Patents Issued in November 3, 1992
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Patent number: 5159882Abstract: An improved railway car underbody support structure and method for economically constructing same. The structure includes a center sill assembly having a pair of vertically disposed side plates spaced equidistant from the longitudinal center line of the car body and extending from a coupler longitudinally inboard to a wheeled truck assembly. The truck assembly carries two laterally spaced side bearing members for bearing the load of the car body during lateral tilting of the car body. One of the improved features is a unitary metal member cut from an economically patterned metal plate. The unitary members, which are themselves free of any weld lines which may crack under the extreme loads exerted on railway cars, are welded to the underside edge of a respective side plate and welded together beneath the center line of the car body.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.Inventors: John A. Krug, William L. Willis, Paul J. Dumser, William U. Casseau, William T. Deet, Laurence E. Culligan, Bruce A. Walter
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Patent number: 5159883Abstract: A tripod table having a generally equilateral triangular table top to which are attached three table top support legs, each to a different side of the table top. Each table top support leg is constructed of three triangular sections. These triangular sections may be folded along preformed fold lines to form an assembled table top support leg. The folded triangular sections may then be secured in the folded support position by appropriate fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: Allen T. Rosenberg
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Patent number: 5159884Abstract: A ram feed waste incinerator apparatus includes a vertical waste storage cylinder positioned above a combustion chamber and contains a movable ram to force the waste to be incinerated downwardly against a transversely extending, rotatably driven bar at the top of the combustion chamber. Combustion temperature control is provided by feeding air into the combustion chamber and by rotating the bar to abrade char from the waste supported by the bar. A bed of ash is maintained within optimum levels for thermal protection of bottom of the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: Franklin S. Malick
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Patent number: 5159885Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for incinerating burnable wastes, such as plastics, and to the treatment of the gases generated by such incineration. The waste materials are buried in a landfill, combustion is initiated with an explosion which simultaneously creates a combustion chamber as well as initiating incineration. A fuel and an oxidizing gas are supplied to the combustion chamber and conduits are provided for discharging the gases formed during the incineration process. The angle of introduction of the fuel and/or fuel and air mixture controls the direction of the incineration process. Landfill gases can be fed into the fuel conduit pipe for utilization as a combustion fuel. In addition, when using a liquid fuel, good results have been achieved by combining a suspension of a carbonate or bicarbonate in the fuel which serves to reduce chloride gases such as phosgene which are generated during the decomposition of plastics such as polyvinylchloride.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventors: Nobuyasu Hasebe, Nobukatsu Hasebe
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Patent number: 5159886Abstract: Granular coal is combusted in a circulating fluidized bed system comprising a combustion chamber, a separator and a recycle line for recycling solids from the separator to the combustion chamber. Gas from carbonization is added to the oxygen-containing combustion gas withdrawn from the combustion chamber and is at least partly combusted in said combustion gas to increase the temperature of the combustion gas to about 850.degree. to 1200.degree. C. The gas from carbonization is produced by the heating of granular coal.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1992Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Metallgesellschaft AktiengesellschaftInventors: Georg Schaub, Gebhard Bandel, Rainer Reimert, Hans Beisswenger
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Patent number: 5159887Abstract: A transplanter is disclosed which provides uniform planting without damaging plants. The transplanter includes a rotating cup assembly having two-piece clam shell cups, one of which opens by lateral movement by the cup halves of the cup. The transplanter also includes a chute and kick plate which move together to position the plants received from the rotating cup assembly in the planting position. A unique means is provided for opening the cup halves at a position immediately above the chute to minimize any hang-up of the plants. A polymer furrow opening shoe is also disclosed which includes a protective member which prevents soil damage to the polymeric surface. Also novel packing wheels are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: Howard B. Poll
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Patent number: 5159888Abstract: An automatic sewing machine having a needle-bar drive device for reciprocating a needle bar carrying a needle, a feed device for producing a relative movement between the needle bar and a work fabric, a feed control device for controlling the feed device according to stitch data indicative of needle positions, and a needle-bar jump device for disconnecting the needle bar from the needle-bar drive device and for holding the needle bar at a predetermined position above the fabric.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1992Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tetsuo Morita
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Patent number: 5159889Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating an overlock or 504 stitch wherein the excess thread chain (65) extending from the sewing machine needles (19) and the hollow chaining (32) to the previously sewn garment part (60) is stretched and is cut by thread chain cutter (70) to create a leading thread chain of predetermined length extending form the sewing machine needle and the hollow chaining tongue. When cut, the thread chain recoils toward the hollow chaining tongue, and a stream of air draws the free end of the thread chain into the hollow chaining tongue. When the next work piece is moved through the sewing area, the thread chain in the hollow chaining tongue is attached to the work piece and is progressively drawn out of the hollow chaining tongue and oversewn in the overlock stitch.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Atlanta Attachment CompanyInventors: Elvin C. Price, Preston B. Dasher
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Patent number: 5159890Abstract: A sewing machine is provided with a device for stopping the drive in the case of a thread disturbance. The device has a light source, a first light guide device for transmitting the light beams to the monitoring point, a second light guide device, via which a signal can be sent to a receiver in the absence of thread at the monitoring point, and a control unit for signal evaluation and to report a thread disturbance, even in the case of maximum deflection of the thread at right angles to the pull-off direction, only when a thread disturbance does really exist. To achieve this, the first light guide device is designed, on its side facing the thread, in a plane perpendicular to the thread pull-off direction, with a radiation outlet which extends preferably in the horizontal direction. The first light guide device causes light beams to be sent over the maximum range of movement of the thread at equal radiation intensity over an entire radiation cross section.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: G. M. Pfaff AtkiengesellschaftInventors: Kurt Arnold, Peter Liell
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Patent number: 5159891Abstract: A backdown buoy-type mooring is provided which will pull supply vessels away from a tension leg platform while the supply vessel is being unloaded. The boat mooring system will consist of surface buoys attached to the top pad-eye of the lateral mooring intermediate buoys. The boat mooring system of the invention is configured for centering over a spaced array of ocean floor wells, being moved over to the farthest well, and adapted to be moved over to the nearest well.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Shell Offshore Inc.Inventors: Curtis J. Lohr, David A. Huete
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Patent number: 5159892Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shift position indicating device for use with a shift lever. The device comprises a plastic case; a light conductive structure including a horizontal wall and a vertical wall which are integrally connected with each other, the horizontal wall having an indicating outer surface on which first and second groups of projections are integrally formed, the vertical wall having a rounded cut formed in a lower edge thereof, the light conductive structure being substantially embedded within a wall of the plastic case having the indicating outer surface of the horizontal wall exposed to the outside of the plastic case and having the lower edge of the vertical wall exposed to an interior of the plastic case; a pointer located within the plastic case below the horizontal wall of the light conductive structure, the pointer being movable with the shift lever; and a light source installed in the plastic case near the rounded cut of the verical wall.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignees: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshiyuki Hara, Katsunori Shirahama
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Patent number: 5159893Abstract: The invention concerns a method for regulation of the moisture profile of a paper or board web in a size press in which the paper or board web (W) is made to run through a nip (N) formed by the rolls (1,2) in the size press. Films (F.sub.1, F.sub.2) of size are applied to the faces (3,4) of the rolls in the size press by means of coating devices (10,20) so that these films (F.sub.1 F.sub.2) of size are transferred onto the paper or board web (W) in the roll nip (N). A size (F.sub.1) of substantially invariable profile is spread onto the face (3) of the first roll in the size press (5), and the profile of the size film (F.sub.2) to be spread onto the face (4) of the second roll is regulated so that the moisture profile of the web (W) at the reel-up can be made substantially invariable. The invention also concerns a film size press for implementing the method.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Valmet Paper Machinery Inc.Inventor: Rauno Rantanen
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Patent number: 5159894Abstract: A apparatus of atomizing a high solids viscous composition onto a substrate and foaming the composition comprising mixing a coating composition with a gas forming agent under elevated pressure and temperature. The coating composition is airlessly atomized and projected onto a substrate. The gas remains dissolved in the coating after depositing on the substrate which causes the coating to foam after striking the substrate. The apparatus provides a permanent foam coating composition with uniform cell distribution. The apparatus is particularly suitable for foaming polymeric coatings such as plastisols and foods such as peanut butter or chocolate.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Nordson CorporationInventors: Laurence B. Saidman, James C. Smith
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Patent number: 5159895Abstract: A method of packaging articles and packaged article assemblies disclosed includes inflating a body such as a latex balloon or a bag with a drawstring preferably by evacuating the air in a chamber surrounding the body while the body is supported and sealed at the fill opening. An initial selected quantity of packaging particles are placed inside the inflated body followed by placing the article therein. The body is collapsed around the particles which distributes them in a substantially uniform layer surrounding the article from all sides and applies compressive forces inwardly from all sides to cushion the article in the body. Another method involves expanding an outer body, placing packaging particles in that body, collapsing that outer body and placing a second body in the outer body followed by expansion of the two and putting a fluid and article in the inner body and sealing the bodies closed.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventors: Robert W. Helling, Daniel J. Helling, Dean V. Rogers
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Patent number: 5159896Abstract: A gray poultry nest pad is taught. The gray color is defined by the "Munsell System" comprising a hue of 2.5R through 10RP inclusive, a value of 3 through 9 inclusive and a chroma of 0 through 2 inclusive.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1992Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Monsanto CompanyInventors: Anthony J. Mortillo, Danny B. Cochran, Anthony J. Micale, Jr.
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Patent number: 5159897Abstract: A continuous-flow steam generator includes a vertical gas flue for connection to an outlet conduit of an apparatus emitting hot gas, such as a gas turbine. An evaporator heating surface in the vertical gas flue has an inlet header, an outlet header and tubes connected between the inlet and outlet headers. The tubes form an upper tube segment having an upper segment end and a lower segment end as well as a lower tube segment having an upper segment end and a lower segment end. The upper segment end of the upper tube segment merges with the upper segment end of the lower tube segment.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Joachim Franke, Volker Kefer, Eberhard Wittchow
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Patent number: 5159898Abstract: A process and apparatus for utilization of fuels with alcohol additives for an internal combustion engine which are characterized by the fact that at the present time comercial types of fuel have approximately the same molecular weights, which are clearly distinct from the molecular weights of methanol and ethanol. By complete vaporization of a sample volume of fuel, depending on the admixture of alcohol to standard fuel, different volumes of vaporized fuel samples are produced, or different pressures are obtained if the volume is constant. Based thereon and on the sample temperature a correction signal is formed which is characterized by the alcohol and its content in the sample (as compared with reference values stored in a control device), and the correction signal can be utilized to regulate the engine control variables.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Pierburg GmbHInventors: Gunter Hartel, Armin Schurfeld, Karl-Henrich Losing, Dieter Thonnessen, Ulrich Remde
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Patent number: 5159899Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining energy from waste products is disclosed. The apparatus includes an upper tank for receiving waste products, a heating system for heating the upper tank by fluid from the cooling system of the combustion engine, and a reactor for excepting the heated waste for further processing.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: Zbigniew Dobrzynski
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Patent number: 5159900Abstract: A method and means of generating gas from water for use as a fuel wherein a pair of spaced-apart carbon electrodes are positioned in a reaction chamber having water therein. Electrical current is supplied to the carbon electrodes to create an electrical arc therebetween causing the electrodes to burn and oxidize to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The gas is generated on an on-demand basis.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: Wilbur A. Dammann
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Patent number: 5159901Abstract: An engine has a water pump and a recoil starter. A recoil starter housing secured to the engine has a boss coaxial with a crankshaft of the engine. An impeller shaft of the water pump is connected to an end of the crankshaft, and is rotatably mounted on the boss of the recoil starter housing. The recoil starter is rotatably mounted on the boss of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1992Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Mitsugi Chonan
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Patent number: 5159902Abstract: A rotary vee engine with through-piston induction includes a housing supporting a pair of rotors positioned in an obtuse angular relation and having pluralities of cylinders mounted thereon about respective rotor axes. Aligned cylinders in the opposite rotors have vee shaped double piston assemblies slidable and rotatably received therein. Fuel/air charges are inducted into the cylinders through apex ports in the piston apex portions, through fluid passages in the pistons, piston intake ports in the piston heads, and cylinder intake grooves formed in the inner walls of the cylinders. The cylinder intake grooves in each cylinder include a pair of axially elongated grooves with a trailing groove being staggered toward a cylinder head in relation to a leading groove and in relation to cylinder exhaust ports positioned opposite the grooves. The piston intake port is circumferentially elongated at least a distance to overlap both grooves.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: C. Louis Grimm
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Patent number: 5159903Abstract: Two embodiments of multiple cylinder two cycle internal combustion engines embodying scavenge manifolds that extend around the cylinder bores and which communicate with the cylinder bores through a plurality of circumferentially spaced scavenge ports. The scavenge ports are arranged so that a charge issuing therefrom is not directed toward the exhaust port and the scavenge ports are staggered so as to permit common scavenge manifolds between adjacent cylinder bores to reduce the length of the engine without adversely effecting its breathing ability.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masanori Takahashi
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Patent number: 5159904Abstract: Device for driving at least one driven shaft A1, by means of a driving shaft V, comprising a closed-loop transmission connection for constant length defining a tight side BT and a slack side BM on which a first tightener T1 acts, characterized in that there is provided at least a second tightener T2 acting on the tight side and means for actuating said tighteners in synchronism. These tighteners are of the hydraulic type and the device has a particular application in the adjustment of the setting of camshafts or shafts for rotation of injection pumps in internal combustion or explosion engines.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1989Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: Alain F. C. Ingold
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Patent number: 5159905Abstract: A variable cam engine comprises a low speed power cam arranged so as to generate high power at low engine speeds, a high speed power cam arranged so as to generate high power at high engine speeds, and an economy cam arranged so as to give good fuel cost performance. The engine is provided with a device for detecting the running condition of the engine, a device for identifying a target cam from among the cams depending on the running condition of the engine, a device for identifying a present cam, a device for selecting either the target cam or another cam depending on whichever gives the smaller torque step with respect to the present cam, and a device for transmitting the motion of the cam selected to a valve. In the above construction, when there is a large torque step between the present cam and the target cam, cams can be changed over via a cam intermediate between the two. The torque step when the cams are changed over is therefore reduced, and the change-over to the target cam proceeds smoothly.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masashi Sugiuchi, Hiroshi Kamiyama
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Patent number: 5159906Abstract: An adjustable valve system for an engine includes an axially shiftable camshaft with a plurality of cam lobes for actuating engine valves, with at least one of the lobes having a profile which varies as a function of the axial for use with a camshaft according to the invention includes a concave arcuate surface with a matching convex arcuate surface on a camshaft rubbing block pivotably mounted to the lifter. The lifter and rubbing block have a matching keyway and spline formed so that the rubbing block may accommodate changes in the cam position by pivoting about an imaginary axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the camshaft while being restrained by the spline and keyway from rotating about an axis parallel to the camshaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Dominic Fontichiaro, Daniel M. Kabat
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Patent number: 5159907Abstract: A hydraulic valve lifter for the mechanism that activates a valve in an internal combustion engine. It comprises two hollow cylinders sealed off from each other with caps over their opposite ends and engaging each other axially by way of a compression spring. The cylinders engage each other not only by way of the compression spring but also by way of a back-up spring opposing the compression spring and made of a shape memory alloy with a compression resistance that is lower, once the As temperature has been attained, than the compression resistance of the compression spring.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Firma Carl FreudenbergInventor: Volker Budde
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Patent number: 5159908Abstract: A cranking device for internal combustion engines includes a permanently excited cranking motor and an electrical run-down brake, having a switching device (25) which, during the run-down phase of the cranking device, connects the connecting leads of the brushes (4, 4') of the cranking motor (1) to one another via a resistor (24). An additional winding of the engaging relay (15) of the cranking device is used as the resistor.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Manfred Eyermann, Josef Weigt
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Patent number: 5159909Abstract: The invention provides a vertical internal combustion engine with overhead valves wherein a crankshaft is vertically arranged and the cylinder is horizontally arranged. A carburetor is arranged on one side of the cylinder and a muffler is arranged on another side of the cylinder, opposite the carburetor. A suction port is connected to the carburetor by a horizontal straight line portion and a curved portion, leading from the horizontal straight line portion to a suction valve. The horizontal straight line portion includes a center line and the carburetor includes a center which is substantially aligned with the center line of the horizontal straight line portion, along a straight line. The exhaust port is connected to the muffler by an exhaust passage having a center line which passes through the center of the exhaust port and crosses the center line of the horizontal straight line portion, diagonally from below.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuyuki Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5159910Abstract: A lubricating apparatus for an internal-combustion engine comprises a detector for detecting whether the engine runs or not, a heat storage reservoir connected to lubricating oil outflow and inflow ports of the engine by a circular pipe system for storing the oil and maintaining its temperature, the heat storage reservoir being provided outside the engine, a hydraulic pump provided between the inflow port and the heat storage reservoir for controlling the supply of the oil stored in the heat storage reservoir to portions of the engine in response to a control signal, and a controller responsive to an output of the detector for producing the control signal to stop the hydraulic pump in order to maintain a temperature of the oil stored in the heat storage reservoir when the detector detects a stop of the engine and for producing the control signal to actuate the hydraulic pump to supply the oil, whose temperature is maintained by the heat storage reservoir, to the portions of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masakazu Ninomiya, Norio Omori, Satoshi Nakagawa
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Patent number: 5159911Abstract: A fuel leakage prevention system for preventing undesired leakage of fuel into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine equipped with a pressure/time, cam actuated unit fuel injection system. The system includes a main housing containing an evacuatable chamber adapted to be connected by a first fluid conduit to a source of sub-atmospheric pressure by a check valve and manual shut off valve. The evacuatable chamber is also adapted to be fluidically connected to a common rail supplying fuel to the injectors by a solenoid controlled valve which is open during engine shutdown and closed during engine operation whereby fuel is withdrawn from the injectors by the vacuum upon engine shutdown.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.Inventors: John C. Williams, Kevin W. Westerson, George L. Muntean, Thomas W. Sullivan
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Patent number: 5159912Abstract: A method of electronic engine control for a motor vehicle includes sensing an ignition voltage of a final ignition stage, effecting a performance check of the final ignition stage in response to a control signal generated in response to sensing the ignition voltage of a final ignition stage, and providing an error flag if the control signal deviates from a predetermined control signal. An apparatus for performing the foregoing method comprises an electric control circuit that includes a sensor for detecting the ignition voltage, and control means that effects a performance check in response to a sensor output signal and emits the error flag in response to an error control signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Hermann-Josef Klein, Klaus Adam, Juergen Wuerth
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Patent number: 5159913Abstract: In an internal combustion engine coupled with a supercharger, a basic fuel supply amount is calculated on the basis of an intake air flow rate measured by a hot wire type air flow meter and an engine speed. During an engine decelerating condition, the maximum value (limit value) of the basic fuel supply amount is set on the basis of an open area of an induction system, which is based on a degree of opening of a throttle valve, and the engine speed. The basic fuel supply amount based on the measured value of the air flow meter is limited and can not exceed a value.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Japan Electronic Control Systems Co., Ltd.Inventor: Junichi Furuya
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Patent number: 5159914Abstract: Air/fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine is controlled by predicting the air charge to enter the engine two cylinder events into the future and then determining the amount of fuel to be injected to achieve a desired air/fuel ratio. A first fuel pulse is injected, and if needed, a second fuel pulse is injected to achieve the needed amount of fuel for the desired air/fuel ratio.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: William C. Follmer, Jeffry A. Greenberg, Isis A. Messih
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Patent number: 5159915Abstract: A fuel injector for injecting a heated fuel into a combustion engine, comprises, an electro-magnetic coil for generating a fluctuating magnetic flux density, a fuel heating member in which the fluctuating magnetic flux density is generated by the electro-magnetic coil so that the fuel heating member is heated by the fluctuating magnetic flux density and a heat energy of the fuel heating member generated by the fluctuating magnetic flux density is transmitted to the fuel to supply the heated fuel, and a fuel path member in which the fuel flows to be injected from the fuel injector into the combustion engine and in which the fuel heating member is arranged to heat the fuel, wherein a magnetic permeability of the fuel heating member is larger than that of the fuel path member so that a magnetic flux density in the fuel heating member is larger than a magnetic flux density in the fuel path member.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1992Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Kimitaka Saito, Tatsuyoshi Matsumoto, Toshihiko Igashira
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Patent number: 5159916Abstract: An outboard motor having an improved timing plate mounting arrangement for its ignition system. The mounting plate has a hub portion that is journaled on the outer side of a cylindrical extension of the crankshaft wall and is held in place by a retainer plate that is bolted to the end surface of the wall and radially inwardly of the hub portion. The ignition plate carries a pulser coil that extends on the outer periphery of the flywheel of the engine and charging coils are mounted internally of the flywheel on the retainer plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Atsushi Isogawa
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Patent number: 5159917Abstract: Barbecue grills, particularly small-size portable grills adapted for picnics, stadium parking lot cooking and the like. The portable grill comprises a hemispherical cooking bowl and a hemispherical hood removably supported upon the top rim of the cooking bowl. A pair of locking brackets is inserted within the cooking bowl rim, so as to engage the hood such, that the hood and cooking bowl are locked together during carrying.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Meco CorporationInventors: Robert Archer, Harold O. Duggin
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Patent number: 5159918Abstract: A baffled hot storage tank for solar collector systems is provided. The t includes a concentric cylindrical baffle having a circulation port at the bottom of the baffle and another circulation port at the top of the baffle. This configuration restricts the mixing of water allowing both a vertical temperature gradient and a lateral gradient to be maintained. The maintaining of hot water at the desired supply termperature is restricted to only the upper section of the center core inside the baffle. This location reduces radiant heat loss. Additionally, inlet and outlet pipes are also positioned to take advantage of the tank temperature gradients.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1992Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: James S. Roehl
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Patent number: 5159919Abstract: An endoscope cover comprising a cylindrical end rigid cover portion composed a flexible material, which is fitted to an endoscope to cover a distal end rigid portion of the endoscope. A transparent window arranged on a closed face formed on the distal end of the rigid cover to confront at least an observation port and an illuminating port, which are arranged on the distal end of the endoscope, and a bag-shaped covering member having a length covering at least an intermediate conduit portion of the endoscope, which is attached to the rear part of the endoscope. A groove or notched face is formed in the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the distal end rigid portion of the endoscope and an anchoring groove is formed on the circumferential face portion. Anchoring projections are formed at confronting positions on the inner circumferential face of the rigid cover and are fitted in the anchoring groove formed in the distal end rigid portion to attach the rigid cover to the top end rigid portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Machida Endoscope Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshio Chikama
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Patent number: 5159920Abstract: A scope and stent system, the scope providing visibility not only through the urethra but also through the ureter during the insertion and placement of a ureteral stent. The scope is in the form of a fiber optic bundle having an appropriate provision for lighting and lensing thereof, and preferably having a video camera and monitor responsive to the image formed at the opposite end of the scope for viewing during the scope insertion process. The fiber optic bundle itself is made sufficiently small so that the entire scope may be fabricated with the appropriate dimensions of a typical stent guide wire and made sufficiently flexible for negotiating a tortuous path as required.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Mentor CorporationInventors: Dennis E. Condon, Robert S. Bley, Bobby Purkait
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Patent number: 5159921Abstract: A surgical retractor for holding an incision in an open configuration comprising a compartment that has a flexible condition for placing the compartment into engagement with the tissue of the incision and a rigid condition for holding the tissue apart. The compartment contains elastically compressible beads and a fluid such as air and changes to the rigid condition by evacuating the air through the valve so that the wall of the compartment collapses to pack the beads together in a monolith of the desired shape. The compartment, which may be in the shape of an oval or an elongated tube, has a thickened portion oriented interior to the incision for preventing punctures, which carries optionally a light source such as a fiber optic bundle for illuminating the surgical area and also a suction source for evacuation of fluids, vapors, odors or smoke from the operative site.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: Rocklin L. Hoover
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Patent number: 5159922Abstract: A hand-held massager having a plurality of attachments; all the attachments being driven by a single drive unit via a rotating cam so that massaging is effected by increasing the massaging range and gently patting the skin surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Bio Pit Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiya Mabuchi, Tatsuo Katsunuma
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Patent number: 5159923Abstract: A diving helmet comprises a transparent front window and an air supply chamber at the back. The air supplied from a ship on the water is fed into the helmet through the air supply chamber. The air in the air supply chamber is partially fed to diver's mouth through an air hole formed in the wall of the helmet, thereby preventing the front window from getting misted. The air supply chamber is made as a box separately from the helmet and is embedded therein.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Tohgun Kigyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masahiko Kaburaki
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Patent number: 5159924Abstract: A mixing device for respiratory, therapeutic, or anesthetic uses provides two of three gases to a mixed gas outlet. A gas selecting means fluidly connected with a first and second gas supplies selectively provides fluid passage of only one of the first or second gases to the outlet. A gas bypass selectively bypasses two of the three gases to the gas outlet. A locking device activated by the selecting means prevents a predetermined one of the first or second gases from being bypassed to the gas outlet. A first and second pressure balancing regulator equalizing the pressures of the selected gas and the third gas before passing those gases to a controllable mixing device which meters the gases into a mixing chamber, after which the gases are passed to the gas outlet. Advantageously, a gas selector knob is positioned coaxially with a mixing valve such that rotation of the selector valve causes correctly calibrated scales to become visible to reflect the mixture of the selected gases as they are mixed.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventors: Michael J. Cegielski, Teunis T. van den Berg
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Patent number: 5159925Abstract: A method for a laparoscopic cholecystostomy and prostate or gallbladder ablation is disclosed wherein a bladder catheter is inserted into the prostate or gallbladder then heated for a period sufficient to cause cauterization necrosis of the tissue lining of the prostate of gallbladder. Subsequently, the prostate or gallbladder is allowed to drain and is then removed. An apparatus for performing the procedure and a procedure and apparatus for treatment of benign prostate hypertrophy are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Gynelab, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Neuwirth, Lee R. Bolduc
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Patent number: 5159926Abstract: A medical device interacting with the body of a patient for stimulating and/or monitoring a physiological function includes control electronics which uses a parameter set which can be fetched from a memory, the parameter set defining the interaction. A number of different parameter sets can be stored in the memory, with a switching system being provided to fetch respectively different parameter sets under differing conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Jan Ljungstroem
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Patent number: 5159927Abstract: A visual prosthesis apparatus for operative insertion in the optical pathway to the brain of an individual who has an eye which is blind or partially blind. The prosthesis apparatus utilizes a video camera capable of generating video signals in response to the viewing of an image. The apparatus also includes a prosthesis device or so-called insert for insertion in the eye socket in place of the diseased or damaged eye. A cable is provided for electrically connecting the output of a video camera to the insert and for delivering video signals over individual conductors in this cable to the insert. An optical nerve connecting assembly is located in the insert and has terminals for connections to the individual conductors of the cable and to the optical nerves. In this way, there is an electrical connection between each conductor and an optical nerve through the nerve connecting assembly for delivering the individual video signals to the brain. A method of using this prosthesis is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1991Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: Ferdinand Schmid
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Patent number: 5159928Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and controlling the level of a selected hormone in the circulatory system of an animal. The relationship between the level of a hormone, such as the immune-regulating cylokine IL-1, in the blood stream of an animal and application of sensory stimuli to the animal is determined by periodically taking discrete samples of the animal's blood while the stimuli are applied, measuring the levels of the hormone in the discrete samples, and correlating these levels with the application of the stimuli. Thereafter, the level of the hormone is controlled by applying to the subject those stimuli have been found to produce a desired effect on the level of the hormone in the blood. Biofeedback training and relaxation techniques are used to increase the effectiveness of the method and apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1989Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: William Keppel
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Patent number: 5159929Abstract: A RF shield, for use adjacent a portion of a patient's body during a magnetic resonance examination by magnetic resonance examination apparatus, includes an electrically and thermally conductive layer having a pair of opposed surfaces, and a pair of electrically and thermally insulative layers. One of the insulative layers is disposed adjacent one of the opposed surfaces for positioning intermediate the conductive layer and the patient's body portion to insulate the patient's body from the conductive layer, and the other of the insulative layers is disposed adjacent the other of the opposed surfaces for positioning intermediate the conductive layer and the magnetic resonance examination apparatus to insulate the magnetic resonance apparatus from the conductive layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventors: G. Ronald Morris, Charles E. McMillen
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Patent number: 5159931Abstract: An apparatus that allows the three-dimensional reconstruction of anatomic structures through the acquisition of two-dimensional echographic images produced by the real-time processing of signals reflected and/or scattered by said structures when these are hit by a beam of ultrasound generated, according to a predetermined scanning plane, by a piezoelectric transducer contained within an echographic probe. According to the invention, the scanning plane, in which the sector-scan transducer emits the beam of ultrasound, rotates through an angle of 180.degree., with intermediate angular increments having a predetermined amplitude and frequency, around the longitudinal axis of the probe, while the latter remains fixed relative to the examined anatomic structure, there being provided means for the actuation and the control of the rotation of the scanning plane.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1989Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Inventor: Riccardo Pini
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Patent number: 5159932Abstract: A method and apparatus for non invasively monitoring the motion of the patient's heart, to detect and display ischemia induced variations in the heart's motion which indicate coronary artery disease.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1992Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Seismed Instruments, Inc.Inventors: John M. Zanetti, David M. Salerno