Patents Issued in March 11, 1997
  • Patent number: 5609102
    Abstract: A fixture is provided for the holding of a compact disc on a transport member for transportation of the disc to one or more work stations such as a silk-screen printing station. The fixture has a top member in which is provided a circular-shaped opening detachably connected to a base member. The base member is secured to the transport member. When the base member and top member are in combination with one another, the circular-shaped opening provides a well for the compact disc. Magnets are located in the base member to detachably hold the top member in contact with the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Autoroll Machine Corporation
    Inventor: Chris P. Rapp
  • Patent number: 5609103
    Abstract: A sheet turning device including a turning drum for turning over stock or a print carrier received in an ideal path of motion from a storage drum in a recto/verso or first-form and perfector printing process is in combination with a sheet-metal guide having a surface member formed with air outlet openings for floatingly guiding the stock or the print carrier, the surface member being disposed so as to face a printed side of the stock or the print carrier below the turning drum and extending in a direction towards the storage drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: G unter Stephan, Michael Szeidl
  • Patent number: 5609104
    Abstract: An incinerator in which halogenated organic compounds are burned in the presence of oxygen or oxygen enriched air to produce combustion products. The combustion products potentially include unreacted oxygen and halogenated organic compounds which can react with oxygen to produce halogenated furans and dioxins. The formation of the halogenated furans and dioxins is minimized by firing a burner, burning a hydrogen containing fuel at a fuel-rich stoichiometry, into the combustion products so that the fuel will react with the unreacted oxygen. This will reduce formation of the halogenated furans and dioxins. Any of the halogenated furans and dioxins that are formed are substantially eliminated by the reaction of hydrogen supplied by the fuel with the halogenated furans and dioxins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Loo T. Yap
  • Patent number: 5609105
    Abstract: A sheet-conveying drum for use between units in a printing machine is provided with a plurality of gripper bridges arranged substantially circumferentially symmetrically on the drum surface. The gripper bridges hold the paper to the drum and include gripper impact strips that are adjustable radially relative to the drum in order to accommodate printing materials of different thickness. Each gripper impact strip is adjusted by means of a positioning device that is arranged on the drum radially inward of the gripper impact strip and mounted so that it can move axially relative to the drum and cam the gripper impact strip radially. The axial movement of each positioning device is brought about by an actuating device which is preferably a pneumatic cylinder and is disposed on the body of the drum at the free end of each positioning device. An energy supply sequentially actuates each actuating device resulting in the piston of each cylinder either extending or retracting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Dietrich Dettinger, Roland Holl
  • Patent number: 5609106
    Abstract: A track building machine (34) for the renewal of tracks, essentially comprising a machine frame (1), supported on rail mountings (2, 3), having a work aggregate (38) exhibiting devices (5, 6, 7) for preparing a ballast bed, for lifting out old ties (8) and for laying new ties (9), and additionally comprising devices (35, 36, 10, 11, 12) for transporting the old and new ties (8, 9) and for raising, guiding and stretching apart old rails (13). For the support of the rail mounting (3) in working deployment, which rail mounting is disposed directly in front of the work aggregate (38) in the direction of working, a slide mechanism (18) is provided, which is rollable on the old ties (8). The work aggregate (38) for lifting out the old and laying the new ties (8, 9), outside a section limited by the rail mountings (2, 3) connected to the machine frame (1), is fastened on an extension arm (4) prolonging the machine frame (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Salpomec OY
    Inventor: Tibor Aubermann
  • Patent number: 5609107
    Abstract: The invention supports a mechanical carriage at three contact points for precise positioning on two guide rails, one guide rail having a V-grooved surface and the other having a flat surface. Two of the three contact points are recirculating ball bearings mounted against the V-grooved rail. The third contact point is on the flat rail and is also the driving contact point and comprises a drive shaft having a friction wheel thereon engaged with the flat rail to drive the mechanical carriage. The recirculating ball bearings and friction wheel are loaded against the V-grooved and flat rails, respectively, by magnets mounted on the carriage and spaced from the rails by an air gap. The air gap provides for a magnetic force between the magnets and the guide rails while permitting relative movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Agfa Division, Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: David P. Viola, Lawrence S. Blake
  • Patent number: 5609108
    Abstract: A camera dolly has a track wheel system including a kingpin pivotally supported on a dolly chassis. A kingpin tube extends laterally from the kingpin. An axle is pivotally supported within the tube on pins. A track wheel around a bearing is supported on a bushing on the axle. A knob unit threaded into the axle may be turned into a locked position wherein the track wheel is supported as in a conventional axle. For use on curved track, the knob unit is released or backed out, allowing the track wheel to shift laterally, to accommodate moving on curved dolly track, and to allow the wheel to steer on the track at a proper steering angle, by pivoting on the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Leonard Studio Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Chapman
  • Patent number: 5609109
    Abstract: A rail car truck side frame for use in a frame brace truck which has stabilizing cross braces extending between the side frames. The side frame has a top compression member and a bottom tension member which are joined by upwardly and outwardly slanted end walls. There is a bracket at the lower end of each end wall for use in mounting a cross brace. The bracket includes first, second and third walls, each integral with the side frame and each extending downwardly from the side frame. The first wall forms the wall for attachment of a cross brace with the second and third walls being perpendicular to the first wall and forming support for the first wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Standard Research and Design Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Berg
  • Patent number: 5609110
    Abstract: Pilot-channel apparatus is provided for guiding movements of runnered vehicles, equipment fitted with skid runners and containers with runners for three-dimensional displacements such as loading and transport on/off wheeled trailers and for two-dimensional displacements such as movements within a planar storage area. Unitary and multiple pilot channels incorporate characteristic forms with specified features for safe, reliable engagement with known runner profiles to control lateral and transverse powered movements, especially loading of snowmobiles onto a trailer. Pilot- channel apparatus is supplied in the form of formed shapes and bands of length up to approx. 10 meters which allows customized placement, mounting and spacing of specific pairs of fixed or moveable channels. Specific two- and three- dimensional pilot-channel arrays and kits with specific shapes of pilot channels are indicated for owner- installation on existing snowmobile trailers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventors: Patrick E. Meacham, Michael S. Zeilinger, Clifford B. Meacham, M. Conrad Huffstutler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5609111
    Abstract: A returnable framework structure for freight transportation capable of be assembled and disassembled in a simple manner. The structures are provided with sufficient structural strength, and are stable when disassembled structures are stacked. A plurality of frame elements are assembled on a rectangular skid, which forms the bottom surface of the structure, along the edges of the skid. An L-shaped corner guide is secured to each corner area of the skid, and the frames are fixed to the corner guides by screw members. On the upper corners of each frame, L-shaped corner guides are secured. The corner guides are secured to the other frames by screw members. The corner guides are secured to the skid in the direction perpendicular to the direction they are secured to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha and Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Express
    Inventors: Nobutoshi Hasegawa, Yoshio Hirota, Sumio Nagase, Hisato Fukuta, Makoto Tani
  • Patent number: 5609112
    Abstract: A table or desk is provided with a horizontally enlarged worksurface, and a bracket-supported rear panel arrangement can be readily mounted to a project upwardly along a rear edge of the worksurface. The panel arrangement includes a pair of upright brackets which have C-shaped lower parts which create a clamping engagement around the rear edge of the worksurface so that special constructional features on the worksurface are not required. The brackets have upright parts which project upwardly and, along rear vertical edges thereof, have attachment structure for permitting an upright panel to be attached thereto, which panel is then disposed directly adjacent the rear edge of the worksurface and projects upwardly and longitudinally thereof. The bracket includes first and second attachment structures associated therewith, with one attachment structure permitting a grid-like panel to be mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Meyer, Roberto G. Fraquelli
  • Patent number: 5609113
    Abstract: A particulate waste wood fuel comprising wood particles comprising less than 20% water by weight and having a particle size distribution suitable for combustion of the particulate wood fuel in a particulate fossil fuel suspension furnace. A method for making the particulate wood fuel includes shredding of waste wood and drying the shredded waste wood to obtain the desired particle size distribution and water content. A method for producing energy comprises injecting the particulate wood fuel into the combustion chamber of a particulate fuel suspension furnace separately from a particulate fossil fuel which is also injected into the combustion chamber. The particulate fossil fuel and particulate wood fuel are combusted in the combustion chamber in a gas flow through the combustion chamber to form a flame in the gas flow. The wood particles are substantially completely combusted within the combustion chamber while suspended in the gas flow and are not combusted at the furnace wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Fiber Fuel International, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude J. Galipeault, Lawrence E. Staab
  • Patent number: 5609114
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved agricultural seeding; especially useful in no-till direct seeding. In the illustrated embodiment an inclined furrow is cut with a rotating disk that is inclined with respect to the vertical and the horizontal; the furrow has a raised lip, and straw and the like stalks are cleaved during the cutting. Seed is inserted by known means, and then a packer wheel, preferentially inclined in vertical and horizontal directions opposite to those the disk is inclined, runs across the lip and closes the furrow. Advantages include substantially reduced energy required for the furrow cutting, less weight required on the furrowing disk, more even seeding depth, less hairpinning, less soil disturbance, and less weed seed burial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Hugh Barton
  • Patent number: 5609115
    Abstract: A buttonhole closing device for a lockstitch bar tacking sewing machine comprises a feed plate for holding the buttonhole of a sewn product thereon, an arch clamp frame which is supported by the feed plate on the side thereof so as to be vertically swingable, a first and a second movable clamp feet which are swingably connected to the arch clamp frame by way of pins separately and which are arranged on the left and right sides of a center clamp foot at the clamp portions formed at the front ends thereof respectively, a clamp foot unit driving mechanism, pin portions and cam portions for converting the longitudinal movement of the clamp foot unit driving mechanism into the lateral swinging of the first and second movable clamp feet and driving units for driving the clamp foot unit driving mechanism forward or backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: The Singer Company N.V.
    Inventors: Masanori Ayuta, Koichi Nakayama, Katsuo Hiratsuka
  • Patent number: 5609116
    Abstract: A miniature handy electric sewing machine includes a casing including a grip portion, a sewing table projecting from one end of the casing, a sewing head pivotally mounted on a rear end of the sewing table and including a sewing needle fastened to its front end, and a cloth presser lever having at its front end a pressing portion which is pressed against an upper surface of the sewing table by a spring force. The cloth presser lever is pivotally mounted on the rear end of the sewing table together with the sewing table. The sewing machine further includes an oscillation mechanism for vertically oscillating the sewing head and a feed mechanism operatively connected to the oscillation mechanism for feeding an object to be sewed by predetermined pitches, the object being held between the sewing table and the pressing portion of the cloth presser lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Royal Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huji Koike
  • Patent number: 5609117
    Abstract: Obtained is a thread cutter for a sewing machine which can further readily and reliably cut a needle thread, a looper thread or a chain loop by pushing down a knob without driving the sewing machine. In this thread cutter for a sewing machine, a long groove is formed in a needle plate which is positioned behind a presser foot, and a fixed blade is so provided that its cutting edge is along an edge of the long groove. A movable blade which is pressed against the fixed blade by a plate spring is mounted on a spindle, and the spindle is rotated to vertically move the movable blade when the knob frontwardly projecting from the sewing machine is operated. The thread or the chain loop is cut by the vertical movement of the movable blade in association with the fixed blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Jaguar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5609118
    Abstract: A hosiery line closer and loader assembly comprises a line closer having a number of carriers which circulate on a carousel and a loader having a transfer mechanism by which hose can be transferred from a hose loading position, adjacent a human operator, for example, to the line closer, the transfer mechanism moving on a linear support. Also disclosed is a dual hosiery line closer and loader assembly in which two line closers can be alternately loaded from a single hose loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Detexomat Machinery Limited
    Inventors: Michael J. Hodges, Darren Horton
  • Patent number: 5609119
    Abstract: A method of making a three-dimensional embroidery comprises the steps of framing the double-layered fabric and framing the thermal-decomposed fabric with at least two frames, placing the thermal-decomposed fabric on the double-layered fabric, embroidering the fabrics with embroidering threads, decomposing a brush-off fabric, and removing the frames to form a semi-product, spraying the pressurized air on the semi-product, and forming the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Ching-Lin Yeh
  • Patent number: 5609120
    Abstract: A traction arrangement for a tug boat having a towing winch mounted on the aft and/or fore deck and a tow rope connected to the winch and connectable to a vessel being assisted for necessary measures, such as towing, arresting, steering and equivalent. In order to enhance the stability of the tug boat and the towing, steering, arresting and equivalent properties achieved with the tug boat for the vessel to be assisted, the traction arrangement includes a tow arc mounted essentially in a plane of the deck within an area defined with a transverse bulwark in the front part of the front deck of the tug boat or in the rear part of the aft deck. To be mobile along the tow arc, a towing eyelet is arranged, and through which the tow rope from the towing winch passes to the vessel to be assisted. Traction power is transmitted to the tug boat, and which towing eyelet is on each occasion arranged to be positioned according to the towing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Aquamaster-Rauma Ltd.
    Inventor: Harri K. Eronen
  • Patent number: 5609121
    Abstract: A device for marking a vehicle is provided having a base for attaching the device to the vehicle. A cantilevered support rod is pivotally connected with the base to permit pivotal movement and positioning of the rod relative to the base. A hollow marking sleeve having an outer transparent tube and an inner fluorescent liner disposed within the tube slidably mounts onto the support rod for marking the vehicle. The sleeve engages the support rod with sufficient contact force to retain the sleeve in position on the support rod. The sleeve is slidably removable from the support rod so that the sleeve may be pulled from the support rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Leon S. Gross
  • Patent number: 5609122
    Abstract: A storable diver's flag which is visible in substantially all directions. The flag includes three flexible rectangular panels connected to one another along a common central seam between the panels. The panels are thus radially extendable to an in-use position from the central seam at generally equal radial angles between adjacent panels whereby diver down indicia on both surfaces of the panels allow the upright in-use flag and indicia to be seen from any direction. Wire support members extending diagonally across each panel keeps the panels extended and upstanding in use. Two equal length wire braces each of which extend between adjacent panels in close proximity to the central seam urge the panels into the in-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Edward J. Jimmie
  • Patent number: 5609123
    Abstract: A pet litter composition comprises a particulate substrate having bonded onto its surfaces a fine particulate superabsorbent polymeric material and a particulate soluble polymer to promote clumping. When wetted with urine, the exposed superabsorbent and soluble polymer localise the urine and result in the rapid formation of a strong agglomerate that can easily be removed from the pet litter composition and that disintegrates when added to water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Allied Colloids Limited
    Inventors: Donald A. Luke, Geoffrey S. Gagen
  • Patent number: 5609124
    Abstract: A cleaning device is proposed for hot water tanks which each include near a bottom end thereof a drain pipe for allowing water contained in the tank to be flushed out therefrom. The present cleaning device comprises a first conduit adapted to be permanently secured to the drain pipe of the tank, a second conduit, such as a garden hose, connected to a sewer or a drain, and a valve mounted between the first and second conduits for controlling the flow therethrough and thus the flushing of the water and of the impurities and residues contained in the tank. The valve is preferably of the motorized type and is actuated by a programmable timer in order that the tank can be automatically and periodically flushed without intervention from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Jacques Leclerc
  • Patent number: 5609125
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an electrically operated cooling fan used for a cooling device to cool an engine block by circulating cooling water between the block and a radiator. The apparatus includes an electronic control unit (ECU), which controls the fan, and a cooling water temperature sensor, which detects the cooling water temperature. The ECU energizes a motor to rotate the fan when the detected value of the cooling water temperature becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The ECU starts measuring elapsed time when the fan begins to rotate. After the measured time reaches a predetermined second reference value, the ECU computes the altering rate of the cooling water temperature. If it is determined that the altering rate is lower than a predetermined third reference value, the ECU de-energizes the fan motor. Accordingly, the rotation of the fan is stopped when the altering rate of the cooling water temperature, measured after the fan starts rotation, is rather low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahito Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 5609126
    Abstract: An electronic engine controller operates to control the phase angle of a variable position camshaft. The engine controller receives signals indicative of engine coolant temperature, aircharge temperature, throttle position, engine speed and camshaft position, and generates a camshaft position signal to a variable camshaft control actuator to alter the phase angle of the camshaft with respect to the engine crankshaft. The engine controller contains two tables which contain cam phase angles. The first table contains a plurality of values indexed by engine speed and engine aircharge and the second table contains a plurality of values indexed by engine speed and throttle position. The engine controller generates the camshaft position signal in one of three manners depending on the mode of engine operation. In a first mode of engine operation the camshaft position signal is generated as a function of engine coolant temperature and aircharge temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Cullen, Alan R. Dona, Eric L. Clinton, Larry A. Hardy
  • Patent number: 5609127
    Abstract: A centrifugally actuated control is disclosed for shifting the camshaft of an internal combustion engine between an advanced and retarded condition relative to the ring sprocket and timing chain which are driven by the crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The control device advantageously causes the shifting from an advanced condition to a retarded condition at a predetermined engine speed or RPM and causes the conditions of engine operation to improve for higher engine speed operation as well as maintains low engine speed operation at high efficiency levels. As the engine is slowed, the device restores the camshaft to its advanced condition for more efficient operation at the lower engine speed. The breakover point or engine speed at which the transition between advanced and retarded positioning occurs may be determined by the strength of the springs contained within the control assembly together with the mass of the centrifugally actuated arms contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Edward J. Noplis
  • Patent number: 5609128
    Abstract: A tappet in a direct acting type valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine comprises a top wall and a cylindrical portion. The upper and lower surfaces of the top wall contacts a rotary cam and the end of a stem of an engine valve respectively. A hard metal layer is formed at the upper and lower surfaces of the top wall to increase strength thereof, thereby increasing wear resistance and durability of the tappet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Fuji Oozx, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahito Hirose
  • Patent number: 5609129
    Abstract: A cylinder head arrangement of an internal-combustion engine has a three-part housing which comprises a basic housing fitted onto a cylinder block, a bucket tappet housing inserted in the basic housing, and a fitted-on cylinder head cover. The bucket tappet housing is constructed in one piece. The guiding and bearing of engine camshafts takes place in divisible bearing brackets whose upper parts are integrated in the cylinder head cover and whose lower parts are constructed in the basic housing. As a result, a construction of the individual elements is obtained which is easy to manufacture and is largely free of undercuts, the individual elements having a high overall stiffness in the mounted condition and being easy to mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Roland Hauf, Klaus Groeger
  • Patent number: 5609130
    Abstract: A non-return valve for a pre-combustion chamber of a gas-fueled internal combustion engine. The valve includes a body having an inlet passage and an outlet passage in fluid communication with each other via an intermediate passage of reduced diameter. An annular valve seat is provided on the outlet side of the intermediate passage upon which the ball rests when the valve is in a first or closed position. The valve ball is arranged to move to a second position to open the valve to the flow of fluid through the valve. The outlet passage includes a cover member having plural apertures to allow the flow of gas through the outlet passage. The cover member serves to retain the valve ball within the outlet passage and of quenching the back flow of high temperature gases into the outlet passage. The internal diameter of the intermediate passage is selected to result in a predetermined flow rate through the valve to achieve the desired gas-to-air ratio in the pre-combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Transcom Gas Technologies Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Barry R. Neumann
  • Patent number: 5609131
    Abstract: The invention is a combustion method for operation of a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine in a cycle including intake, compression, expansion and exhaust strokes. A first amount of fuel is introduced into each of the cylinders with introduction initiated earlier than 45.degree. before top dead center of a combustion stroke. An amount of air significantly in excess of that providing a stoichiometric amount of oxygen, typically 2-3 times stoichiometry, is also introduced into each of the cylinders to produce a first mixture upon introduction of the fuel, which mixture is ignited to produce a first combustion event. Subsequent to substantial completion of the first combustion event but prior to top dead center in the same compression stroke (or shortly after top dead center in the expansion stroke), a second amount of fuel is introduced into each of the cylinders without introduction of additional air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Charles L. Gray, Jr., Karl H. Hellman
  • Patent number: 5609132
    Abstract: The present invention has a structure of a lean-burn combustion engine 25 for burning a fuel by increasing the proportion of air to the fuel, a swirl control valve 8 for regulating a swirl intensity of combustion air inside an intake port in a lean-burn operation range of the lean-burn combustion engine 25, an accelerator pedal 1 for setting an acceleration request of a driver, and mechanical connection for mechanically connecting the accelerator pedal 1 to the swirl control valve 8, having a mechanism capable of setting the swirl control valve opening so that a lean limit can be expanded. Also, the invention has a structure of an intake system including the swirl control valve for regulating a swirl intensity of combustion air inside an intake port and a a driving mechanism for the valve can be produced easily and at a low cost, and a lean limit can be expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimichi Minowa, Minoru Ohsuga, Mineo Kashiwaya, Yasushi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5609133
    Abstract: Exhaust valve mechanism with a rocker arm (1) having a hydraulic circuit with a hydraulically operated valve play absorbing piston element (7). The hydraulic circuit contains a piston pump (20, 21) housed in the rocker arm and which is driven by an ordinary cam lobe (4) on the engine cam shaft (5). The piston (21) of the piston pump has a cam follower (23) spaced at a predetermined cam angle distance (a) from the ordinary cam follower (3) of the rocker arm. The pump is in communication via a channel (24) and intermediate regulator valve (30) with the cylinder (6) of the valve play absorbing piston element. With the regulator valve, the piston element (7) can be shifted to open the exhaust valve during a latter portion compression stroke to achieve so-called compression braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Nils-Olof H.ang.kansson
  • Patent number: 5609134
    Abstract: In an operating mechanism for an engine brake valve of an internal combustion engine which has fuel injectors mounted in the cylinder head to which pressurized fuel is delivered through high pressure fuel passages from a high pressure fuel injection pump, a hydraulic operating piston disposed in a hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected to the engine brake valve by way of a lever which is actuated by the hydraulic operating piston when fuel under pressure is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic control valve is arranged in the high pressure fuel passages for selectively directing the high pressure fuel from the injection pump either to the injector for injection into the engine or to the hydraulic cylinder for opening the engine brake valve at the end of an engine compression stroke to discharge the compressed gas from the engine during engine braking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Erwin Schmidt, Eberhard Schneider, Siegfried Lamsbach
  • Patent number: 5609135
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine determines whether or not at least one of fuel cut which is cutting-off of supply of fuel to the engine and decreased fuel supply which is supplying of fuel to the engine in a decreased amount for deceleration of the engine has been started, and whether or not purging of evaporative fuel into an intake passage of the engine by an evaporative emission control system of the engine was carried out within a first predetermined time period before the at least one of the fuel cut and the fuel supply reduction for deceleration of the engine has been stated. The amount of auxiliary air supplied to the engine via a secondary intake air passage bypassing a throttle valve arranged in an intake passage of the engine is increased over a second predetermined time period after the at least one of the fuel cut and the decreased fuel supply for deceleration of the engine has been started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Ogawa, Toshiyuki Nishida
  • Patent number: 5609136
    Abstract: A closed-loop control system having two feedback paths 106, 108. A first feedback path contains an expected system output value generated by a system model 102. The second feedback path provides insensitivity to noise by heavily filtering the error between the model output 104 and the actual measured system output 74. Because of the delay associated with the filtering operation, the dual feedback paths result in an initial fast (but approximated) system response, followed by a delayed correction to that response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Taner Tuken
  • Patent number: 5609137
    Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus of the invention for a two-stroke engine including a fuel injection with an adjusting device, which via a pulsating pressure line is supplied with the pulsating internal pressure and inner chamber of a crankcase of the two-stroke engine, so as to meter the supply quantity of the fuel injection pump as a function of the internal pressure in such a way that exhaust emissions and fuel consumption of the two-stroke engine are reduced by means of a supply quantity optimally adapted to the combustion. The fuel injection apparatus according to the invention is intended for use in two-stroke engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Rembold, Gottlob Haag, Heinz Britsch, Heinz Stutzenberger, Uwe Mueller
  • Patent number: 5609138
    Abstract: A fuel regulating device which is fastened with a connecting fitting to a fuel housing. When the pressure regulating valve is installed on the fuel housing, the connecting fitting fits in a connecting piece provided on the fuel housing. The pressure regulating valve includes a valve housing and a connecting fitting which can be pivoted in relation to the valve housing. Because of the pivot bearing between the connecting fitting and the valve housing, considerable dimensional tolerances can be compensated for, which essentially reduces manufacture costs. The pressure regulating device is particularly suited for fuel delivery systems of vehicles with an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Mutschler
  • Patent number: 5609139
    Abstract: A fuel feed control system and method for an internal combustion engine is provided with a device for setting the quantity of fuel and a fuel injector for feeding fuel in accordance with the fuel quantity set by the fuel quantity setting device. The fuel quantity setting device is provided with a device for estimating the quantity of air to be inducted on the basis of the result of detection of the quantity of inducted air at an inducted air quantity detection time, inducted air quantity information detected before the inducted air quantity detection time and predicted information. The inducted air quantity estimation device is provided with a device for changing the predicted information so that, when a transient operation state of the engine is detected by a transient operation state detector, the estimated quantity of inducted air and a real quantity of inducted air become closer to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsunori Ueda, Toyoaki Fukui, Satoshi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 5609140
    Abstract: In a fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine, significant parameters such as fuel pressure and fuel flow rate are determined continuously from measured variables with the aid of an observer. These variables which have been determined are used to achieve fuel delivery performed with regard to a requirement, the control operations being carried out as a function of requirements of the internal combustion engine by the control unit itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Kramer, Armin-Maria Verhagen, Dietrich Trachte, Gerhard Keuper
  • Patent number: 5609141
    Abstract: An evaporative fuel control device for an engine used in an automobile is provided. The device comprises a charcoal canister for temporary adsorbing fuel vapor produced in a fuel tank, an air introducing means for introducing air into the canister, a purge control means for controlling the amount of purge gas, purged from the canister into a intake passage of the engine and containing air and fuel vapor desorbed from the canister therein, a purge gas amount detecting means for detecting the amount of the purge gas, an air amount detecting means for detecting the amount of air introduced into the charcoal canister and a desorbed fuel amount calculating means for calculating the amount of fuel desorbed from the canister on the basis of the amount of purge gas detected by the purge gas amount detecting means and the amount of air introduced into the charcoal canister detected by the air amount detecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsuoka, Norihisa Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5609142
    Abstract: A fuel-vapor treatment method and apparatus for an internal combustion engine, wherein when the density of fuel vapor emitted directly from a fuel tank is higher than the density of fuel vapor emitted from a canister, provisions are made to prevent the density of the mixture of these vapors purged into an intake passage from varying substantially, thereby suppressing perturbations in air-fuel ratio. When purge execution time becomes long, the energization of a solenoid valve used to control the amount of purge gas from the canister is limited to keep the maximum/minimum amount of purge gas or the amount of change thereof within a prescribed range. This serves to suppress the variation in purge gas amount, and hence the variation in vapor density, that may occur during a transition from idling to driving (in the increasing direction of the purge gas amount) or during a transition from driving to idling (in the decreasing direction of the purge gas amount).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akinori Osanai
  • Patent number: 5609143
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve which comprises a stub pipe which protrudes into a pipe and with whose opening a valve element interacts, which valve element is moved by an actuator, the actuator being connected to the stub pipe by means of a connecting part in such a way that the above mentioned parts can be jointly inserted through a first opening into the pipe, a closing part of the stub pipe closing a second opening of the pipe, at which location an outwardly protruding end of the stub pipe is connected to an exhaust gas recirculation conduit. The connecting part advantageously also serves to relay measurements of a measurement recording device, recorded at the stub pipe to the analysis device of the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Schellenberg, Johannes Meiwes
  • Patent number: 5609144
    Abstract: An articulated exhaust gas recirculation supply tube for an automotive engine includes an inlet tube with a first end adapted for connection with a source of exhaust gas from an engine and a second end having telescoping joint portion. An outlet tube has a first end adapted for connection with an exhaust gas recirculation control and a second end having a telescoping joint portion. An articulated gas conducting joint is slidingly engaged with the telescoping joint portions of the inlet tube and the outlet tube. A gas sealing member extends about both the telescoping joint portions of the inlet and outlet tubes and the articulated gas conducting joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Alex R. Seizew, Lamar L. King, II
  • Patent number: 5609145
    Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine is provided which includes an ignition coil formed with a primary winding and a secondary winding and a switching element for interrupting a current flow through the primary winding of the ignition coil at given timing. The ignition coil has a secondary winding to primary winding turns ratio a which meets the condition of V.sub.D .multidot.a >V.sub.r where V.sub.r is a required voltage of a spark plug of the engine and V.sub.D is a breakdown voltage of the switching element which is greater than or equal to 450 V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Kojima, Naohito Kato
  • Patent number: 5609146
    Abstract: A western style bow including a handle and two limbs mounted to both ends of the handle. A string groove of substantially a V-shaped cross-section is formed at the end of each one of the limbs for accommodating the bowstring. Each groove is deeper at one end than at another end and is wider at one end than at another end so that the bowstring is smoothly guided into the bottom portions of the string grooves after being released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao Izuta
  • Patent number: 5609147
    Abstract: An arrow thread tracking apparatus is provided for attachment to a bow and includes a bolt assembly which includes a threaded first bolt end, a middle bolt portion, and a second bolt end which includes a head. The threaded first bolt end is connected to the bow. A thread assembly includes a hollow bolt-receiving portion and a quantity of thread wound around the hollow bolt-receiving portion in a form of a spool of thread. The hollow bolt-receiving portion jackets the middle bolt portion of the bolt assembly. A housing assembly includes a substantially closed first end which includes a bolt-receiving orifice. The housing assembly includes a substantially open second end. The second end receives the bolt assembly, receives the thread assembly, and receives a brake element carried by the middle bolt portion of the bolt assembly adjacent to the bolt head. The brake element is a compressible structure. An offset bracket may be provided between the housing assembly and the bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: William C. Withorn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5609148
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dicing a semiconductor wafer in which the wafer is bowed or bent by forcing it into contact with a spherical surface having parallel grooves therein and in which an array of parallel wire saws that are in registration with the grooves is forced against the wafer for sawing parallel channels therethrough. A second array of parallel wire saws that are orthogonal to the wires of the first array is provided spaced therefrom for sawing parallel channels through the wafer that are orthogonal to the channels produced by the first array of parallel wire saws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Alexander Mitwalsky, Katsuya Okumura
  • Patent number: 5609149
    Abstract: A suction device for withdrawing an object obstructing the breathing passage of a choking victim. The device includes a vacuum pump comprising a cylinder housing a flexible plunger, an external for moving the plunger, and a face mask for applying vacuum to the face of the victim. The face mask seals the user's face against vacuum leakage. Optionally, the device has a conduit connecting the vacuum pump to the face mask, thereby enabling remote location of the face mask relative to the vacuum pump. The plunger is resilient and flexible, so that it deflects responsive to excessive vacuum, permitting air to bypass the plunger when deflecting. Vacuum is thus limited, in order to prevent injury such as collapsed lungs. Blockage of the device by the obstructing object after withdrawal by suction is prevented by a strainer. Obstruction of the plunger by an object entering the bottom of the cylinder is prevented by a grate protecting the open bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Stephen J. Takach
  • Patent number: 5609150
    Abstract: In order to dilate nasal passages and to increase the ease with which respiration may be carried out through the nose, tape members are adhered to the wearer's face between a location adjacent the nose just below the medial infra orbital region and a location just inferior to the zygomatic ridge. The tape members maintain the nasal concha in a dilated state and markedly reduce the restriction to air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Maged
  • Patent number: 5609151
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ablation of body tissue. A catheter provided with a hollow needle is employed both for mapping the location to be ablated by injection of an excitability reducing agent and for ablating tissue, employing RF energy in conjunction with an injected, conductive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. J. Mulier, Michael F. Hoey