a substantially sealing relationship therewith as the flexible member undergoes free movement through the tubing of the well in response to the pressure of the gas and opening of the tubing of the well at the earth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventors: Jeff L. Giacomino, Bruce M. Victor
  • Patent number: 5867980
    Abstract: A multiple bypass turbofan engine includes a core Brayton Cycle gas generator with a fuel rich burning combustor and is provided with a variable supercharged bypass duct around the gas generator with a supercharging means in the supercharged bypass duct powered by a turbine not mechanically connected to the gas generator. The engine further includes a low pressure turbine driven forward fan upstream and forward of an aft fan and drivingly connected to a low pressure turbine by a low pressure shaft, the low pressure turbine being aft of and in serial flow communication with the core gas generator. A fan bypass duct is disposed radially outward of the core engine assembly and has first and second inlets disposed between the forward and aft fans. An inlet duct having an annular duct wall is disposed radially inward of the bypass duct and connects the second inlet to the bypass duct. A supercharger means for compressing air is drivingly connected to the low pressure turbine and is disposed in the inlet duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James W. Bartos
  • Patent number: 5865604
    Abstract: A variable displacement compressor which has a suction chamber, a discharge chamber, and a crank chamber. The displacement of the compressor is controlled by supplying refrigerant to the crank chamber from the discharge chamber via a pressurizing passage and releasing the gas into the suction chamber via a pressure releasing passage. An increase in the pressure in the crank chamber decreases the displacement, and a decrease in the pressure in the crank chamber increases the displacement. A displacement controlling structure of the compressor includes an electromagnetic valve which alters the size of an area of the pressurizing passage. A computer controls the electromagnetic valve in accordance with commands to alter the displacement. The computer enlarges the opened area of the pressurizing passage by controlling the electromagnetic valve in response to commands to reduce the displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawaguchi, Masanori Sonobe, Ken Suitou, Tomohiko Yokono
  • Patent number: 5865090
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston pump, in particular to the arrangement of the bearing ring for supporting the pump piston on an eccentric. The pump bearing includes a bearing ring and a plurality of bearing needles. The peripheral surface of the eccentric is radially inwardly offset in relation to the peripheral surface of the shaft. The two stepped transitions provide stop surfaces for the bearing needles. The bearing ring is supported on an inner ring for a main bearing, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, directly or indirectly on the stepped transition between a second area and a third area in a blind-end bore. Further, an auxiliary bearing is provided with a bearing ring which is made of a material inhering a high degree of wear. Testing the electric motor, used to drive the piston pump, before the piston pump is assembled is thereby permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Volz, Hans-Dieter Reinartz, Dieter Dinkel
  • Patent number: 5865603
    Abstract: A snap-over toggle linkage valve actuating mechanism for alternately opening and closing a gas inlet valve and a gas outlet valve utilizes a plurality of stiff compression coil springs of an axial length preferably less than four times the coil turn diameter mounted between oppositely facing end plates, with the compression coil ends carried by circular bosses symmetrically positioned on the faces of the opposing faces of the end plates bearing the coil springs and constituting a second toggle link for the snap-over valve actuating mechanism. A gas pressure and a vent valve assembly consists of a valve actuator rod operatively coupled to the first toggle link and terminating in a right angle valve actuator plate fixed thereto at an off center lateral position. The valve actuator plate detachably mounts a valve stem of a poppet type vent valve whose large diameter plug seats in a chamfered valve seat radially outward of a combined guide plate and valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Armand Francart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5865087
    Abstract: A cooperating rotor device having a first rotor supported for rotation about a first rotation axis (R1) and a second rotor supported for rotation about a second rotation axis (R2). A cylinder rotor (32), supporting a plurality of radially aligned cylinders (33) spaced apart and supported for collective rotation about one rotation axis (R1). Each cylinder (33) having a piston (39) slidable within. A piston rotor (61) has a number of piston rollers (64) corresponding to the number of cylinders (33), each radially supporting a piston (39), with each piston roller (64) independently rotatably supported and all piston rollers (64) collectively rotatable about the other rotation axis (R2). Members including the piston rollers (64), pistons (39), cylinders (33), and cylinder ports (34), all sharing a common plane of rotation about diametrically opposed non-rotating valve ports (74a) and (74b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Howard A. Olson
  • Patent number: 5865030
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor 1 prevents an inequality of distribution of temperatures at the outlet of the combustor which might otherwise be caused by cooling air introduced into the combustor. A liner 2 having an outer liner 2' and an inner liner 2", is disposed within a casing 3 of the gas turbine combustor 1. The liner 2 is composed of a liner inner cylinder 15, having liner cooling paths 16, and a liner outer cylinder 14. Fuel supplied via upstream side manifolds 9 and 10 flows through the liner cooling paths 16 and is discharged from a downstream side manifold 11 after cooling the liner 2. The fuel is boosted by a pump and is supplied to a fuel-air pre-mixer 13 from a fuel supply port 12 so as to be burned in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Matsuhama
  • Patent number: 5863187
    Abstract: A rotary reciprocating pumping apparatus is provided with a positive two position adjustment feature which allows the piston stroke to be increased to a maximum and repeatably, automatically, returned to a second calibrated dispensing position. Such rotary reciprocating pump is further provided with an adjustable liquid displacement velocity profile to maintain sufficient velocity of liquid flow at the end of the pump discharge cycle to enable injection of small volumes of liquid through a pump exhaust port, thereby eliminating the inaccurate and time consuming operation of touching off a small volume of liquid as a drop characterizing known rotary reciprocating pumping systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Ivek Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas S. Bensley, Mark Tanny
  • Patent number: 5863185
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising a flow carrier connectable in a liquid flow system including an electric motor-pump unit and a conduit for conveying a pumped liquid to a liquid utilization apparatus. The flow carrier is connectable in the conduit and includes an opening which exposes the liquid flowing through the carrier. A heat sink or cold plate is located on the carrier over the opening, the heat sink covering the opening and having a wet side exposed to the liquid. The heat sink further includes a dry side, and heat generating electrical control components are secured to the dry side. A sensor is also mounted on the heat sink and responds to a characteristic, such as the pressure, of the liquid. A heat insulating layer extends around the control components and the sensor and covers the dry side of the heat sink, the layer preventing condensation. The sensor and the control components are operable to control the motor-pump unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Franklin Electric Co.
    Inventors: Jimmy Cochimin, Richard J. Halsey