Patents Issued in August 31, 1999
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Patent number: 5944451Abstract: A constant force dock compensator that provides an mooring system for floating docks. The dock compensator is comprised of constant force power springs, a reel around which sufficient lengths of cable are wound, and a case containing the springs, cables and reel. The dock compensator is attached underneath a floating dock. The cables are withdrawn from the dock compensator and attached to weights placed on the floor of the body of water. The springs maintain a constant pull-force on the cables to hold the dock in place, and the cables automatically dispense or retract to compensate for changes in water level. Thereby, the dock has some leeway in terms of movement in response thereto, but is eventually stabilized by the dock compensator.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Snap-Back Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Steven Wyatt Martin, Leonard Vernon Martin
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Patent number: 5944452Abstract: Heavy duty mobile metal foundation installation apparatus and method are disclosed including a push-it carriage movably supported through controllable positioning to push a metal foundation into the ground by hydraulic cylinders pushing against a header frame held and secured in adjustable positions on a heavy duty mobile push-it tower. The heavy duty mobile push-it tower and metal foundation holder and push-it carriage mounted on the heavy duty tower are attached to a track roller frame tractor structure. The push-it tower is attached to the track roller frame tractor structure by a hydraulically activated tractor boom arm, a pivot point on the tower, and a hydraulic cylinder for rotating and positioning the tower about the pivot attachment point.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Gary L. Reinert, Sr.
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Patent number: 5944453Abstract: An undercut excavation method is provided, which is particularly suitable as an undercut-and-fill mining method, wherein concrete posts are inserted into holes drilled in the ground and are used to support a concrete floor poured on their top ends, which serves as a roof for the lower excavation level. The bottom ends of these posts rest on resilient elements to provide protection against seismic events or excessive ground movements. Excavation beneath such roof is thereby safely carried out in areas prone to seismic events such as rock bursts or earth quakes or to excessive ground movements. The concrete posts may be attached to the resilient elements at their bottom ends, thereby producing yielding posts suitable for such excavation. For still greater safety, a double post system may be used, which involves placing a second post beside the first after excavation on a given level and tying them all together with the concrete used to make the floor/roof for the next lower level of excavation.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: 998492 Ontario Inc.Inventor: Charles M. Gryba
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Patent number: 5944454Abstract: A method and apparatus for reclaiming soil has a drilling rod with at least two pipes for injecting a high-pressure fluid and a viscous low-pressure fluid containing a granulated agent into the soil. The high-pressure fluid disaggregates the soil, while the low-pressure fluid carries the granulated agent for treating the soil and injects it into sludge formed by the high-pressure fluid to provide good mixing and distribution of the granulated agent.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Cesare Melegari
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Patent number: 5944455Abstract: In the case of a device for the discharge of flowable material from flexible and more particularly sack or bag like containers through the use of a discharge aspiration device adapted to be introduced from above into the container, lifting tackle is provided able to be brought into holding engagement with a top edge part of the container. The lifting tackle comprises an annular or polygonal holding frame which is able to be moved in a vertical direction by attachment to a reciprocating device and on which the holding elements are secured. The holding frame has a smaller diameter than the container so that the top edge part of the container is drawn radially inward as the container is drawn upward.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Klaus Wilhelm
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Patent number: 5944456Abstract: A three dimensional mill capable of plunging, ramping, circle interpolating and other milling processes while providing a finished surface not in need of finish grinding. The milling cutter includes cutting inserts of a modified design including flats separating rounded corners of a two radius design. Each insert also includes a rail that is secured to the milling cutter along a longitudinal surface that is radial to the axis of the milling cutter at any cross sectional plane.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Kennametal Inc.Inventors: Ralph D. Shirley, Gary D. Baldwin, Kay E. Kucharik, William C. Magill, Alfred R. Augustine, Robert A. Acero, William R. Shaffer
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Patent number: 5944457Abstract: A toolholder forms a seat in which a cutting insert is seated. The insert is held in place by a clamp having front and rear portions. The front portion engages within a center hole of the insert, and the rear portion engages an inclined surface of the toolholder so that the clamp is pushed downwardly and rearwardly when attached by a screw. A coil spring surrounds the screw and is compressed between the clamp and the toolholder to bias the clamp upwardly. An upper end of the spring is disposed in a bore of the clamp which is inclined relative to the screw, whereby the spring abuts a rear portion of a wall of the bore to bias the clamp rearwardly as well as upwardly.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Sandvik AktiebolagInventor: Eric Tjernstrom
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Patent number: 5944458Abstract: A method and apparatus (50) for forming counterbores (30) (32) in a selected cylinder borehole (12) in an engine block (11) by aligning and securing the column (51) of a boring machine (50) relative to both the longitudinal axis (20) of a given cylinder borehole (12) and the center (21) of the engine crankshaft (70) and then lowering the boring machine spindle (54) into the selected cylinder borehole (12) to form the counterbores (30) and (32).Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: John W. Dorris, Jr.
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Patent number: 5944459Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for cutting a pocket in the upwardly facing surface of a conventional bagel while allowing a rim of the base material of the bagel to remain extending upwardly therearound to define the cup-shaped open-topped pocket. This pocket is then adapted to receive a filling therein which can be of any type of edible food stock such as eggs, egg salad, tuna salad, vegetables, meat, etc. The apparatus for forming the pocket includes a housing with a floor with a pedestal defining a platform in which the bagel sits. A plate is pivoted into contact with the bagel and compresses the bagel. A cutting aperture is defined in the plate to provide a template for cutting of the pocket out of the central portion of the upwardly facing surface of the bagel. A cutting then extends through the template or cutting aperture for forming the open-topped cup-shaped pocket.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: William H. Gill
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Patent number: 5944460Abstract: The present invention discloses an annular hole cutter particularly useful for cutting railroad rails. Railroad rails are extremely hard and normally require drills or cutters which have carbide inserts. The present invention provides uniquely designed cutter with an improved cutter geometry, flute design and thin wall construction to allow the annular cutter to be used with a lower horsepower drill motor making the drill motor portable resulting in a portable rail cutting system.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Hougen Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey Steven Gill
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Patent number: 5944461Abstract: A postage meter whose postage supply is a reel of adhesive tape on which is pre-printed a continuous incremental bar code. The amount of postage required for a given piece to be mailed is expressed on a postage label derived from the tape and attachable to the piece in multiple increments whereby the greater the postage amount, the longer the label. Also included in the postage meter is a second reel of blank adhesive tape from which is derived a data label to be applied to the piece on which is meter-printed data appropriate to the mailing, such as the identity the post office from which the piece is mailed and the date of mailing.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Maurice S. Kanbar
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Patent number: 5944462Abstract: A hole cutting tool for holemaking, chamfering, grooving, threading and/or O-ring grooving. The tool is a rotary tool for holemaking in a workpiece which includes one or more holemaking inserts about the outermost end of the tool, at least a pair of axially spaced apart chamfering inserts radially sunken into the intermediate portion of the tool, and one or more grooving inserts also radially sunken into the intermediate portion of the tool between the chamfering inserts, all of which provides for holemaking with chamfered entrance and exit edges and/or a slot, groove, or threads within the hole. An additional O-ring grooving insert may be provided to cut an annular groove around the hole on an end face of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Kennametal Inc.Inventor: Bruce C. Woodward
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Patent number: 5944463Abstract: In apparatus for clamp-up electrical connection of electrical wiring and electrical lead structure, the combination comprises first and second relatively movable clamping elements and defines therebetween a first zone to receive the electrical wiring and a second zone to receive the electrical lead structure; electrical terminal structure extending between the zones; and clamping elements relatively movable toward one another to effect clamping of the wiring rotating toward the terminal structure at the first zone, and clamping of the lead structure relatively toward the terminal structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: John M. Savage, Jr.
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Patent number: 5944464Abstract: The load restraining system for refrigerated vehicles having insulated ceiling/roof structures. The ceiling/roof is provided with a downwardly facing ceiling surface having a multiplicity of sockets spaced substantially throughout the ceiling. Vertically extendible poles have a projection on the upper end for engaging a socket and thereby locating the upper end of the pole against horizontal movement in any direction. The lower end of each pole has a foot for engaging the floor in a manner to inhibit horizontal movement in any direction. Numerous poles can be positioned throughout the refrigerated vehicle at virtually infinitely variable locations to restrain loads of different sizes and shapes.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co.Inventor: Charles W. Cole, Jr.
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Patent number: 5944465Abstract: A threaded fastener is having a raised area or bump on a thread flank. The flank can be positioned on the nut thread or on the bolt thread. The bump forces the mating threads at least on one flank to have near zero tolerances along the pitchline of the threads and thereby eliminating play.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Bernhard M. Janitzki
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Patent number: 5944466Abstract: A fastener assembly which imparts, on a surface of a first structural element to be joined to a second structural element, joining forces at three or more radially equidistant regions isolated from the edge of an opening extending through the first structural element. An illustrative embodiment of the fastener assembly includes an apertured face plate, an anchoring assembly, and a positioner for causing relative axial movement between the face plate and the anchoring assembly. The anchoring assembly includes a base portion and a projecting portion that extends in an axial direction away from the base portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Pinnacle InnovationsInventors: Edward S. Rudnicki, Salvatore J. Sisto
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Patent number: 5944467Abstract: To provide a press nut being capable of easily attaching and detaching the nut to and from a bolt by linearly pressing the nut along the bolt and by linearly drawing the nut along the bolt a press nut 1 has a nut body 2 of plastic, tubular cap 3 of plastic to receive the nut body thereinto to connect the nut body thereto, and a cover 6 to axially move the nut body in relative to the cap. The nut body 2 comprises a base 13, two threaded portions 15 having threaded inner walls to form a nut as a whole, and spring portions 14 to force the respective threaded portions to press them up from the base. The nut body is housed in the cap in the manner that the threaded portions are adjacent to a flange 10 of the cap 3 and the base is adjacent to an opening of the cap.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Emhart Inc.Inventor: Kiyoteru Yuta
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Patent number: 5944468Abstract: Device for lifting objects such as building materials and supplies above the heads of workers on an elevated work station (scaffold or stepladder) has a clamp assembly for adjustably mounting the device on said work station, a vertical elongate tubular pipe carrying a horizontal load platform thereon, a pipe guide and a one-way pipe lock both secured to the clamp assembly and aligned with each other through which the elongate tubular pipe is pushed upwardly for the load platform to a desired height without slipping or downward motion until a manually operated lock release is pressed.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Declan T. McBrienInventor: Declan McBrien
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Patent number: 5944469Abstract: A box car for carrying bulk material and capable of being incorporated into a freight train of a plurality of successively arranged like box cars, the box car comprising a box having an open top and an endless horizontal conveyor at the bottom, one of the endless conveyor ends being a rear end in the conveying direction and another endless conveyor end being a front end in the conveying direction, and a bulk material transfer device for transferring the bulk material from a preceding to a succeeding box car, the preceding and succeeding box cars being coupled to each other, the bulk material transfer device comprising an inclined endless conveyor having a lower end and an upper end, a drive for moving the inclined endless conveyor, and an adjusting drive for adjusting the distance of the transfer device from the ends of the horizontal endless conveyor, and the inclined endless conveyor being so arranged that the lower end subtends the front end of the horizontal endless conveyor of the preceding box car, andType: GrantFiled: October 21, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.Inventors: Josef Theurer, Friedrich Ollerer
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Patent number: 5944470Abstract: An improved unloader for rigid or flexible bulk material containers having a side-mounted discharge. In addition to a forward tilting feature, the improved method and apparatus may have any combination of the following: an hydraulic rear tilt feature, hydraulic dump feature, hydraulic bag massage system, inflation system for the container discharge, screw feeder operation and safety controls, pivoting discharge connection flange, or massage arm system.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Timothy C. Bonerb
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Patent number: 5944471Abstract: A dragline bucket transporter for use in moving a dragline bucket with a hauling vehicle comprises a wheeled trailer having a U-shaped frame with tire-supported free ends, the free ends forming an open end. The frame is moved by a hauling vehicle to surround the sidewalls of a dragline bucket. Once the bucket is surrounded, a cross member of the frame engages and lifts a front end portion of the bucket by action of a hitching assembly attached to the hauling vehicle. With the front end of the bucket elevated, lifting assemblies located at the free ends of the frame lift up a rear portion of the bucket so that it is off the ground. The hauling vehicle can then transport the bucket to a desired location, the bucket then removed from the transporter for use with a dragline.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Towhaul CorporationInventors: Francis V. Smith, Harold W. Spielman
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Patent number: 5944472Abstract: A motorized unloading apparatus for unloading cargo from a container such as a trailer or the cargo container of a large truck. The apparatus of the invention includes two threaded rods which extend substantially the full length of the cargo container, a pusher plate extending across the width of the cargo container, the pusher plate being rotatably received on the threaded rods and driven along the length of the trailer as the threaded rods are rotated, and a motor to rotate the rods.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Scot P. Scofield
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Patent number: 5944473Abstract: A wheelchair lift, as for use with a vehicle, includes a platform for receiving a wheelchair carried as a pivot mechanism including two pairs of cooperating parallelogram structures adopted to be affixed to a vehicle for moving the platform between loading, entry and stowed positions by hydraulic actuation. A bridge plate structure is actuated by the pivot mechanism to be positioned as a bridge into the vehicle in the entry position, as a roll stop when a wheelchair is being carried and as a latch unit in the stowed position. A cam-cable mechanism actuates the bridge plate and the parallelogram structures of each pair are interlocked in moving between the stowed and entry positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1996Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Ricon CorporationInventors: Stanton D. Saucier, Pierre Savaria, Jules Tremblay, Nelson Tremblay
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Patent number: 5944474Abstract: A support for a cylindrical container adapted to engage said container at its mid-section and containing a rapid connect and disconnect flexible member adapted to pull together two hinged semi-circular members to permit the container to be firmly held in position.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Drum Runner Material Handling Co.Inventors: Millard M. Cummins, David T. Jones
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Patent number: 5944475Abstract: A rotating and translating support assembly for receiving a front-opening pod according to applicable SEMI standards, and thereafter rotating the pod to a desired orientation. In this way, a number of pods may be received at interface ports of a minienvironment, and each of the pods and ports may be angled toward and aligned with a single, 2-arm pick and place robot. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotating and translating support assembly comprises a plate rotationally and translationally mounted on a shelf extending from the minienvironment adjacent to a front-opening interface port. In one embodiment, the support plate may be mounted on a shaft attached to a rotating assembly, such as for example a worm and drive gear. The rotating assembly may in turn be mounted on a translating assembly, such as for example a carriage riding on a lead screw.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1996Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Asyst Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Anthony C. Bonora, William J. Fosnight, Raymond S. Martin
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Patent number: 5944476Abstract: A unitary prealigner and robot arm includes an upper arm, a forearm, and a hand that is equipped with vacuum pressure outlets to securely hold a specimen. The robot arm is carried atop a tube that is controllably positionable along a Z-axis direction. The prealigner is attached to the tube by a movable carriage that is elevatable relative to the robot arm. The prealigner further includes a rotatable chuck having a vacuum pressure outlet for securely holding a specimen in place within an edge detector assembly that senses a peripheral edge of the specimen. The prealigner may be elevated to receive a specimen from the robot arm or it may be lowered to allow clearance for the robot arm to rotate. In operation, the robot arm retrieves a specimen and places it on the prealigner, which performs an edge scanning operation to determine the effective center and specific orientation of the specimen.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Kensington Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Paul Bacchi, Paul S. Filipski
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Patent number: 5944477Abstract: A machine and process is described for squaring sheets stacked in a bundle supported along a plane. The bundle includes a leading bundle end, a trailing bundle end and opposed bundle sides. The machine includes a frame with a leading end stop mounted by a stop actuator mounting to position the leading end stop across the plane to engage the leading end of the bundle. A trailing end tamper is mounted to a trailing end actuator on the frame for movement to engage and urge the bundle against the leading end stop and align the sheets along the leading and trailing ends of the bundle. A pair of side plates are mounted by a side plate actuator assembly for movement to (a) engage and align sheets along the bundle sides and (b) position the bundle at a prescribed position on the plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Systematic Machinery LLCInventor: David B. Shill
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Patent number: 5944478Abstract: An automatic stacker with rotary heads for stacking in an ordered manner in alternate upright and inverted layers rolled metal sections originating from a rolling mill via a transport line is characterised in that each head also undergoes vertical translational movement in the directions of the arrow substantially parallel to itself, such movement being provided by a second drive mechanism independent of a first providing rotation of the head itself. In this manner, the head deposits softly and with precision each layer of sections on the layer placed below, thus avoiding jamming and improper stacking.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Techint Compagnia Tecnica Internazionale S.p.A.Inventors: Ezio Colombo, Marco Rossini
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Patent number: 5944479Abstract: A palletizer comprises a lifting mechanism (1) and a stacking mechanism (2) including a carriage (28), a roller conveyer (33), an upper plate (39), a lower plate (40), and an abutment plate (53). The palletizer further comprises a moving table assembly (3) including a table (64) and a control unit (4). The lifting mechanism (1) vertically transfers a plurality of loads (W) delivered by an external conveyer (6). Then, the roller conveyer (33) of the stacking mechanism (2) horizontally transfers the loads (W) received from the lifting mechanism (1) onto the lower plate (40) in front of pallet (P), where the upper plate (39) and the abutment plate (53) hold a first load (W) therebetween and slide it over to a point over the stacking position. Then, the lower plate (40) is pulled out from under load (W) to place it on the pallet (P). In the same manner, the next load (W) is placed on the pallet (P) in front of the first load (W).Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Ohkuma CorporationInventors: Kunio Kanaya, Takayoshi Kojima, Masao Kuwano
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Patent number: 5944480Abstract: A motor that combines buoyant and gravitational forces to create a highly efficient limitless source of energy comprises: a reservoir containing liquid; a vertical cylinder in communication with, extending from the liquid reservoir, containing liquid and having a top and a bottom; a continuous chain extending vertically through the fluid contained in the vertical cylinder, the chain including a plurality of floats spaced along and linked together by connecting cable, each float having an external cup that carries a small amount of liquid to the top of the cylinder and discharges the liquid back into the cylinder as the float exits same; an upper sprocket wheel around which the continuous chain travels and where the direction of the continuous chain changes from upward away from the top of the vertical cylinder to downward through ambient air; a lower sprocket wheel around which the continuous chain travels and where the direction of the continuous chain changes from downward to upward into the bottom of the vType: GrantFiled: January 26, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Brad A. Forrest
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Patent number: 5944481Abstract: The discharge flow path of a transverse fan is modified by placing ramps on the rear/bottom wall to provide localized acceleration of the flow while preventing the establishment of flow instability. The ramps reduce the noise generated without deteriorating the performance of the unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Scott D. Stone, John F. Salvaterra
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Patent number: 5944482Abstract: A bearing housing in a bowl of a vertical turbine pump for a lower bearing of a rotatable pump shaft on which an impeller is mounted includes a separable hollow substantially cylindrical housing body with upper and lower ends, having a radial flange at its lower end adapted for sealing attachment to a bottom face of the bowl such that it is capable of installation in and removal from the bottom face of the bowl, the housing body also having an inside diameter greater than an outside diameter of the shaft to provide a clearance therebetween. A bearing is fixed within the lower end of the housing body for journaling the shaft therein, and provision is made for sealing between the upper end of the housing body and an internal axial bore in the bowl. A seal is also provided between the lower end of the housing body and the shaft for excluding pumped fluid from the clearance.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Ingersoll-Dresser Pump CompanyInventor: Richard J. Cronin
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Patent number: 5944483Abstract: A method for wet cleaning of the nozzle rings of exhaust-gas turbocharger turbines is based on thermal shock of the contaminants, and includes the steps of injecting water in repeated, relatively small amounts, into the exhaust duct immediately upstream of the nozzle ring. A delay between injections allows the nozzle ring to reheat to operating temperature so that each water injection causes a thermal shock. An apparatus to perform the method includes water injection nozzles installed in the exhaust gas casing and a control system. The method and apparatus provide improved cleaning using less water than in known methods.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1996Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AGInventors: Andre Beck, Dieter Haberle, Johann Kronthaler, Gavin John Menzies, Dirk Telschow, Jonas Zumbrunn
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Patent number: 5944484Abstract: A ceiling fan housing includes a cylindrical member of transparent material and a cover engaged on top of the cylindrical member. A frame is received in the cylindrical member and disposed between the bottom plate and the cover and includes one or more panels. A number of fasteners may secure the cylindrical member and the cover and the frame together. The frame includes a ring. The panels are extended radially outward from the ring for allowing the frame to be easily assembled to the cylindrical member and the cover by the fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Jack Yu
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Patent number: 5944485Abstract: The turbine comprises a plurality of blades disposed around a hub between two end plates, with the blades, the hub, and the end plates being made of thermostructural composite material. The hub is made by stacking plane annular plates of thermostructural composite material along a common axis. Each blade is made individually by shaping a two-dimensional fiber fabric in plate or sheet form to obtain a blade preform, by densifying the preform with a matrix to obtain a blade blank made of thermostructural composite material, and by machining an outline for the densified preform. Each end plate is obtained by making an annular preform by means of a two-dimensional fiber fabric in plate or sheet form, and by densifying the preform with a matrix to obtain a part made of thermostructural composite material. The blades are assembled to the hub between the end plates, with each blade being connected to the hub by a portion forming a blade root.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'AviationInventors: Jean-Pierre Maumus, Guy Martin
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Patent number: 5944486Abstract: An interchangeable fan blade system for a ceiling fan, made up of a set of adapters having a plurality of elongated attachment apertures that allow the adapter to be threadably fitted to virtually any type of fan support arm, and a complimentary set of interchangeable fan blades. The adapters include one of a variety of connectors for attaching one end of the fan blades to the support arm. The one end of the fan blade is configured and adapted, or otherwise provided with mating connector elements adapted to engage the connectors of the adapters, thereby allowing the fan blades to be removably attached to the adapters. A second embodiment of the interchangeable fan blade system is a set of interchangeable fan blades having a plurality of elongated attachment apertures which allow the fan blades to be secured to virtually any type of fan arm, by threading a plurality of shoulder cap screws and a plurality of male-female connectors though the plurality of attachment apertures.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Donald P. Hodgkins, Jr.
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Patent number: 5944487Abstract: A ceiling fan blade attachment system for attaching a ceiling fan blade ring to a rotatable electric drive motor mounting surface. The blade ring and motor mounting surface include cooperating elements that enable the blade ring to be suspended adjacent to the motor mounting surface prior to fixed attachment of the blade ring to the motor mounting surface. The motor mounting surface includes a plurality of downwardly extending suspension posts. The blade ring includes a plate or bracket including keyhole shaped openings to receive the suspension posts and to enable rotation of the mounting ring so as to lock or suspend the blade mounting ring below the motor mounting surface in a provisional or temporary manner until the blade ring can be fixedly attached to the mounting surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Hunter Fan CompanyInventor: Richard A. Pearce
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Patent number: 5944488Abstract: A tube axle fan assembly comprising a tubular housing and resiliently deformable, convex guards that removably, snap fit to each fan end. A motor and associated components are mounted in the housing upon a bracket having two spaced-apart feet that form a triangular brace. A pivoted bracket mounts the motor such that the pull of gravity tends to tighten the drive belt entrained about the pulleys. The housing comprises a cylindrical, hollow body having input and output ends with diameters smaller than the guard outside diameter. A reinforcing channel is formed in each end of the housing to retain the seated guard. Each guard comprises a circular wire frame that assumes a dome-like configuration. Each guard has a series of radially spaced-apart spokes emanating from a central hub which must be arched to clear the smaller diameter of the housing. The spokes are reinforced by a continuous wire spiral that circumscribes the hub.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Triangle Engineering of Arkansas, Inc.Inventor: Carl G. Matson
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Patent number: 5944489Abstract: A fluid pump includes main support bearings for supporting the impeller shaft and back-up bearings for supporting the shaft upon failure of the main support bearings. The back-up bearings are positioned between the main support bearings and shaft driver/motor, and have a radial clearance with the shaft which is greater than the radial clearance between the main support bearings and shaft and yet is small enough to prevent any shards that may result from failure of the main support bearings from passing through the radial clearance space between the back-up bearings and shaft and damaging other rotating parts of the pump. A diagnostic monitor detects wear or failure of the main support bearings by sensing relative shaft displacement. Also, a controller causes the driver to shut down when a predetermined amount of allowable wear of the main support bearings is reached.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Crane Co.Inventors: Paul E. Vaughn, James Lobach, Edward W. Mattes
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Patent number: 5944490Abstract: A submersible pump is disclosed for use in a body of liquid such as a well or sump. The pump has an air intake port and an air outlet port, as well as a liquid intake port and a liquid discharge tube. A valve mounted within the pump selectively permits the pump's chamber to communicate with either the air intake port or the air discharge port. When liquid enters the pump's chamber, the air displaced by the incoming liquid is permitted by the valve to escape via the air outlet port. When the pump's chamber is sufficiently full of liquid, the valve closes off the air outlet port and permits compressed air to enter the pump's chamber via the air inlet port in order to force the accumulated liquid out the liquid discharge tube. A float in the pump's chamber rises and falls with the level of liquid in the chamber to actuate the valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Michael K. Breslin
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Patent number: 5944491Abstract: An improved compressor that is designed to minimize shock and vibration during start-up includes a plurality of pistons, each of which is positioned for movement within a cylinder in order to compress a gas, and conventional motive structure for driving the pistons. Advantageously, the compressor includes a sensor for sensing, from a condition that exists within the compressor, when the compressor is in a start-up phase. The sensor is designed to be operative regardless of the position of the pistons during start-up. Pressure relief structure, responsive to said sensor, is provided for relieving pressure in at least one of the cylinders when the sensor indicates that the compressor is in the start-up phase. This minimizes shock and vibration during the start-up.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki SeisakushoInventors: Naoya Yakomachi, Satoshi Umemura, Hayato Ikeda, Takahisa Tokushige
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Patent number: 5944492Abstract: A hydraulic pump control system is shown that can control the absorbing torque of a hydraulic pump with respect to the engine power for driving the hydraulic pump in a well-balanced manner, and reduce a deviation of an actual revolution number from a target revolution number of the engine. A torque of hydraulic pumps during operation is estimated from a pump pressure and first and second line pressures. Based on the estimated torque, an output torque of the hydraulic pumps is controlled so that an error between a target revolution number and an actual revolution number of the engine becomes null.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.Inventors: Hideo Konishi, Makoto Samejima
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Patent number: 5944493Abstract: An adjustable rotor and/or a radial piston machine which may utilize an adjustable rotor. The rotor has a primary eccentric rotatable around an axis and a secondary eccentric adjustable in position relative to the primary eccentric. The radial piston machine includes a plurality of piston cartridges arranged radially around the axis and both high pressure and low pressure fluid distribution systems. Multiple units may be axially coupled. A single unit may handle a variety of fluids in various combinations.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Whitemoss, Inc.Inventors: Marc S. Albertin, Rodney D. Hugelman
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Patent number: 5944494Abstract: An apparatus is configured for mounting a blower motor into a blower housing. The blower housing has an interior region for receiving the blower motor. The apparatus comprises a top shell configured to surround a top portion of the blower motor and a bottom shell configured to surround a bottom portion of the blower motor. The top and bottom shells are configured to hold the blower motor in the interior region of the housing without a rigid connection between the blower motor and the blower housing. The top shell cooperates with the bottom shell to define an air intake manifold to provide flow of intake air to the blower motor.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Hill-Rom, Inc.Inventors: Sohrab Soltani, David N. Ashcraft, Timothy W. Perez, James J. Romano
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Patent number: 5944495Abstract: A volumetric pump for administering intravenous fluids to a patient comprises a housing having an elongate cavity therein with an open and a closed end. A resilient sheet of material having a centrally-located aperture covers the open end, and a pump shaft is slidably disposed through the aperture to form a sphincter seal therebetween. An inlet conduit leading from a fluid source (an IV bag) passes through the housing into the cavity near the open end thereof, and an outlet conduit leading to a fluid sink (the patient) passes through the housing from the cavity near the closed end thereof. The shaft is driven back and forth in reciprocating motion inwardly and outwardly of the cavity to produce, respectively, a positive pressure forcing fluid out of the outlet conduit to the fluid sink, and a negative pressure forcing fluid from the fluid source through the inlet conduit.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Sarcos, LCInventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Clark C. Davis
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Patent number: 5944496Abstract: A molten metal pumping device is disclosed that comprises a pump base including at least one input port, a pump chamber, and a discharge leading to an output port. A rotor is retained within the chamber and is connected to a rotor shaft. The device further includes a superstructure attached to and positioned above the pump housing, a motor on the superstructure, a drive shaft connected to the motor and a coupling connecting the drive shaft to the rotor shaft. The rotor extends beyond the input port to deflect solid particles thereby reducing jams and preferably is a dual-flow rotor, directing molten metal both into the chamber and out through the discharge. The coupling is flexible and has two coupling members with a flexible disc disposed therebetween. Another aspect of the invention is a housing for a transfer pump that includes a discharge leading to an output port and a button adaptor extending from the discharge.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1996Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Inventor: Paul V. Cooper
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Patent number: 5944497Abstract: A motor driven fan assembly is disclosed wherein a hub has a plurality of fan blades which extend radially outwardly therefrom and is fixed to an air cooled brushless motor for rotation, such that when the hub is rotatably driven by the motor, the fan blades create an atmospheric pressure differential defined by a higher pressure region downstream of the blades and a lower pressure region upstream of the blades. The hub has an opening dimensioned and located to communicate with cooling air openings in the motor. A cooling air directing plate is positioned axially upstream of the hub to define an air directing space with the motor and the hub, and the space communicates the lower pressure region with the higher pressure region through a cooling air path in the motor and the hub opening to cool the motor. A method of cooling such fan driving motor of the brushless type is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Siemens Canada LimitedInventors: Peter A. Kershaw, Marek Horski
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Patent number: 5944498Abstract: A pump having a simple and compact construction which permits leakage test of the pressure valve both outside and inside the pump housing, and, if necessary, ensures ease of replacement of individual parts, such as replacement of the pressure valve or the valve seat member, if leakage occurs during testing. The peripheral surface of the valve seat member facing the cover has a conical chamfer onto which an annular projection of the cover is movable into sealing abutment and is radially expandable to provide a press fit engagement.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1995Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: ITT Automotive Europe GmbHInventors: Hans Wupper, Dalibor Zaviska
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Patent number: 5944499Abstract: A rotor-type pump comprises a housing having a trochoidal curved surface and an intake port and a discharge port. A drive shaft is mounted rotatably about a first axis in the housing. A rotor having a second axis eccentric to the first axis is rotatably mounted to the drive shaft. The rotor cooperates with the trochoidal curved surface. A plurality of working-fluid chambers are defined by the trochoidal curved surface and an outer peripheral surface of the rotor and variable in volume as the rotor rotates. The intake port is open into one chamber of the chambers and the discharge port is open into another chamber thereof. A communication passage fluidly interconnects at least adjacent two of the chambers. A rotor control mechanism is provided for controlling the rotor to move along the trochoidal curved surface with a predetermined clearance therebetween upon rotation of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Unisia Jecs CorporationInventor: Shoji Morita
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Patent number: 5944500Abstract: A scroll-type fluid displacement apparatus includes a pair of scrolls having a circular end plate and a spiral wrap extending from an axial end surface of the circular end plate. A pair of scrolls is maintained at an angular and radial offset to make a plurality of line contacts between the spiral curved surfaces, which define fluid pockets. A driving mechanism is operatively connected to one of the scrolls to effect relative orbital motion with respect to the other scrolls to thereby change the volume of the fluid pockets. The spiral element of each scroll member has a stepped cross-section. As a result, the mechanical strength of the spiral elements of the scroll member of the fluid displacement apparatus is increased and the fluid displacement apparatus has increased durability and efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventor: Jiro Iizuka