Patents Examined by Timothy Thorpe
  • Patent number: 5863186
    Abstract: A method of compressing a compressible fluid, using a hydraulically driven compressor comprising a precompressor, a first cylinder, and a second cylinder. The precompressor receives a low pressure input of compressible fluid and fills the first cylinder to a precompressor output target pressure. A piston within the first cylinder then forces the compressible fluid into the second cylinder. This cycle is repeated until the second cylinder is filled to a first-cylinder output target pressure, whereupon a piston within the second cylinder forces the compressible fluid out of the second cylinder as a high pressure compressible fluid output, typically into some sort of storage vessel. This cycle is repeated until the compressible fluid output pressure reaches a second-cylinder output target pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventors: John S. Green, Odom H. Odom
  • Patent number: 5860795
    Abstract: The invention is a method for producing reservoir fluids from an underground reservoir through the wellbore. The method includes the steps of intaking the gas phase from the wellbore into the wellbore-contained pump drive, powering the pump drive using the gas pressure of the gas phase in the wellbore, pumping the liquid phase from the wellbore towards the surface by a first pump and exhausting the gas phase from the pump drive towards the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Alberta Research Council
    Inventors: Rodney K. Ridley, Mario DeRocco
  • Patent number: 5860790
    Abstract: An automatic draining arrangement without position limitation includes a base plate, a water storage tank, a water tank mounting frame, a detecting control circuitry, a pump and a case, in which the water storage tank is installed on the base plate through the detecting control circuitry and pump, and also the case is provide on the base plate for protection, isolation of the interior mechanism. A drain tube is attached to the pump and extends outside of the arrangement. The detecting control circuitry controls water draining operation for arrangement that generate waste water, when the waste water reach certain level, the water would automatically drain out. This arrangement can eliminate problems caused by other draining method and the problem of location, plus the fact that this arrangement can set to different switches to drain out water either by pump or by siphon action which can save electricity power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Hsiang-Yun Wang
  • Patent number: 5860792
    Abstract: A pump enclosure assembly including a submersible pump within an elongate chamber and connected to an excess chamber having a detachable fitting extending through the access chamber to allow easy retrieval and maintenance of the pump. The pump enclosure assembly of the present invention is a sturdy, efficient, inexpensive assembly to promote the efficiency and safety of the pump itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Donald C. Marks
  • Patent number: 5860791
    Abstract: A variable displacement mechanism of fluid displacement apparatus includes a housing having a suction chamber and a discharge chamber, a first scroll member disposed within said housing and having an end plate from which a first spiral element axially extends, and a second scroll member disposed for non-rotatable orbital movement relative to the first scroll member and having an end plate from which a second spiral element axially extends. At least one control mechanism is disposed on the end plate of the first scroll member for controlling the fluid communication between the fluid pockets and the suction chamber based on the rotational motion of the driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5860794
    Abstract: An air operated double diaphragm pump is provided with an air valve assembly which allows the valve cup to move in a rectangular pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Graco Inc
    Inventors: Kent P. Hand, Ann C. Feitel, Joel T. Fisher, Harold D. Johnson, Graig D. Burt
  • Patent number: 5860796
    Abstract: A fuel pump assembly includes a container with the removable cover which forms an enclosure for a pump and a replaceable filter element which is disposed in coaxial surrounding relation to the pump. The filter element includes an upper end cap having an end wall forming an annulus, and a downwardly-extending side wall which forms a central cavity. The lower end of the side wall includes a radially inwardly-directed flange which defines an annular opening. A ring seal is disposed within this lower annular opening in the side wall. The filter element also includes a lower end cap which has an annular spacer collar with axially-upwardly extending tabs. A tubular filter media is disposed between the upper and lower end caps and secured thereto with a potting compound. Side wall 82 extends downwardly through the center of the filter media such that the tabs on the spacer collar on the lower end cap contact the ring seal on the upper end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. Clausen
  • Patent number: 5857839
    Abstract: A compressor comprising a compressor housing including a cylinder block forming seven cylinders equiangularly spaced apart and extending axially therein. Each of the cylinders is slidably fitted with a piston, and a drive mechanism is coupled to the pistons to reciprocate them within the cylinders to create fluid suction and discharge. The drive mechanism includes a drive shaft rotatably supported in the housing and coupling means for converting the rotary motion of the drive shaft to reciprocating motion of the pistons. The coupling means may also include a rotor coupled to the drive shaft and a slant plate having a surface disposed at an inclined angle relative to the drive shaft. A valve plate fabricated from steel having a hardness in a range of about 120 to 450 Hv seals the cylinders, such that fluid is compressed between each of the pistons and the valve plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Arthur Fisher, Norman Edward Davis
  • Patent number: 5857838
    Abstract: A water cooled steam jet for transferring fluid and preventing vapor lock, or vaporization of the fluid being transferred, has a venturi nozzle and a cooling jacket. The venturi nozzle produces a high velocity flow which creates a vacuum to draw fluid from a source of fluid. The venturi nozzle has a converging section connected to a source of steam, a diffuser section attached to an outlet and a throat portion disposed therebetween. The cooling jacket surrounds the venturi nozzle and a suction tube through which the fluid is being drawn into the venturi nozzle. Coolant flows through the cooling jacket. The cooling jacket dissipates heat generated by the venturi nozzle to prevent vapor lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventor: Edward P. Wagner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5857319
    Abstract: In a method for operating a combustion chamber (4) equipped with premixing burners, under full load all the burners being operated under identical stoichiometric conditions, the burners are subdivided into at least two burner groups (1, 2 and, in the case of operating conditions below full load, the respective burner groups (1, 2) are operated with different air coefficients (.lambda.1, .lambda.2), that is to say at different flame temperatures (Tgr1, Tgr2). The operating range of the combustion chamber is widened considerably thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Sattelmayer
  • Patent number: 5857840
    Abstract: The objects of the present invention are to remove the dust in a closed container, to keep the pressure in the closed container within a predetermined range, and to shorten the maintenance time of a vacuum pump system.The present invention provides a centrifugal dust collector 2 on main pipes which connects a furnace body 1, a mechanical press 9 and a dry pump 10, and a metal mesh dust collector 15 on a bifurcated pipe in a single-crystal semiconductor pulling apparatus. When the vacuum pump process begins, the metal mesh dust collector 15 collects amorphous silicon generated in the furnace 1. As the pressure in the furnace is reduced, the centrifugal dust collector 2 collects the dust particles instead. Since the gas flow rate increases as the vacuum state become higher, the critical diameter of collectable particles decreases, thereby improving the dust collection efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Komatsu Electronic Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayumi Suda, Yoshinobu Hiraishi
  • Patent number: 5857843
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump has a rotor supported on a frame that is removable in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotor. The rotor is retained in place on the frame by gravity and the forces applied by the opposing pump components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Harvest Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John A. Leason, Keith J. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 5855472
    Abstract: A submersible seal that operates in a substantially frictionless manner is provided for protecting a motor from liquid intrusion along the shaft. Motors of this type are commonly used, for example, in aerators, pumps, mixers, flow developers, and the like. The submersible seal of the present invention includes a stationary seal element and a rotating seal element. The stationary seal element is in the form of a tubular section which is attached to the motor casing, surrounding but spaced from the rotating shaft. The rotating seal element, is a cylindrical section which is attached to the rotatable shaft and inter-engages the stationary seal element to form a labyrinth passageway having a first end at the casing of the motor, a second end opposite the first end, and at least one reverse bend therebetween. Liquid from the body of liquid in which the motor is immersed attempts to enter the first end of the labyrinth passage, and in so doing compresses an air cushion in the labyrinth passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: Richard B. Ravitts
  • Patent number: 5852925
    Abstract: A compressed, oxygen-containing gas stream is combusted and then contacted with a solid electrolyte membrane to produce an oxygen-depleted, compressed gas stream and product oxygen. Preferably, the oxygen-depleted gas stream is further combusted, used to produce steam, and/or used to preheat the oxygen-containing gas stream prior to expansion in a gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Prasad, Christian Friedrich Gottzmann, Raymond Francis Drnevich
  • Patent number: 5852928
    Abstract: A thrust reverser is disclosed for a turbofan jet engine having a fan cowling with an inner surface and a rear edge, and a jet engine cowling having an outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the fan cowling so as to form an annular gas flow duct, the engine cowling extending rearwardly of the rear edge of the fan cowling. A first thrust reverser baffle is located rearwardly of the rear edge of the fan cowling and is pivotally attached to the engine cowling so as to be movable between a forward thrust position, wherein a first surface of the first thrust reverser baffle forms a portion of the outer surface of the engine cowling, and a reverse thrust position in which a first end of the first baffle moves away from the engine cowling such that the first baffle extends into the gas flow from the gas flow duct so as to redirect at least a portion of the gas flow in a reverse thrust direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Hispano-Suiza
    Inventor: Guy Bernard Vauchel
  • Patent number: 5848881
    Abstract: A pump including a first portion (2) with a metering cylinder (3) containing a plunger (4), and a second portion (7) engaging the surface of the first portion (2) in which the outlet of the cylinder (3) is located, and comprising a recess (10) located opposite the cylinder for delivering a liquid. A flexible impervious membrane (8) clamped between the two portions (2, 7) comprises an opening (13) facing the cylinder (3) and a resilient circumferential ring (12) engaging the bottom of the recess (10). A disc (14) in the central area of the recess engages the membrane (8), and a duct (6) linked to the cylinder (5) and having an outlet in the same surface of the first portion (2) as the cylinder (5) is connected to a liquid discharge tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Compagnie de Developpement Aguettant Parc Scientifique Tony-Garnier
    Inventor: Pierre Frezza
  • Patent number: 5848565
    Abstract: A radial piston hydrostatic machine having an outer housing structure and defining an internal chamber, a drive-shaft supported in the housing and operatively connected to the cylinder-barrel, the cylinder-barrel having a number of radial cylinders, each cylinder containing a piston such that the pistons bear on the track-ring, the track-ring eccentrically position within the internal chamber by means of fixed abutment means in the housing, the abutment means disposed radially adjacent the track-ring for resisting the action of the pistons on the track-ring and thereby suppressing vibration emanating from the track-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Unipat AG
    Inventor: Christian Helmut Thoma
  • Patent number: 5848880
    Abstract: A high-pressure plunger pump assembly, in particular for working pressures above 2000 bar, includes a housing, a cylinder received in the housing and defining a working space which has an expanded area along a section thereof for receiving a sleeve therein, and a plunger slidably moveable in the working space of the cylinder and in the sleeve and being suitably operated by a drive for reciprocating movement. The sleeve has one end closer to the plunger drive and formed with an annular flange. A suction valve communicates with the cylinder for admitting fluid from a suction chamber into the working space, and a pressure valve communicates with the cylinder for expelling fluid from the working space during a pressure stroke of the plunger, with a seal being positioned in a transitional area from the annular flange to the cylinder between the working space and the suction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Paul Hammelmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Burkhard Helmig
  • Patent number: 5848878
    Abstract: A fluid pump with an improved manifold including a pump housing; an inlet manifold flow connected to the pump housing, the inlet manifold including an inlet manifold body, having a first end, a second end and an inlet manifold flow opening between the ends; and a discharge manifold flow connected to the pump housing at a location away from the inlet manifold, the discharge manifold including a discharge manifold body having a first end and a second end and a discharge manifold flow opening located between the ends, the discharge and inlet manifold flow openings each including a threaded portion and a flange for making either a threaded connection or flange connection with a flow conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Michael Conti, James Timothy Carr
  • Patent number: 5848877
    Abstract: The high pressure system 10 is provided for outputting pressurized fluid to a source, such as a blasting gun 26. The system includes mechanical transmission 14 interconnecting a diesel engine 12 with a positive displacement pump 20. A programmable controller 30 is provided for receiving signals from a pressure transducer 34 and for controlling operation of an engine controller 44, a clutch controller 42, and a transmission shifter 46 to obtain the desired fluid pressure level output from the pump. The controller preferably communicates by wireless transmission technology, so that the controller 30 may be exterior of a sound abatement enclosure 28 surrounding the engine 12 and the transmission 14. Controller 30 may be operated to automatically shift the transmission in response to fluid pressure output from the pump. Alternatively, controller 30 may receive input instructions from the operator to shift the transmission to a desired gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Butterworth Jetting Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Dill, Christopher C. Ginn, Karl E. Elliot, Michael J. Woodward