Patents Issued in July 22, 1997
  • Patent number: 5649416
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes at least two gas turbines driving two generators on respective first and second shafts; and a steam turbine having plural sections wherein one or more of the plural sections are on the first shaft and remaining sections of the plural sections are on the second shaft. A variation of the combined cycle power plant includes two gas turbines driving two generators on respective first and second shafts; and a steam turbine including high, intermediate, and low pressure sections on the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James H. Moore
  • Patent number: 5649417
    Abstract: A fail-safe engine mount (19) that includes a first link (45), a second link (47), a third link (53), a fourth link (59), five upper connection locations (39a), (39b), (39c), (39d), (39e) on an upper fitting (31), and five lower connection locations (75a), (75b), (75c), (75d), (75e) on a clevis strip (73) of an engine casing (71) is disclosed. The upper fitting(31) includes structurally reinforced rib elements(35) which intersect to form structural nodes (37). The first link (45) connects the first upper connection location (39a) with the first lower connection location (75a). The second link (47) has a first arm (49) that connects the second upper connection location (39b) with the second lower connection location (75b). The second link (47) carries loads during a failure of either the first link (45) or the third link (53). The second link (47) further includes a second arm (51) for stabilizing the first arm (49).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Hey
  • Patent number: 5649418
    Abstract: Air flow cooling systems are used to increase component life. The present air flow cooling system increases the component life, increases efficiencies and eliminated components. For example, the power source or gas turbine engine is used to cause a flow of air around and about electrical components which need cooling. A plurality of compartments insure the direction of a flow of cooling air around and along the electrical components and the compressor section of the gas turbine engine causes the air to flow around and along the electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventor: George A. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 5649419
    Abstract: A noise controlling device (12) is used for controlling noise in a turbo-fan engine (10). The engine includes an entrance (22) for ingesting air, and a fan rotor (18) connected to a spinner (20) in the interior of the engine. The fan rotor faces the forward side of the engine. A ring (24) is connected to the interior of the engine, with the ring being located between the engine entrance and the forward side of the fan rotor. The inner periphery of the ring faces the spinner, with the ring surrounding the spinner in substantial coaxial alignment therewith. An acoustic lining (26) is disposed around the inner and outer peripheries of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Larry A. Schaut
  • Patent number: 5649420
    Abstract: A diagnostic system in which the accuracy of the diagnosis of the deterioration state of a catalyst in a catalytic converter for cleaning the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine is enhanced without incurring a rise in cost. The temperature of the catalyst is estimated using the operating-state signal (for example, the flow rate of intake air or the width of a fuel injection pulse) of the engine by a diagnostic device. The conversion efficiency of the catalyst calculated from the outputs of oxygen sensors is corrected using the estimated temperature by the diagnostic device. The deterioration state of the catalyst is diagnosed on the basis of the corrected temperature by the diagnostic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Mukaihira, Toshio Ishii, Kiyoshi Miura, Kazuya Kawano
  • Patent number: 5649421
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control device includes an HC convening first catalytic converter mounted in close proximity to an engine, and an HC converting second catalytic converter connected to the first catalytic converter through an exhaust pipe. A time point of starting of HC conversion by the second catalytic converter is set between a time point of completion of HC adsorption in the second catalytic converter and a time point of completion of HC desorption from the second catalytic converter. Thus, it is possible to reduce the amount of HC desorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuo Wakabayashi, Shinichi Kikuchi, Morio Fukuda, Shouji Inose
  • Patent number: 5649422
    Abstract: A hydraulic lift apparatus for a battery driven lift truck includes a hydraulic lift cylinder. A hydraulic pump operates as a pump in a load raising mode, so as to feed pressure fluid to the lift cylinder. The hydraulic pump operates as a motor in a load lowering mode. The hydraulic pump is driven by the pressure fluid displaced by the lift cylinder. A direct current machine is coupled to the hydraulic pump, so as to operate as an electric motor in the load raising mode and to operate as a generator in the load lowering mode. A useful brake circuit is energized by the direct current machine in the load lowering mode. A valve assembly is disposed in the pressure fluid path between the lift cylinder and the hydraulic pump. Control apparatus are provided for controlling the valve assembly and including speed regulating apparatus for varying the speed of the direct current machine. At least one secondary hydraulic consumer is adapted to be connected to a hydraulic pressure source via an associated control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Baginski, Hans-Peter Claussen, Hans-Joachim Doss, Andreas Klatt
  • Patent number: 5649423
    Abstract: A class of micromachine linear actuators whose function is based on gas driven pistons in which capillary forces are used to seal the gas behind the piston. The capillary forces also increase the amount of force transmitted from the gas pressure to the piston. In a major subclass of such devices, the gas bubble is produced by thermal vaporization of a working fluid. Because of their dependence on capillary forces for sealing, such devices are only practical on the sub-mm size scale, but in that regime they produce very large force times distance (total work) values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffry J. Sniegowski
  • Patent number: 5649424
    Abstract: A two-stage pressure cylinder having a work cylinder (17,100) with a work piston (18,108), and piston rod (20,110) for contact with a work piece, in which the work piston is movable, an oil cylinder (56,116) to contain hydraulic fluid (H), an oil piston (58,118) in the oil cylinder, an air cylinder (72,122), an air piston (74,124) in the air cylinder, and an air piston rod (80,126) connected to the air piston and communicating with the hydraulic fluid, and valves allowing hydraulic fluid to pass from the oil cylinder to the work cylinder to operate the work piston, and on a reverse stroke flow being operable to permit return flow of fluid from the work cylinder into the oil cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Viljo K. Valavaara
  • Patent number: 5649425
    Abstract: A turboexpander pump unit has a vertical or horizontal shaft, a pump connected to an end of the shaft for pressurizing a liquid fluid to a pressure higher than a predetermined delivery pressure, a heat exchanger for heating and converting the liquid fluid pressurized by the pump into a high-pressure gas, and an expander turbine connected to an opposite end of the shaft and actuatable by a thermal energy reduction produced when the high-pressure gas from the heat exchanger is lowered to the predetermined delivery pressure, for delivering the liquid fluid continuously under a predetermined pressure to an external installation. The pump having at least two outlet ports for discharging the liquid fluid at respective different pressures. One of the two outlet ports is connected to the heat exchanger, and the other to a liquid delivery line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Matsumura, Takao Takeuchi, Seigo Katsuta
  • Patent number: 5649426
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle. A heated gaseous working stream including a low boiling point component and a higher boiling point component is expanded to transform the energy of the stream into useable form and to provide an expanded working stream. The expanded working stream is then split into two streams, one of which is expanded further to obtain further energy, resulting in a spent stream, the other of which is extracted. The spent stream is fed into a distillation/condensation subsystem, which converts the spent stream into a lean stream that is lean with respect to the low boiling point component and a rich stream that is enriched with respect to the low boiling point component. The lean stream and the rich stream are then combined in a regenerating subsystem with the portion of the expanded stream that was extracted to provide the working stream, which is then efficiently heated in a heater to provide the heated gaseous working stream that is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Exergy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander I. Kalina, Richard I. Pelletier
  • Patent number: 5649427
    Abstract: The present invention provides a white smoke generating apparatus for generating white smoke of a stable density unaffected by air temperature or humidity conditions. The apparatus comprises an apparatus main body 11 being provided with a white smoke discharge opening 11a; a cryogenic liquefied gas supply mechanism 12 for supplying a cryogenic liquefied gas into the apparatus main body 11; and a humidifying mechanism 13 for humidifying the atmosphere inside the apparatus main body. The cryogenic liquefied gas supply mechanism 12 is provided with a first pipeline 18 which communicates a cryogenic liquefied gas reservoir 16 and a cryogenic liquefied gas emission nozzle 17 placed inside the apparatus main body 11, preferably at the white smoke discharge opening 11a side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sawada, Hisayuki Usui, Ryutaro Takahashi, Masahiro Hirano, Masahiro Yonekura
  • Patent number: 5649428
    Abstract: A hybrid air-conditioning system for controlling the condition of air in a building enclosed space. The hybrid air-conditioning system includes a rotatable moisture transfer wheel having first and second zones. The first zone is located in a process air flow and the second zone is located in a regenerative air flow. The second zone of the moisture transfer wheel has relatively wet and dry regions. A compressor having a suction side and a discharge side is provided. The suction side of the compressor is in fluid communication with a recovery evaporator coil, and the discharge side of the compressor is in fluid communication with a subcool condenser coil. The recovery evaporator coil is positioned such that the regenerative air flow through the dry region of the second zone of the moisture transfer wheel passes through the recovery evaporator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Engelhard/ICC
    Inventors: Dean Scott Calton, Henry Mark
  • Patent number: 5649429
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air conditioner for motor vehicles, with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, all traversed by a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit in the above sequence. An air distribution duct leads to the vehicle interior, where the evaporator is located and can be exposed to an air flow. The air flow can be adjusted optionally by means of a servo-controllable flap to supply fresh air or to recirculate the air. A pressure sensor is located between the evaporator and the expansion valve of the refrigerant circuit for safety reasons, to detect the refrigerant pressure in the vicinity of the evaporator. If the refrigerant pressure drops below a presettable minimum acceptable limiting value, the sensor generates a pressure signal that sets the flap controlling the air stream to supply fresh air and activates the corresponding blower as well as an optical and/or acoustic warning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventor: Roland Schreiber
  • Patent number: 5649430
    Abstract: Insulating foam for refrigerators and the like is prepared by blowing in the presence of carbon dioxide as the sole or principal blowing agent. The thermal conductivity of the foam is decreased by sealing said foam in a gas-impervious enclosure with at least one getter, such as an alkaline material, capable of removing carbon dioxide and at least one drying agent which will produce a relative humidity greater than the equilibrium relative humidity over a saturated aqueous solution of the getter, thus removing water without rendering the getter anhydrous. For example, calcium chloride dihydrate may be used when the getter is sodium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: William Jessup Ward, III
  • Patent number: 5649431
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the costs associated with the operation of an air conditioning system is disclosed wherein the highest power usage load is shifted from the hottest part of the day to the night time hours when rates are typically lower. The apparatus includes an ice tank containing individually controlled ice building coils and an improved header that produces a water circulation pattern that enhances system efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: TDIndustries, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred L. Schroeder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5649432
    Abstract: A portable, temperature-controlled container for temporary storage of perishable items for use at outdoor events, is disclosed. The portable, temperature-controlled container comprises a substantially rectangular container including a floor, a roof, and a plurality of connected walls. The walls include openings allowing access to the interior of the container for loading and unloading the container. The portable, temperature-controlled units are insulated with a "floating" insulation structure. The containers can be set up as individual units, or connected together forming a continuous series of easily accessible, temperature regulated units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Anthony C. Cavalea, III
  • Patent number: 5649433
    Abstract: An improved cryogenic liquefied gas container, or a so-called cold evaporator (CE) for containing a plurality of different liquefied gases such as oxygen and nitrogen gases can be installed on a site with a limited surface area and can store the gases at a substantially equal and constant temperature level to ensure a stable gas supply to consumers that may include medical facilities and manufacturing plants. A plurality of inner tanks 4 are vertically arranged and surrounded by an insulation layer 3 in an outer shell 2 in order to economically utilize the site. The temperature of the high boiling point liquefied gas LG1 contained in the upper inner tank 4a and hence the internal pressure of the upper inner tank are stabilized by means of a heat exchanger section 11 to which the low boiling point liquefied gas LG.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Daido Hoxan Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Suzuki, Yuji Morimoto, Yasuo Tanaka, Taturu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5649434
    Abstract: A round diamond having a girdle with oppositely located flattened portions is disclosed. Each of the flattened portions has a cut-out with sloped walls. The girdle preferably has facets at its circumference, except at its flattened portion. The round diamond is set into a barrel having a ridge member comprising a prong dimension to fit into the respective cut-out and to frictionally engage one of the sloped walls of the cut-out, thereby, rigidly securing the diamond to the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Ambar Diamonds Inc.
    Inventor: Israel Itzkowitz
  • Patent number: 5649435
    Abstract: A tubular knitting machine having a separate take-up assembly and removable knitting head. The knitting head drive mechanism is removably attached to the take-up assembly. A separate drive mechanism is provided for take-up tension and drive rollers. The take-up assembly supports various diameter size needle cylinder and has fully adjustable drive arms for attaching a table-gear of the knitting head to the take-up assembly wherein the take-up assembly of the present invention can support tubular knit rolls of up to 800 pounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Union Underwear Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim L. Bryant
  • Patent number: 5649436
    Abstract: A security device is described that is simple and reliable. It includes a base member which is adhesively attached to the surface of a large object such as a motor vehicle. A protective knife-edged boss surrounds and protects the adhesive to defeat attempts to pry the base member off the vehicle. Housed within the base member is a steel tube, and a locking cable extends through the tube to secure personal property. A cavity is provided for easy installation of the tube within the base member, and a flange is attached to the tube for preventing extraction of the tube from the base member, as well as defeating removal of the base member from the vehicle. A three-way system of adhesion is employed which provides superior results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Tortoise Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Marc Davidge
  • Patent number: 5649437
    Abstract: A lockable cover and seal for a threaded nozzle or spout, such as a hose bib cock assembly having a passageway, an end face, an external threaded portion adjacent the end face, and anti-siphon valve in the passageway including a portion protruding outward of the end face, generally includes, in combination, a lid, a seal, a swivel arm, and a shielding cap. The lid is bell-shaped and has a central axis, an inner end including a threaded portion for threaded engagement with the threaded portion of the spout, a central cavity and an annular shoulder facing inwardly for juxtaposition to the spout end face. The seal includes an inner side for sealing against the end face of the spout and an outer side for sealing against said annular shoulder and a forward extending central recess for receiving any protruding portion of the anti-siphon valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventors: Edward Royka, Jr., David Rousseau
  • Patent number: 5649438
    Abstract: A method and apparatus using pneumatic pressure and reduced, controlled clamping pressure to provide reliable, high speed pneumatic forming of thin foil workpieces at ambient temperatures without lubricants or cull plates. Forming elements are provided which incorporate a combination of surfaces and features which enable the reduced, controlled net clamping pressures for forming thin foil workpieces, and control of material slip during forming. Thin foil workpieces formed therewith have reduced incidence of tearing and wrinkling of the foil material. The method is capable of fast cycle times and produces minimal waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert L. Hall, Jr., Margaret M. Woodside, Stanley J. Rusek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5649439
    Abstract: A tool for sealing two ends of a tube of superplastic material in preparation for superplastically forming the tube against inside surfaces of a die by gas pressure inside of the tube. The tool has a longitudinal axis that is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the tube when the tool is positioned in the tube, and has two end caps with a cross-sectional shape similar to the cross-sectional shape of the tube ends on a plane perpendicular to the axis. A central connecting tube extends between and connects the two end caps. The end caps are made of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the tube, and expand, on heating, into intimate sealing contact with the inside surface of the tube ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: The Boeing Co.
    Inventor: David W. Schulz
  • Patent number: 5649440
    Abstract: A method of calibrating and orienting forming rollers of an Assel-type rolling mill, and more particularly, of calibrating an Assel mill for rolling thin-walled tubes of pre-pierced hollow bodies about a mandrel, using at least three generally conical rollers that are circumferentially spaced about the mandrel. The orientation of each forming roller is adjusted so as to position the roller inclination relative to the mandrel axis of roll by an expansion angle .alpha. of approximately 7.degree. to 30.degree.. Each forming roller is also adjustably oriented so that its smoothing part relative to the mandrel axis of roll defines a transport angle .gamma. of approximately 7.degree. to 17.degree.. In further accordance with this invention, each forming roller is configured so as to have an opening angle .beta. of approximately 4.degree. to 15.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gheorghe Arnautu, Karl Heinz Hausler, Jurgen Pietsch, Gunther Voswinckel, Karl-Helmut Wengenroth
  • Patent number: 5649441
    Abstract: A roll-pair has synchronously driven shafts and a drive arrangement. The drive arrangement comprises an alternating current motor (12) and a planetary gear mechanism (13). The alternating current motor (12) and the planetary gear mechanism (13) are disposed in side-by-side relationship, the alternating current motor (12) having an output shaft and the planetary gear mechanism (13) having an input shaft. A transmission (14) connects the output shaft and the input shaft. The roll-pair and alternating current motor (12) and planetary gear mechanism (13) are all disposed on the same side of the transmission (14). The transmission (14) is a gear transmission. The input and output shafts are parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Morgardshammar AB
    Inventors: Borje Granholm, Folke Leksen, Lennart Danielsson, Lars Tingvall
  • Patent number: 5649442
    Abstract: In the manufacture of a casing base for a hard disc drive device, an elongate semi-product of a light metal having a predetermined sectional profile having opposite side frame portions, is extrusion molded and then cut to a predetermined length to obtain an eventual casing base, which is then formed with necessary holes and recessed or raised portions using a press, thus completing the casing base. Like the case of die casting, no cavities are generated, so that it is possible to readily carry out washing and surface treatment. In addition, unlike the case of forming frames in a sole press process, a large number of press forming steps are not involved, and it is possible to permit mass production of a highly accurate and highly rigid product in a small number of steps and at a low cost of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Minebea Kabushiki-Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yoshikawa, Rikuro Obara
  • Patent number: 5649443
    Abstract: A transfer feeder which comprises: a pair of lifting beams (9) which are so disposed as being parallel to each other and extending in a workpiece conveying direction; a lifting mechanism (10) for driving the said pair of the lifting beams in upward and downward directions; a plurality of pairs of cross bar carriers (15) which are so arranged on the said pair of the lifting beams as to be spaced apart from, and connected with, one another and be displaceable in the said workpiece conveying direction; a cross bar (16) that is transversely bridged across a said pair of those cross bar carriers as afore-said which are juxtaposed with each other, and that has a workpiece attracting means (19) attached thereto; and a feed mechanism (22) for driving the said cross bar carriers in a feed direction, the said transfer feeder being characterized in that at least the said lifting mechanism is provided with its drive source that is constituted by a servo-motor (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Shiroza, Kiyokazu Baba, Kenji Nishida
  • Patent number: 5649444
    Abstract: A tool is provided with two jaws (16, 17) which are movable between an open position and a closed position, means (19, 20, 22) for transmitting movement to the jaws, and a marking device (3-8, 10) for the indication of a completed jaw movement and/or the prevention of a premature interruption of an initiated jaw movement. The marking device includes a cam (3) and a cam follower (7) which are carried by an associated movement transmitting means or an associated jaw. The cam follower (7) projects outwardly of and is mounted for movement along a U-shaped or V-shaped slot (10) which is arranged in an associated movement transmitting means or jaw adjacent the cam and the legs of which extend obliquely away from the cam (3) and the base-part of which is at least partially covered by the cam when the jaws are in a position between the open position and the closed position. The cam surface (6) is arcuate and smooth or toothed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Pressmaster Tool AB
    Inventors: Mikael Nilsson, Mats Norin
  • Patent number: 5649445
    Abstract: A set of dies for crimping the connector to a structural member, such as an I-beam. The set of dies includes a pair of crimping dies provided within a compression for crimping tool. A pair of removable embossing dies is inserted into the crimping tool to initially emboss the surfaces of an I-beam flange. The embossing dies are removed and the connector is installed on the flange of the I-beam. The tool is positioned over the connector, and the crimp is made. Henceforth, pressure is applied to the tool by the crimping dies which would then crimp the connector in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Burndy Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Lavoie, David P. Gouveia
  • Patent number: 5649447
    Abstract: A method of predicting the adhesion of a metal surface for painting or bonding comprising pressing an elastomer pad against the surface with a known force for a certain minimum time, measuring the force required to pull the pad away from the surface, and comparing that force with an empirically derived standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James C. Van Avery
  • Patent number: 5649448
    Abstract: A method for controlling transverse profiles of a web in a web-manufacturing machine, such as a board or paper machine, and/or being treated in a finishing machine. At least one of a transverse caliper, grammage and moisture profiles of the web is measured either directly or indirectly. Actuators acting upon these profiles are regulated by measurement signals. In order to optimize the quality of the web to be produced, the reel formation, and the runnability of the machine, the transverse tension profile of the web to be manufactured and/or treated is measured. Based on the measurement of the transverse tension profile, set profiles are formed which control the actuator(s) of the profile regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Jouni Koskimies, Harri Mustonen, Jorma Virtanen, Markku Ellila
  • Patent number: 5649449
    Abstract: In the disclosed method of determining the current or instantaneous operating conditions of a centrifugal pump, the radial forces impressed on the impeller shaft by the operatively rotating pump impeller are measured at a shaft-supporting bearing disposed proximate the pump housing and impeller. In a preliminary or test operation of the pump, this radial force measurement is taken at a plurality of volumetric liquid flow rates through the pump so as to develop a relationship between the radial force and liquid flow. Then, during normal operation of the pump, the current or instantaneous radial force is measured at the bearing and this measurement is compared to the previously-developed relationship to accurately determine the instantaneous operating conditions of the pump by identifying the point along the pump's characteristic curve--which defines for the pump a relationship between lifing height and volumetric liquid flow--at which the pump is currently operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: ABS Pump Production AB
    Inventor: Bengt Algers
  • Patent number: 5649450
    Abstract: A gauge assembly for measuring the level of a liquid product in a storage tank includes a float member that is constructed and arranged to float on the liquid product in the storage tank, a housing that is constructed and arranged to be mounted on an exterior of the storage tank and a drum that is mounted inside the housing for rotation about an axis. A filament is wound about the drum, and extends through an opening defined in the housing to an attachment with a float member. A spring is provided for biasing the drum in a first rotary direction that will wind the filament onto the drum, whereby the drum will tend to pull the float member toward the housing, keeping the filament taut. A clock-type face is mounted on the housing, and has distance indicia marked there around that is in a base-twelve numbering system to represent feet and inches, rather than hours and minutes. A small hand is mounted to traverse the clock face to represent feet, and is connected to the drum via a gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Morrison Bros. Co.
    Inventors: Charles Duncan Glab, Michael Donald Lattner
  • Patent number: 5649451
    Abstract: A compact mechanism for producing simultaneous rotary and linear motion for a machine tool includes a drive shaft having a spline race and helical race coextensive over at least a portion of its length. The compact mechanism includes a first motor coupled to a screw engaging the helical race for imparting linear motion on the drive shaft. The compact mechanism also includes a second motor coupled to a spline engaging the spline race for imparting rotary motion on the drive shaft. By operating the motors simultaneously but independently, a wide range of linear movement is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Frederick W. Ruland
  • Patent number: 5649452
    Abstract: A vehicle shifter having a cable actuator that is responsive to the ignition key steering lock mechanism of a vehicle and actuates a cable attached to and extending between the key mechanism and the shifter. A cam responsive to the shifting of the shifter's handle is operatively connected to the cable actuator so that when the key is turned off, the cam locks the handle in "Park" and when the ignition key is turned on, the cam can be pivoted by the handle to actuate the cable actuator which actuates the cable to prevent the ignition key from being withdrawn. Preferably, the cable actuator is also a cam which is engaged and pivoted by the first-mentioned cam to actuate the cable. A safety mechanism is provided to prevent damage to the cable and other elements in the event an inadvertent force is exerted on the shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products, a Division of JSJ Corp.
    Inventors: Charles Osborn, Robert M. Medema, Andrew K. Ruiter
  • Patent number: 5649453
    Abstract: A parking brake mechanism for vehicles includes a cam plate free to rotate about main shaft with respect to a foot operated parking brake pedal lever and having cam portions. When a brake control cable is connected with the wheel brake assembly, the cam plate is held in integral relation with the brake pedal lever by one of the cam portions, a cam follower and a tension spring so that the cable cam be easily connected with the cam plate regardless of the biasing force of the tension spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazunari Kanbe
  • Patent number: 5649454
    Abstract: A compliant mechanism is configured to generate a substantially constant output force in response to an input in the form of a linear displacement. The compliant mechanism is a slider mechanism whose members and their interconnects cooperate to generate a biasing force that causes the slider mechanism to generate a substantially constant output force that is substantially parallel to the linear path of a reciprocable member in response to the displacement of the reciprocable member along the linear path. To achieve the above functional characteristics, the slider mechanism is composed of structural elements, one or more of which is compliant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignees: Purdue Research Foundation, Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ashok Midha, Morgan Daniel Murphy, Larry L. Howell
  • Patent number: 5649455
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel is provided with a shock-absorbing device collapsibly mounted in the center pad for absorbing shock energy generated upon a vehicle collision. The shock absorbing device comprises a honeycomb core structure preferably of steel or aluminum which has its core walls disposed in a direction in which shock energy is exerted. The honeycomb core structure has a cell size, a core wall thickness and a core height all selected to demonstrate a maximum shock-absorbing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignees: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kikuchi Metal Stamping Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshifumi Tsuchihashi, Kunio Ohya, Satoshi Hamada
  • Patent number: 5649456
    Abstract: A transmission gear support arrangement supports an output gear associated with a planetary gear arrangement receiving torque from an input shaft. The output gear drives and engaged gear mounted on a second shaft mounted in parallel to the input shaft. The output gear is supported on a cylindrical boss portion disposed coaxially around the input shaft, projected from an internal wall of the transmission casing. A bearing is mounted on the outer circumference of the boss portion and has an inner race between the inner side of the bearing and the outer surface of the boss portion and an outer race between the outer side of the bearing and an inner circumference of an output gear which is mounted around the boss portion. In this way the output gear may be provided closely adjacent the planetary gear and the length of the input shaft and the second shaft may be kept substantially short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Jatco Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 5649457
    Abstract: A park lock arrangement for use in a continuously variable transmission including a housing, an end cover and a casing having one end portion coupled with the housing and the opposite end portion coupled with the end cover. The casing has an inwardly recessed portion to define a reduced container space. A follower shaft supporting a follower pulley has one end portion rotatably supported on the end cover and the opposite end portion extending into the housing. A driver gear is mounted on the opposite end portion of the follower shaft. A parking gear is disposed on the follower shaft between the follower pulley and the driver gear. A control shaft extends through the reduced container space and has one end portion projecting outwardly from the inwardly recessed portion of the casing. The control shaft drivingly supports a park lock mechanism for locking the parking gear. The park lock mechanism is disposed within the reduced container space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kudou, Toshio Yamaguchi, Hirofumi Okahara
  • Patent number: 5649459
    Abstract: A power transfer system which distributes a power of the engine to front and rear wheels in a vehicle. The power transfer system comprises a first input shaft whose one end portion is in butt connection with an input shaft from an engine and whose other end portion is supported to a ball bearing fixed to a housing. A friction clutch is installed to the first input shaft such that the power to the first output shaft is transferred to a second output shaft through an endless chain according to the engagement of the friction clutch. A ring groove is formed at an outer peripheral portion of the first output shaft, and a ring member is installed to the ring groove so as to be in contact with a side surface of the ball bearing. Therefore, a thrust load applied to the first output shaft due to the operation of the friction clutch is securely received by the ball bearing through the ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Fuji Univance Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Murakami, Izumi Amemiya
  • Patent number: 5649460
    Abstract: A spindle liner and spindle liner assembly are for use in a lathe. A quick-change feature allows the spindle liner to be readily installed and readily replaced with a new spindle liner. The spindle liner has a tubular sleeve with a set of annular bearing rings and an annular mounting flange. An adapter specially configured for mounting on a particular lathe is designed for use with the spindle liner. The adapter has an annular body with a center hole to allow the tubular sleeve of the spindle liner to be slid through it. A recessed shoulder around the hole has a diameter to accommodate the annular mounting flange of the spindle liner. The adapter also has at least one and preferably opposed retainer lugs extending inwardly from a peripheral edge of the annular body and overlying the recessed shoulder. An equal number of notches in the mounting flange of the spindle liner are positioned to align with the retainer lugs when the spindle liner is positioned in the lathe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: J. F. Berns Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Berns, William J. Bellman
  • Patent number: 5649461
    Abstract: The bar feeder comprises an oscillatable magazine in which bars are arran so as to form a substantially vertical plane. A bar pusher is arranged at the top of the magazine; in one angular position of the magazine, the bar pusher pushes the upper bar into the mandrel of the lathe. Another pusher is arranged to the side of the bar pusher and, in the other angular position of the magazine, it pushes the bars towards the machining tools of the lathe. The magazine comprises two walls defined by a series of rods and uprights which can be spaced according to the diameter of the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: I.E.M.C.A. Industria Elettromeccanica Complessi Automatici S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Camelli
  • Patent number: 5649462
    Abstract: An angularly swingable and self-centering bar support device for supporting and guiding bar and tube stock material along a feeding path coaxially arranged to a turning spindle of a machine tool. The device comprises a support frame for at least one idly rotating bar-support which is swingably pivoted to the support frame; and a control means to rotate and selectively lock the bar support in a plurality of positions angularly oriented in respect to the feeding path for the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Cucchi Giovanni & C. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giovanni Cucchi
  • Patent number: 5649463
    Abstract: A slicing station for a high speed food loaf slicing machine that slices one, two, or more food loaves simultaneously using one cyclically driven knife blade; the slices are stacked or shingled in groups on a receiving conveyor located below the slicing station. Independent loaf feed drives are provided so that slices cut from one loaf may be thicker than slices from the other. The slicing station, enclosed by a housing except for a limited slicing opening, includes a knife blade having an elongated arcuate cutting edge and a drive that moves the knife blade at a predetermined cyclic rate along a closed cutting path through the slicing range, which range intersects the ends of food loaves fed at predetermined rates into the slicing station. A marker moving with the blade is sensed by a fixed sensor to establish a home position for the blade. There is a honing device to sharpen the cutting edge of one type of blade, with the blade in its home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, David M. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5649464
    Abstract: A primer pocket reamer for cartridge cases makes three distinct cuts for removing stake rings, chamfering the outer edge of a primer pocket and endmilling the bottom in a single process. This is accomplished by a cutter with three different rotating cutting edges. The cartridge case is brought to the cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Doyle D. Gracey
  • Patent number: 5649465
    Abstract: An apparatus for resizing the neck of a cartridge case which includes a housing secured to a stationary head of a reloading press. A support sleeve is attached within the housing such that the support sleeve can slide within a bore of the housing. The apparatus utilizes interchangeable bushings, located within the support sleeve, which each have substantially the same outside diameter but which have varying inside diameters. The bushings are marked with their inside diameter and the user selects a bushing with an inside diameter which the user determines will most accurately resize the neck. To change bushings, the top portion of the housing is separated from the bottom portion of the housing and the components inside the housing can then be slid out of the end of the bottom portion of the housing. A different bushing can be substituted for the one that was previously used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Redding-Hunter, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Beebe
  • Patent number: 5649466
    Abstract: Rapidly deployable restraining systems and methods for rendering personnel, nimals and other objects immobile includes an assembly of confinement devices housed in a dispersion package. Each confinement device has a propellent, a primer and an inflatable bag that is rapidly inflated by the propellent when fired by the primer. A detonator, located in the package, is discharged to open the package, disperse the confinement devices and cause the primers to be energized, thereby inflating the bags. The package is pre-emplaced in a target area or it is projected into the area via a fired projectile of which it is a part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: James A. Genovese
  • Patent number: 5649467
    Abstract: A power steering control valve (10) includes inner and outer valve members (30 and 32) which are rotatable relative to each other to control fluid flow to and from a power steering motor. A spring assembly (50) interconnects the inner and outer valve members (30 and 32). The spring assembly (50) includes a torsion bar (64) and a body (66) of viscoelastic material. A housing (68) encloses the body (66) of viscoelastic material and a portion of the torsion bar. The body (66) of viscoelastic material is bonded to an inner side surface (88) of the housing (68) and to an outer side surface (82) of the torsion bar (64). The body (66) of viscoelastic material damps vibratory movement between the inner and outer valve members (30 and 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Henry C. Sangret