Patents Issued in December 13, 1994
  • Patent number: 5372068
    Abstract: In a rotary printing press with a printing cylinder and a counter roller, such as an impression cylinder, for example, and a print web guided between them, faultless print quality across the entire width is attained, even with an extremely wide print web and a correspondingly slim printing cylinder. The printing cylinder is provided with a fixed support and a jacket, which is rotatable around it, and is supported by a row of support elements with a printing pressure which is controlled individually or in groups. With this arrangement, a uniform printing pressure profile across the print web width and, simultaneously, a print gap which is generally uniform are attained. Deformations and displacements of the printing cylinder jacket cross-wise to the printing plane are avoided in that additional cross-bracing elements for exerting a restoring force on the printing cylinder jacket cross-wise to the printing plane are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Sulzer-Escher Wyss AG
    Inventors: Rolf Lehmann, Eugen Schnyder
  • Patent number: 5372069
    Abstract: A pyrotechnic, molten metal jet torch which employs a loose pyrotechnic ster powder such as (1) magnesium powder, or an intimate mixture of (2) Mg and CuO, (3) Mg and Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, (4) Mg and Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, (5) Al and CuO, or (6) Al and Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 powders which are capable of being ignited by a conventional military incendiary grenade fuse and which generated enough heat to ignite pyronol pellets which are pressed from an intimate powder mixture of (1) nickel, (2) metal oxide, (3) a component selected from the group consisting of (a) aluminum and (b) a mixture of at least 50 weight percent aluminum and a metal that is magnesium, zirconium, bismuth, beryllium, boron, or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: George L. Hart, Edwin L. McCluer, Alexander G. Rozner, William R. Walton, James C. Waldron
  • Patent number: 5372070
    Abstract: Propellant formulations are provided which include non-toxic burn rate modifiers. In order to produce a usable propellant formulation, it is necessary to control the burn rate of the propellant. Failure to adequately control the propellant burn rate often results in unacceptable performance of the propellant. For example, during the operation of a rocket motor, or similar device which contains a propellant, the propellant may produce operating pressures which are too high or too low for the intended purpose of the device.It has often been the practice to add lead to rocket motor propellants in order to modify the burn rate and to maintain the burn rate within acceptable parameters. Lead, however, is known to be toxic and a pollutant. Accordingly, it is desirable to replace the lead in the formulation. It has been found herein that bismuth trioxide is capable of modifying the burn rate of propellants without resorting to lead as a burn rate additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie B. Neidert, Robert E. Askins
  • Patent number: 5372071
    Abstract: A separating joint for use primarily in aerospace applications is provided having two operational components. The first component provides a very high force over a short stroke distance, using an explosively actuated expanding-tube, suitable for shearing connectors such as rivets. The second component provides a longer stroke, thrusting force to impart a separating velocity to the structures connected using this joint. The second component comprises a flexible bellows surrounding the expanding-tube. The bellows is inflated by gases that exit the expanding-tube, usually through vent holes in the tube wall. In operation, the detonation of an explosive cord in the tube causes the tube to expand and shear rivets or other connectors. The detonation gases then exit the tube to inflate the bellows, which further pushes the separated structures apart. This invention thus provides a high strength separable joint having relatively low weight and capable of providing a high thrusting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Tracor, Inc.
    Inventors: Les H. Richards, J. Ken Vinson, David J. Schorr
  • Patent number: 5372072
    Abstract: A transportation system comprises a continuous stationary track having a pair of opposed rigid bearing surfaces, and a plurality of discrete cantilevered load-carrying vehicle units movable beside said track. Each vehicle is coupled to the track by a bogie having a linear arrangement of bogie wheels running between the bearing surfaces. The bogie wheels are mounted on mutually articulated frames and have a diameter slightly less than the separation of the opposed bearing surfaces to allow limited pivoting movement of the frames within the track. The adjacent articulated frames are forcibly urged to pivot in opposite directions within the track between the bearing surfaces such that bogie wheels carried thereby forcibly and alternately engage the respective opposed bearing surfaces at at least three points to ensure a pro-loaded positive coupling between the bogie and the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Norbert Hamy
  • Patent number: 5372073
    Abstract: In the truck (1) the static and dynamic forces are absorbed by the frame (5). In designing the body unit fitted on the frame (5), therefore, only the unit's own weight and the passenger load are significant, thus facilitating the use of extremely lightly-built vehicle bodies. The truck (1) has single-wheel drive units (2), a longitudinal driver (3) interconnecting them, on each long side of a drive (4), the frames (5) bearing the end unit (9) and a drive control (6) for turning the single-wheel drive units (2) horizontally in response to curves. A wheelless central unit (10) is supported on each short side of the truck (1) via a link (8). A push-pull device (7) engages with the short side opposite the link (8). There are no steps, pedestals or shoulders inside the vehicle which is thus freely accessible. In the region of the truck there are recesses in the form of wheel-boxes (9.1) in which certain parts of the truck (1 ) are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Schindler Waggon AG
    Inventor: Ildebrando Cattani
  • Patent number: 5372074
    Abstract: A paperboard pallet having a trapezoidal profile is disclosed, which comprises two outer stringers, an additional stringer therebetween, an upper sheet, and a lower sheet. Each stringer has a trapezoidal profile. The upper sheet is secured adhesively to a broad, upper end of each stringer. The lower sheet has two outer flaps, each being folded upwardly and being secured adhesively to an outer wall of a respective one of the outer stringers. The upper sheet may have two outer flaps, each being folded downwardly and being secured adhesively to such an outer wall. Several alternative arrangements are disclosed, which include one wherein a lower base of a paperboard tray defines the upper sheet, another wherein a lower base of a paperboard carton defines the upper sheet, and others wherein blocks cut from such stringers replace the stringers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Gate Pallet Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted D. Kilpatrick, Arthur M. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5372075
    Abstract: A dismountable display cabinet comprises a box-shaped container, consisting of a base part 4 and a lid part 6. A dismountable framework can be mounted on the base part 4, the framework including posts 12 to 22 which have guide grooves for receiving side wall elements and shelf elements in the form of glass panes in a displaceable manner. The lid part 6 of the container forms the top closure of the display cabinet. In the dismantled state of the display cabinet the individual parts of the framework, the shelves and the side walls are stowed inside the container. In the dismantled state the display cabinet can be easily transported, requires litle space and can be assembled and dismantled very rapidly and simply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Rudolf Graf
  • Patent number: 5372076
    Abstract: A repository for storing small articles is constructed to resemble a common household object, such as a videotape cassette. The articles are placed in two containers mounted on the base of the repository, and the containers are sealed by a cover which is placed over them. The closed repository can be inserted into a sleeve which holds the base and the cover together. The sleeve has been marked with letters and designs to resemble the sleeve of a standard videotape cassette. The cover has been formed to resemble the top of a standard videotape cassette, but it also has a picture attached to it which depicts the inside of a videotape cassette and which thereby simulates a videotape cassette even more effectively. By simulating a common household object such as a video cassette, the repository is not likely to be discovered by a thief. The base includes apertures like those of a standard videotape cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Adams Apple Distributing, L.P.
    Inventor: Peter Solt
  • Patent number: 5372077
    Abstract: A garbage disposal system includes a garbage classifier unit, which consists of a cutting mechanism, a separation water trough, squeezers, and a blower separator, and is controlled to separate plastics and mineral from garbage; a garbage furnace controlled to burn garbage being delivered from the garbage classifier unit, a waste gas treatment unit controlled to treat exhaust gas from the garbage furnace, and a sewage treatment unit controlled to treat waste water from the garbage classifier unit and the waste gas treatment unit for a repeat use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventors: Chin-Ching Yen, Jen-Chieh Tai
  • Patent number: 5372078
    Abstract: An automatic sewing machine control device in which the movement of the presser unit which takes place while the thread take-up lever moves from the bottom dead point to the top dead point is minimized thereby to increase the tension of the upper thread. Even when the load weight applied to a bi-axial drive mechanism increases or the thickness of the sewing material changes, excellent seams can be formed. In a control device for an automatic sewing machine, a start timing unit is provided which starts the bi-axial drive mechanism with respective timing modes. A plurality of drive control data for a drive motor and stepping motors are stored in memory unit which correspond to the load weights applied to the bi-axial drive mechanism and the thicknesses of materials to be sewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nozomi Hoshina, Iwao Yamane, Yoshifumi Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 5372079
    Abstract: A thread trimming device for a sewing machine in which a movable knife coupled to a thread trimmer lever by way of a link mechanism is turned to cut sewing threads in cooperation with a fixed knife, the first projection of the thread trimmer lever engaging in the cam groove of a thread trimmer cam, comprises a thread trimmer positive motion bracket having a second projection capable of engaging in the positive motion cam groove of a thread trimmer positive motion cam so as to keep the engagement of the first projection with the cam groove after the second projection thereof engages the positive motion cam groove until it is disengaged therefrom. Since the time of completing the thread trimming can be set by the positive motion cam groove of the thread trimmer positive motion cam, the timing of the thread trimming can be adjusted with certainty. Furthermore, the operating time of the driving means can be remarkably reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: The Singer Company N.V.
    Inventors: Koji Kitai, Takanori Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5372080
    Abstract: A motorized sail tensioner gives the sailor the ability to change the sail shape while sailing, permitting constant adjustment of the sail with only the touch of a switch, to adjust for wind gusts and lulls. It accomplishes this by using a small DC-battery powered motor, assisted by two methods of gear reduction, using a planetary gear and screw. The motor is activated by a remote RF wireless transmitter, worn on the sailors wrist, and activated by a switch, worn on the sailor's index finger. The sail tension is changed by moving the mast position by the action of moving a nut up and down a screw attached to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Andrew W. Sewell
  • Patent number: 5372081
    Abstract: A hand-held sail device is disclosed and includes a sail sized and shaped to define an airfoil configuration. The sail includes an upper edge, a lower edge and a leech edge. A frame supports the sail and includes a mast having front and rear end portions and is adapted for securing the upper edge of the sail, and a boom which also has front and rear end portions and is adapted for securing the lower edge of the sail. A hand gripping member is disposed on the windward side of the sail and has top and bottom end portions pivotally secured, respectively, to the rear end portions of the mast and the boom. A first connector mechanism joins the front end portions of the mast and the boom. A second connector mechanism pivotally interconnects the gripping member top end portion with the mast rear end portion, while a third connector mechanism pivotally interconnects the bottom end portion of the gripping member with the boom rear end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Michael B. Mayer
  • Patent number: 5372082
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of small watercraft having a seat that affords at least two different seating positions in generally side by side fashion. A steering control is supported forwardly of the seat and is movable between two different positions, each in front of a respective one of the seating positions while maintaining the steering axis generally perpendicular to the seat and for varying the distance between the steering element and the seat in the respective positions. The support for the steering element is also pivotal about a transversely disposed horizontally extending axis to permit different height positioning for the steering control when it is in its steering position. A variety of seat arrangements and boarding facilitating devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 5372083
    Abstract: A number of embodiments of watercraft of the type having a main hull which is generally devoid of any independent power unit and which defines a berthing area that is adapted to receive a smaller jet propelled watercraft for propelling the main hull. The berthing area of the main hull is defined by an opening that registers with the opening of the jet propulsion unit of the smaller watercraft in such a way so as to avoid turbulence. The lower wall and the smaller watercraft hull have complimentary configurations so as to assure good support but in one embodiment a plurality of smaller openings are provided so as to permit water to enter any voids and avoid cavitation of the smaller watercraft's jet propulsion unit in operation. A combined ladder and hold down assembly is also disclosed for holding the smaller watercraft in the berthing area and for facilitating boarding of the main hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 5372084
    Abstract: An aeration apparatus for keeping aquatic life alive includes a container for containing a body of water, aquatic life, and an air space. The aeration apparatus is designed for transport in a vehicle receiving locomotive power from an internal combustion engine having a vacuum line. The aeration apparatus has an exhaust tube which has an inlet in the air space and an outlet connected to the vacuum line for drawing air from the air space into the vacuum line thereby creating subatmospheric pressure in the air space. The apparatus also has an air tube which has an outlet in the water body and an inlet in the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Brent E. Mallory
  • Patent number: 5372085
    Abstract: A boat having bottom and side panels. A yieldable diaphragm has a seal between the diaphragm and the panels. A motor mount on a rear seat board projects rearwardly and beyond the diaphragm to present a support for a motor. A sailboat has a rudder controlled by a tiller. Another motor mount is rotatably mounted on the sides of the boat so that it serves as a seat or a mounting panel for a boat. A diaphragm can be placed on the bottom of the boat and then shifted rearwardly so that tongues or projections of rubber on the bottom and sides of the diaphragm can be moved rearwardly and received in sealing relationship with forwardly facing, open end slots on the bottom and side panels of the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Alex R. Kaye
  • Patent number: 5372086
    Abstract: A dodger with a hard fiberglass top shell is disclosed for mounting to a sailboat. A mold utilizing a flexible sheet--such as a 1/4 inch plywood sheet--is warped and held interior of a surrounding frame rectilinear to match the desired profile of the hard top shell of the dodger. Warping occurs to match cabin camber with the port and starboard sides of the hard dodger top turning down to be approximately tangent to the cabin sides from the projected height of the dodger. The hard shell top is mounted above the deck by system of stanchions and upper and lower stanchion supports fastened to the deck and underside of the hard shell top respectively. The addition of front and side curtains completes the dodger assembly, which is easily constructed, easily removed, and easily repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Bradley D. James
  • Patent number: 5372087
    Abstract: A self-luminescent indicator is provided. This indicator includes a pointer, a pointer support shaft rotatably supporting the indicating pointer, a luminescent element arranged in the indicating pointer, and a flexible circuit plate connecting with the luminescent element serving as a lead wire. The flexible circuit plate is arranged around the pointer support shaft in a scroll fashion so that it allows the indicating pointer to rotate about the pointer support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Kato, Kazuhiko Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 5372088
    Abstract: In a VGF crystal growth method, the configuration of the outer periphery of the seed crystal (15) has the same dimensions as the configuration of the inner surface of the major portion of the crucible (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Muhammed A. Shahid
  • Patent number: 5372089
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a single-crystalline thin film having excellent crystallinity on a base material without depending on the material for and crystallinity of the base material. In this method, a base material is provided thereon with a mask which can prevent chemical species contained in a vapor phase from adhering to the base material. The base material is continuously moved along arrow A, to deliver a portion covered with the mask into the vapor phase for crystal growth. Thus, a thin film is successively deposited on the portion of the base material, which is delivered from under the mask, from the vapor phase. A crystal growth end is formed on a boundary region between a portion of the base material which is covered with the mask and that which is exposed to the vapor phase, so that a crystal having the same orientation as the growth end is grown on a portion of the base material newly exposed by the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., The Tokyo Electric Power Company Incorporated
    Inventors: Noriyuki Yoshida, Satoshi Takano, Kousou Fujino, Shigeru Okuda, Tsukushi Hara, Hideo Ishii
  • Patent number: 5372090
    Abstract: A support crucible includes a central axis, outer radii including longest outer radii defining planes with the central axis, a side wall region having a circumferential direction and a bottom. At least two neighboring segments are separated by joints extending substantially vertically in the side wall region to the bottom and penetrating the bottom. The joints define opposed surfaces of the neighboring segments which always overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the side wall region in an operating state. Each of the surfaces is intersected by a respective one of the planes, at least in the side wall region. According to another embodiment, the joints defining opposed surfaces of the neighboring segments have complementary shapes, the surfaces are formed by cuts beginning at a jacket surface of the side wall region and extending parallel to the central axis and at an angle to the planes, and the cuts extend in a curve to the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Ringsdorff-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Julius Wegmeth, Bernd Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5372091
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pig farrowing pen and resides in directing air flows under the sow when standing to drive the piglets to a safe location and thereby prevent the piglets from being trapped and crushed as the sow moves from an elevated position to a lying position.In one described embodiment an element (18) lies in the path of the sow as she rises and the element (18) is elevated as the sow moves to an elevated position. The element (18) carries an electrical switch (20), conveniently a tilt switch, which is closed as the element (18) is elevated by the sow and, on the switch (20) closing, a valve (24) is opened to direct pressure air flows under the sow. As the sow moves from an upright posit on towards a lying position the element (18) is lowered, the electrical switch (20) opens and the supply of pressure air is terminated.In preferred embodiments the air supply may be pulsed and/or chilled to encourage the piglets to move from the danger zone beneath the sow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Paul H. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5372092
    Abstract: A cow and calf catcher and hauler assembly includes an outer catcher pen, an inner platform and a cow chute and a calf pen. The outer catcher pen has a pair of opposite side walls and an end wall extending between and connected at opposite ends to the side walls for defining an openable and closable enclosed area. One of the side walls of the outer catcher pen is pivotally connected to one end of the end wall so as to function as an outside swingable gate adapted to undergo swinging movement between opened and closed positions relative to the other of the opposite side walls thereof. The inner platform is encompassed by the outer catcher pen and defines a confined area smaller in area than the enclosed area of the outer catcher pen. The cow chute and calf pen are disposed side-by-side one another and overlie the inner platform for respectively receiving a cow and calf in the chute and pen and on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Wayne N. Pederson
  • Patent number: 5372093
    Abstract: An animal feeding apparatus is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes at least two chambers that each have a hollow passage therethrough to which access is provided by two openings positioned at opposite ends of each chamber. First and second receptacles for containing liquid have apertures in a lower portion thereof for releasing liquid therefrom. A support vertically supports the chambers one above the other so that one of the chambers is in an upper position and the other chamber is in a lower position and positions the chambers so that the hollow passage of the upper chamber is substantially aligned with the hollow passage of the lower chamber and so that the chambers are vertically higher than a feeding area. The support supports the second receptacle in a position that is vertically above the first receptacle. Upper and lower releasable blocking assemblies are associated with the upper and lower chambers, respectively, for supporting food within the hollow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Marijan Pooshs
  • Patent number: 5372094
    Abstract: A bird feeder is made from a paperboard container, such as those commonly employed to contain milk. In a first embodiment, two slots are cut in the container above the floor in opposing vertical walls, and two holes are formed near the floor, one hole located below each slot. Feed troughs are attached to the container by tabs which expand inside the container after being passed through a slot, each slot serving one trough. In this embodiment, a separate perch is provided by a rod or stick projecting from the container. The perch is supported by the container floor, and held in place by frictional fit as it penetrates the two opposing holes below the slots. In a second embodiment, there is only one hole and one slot, the slot being located at the level of the hole. The perch and trough are provided as a unitary structural element, the trough having a peg projecting outwardly, so as to provide a foothold for a bird.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Roger A. Zens
  • Patent number: 5372095
    Abstract: A pet litter box sifter is described includes a rigid grid-form containment tray having a bottom, a peripheral top edge, and walls extending upwardly from the bottom to the peripheral top edge. A window-like opening in one of the walls adjacent the bottom. The pet litter box sifter, as described, is easier to dump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Allbrook Developments Ltd.
    Inventors: Earl Dowling, Tod Hummelle
  • Patent number: 5372096
    Abstract: The particle separation and collection system for a circulating fluidized bed combustion system is incorporated inside of the combustor. One or more particle collecting cells are formed along one of the waterwalls of the combustor with the walls of the cells also being water cooled. The cells may contain heat exchange surface and means are provided at the bottom of each cell to control the flow of particles from the cells back into the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard S. Skowyra
  • Patent number: 5372097
    Abstract: A self-lubricating cam follower for an overhead cam internal combustion engine of the reciprocating piston-and-cylinder type has a generally upright U-section and an elongated body and is provided with a gravity feed ramp for oil to flow from a support end to a cam follower roller which is typically journaled in bearings in the cam follower. The oil flow serves to lubricate the cam follower, and especially its roller bearings. A lip at the support end of the follower retains oil in the cam follower body and a controlled clearance between a roller-accommodating cutout in the base and the roller, tends to force bearing lubrication. The novel self-lubricating characteristics of the inventive cam follower are operable in an engine having a piston-and cylinder disposed for substantially vertical relative movement and provide greater versatility in engine design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Welles Manufacturing
    Inventors: Kenneth Joseph, Tomi I. Trutescu, Ioan I. Trutescu
  • Patent number: 5372098
    Abstract: Cooling system for a liquid-cooled combustion engine including a radiator having at least one inlet and one outlet, a coolant pump and at least a control valve for controlling the flow of coolant through the radiator depending on the coolant temperature. The coolant pump and the radiator are integrated into a single unit. The coolant pump is preferably integrated in a radiator end cover, into which the control valve may also be incorporated. Such an integrated end cover may be obtained by e.g. injection molding of a thermoplastic polymer, preferably a polyamide. The number of hose connections is greatly reduced by the integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: DSM N.V.
    Inventors: Wouter A. Borsboom, Cornelis H. Honselaar
  • Patent number: 5372099
    Abstract: The preset invention provides a ceramic adjusting shim capable of minimizing the abrasion of parts contacting the adjusting shim, for example, a cam and a tappet. The ceramic adjusting shim is produced from a ceramic material and has a surface roughness of 0.05 to 0.2 .mu.m in ten-point average roughness Rz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Matsunuma, Takao Nishioka, Akira Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 5372100
    Abstract: A pushrod for an internal combustion engine valve train is described comprised of a composite rod body having spherically machined tip surfaces at either end, with thin metal end caps fit and bonded to each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Peter C. Bertelson
  • Patent number: 5372101
    Abstract: Two embodiments of cold starting and cold running enrichment devices for internal combustion engines, each of which provide an amount of fuel through a first circuit under the control of a first control valve during cold cranking for cold starting enrichment and a second fuel circuit having a second control valve for supplying fuel to the engine for cold running enrichment. In this way, adequate amounts of fuel are supplied under all circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiko Hoshiba, Masaki Okazaki
  • Patent number: 5372102
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for heating the intake air in internal-combustion engines by means of a flame starting system with at least one glow plug. The apparatus is controlled in such a manner that the glow plug is continuously preheated during a first time period and is operated in pulses in a following second time period and the glow plug is switched off after a safety time has elapsed. The glow plug is preheated after it has been switched off, taking into account the instantaneous glow plug temperature during the cooling and the voltage available in such a manner that the temperature required for a repeat start is reached within a narrow tolerance band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Schmid, Andreas Koppitz, Friedrich Hase, Peter Joppig, Roland Klak
  • Patent number: 5372103
    Abstract: In order to achieve great engine efficiency, heat, normally dissipated through the cooling system, is directed through the exhaust passage to increase the turbocharger output. Conventional iron base valve guides cannot operate effectively within the high temperature ranges. Therefore, ceramic valve guides capable of withstanding high temperature ranges are being used for increased engine durability. Unfortunately, ceramic valve guides are difficult to install into a cylinder head using any currently available techniques. The present invention provides a simple means for mounting a ceramic valve guide assembly (52) within a cylinder head (18). A ceramic sleeve (70) is inserted into a metallic sleeve (80). The ceramic sleeve (70) and the metallic sleeve (80) are machined so that an interference fit is obtained when assembled to define the valve guide assembly (52). The valve guide assembly (52) is installed into the cylinder head (18) in a normal manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Hackett, Michael H. Haselkorn
  • Patent number: 5372104
    Abstract: A rotary valve arrangement for engines and the like has sealing members and rings inset into the valve rotor which rotates within a loosely fitted rotor sleeve so that only the sealing elements are in contact. The rotor sleeve is mounted between a cylinder head, affixed by a conventional bolt pattern, and a rotor cover so that the rotor sleeve is placed between the cylinder bolts and the valve rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Bill E. Griffin
  • Patent number: 5372105
    Abstract: A cylinder for a two-cycle internal combustion engine is disclosed which enables reduction of HC in the exhaust gas while causing no substantial deterioration in output characteristics of the engine or requiring no complicated modifications. The combustion chamber 7 is a squish dome type having a ring-shaped squish surface 7d formed in a head portion 3 of cylinder 1 in which a pair of scavenging ports 20, 20 are oppositely formed and which employ loop scavenging mode symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal section bisecting the exhaust port 16, wherein said squish surface 7d is cut out at its portion opposite to the exhaust port 16 to form a scavenging air intake 7a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nagao, Kazuhiro Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 5372106
    Abstract: A drive assembly for auxiliary units of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, which may be mounted at an end wall of the internal combustion engine especially coaxially relative to the crankshaft, has two switchable gear stages between its input shaft, driven by the crankshaft and its output shaft, driving the auxiliary units. Gear changing is ejected by actuating a friction coupling. The friction coupling, in the connected condition, engages a direct gear and, in the disconnected condition, drives a reduction gear via a locking freewheeling device. An actuating assembly for the friction coupling includes adjusting discs which are held in a housing of the drive assembly so as to be arranged coaxially relative no the friction coupling and which are rotatable relative to one another. One of the adjusting discs, in the form of a supporting ring, is axially supported in the housing of the drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventor: John R. Botterill
  • Patent number: 5372107
    Abstract: A rotary engine having an oval rotor (12) centrally mounted in a cylindrical chamber (11). Cylindrical chamber (11) is partitioned into a number of combustion chambers (40-47) by sliding vanes (48-53B). Rotor (12) is mounted to a partially hollow shaft (21) the shaft (21) extending through respective sidewalls of the cylindrical chamber (11). Rotor (12) is provided with internal passageways to allow exhaust to flow from a combustion chamber (40-47) through an internal passageway and out through the partially hollow shaft (21) and to allow incoming air to flow into a hollow portion (19) within rotor (12) and through a suitable passageway to a port located on the outer periphery of the rotor (12). In this manner, air and exhaust gases can be passed into and from a combustion chamber (40-47) by means of ports in the rotor (12) and the engine does not require external valves. Shaft (21) has a solid end which can be used as an output shaft to drive a fly wheel or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Richard C. Smythe
  • Patent number: 5372108
    Abstract: An engine charge control system operates by initially reducing power from full load by retarding exhaust valve closing timing to increase exhaust gas charge dilution up to the limit for efficient operation. Further load reductions are made by reducing charge mass without increased dilution via alternative steps such as throttling (in conjunction with intake check valves or using individual cylinder valves) or retarding intake valve opening timing without throttling. Partial substitution of external charge dilution is also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ko-Jen Wu
  • Patent number: 5372109
    Abstract: An exhaust modulator in or to be fitted in the exhaust system of an engine, having a body defining a flowpath therethrough for engine exhaust gases, a gate in the exhaust flowpath movable between an open and a closed position, one or more bleed flowpaths communicating between opposite sides of the gate, and a flow control mechanism. The mechanism is responsive to one or more operating parameters to control the flow of exhaust gases along the one or more bleed flowpaths so as to limit the back pressure applied to the engine to different predetermined levels as required for operation of the modulator in selected modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: WABCO Automotive (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Derek Thompson, Robert G. Baines
  • Patent number: 5372110
    Abstract: According to the invention, a) from the position of an accelerator pedal actuated by the driver, a value is extracted of a power (P.sub.d) requested by this driver, b) in various vehicle operating phases, a base power (P.sub.b) absorbed by the vehicle over and above the power possibly required to move the latter is calculated, and c) the quantities of air and of fuel admitted into the engine are controlled in such a way as to drive the power (P.sub.m) which it delivers to the sum of the requested (P.sub.d) and base (P.sub.b) powers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive S.A.
    Inventors: Serge Boverie, Christian Barreau, Pierre Bidan
  • Patent number: 5372111
    Abstract: The setting of the full load stop cam of a speed governor can be effected by simple means in a manner which is advantageous in terms of production technology. This simplification of the final setting of the cam (13) which is designed as a full load stop cam is achieved by combining the cam (13) with the lid (12) of the housing (11) of the fuel injection pump speed governor, to form a single structual unit, with adjusting elements being provided on the lid (12) which facilitate simple means of adjustment of the cam (13). This setting device for fuel apportioning is used in speed governors of fuel injection pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sieghart Maier, Siegfried Ruthardt, Jurgen Hanneke
  • Patent number: 5372112
    Abstract: An engine including at least two digital computers wherein controlled systems each including a switching unit, an ignitor, and a spark plug are independently provided for each cylinder, and controlled systems each including a switching unit, a drive circuit, and a fuel injector are independently provided for each cylinder. The controlled systems are normally controlled by one of the digital computers, but when one of the digital computers malfunctions, the controlled systems are controlled by the other digital computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippondenso Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Ohtaka, Kazuhiro Sakurai, Yutaka Obuchi, Shigetaka Tanaka, Takashi Mori
  • Patent number: 5372113
    Abstract: Sockets of a fuel rail assembly having bottom-feed fuel injectors communicate with a main fuel tube that serves all fuel injectors by means of holes in the sockets' sidewalls proximate the top of the main fuel tube. Below these holes, each socket is imperforate so as to dam the main fuel tube whereby the lowest level of any hole defines a weir level for fuel in the main fuel tube. If the lower seal between any fuel injector and its socket is compromised while the fuel is unpressurized, the fuel below the weir level will not drain out of the main fuel tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventor: John C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5372114
    Abstract: A hydraulic tappet for use in the fuel injector drive trains of compression ignition or diesel internal combustion engines are provided which optimize injector timing for improved fuel economy. One embodiment of the hydraulic tappet of the present invention includes a dampened pressure regulating feature which determines blow down pressure. A second embodiment of the hydraulic tappet of the present invention includes a dampening load cell feature which allows the blow down pressure of the load cell to be increased and injection timing to be optimally advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Gant, P. Douglas Free, James R. Katzenmeyer, Donald E. Duckworth, George L. Muntean
  • Patent number: 5372115
    Abstract: This invention describes a fuel system for an internal combustion engine of the diesel type which is completely compatible with methanol and other low cetane liquid fuels. The fuel system is also capable of handling methanol liquid fuel, and other low cetane highly corrosive liquid fuels, of materials fully compatible with the fuel and adapted for long term durability use. Further, a fuel system is disclosed that is free of particulates of less than one micron in size thereby providing superior long term durability protection against scoring within the fuel pump and fuel delivery injectors. The invention also provides a fuel system comprising primary and secondary fuel filters, a fuel pump, and the fuel injectors designed to provide acceptable durability and reliability despite the lack of lubricity in methanol and similar fuels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Straub, Robert C. Timmer, William R. Baker, Gary W. Johnson, Roger E. Parry, Patricia A. Burkel, Terri Keski-Hynnila
  • Patent number: 5372116
    Abstract: A fuel pressure pulsation dampener valve is disclosed as having a housing with an internal chamber into which inlet and outlet tubes communicate to transfer fuel under pressure to the fuel injectors of an internal combustion engine. The outlet tube of the valve includes a plurality of ports which are positioned in the valve below the normal operating fuel level of the engine while the opening from the inlet tube through which fuel is supplied to the interior of the valve is positioned above such fuel level. A bleed orifice above the inlet tube opening communicates the interior of the valve to the return line of the fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Davco Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Leland L. Davis
  • Patent number: 5372117
    Abstract: A method for alternately carrying out phases with and without tank venting during operation of an internal combustion engine equipped with a tank-venting assembly is characterized in that the ratio of the time spans with and without tank venting is selected to be dependent upon operating data of the engine or of the tank-venting assembly. Preferably, a variable is measured which is a measure for the fuel quantity to be regenerated during tank venting and the above-mentioned ratio is increased in favor of the tank-venting time span with respect to the base ratio when the value of the measured variable exceeds an upper limit (Dp.sub.-- SMW; FTEA.sub.-- SWU). This method makes possible that an adsorption filter and a tank-venting valve in the corresponding arrangement can be dimensioned for lesser throughput quantities than previously without the danger being present that fuel vapors escape to the ambient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Denz, Ernst Wild, Andreas Blumenstock