Patents Issued in December 7, 1999
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Patent number: 5996326Abstract: A spindle for a spinning or twisting machine includes a step bearing sleeve which is supported in a damping tube. The damping tube is arranged, with clearance from an oil filled damping gap, free floating and radially movable in a bearing housing. The damping gap has preferably a gap width of 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm. The damping tube is provided with radial bore holes, which connect the damping gap with the area of the step bearing sleeve. In spite of even the smallest radial movements of the damping tube, a hydraulic damping as well as a hydraulic centering is possible.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Novibra GmbHInventor: Hans Braxmeier
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Patent number: 5996327Abstract: A horizontal transporter at a roving frame level delivers full bobbins to a vertical movable carriage which picks up the bobbins from the bottom, replaces them with core sleeves, and lodges the bobbins in a second horizontal transporter at another story for the ring spinning units. The bobbin and core sleeves are always engaged from above by the horizontal transporters and remain erect when engaged from below by the vertical transporter.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Zinser Textilmaschinen GmbHInventor: Karl-Heinz Mack
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Patent number: 5996328Abstract: Individual differently colored or colorable feed filament ends are withdrawn from respective creel-mounted packages and passed through a separation guide. The separation guide serves to "normalize" the filament end-to-end positions and tensions. That is, the separation guide will cause the individual feed ends to be in specific predetermined positions relative to the other feed ends regardless of the position of the package on the creel. In addition, the separation guide will effectively cause a short length of each feed end to be parallel to, and separated by a substantially uniform distance from, corresponding lengths of the other feed ends. This parallel alignment of individual end lengths and the substantially uniform filament end-to-end positioning thereby imparts substantially uniform tensions on the feed ends while substantially maintaining their respective positions in the combined yarn product relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: BASF CoporationInventors: Willis M. King, Melvin R. Thompson, Andrew M. Coons, III, Myles W. Sterling, Leroy Boseman, Donald E. Wright
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Patent number: 5996329Abstract: The present invention provides a machining head attachment for a milling machine which is able to travel along five axes movement. The machining head attachment generally includes a driving spindle which is detachably connected to the milling machine, and a driven spindle operationally attached to the driving spindle. The driven spindle is able to selectively pivot about two axes of movement. As a result is able to be positioned at any point along a hemisphere.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventor: Curtis E. Cardenas
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Patent number: 5996330Abstract: A link of a conduit chain, the link comprising two side plates adapted to be disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to each other and defining an interior space between them, and two crosspieces each for releasably connecting to each other corresponding ends of said the plates, the crosspieces further defining the interior space, each of the side plates and each of the crosspieces having respective free ends, a receptacle formed in the free end of each side plate for accommodating the free end of a crosspiece, engaging means adjacent to the free end of each side plate, and means adjacent to each free end in each crosspiece for engaging the crosspiece with the engaging means in a side plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Murplastik System-Technik GmbHInventors: Bruno Ehmann, Rainer Funk
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Patent number: 5996331Abstract: A passive feedback-controlled regulator and method for regulating gas turbine bleed air is provided, which automatically regulates the flow of coolant air directed to the turbine vanes, blades, and other hot section components based on the inherent differential pressure between the diffused compressor discharge pressure and the compressor impeller exit air. The differential pressure used to operate the regulator is a measure of the turbine mass flow rate, and, therefore is a measure of the instantaneous engine coolant flow requirement.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.Inventor: Donald L. Palmer
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Patent number: 5996332Abstract: The invention relates to a method of driving a shaft by reaction of silanes, preferably silane oils, with air in a double combustion chamber and an assiciated drive mechanism. The hydrogen of the silanes reacts in the first combustion chamber with an insufficient level of oxygen of the air supplied, thereby producing high temperatures. At said high temperatures, the nitrogen from the air supplied reacts with the silicon of the silane to form silicon nitride. The resultant combustion gases and dust and the non-combusted hydrogen are mixed in the second combustion chamber with a large quantity of cold compressed air, the hydrogen undergoing late burning, and they subsequently enter a turbine chamber to actuate turbine blades connected to a shaft. The method is particularly environmentally-friendly since no toxic or polluting waste gases are produced.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Klaus KunkelInventor: Peter Plichta
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Patent number: 5996333Abstract: An oxidizer control device for controlling the amount of oxidizer passing into a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. The device has first and second diaphragm assemblies located adjacent to each other at a front portion of the chamber. The first diaphragm assembly has a first, generally annular member with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vanes, adjacent vanes forming first oxidizer passageways therebetween, the first passageways opening through a periphery of the first member, and a second generally annular member extending around the periphery of the first member, the second member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart first orifices equal in number to the number of first passageways and being fixedly attached to the engine structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Societe National d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'AviationInventors: Alexandre Forestier, Hernandez Didier Hyppolyte
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Patent number: 5996334Abstract: Present gas turbine engines fail to effectively and efficiently position and locate the components making up the engine to more effectively improve engine cost, serviceability and efficiency. The present gas turbine engine utilizes an external central frame which enhances engine cost, serviceability and efficiency. For example, a front plate structure of the external central frame is removably attached to a combustor section, a rear plate structure of the external central frame is removably attached to a compressor section and a plurality of elongate tie members extend between the front plate structure and the rear plate structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Solar TurbinesInventor: Donald G. Richardson
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Patent number: 5996335Abstract: The holding of a burner collar as well as of a heat shield in the end wall of an annular combustion chamber is described. An annularly constructed holding part is provided which, in segments, has flanks between which the burner collar is held by lugs arranged thereon. The holding part is placed on a ring attachment of the heat shield and, together with the heat shield, is screwed to the end wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: BMW Rolls-Royce GmbHInventor: Michael Ebel
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Patent number: 5996336Abstract: A jet aircraft engine having an improved turbine section with curved intake manifolds to direct combustion gasses from the engine's combustion chamber into the turbine housing on a chordal flow path through the turbine generally perpendicular to the turbine rotor's axis of rotation. The turbine rotor has a number of radially extending turbine blades for transmitting energy from the combustion gasses to shaft work to drive the engine's fan and compressor. Exhaust manifolds can also be provided, directing the flow of exhaust gasses from the turbine to the engine's intake, and having noise and emissions control capability.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventor: Mohammad F. Hamedani
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Patent number: 5996337Abstract: A calorimetric sensor system requires a vehicle's internal combustion engine to cyclically operate between first and second conditions to repeatedly produce a varying exhaust gas composition which is consistent from cycle to cycle. The rate of change of the calorimetric sensor's signal as the engine cycles from one to the other condition is mathematically factored, after signal filtering at frequencies of the induced perturbation, to provide signals indicative of the emissions concentration in the exhaust gases, the air/fuel ratio of the engine and whether the engine is operating lean or rich. The signals can be used as fuel control engine signals as well as OBD signals. Additionally, the system can control industrial processes through small process perturbations affecting the compositions of process gases.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignees: Engelhard Corporation, Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Wayne Blosser, Jeffrey Donald Naber, Gerald Stephen Koermer
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Patent number: 5996338Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying device for an engine comprises an exhaust gas purifying catalyst with an electric heater arranged in the exhaust passage capable of temporarily adsorbing NO.sub.X in the inflowing exhaust gas therein. A NO.sub.X adsorbing capacity of the exhaust gas purifying catalyst becomes larger when a temperature of the exhaust gas purifying catalyst becomes higher. The heater is turned on and is turned off alternately and repeatedly to thereby increase and reduce the catalyst temperature. NO.sub.X in the inflowing exhaust gas is adsorbed in the exhaust gas purifying catalyst when the catalyst temperature falls, and the adsorbed NO.sub.X is desorbed from the exhaust gas purifying catalyst and reduced when the catalyst temperature increases. The catalyst temperature is controlled to increase to a first upper threshold temperature, at which the NO.sub.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinya Hirota
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Patent number: 5996339Abstract: Catalyzers for purification of exhaust gases are disclosed including a housing, an inlet for supplying the exhaust gases to the housing, a first catalyzer within the housing adjacent to the inlet and a second catalyzer within the housing downstream of the first catalyzer, the first catalyzer having a smaller cross-sectional area than the second catalyzer, and the inlet being angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the first catalyzer.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: AB VolvoInventors: Ingemar Gottberg, Kurt Weber
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Patent number: 5996340Abstract: A torque converter comprises a converter housing that has a plurality of connection areas on one axial side. The converter housing is connectable in rotation-proof fashion relative to a crank shaft at connection points located in the connection areas. The converter housing has a plurality of radially extending hollows arranged in the circumferential direction at a distance from each other on the aforementioned axial side. A first distance between one of the hollows and the hollow directly adjacent to it in one circumferential direction is different from a second distance between the one of the hollows and the hollow directly adjacent to it in the other opposing circumferential direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AGInventor: Detlev Weichel
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Patent number: 5996341Abstract: A cut-off valve is mounted so that it can open and close an oil passage which leads a pressure oil discharged from a first pump into a hydraulic oil tank in a neutral state of a spool valve for boom. When an operating lever for boom and an operating lever for arm have simultaneously been operated to a boom raising side and an arm pulling side, respectively, the cut-off valve is closed in proportion to a boom raising or arm pulling pilot pressure. The cut-off valve is controlled using as a parameter a differential pressure between the arm pulling pilot pressure and the boom raising pilot pressure. By doing so, there is obtained a low gain operability in the crane work, while in the parallel pulling work there is obtained an operability of a relatively high gain which matches a quick motion of the arm.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Keiko ShoInventor: Yutaka Tohji
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Patent number: 5996342Abstract: An anti-stall and bias control for a hydrostatic drive train system is disclosed. The system is used on a hydrostatic drive vehicle with an engine coupled to a first and second hydraulic pump. The first and second hydraulic pumps are coupled to first and second drive motors which drive wheels of the vehicle. The power to the drive motors is controlled by a control unit which output signals proportional to the desired power output from the motors. An engine speed sensor determines the speed of the engine. The control circuit reads the engine speed and determines whether the engine is in a stall condition. If the engine is in a stall condition, the control circuit scales the control signals of the first and second motor to reduce power output. A bias control is also provided to allow the vehicle operator to select greater relative power to either the first or second motor. The bias control outputs a bias signal which is read by the control unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Aftab A. Khan, Peter J. Dix, Alan D. Berger, Richard L. Hall, Rich Lech
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Patent number: 5996343Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for controlling the negative load of an engine is disclosed. The engine is drivingly connected to a hydro-mechanical drive system that includes a variable displacement pump and motor. An engine speed sensor senses the rotational speed of the engine and produces an actual engine speed signal indicative of the rotational engine speed. A travel speed sensor senses the travel speed of the machine and produces an actual travel speed signal indicative of the machine travel speed. An overspeed controller compares the actual engine speed signal to a proportional and integral threshold, produces a proportional and integral error signal indicative of the difference between the actual engine speed signal magnitude and the corresponding thresholds, calculates a proportional and integral control signal from the corresponding errors, combines the proportional and integral control signals and responsively produces a command signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Brian D. Kuras
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Patent number: 5996344Abstract: A hollow shaft (10) supporting a plurality of buoyancy legs (18) equally spaced about the periphery of the hollow shaft (10). One end of each buoyancy leg (18) is connected to the shaft (10) in a water tight manner while the opposite end of each buoyancy leg (18) supports a buoyancy chamber (22). A piston (38) is located within the buoyancy chamber (22) and is movable from a fully retracted state to a fully extended state by operation of a weight (44). The buoyancy chamber (22), when in a fully retracted state, being substantially full of water and providing a balanced state for the shaft (10). The piston (10), when in a fully extended state, providing a buoyant state of the buoyancy chamber (22) which impart rotational torque on the shaft (10).Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventors: Eugene Roland Frenette, Henry Eugene Frenette
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Patent number: 5996345Abstract: The electricity generating engine has modest efficiency, but may be attrave in remote applications where high-reliability or low cost or low environmental noise or solar powering is important. The generator is likely to be most attractive in capacities of a few kW to below 100 W where a tiny engine would be impractical using other technologies.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1999Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Thomas J. Hofler
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Patent number: 5996346Abstract: A joint assembly having a plurality of concatenated joints, each actuated by a negative coefficient of expansion material such Ti Ni, is capable of performing highly dexterous maneuvers in three dimensions without built in torsional stiffness. The Ti Ni actuators are coiled around the body of opposing joint halves and are capable of maximizing large angular motion while making the joint dimensions as compact as possible. The actuators also operate with low current and thereby minimize heat dissipation.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1996Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventor: Ronald S. Maynard
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Patent number: 5996347Abstract: A variable-nozzle type turbo charger capable of temporarily decreasing the back pressure of the engine at the start of the engine. The turbo charger is equipped with a plurality of nozzle vanes of which the opening degree can be changed and are capable of changing the areas of turbine nozzles at the time when exhaust gases of an engine are guided from said turbine nozzles formed among said nozzle vanes to a turbine rotor, wherein an actuator that adjusts the opening degree of the nozzle vanes is so controlled that the areas of the turbine nozzles are larger than a minimum area for a predetermined period of time from the start of the engine, and, after the passage of said predetermined period of time, said actuator is so controlled that the areas of said turbine nozzles become the minimum area to promote the warming-up of the engine when the water temperature of the engine or the engine load is smaller than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Nagae, Kouichi Akita, Hisashi Ohki
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Patent number: 5996348Abstract: An improved wastegate valve for turbochargers having bifurcated exhaust gas inlets includes a first bypass port communicating with a first portion of the exhaust inlet, a first poppet which engages and seals a seat surrounding the first port, a second bypass port communicating with a second portion of an exhaust inlet, and a second poppet which engages and seals a seat surrounding the second port. Actuation of the poppets is accomplished by a first substantially tubular shaft supported for rotation about an axis and having a central bore and a second substantially tubular shaft extending through the central bore of the first shaft and supported therein for rotation about the axis. The two shafts are concurrently rotated by a lever arm which is connected to the first shaft, at an opposite end to the radial arm, with a weld bead which extends across the end face of the first shaft, the bore, and a coplanar end of the second shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.Inventor: Billy Dean Watkins
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Patent number: 5996349Abstract: Briefly put, solar energy is collected preferably over a vast area. Alternatively, this uses waste thermal energy. The heat provides for ammonia gas to be released at variable intervals from reservoirs, filling an inflatable piston head that rises within a cylinder filled with solvent, to do work on a generator. The gas withdraws into another reservoir; this returns the heat value of the gas released from solution and the gas itself through separate processes. As a waste energy user the invention attaches to a cooling pipe without modification to the power plant. Apart from the generator and the transfer of gas the invention avoids all movement of matter. Solutions do not move to any large extent; the conditions of them alter through equilibration.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventor: John G Hookway
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Patent number: 5996350Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the superheating of steam is used, in particular, for converting saturated steam into hot steam in the field of nuclear energy generation. As a result of at least partial conversion of pressure energy of the steam into kinetic energy, in particular into kinetic energy of a rotational flow, the steam cools and condensate and residual steam are generated. After the condensate has been separated from the residual steam, the latter is superheated as a result of a reduction of its kinetic energy and is converted into hot steam.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Johann Meseth
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Patent number: 5996351Abstract: A combustor cooperating with a compressor in driving a gas turbine includes a cylindrical outer combustor casing. A combustion liner, having an upstream rich section, a quench section and a downstream lean section, is disposed within the outer combustor casing defining a combustion chamber having at least a core quench region and an outer quench region. A first plurality of quench holes are disposed within the liner at the quench section having a first diameter to provide cooling jet penetration to the core region of the quench section of the combustion chamber. A second plurality of quench holes are disposed within the liner at the quench section having a second diameter to provide cooling jet penetration to the outer region of the quench section of the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alan S. Feitelberg, Mark Christopher Schmidt, Steven George Goebel
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Patent number: 5996352Abstract: A swirler 50 for a gas turbine engine combustor 10 has an outer wall 54, groupings 52 of vanes 42 attached to the outer wall, a centerbody 60 mechanically decoupled from the outer wall via the groupings of vanes so that the swirler can accommodate differential rates of thermal growth between the outer wall and the inner centerbody and vanes. Alternatively, the centerbody may be attached to one of the groupings of vanes to keep the centerbody from vibrating.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Joseph D. Coughlan, Alan J. Goetschius
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Patent number: 5996353Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for controlling a temperature of a component of a processing system comprising one or more thermoelectric devices disposed in thermal conduction with the component and a thermal fluid passage disposed in thermal conduction with the thermoelectric device. To regulate the temperature of the component, the thermoelectric device is connected to an electrical power, and a thermally conductive fluid is flowed through the thermal passage. The invention further provides an apparatus for removing particles comprising one or more thermoelectric devices disposed on a gas exhaust line. To remove particles from a processing system, the thermoelectric devices are connected to an electrical power source to create a cold trap within the gas exhaust on which particles condense.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Maxwell, Julio Aranovich
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Patent number: 5996354Abstract: In order to cool a room, a cooling element fitted in the ceiling region is cooled to below the freezing point, preferably to about -40.degree. C., during the cooling phases so that condensate forming thereon freezes immediately. During regeneration phases when the room is not in use, the cooling element is defrosted and the melted condensate is caught in a condensate tray beneath the cooling element and drained via a discharge. The great temperature difference between the room to be cooled and the cooling element also makes it possible to obtain a strong cooling effect with a small cooling element, especially by indirect radiation exchange between the room and the cooling element via an intermediate ceiling. In addition, the air in the room is dehumidified since water vapor is deposited on and bonded to the cooling element in the form of ice.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Barcol-Air AGInventors: Helmuth Sokolean, Klaus Roschmann
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Patent number: 5996355Abstract: A thermodynamic closed cycle power and cryogenic refrigeration apparatus which simultaneously produces power and refrigeration. A mixture of a non-condensable first gas such as helium or hydrogen that is in state far from its saturation point and a condensable second gas such as nitrogen or ammonia that is capable of condensing during a working process but non-freezable is isothermally compressed in a sliding-blade gas/liquid compressor then the liquid content that absorbed adiabatic heat during compression of the gas/liquid mixture is separated from the mixture in a vortex separator. The cool non-condensable first gas is supplied to a heat exchanger and isobarically heated using heat of the ambient air or other low-temperature heat source to produce cool refrigerated air. The heated and compressed first gas enters a sliding-blade gas expander and adiabatic expanded and cooled while performing useful work by causing simultaneous rotation of the gas/liquid compressor rotor and gas expander rotor.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventors: Olga Jirnov, Alexei Jirnov
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Patent number: 5996356Abstract: A parallel type refrigerator provided with a plurality of condensing chambers which are formed by partitioning the inside of a shell of a condenser by partition plates so that a cooling medium flows through tubes respectively provided in the plurality of condensing chambers in sequence, and further provided with a plurality of evaporating chambers which are formed by partitioning the inside of a shell of an evaporator by partition plates so that a cooled medium flows through tubes respectively provided in the plurality of evaporating chambers in sequence.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Akio Kishimoto, Kenji Ueda, Kazuhiko Imoto, Zenichi Yoshida
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Patent number: 5996357Abstract: A system for checking an internal temperature of a refrigerator includes a thermochromic member on an external surface of the refrigerator. A heat transfer from an inside of the refrigerator to the thermochromic member is made through a duct formed through a wall of the refrigerator. Accordingly, depending upon a level of temperature inside the refrigerator, a color of the thermochromic member is changed or not, informing an user of a state of the refrigerator in operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hyun-Keun Park
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Patent number: 5996358Abstract: In the detection of circulating compositions in the cycle of a non-azeotropic refrigerant composed of three or more kinds of refrigerants, there have been drawbacks in that the number of sensors required is large, and large errors are contained in the circulating composition which can be detected. To overcome these drawbacks, the refrigerating and air-conditioning apparatus comprises at least a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducing device, and an evaporator, and in a refrigerant cycle which uses as a working refrigerant a non-azeotropic refrigerant composed of N kinds (N.gtoreq.3) of refrigerants and is provided with composition detecting means for detecting the circulating compositions of the non-azeotropic refrigerant, circulating compositions are determined by using (N-2) relations on compositions among a first component to a j-th (2.ltoreq.j.ltoreq.N-1) component of the non-azeotropic refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiro Sumida, Takashi Okazaki, Tomohiko Kasai, Osamu Morimoto, Yoshio Ueno
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Patent number: 5996359Abstract: An automatic beverage dispenser shut off system for a beverage dispenser includes a housing for a closed loop refrigeration system. A retaining tank feed system directs the beverage mix to a mixing cylinder having a rotatable beater bar mounted therein. The beater bar is coupled to a motor. The retaining tank cover is in actuating contact with a shut off switch in the power circuit of the beverage dispenser. Removal of the retaining tank cover automatically actuates the shut off switch and cuts off all power to the beverage dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventor: Greg A. Johnson
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Patent number: 5996360Abstract: A refrigerant cycle system includes a gas-liquid separator for separating gas-liquid refrigerant into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The gas-liquid separator has a liquid-suction pipe for introducing liquid refrigerant from the gas-liquid separator to a decompressing unit, and a gas-suction pipe for introducing gas refrigerant from the gas-liquid separator to a compressor. The gas-suction pipe has a suction hole for sucking liquid refrigerant therein, and the suction hole is provided at a position lower than an open end of the liquid-suction pipe. Because a height of a surface of liquid refrigerant in the gas-liquid separator is constantly equal to or higher than the open end of the liquid-suction pipe regardless of change in a heating load of the refrigerant cycle, liquid refrigerant is constantly sucked into the gas-suction pipe from the suction hole.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Masaya Tanaka, Hiroshi Ishikawa, Satoshi Itoh, Kunio Iritani
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Patent number: 5996361Abstract: A control circuit for a refrigeration system disposed within an outer cabinet having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment, a compressor, a condenser fan, an evaporator fan, an evaporator and a freezer thermostat disposed within the freezer compartment to sense temperature therein. Additionally, a fresh food thermostat is disposed within the fresh food compartment to sense temperature therein. A freezer thermostat switch is switched between an open state and a closed state in response to temperature signals generated from the freezer thermostat. A fresh food thermostat switch is switched between an open state and a closed state in response to temperature signals generated from the fresh food thermostat. An energy saver switch is disposed between the fresh food thermostat switch and a power source, which energy saver switch is switched between an open state and a closed state.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Warren Frank Bessler, Frank Joseph Bowden
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Patent number: 5996362Abstract: The water heater modified from refrigeration machine or air condition is constructed by adding an apparatus for heat accumulation by means of water parallel to the condenser of the original system, this modified system can be controlled to work as an ordinary refrigeration machine or air conditioner, or to work simultaneously both as a refrigeration machine or air conditioner and also as a water heater, the advantages of this water heater are that it is obtained by a simple modification to the existing refrigeration machine or air conditioner, it can be installed at a remote distance convenienty without decreasing the effectiveness and the safety of the original system, and it can be operated to supply hot water without any additional energy consumption from what being consumed for supplying cold air by an original refrigeration machine or air conditioner itself.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventor: Pichit Likitcheva
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Patent number: 5996363Abstract: An air conditioning equipment is provided with an oil level equalizing system, which includes a plurality of low-pressure shell-type compressors communicating with a suction line through a plurality of branch portions, a plurality of connecting lines each communicating with a corresponding compressor shell at a location adjacent to a normal oil level in the shell, and an oil level equalizing line communicating with the plurality of connecting lines. The oil level equalizing system also includes a communication line, through which the suction line communicates with the oil level equalizing line at a location upstream of the plurality of branch portions with respect to a direction of flow of a refrigerant. This arrangement functions to increase the pressure within the oil level equalizing line to a value higher than that within the shell of each compressor.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Masushita Refrigeration CompanyInventors: Masao Kurachi, Takashi Kaneko, Michiyoshi Kusaka, Kazuo Nakatani
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Patent number: 5996364Abstract: A scroll compressor has an economizer injection line communicating into the scroll compressor chambers. An unloader valve selectively communicates the economizer injection line back to suction. In this arrangement, the fluid ports and passages necessary to achieve the economizer injection are also utilized to achieve suction bypass unloading, and thus the compressor and system design and construction are simplified.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Alexander Lifson, James W. Bush
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Patent number: 5996365Abstract: A duct for leading air into a vehicle compartment is divided by a partition wall into two air passages. A first air passage is capable of taking in the exterior air while a second passage is capable of taking in only the interior air. In the duct, a cooling heat-exchanger is disposed at a downstream side of a blower unit, and a heating heat-exchanger is disposed at a more downstream side of the cooling heat-exchanger. A defroster air outlet opens at a downstream side of the first air passage, a foot-side air outlet opens at a downstream side of the second air passage, and a face-side air outlet opens between the cooling heat-exchanger and the heating heat-exchanger. A face-side door for opening and closing the face-side air outlet is capable of shutting off the air inlet side of the heating heat-exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Masaya Tanaka
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Patent number: 5996366Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerated cabinet for displaying and/or conserving food products or the like, e.g. in a shop. A product display module (3) suitable for being mounted in easily removable manner on an air cooler module (2) includes cool air flow means, and at its bottom portion includes a pallet (4) having air guide means (53). The technical field of the invention is that of making refrigerated cabinets.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventor: Andre Renard
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Patent number: 5996367Abstract: A simplified combustion engine driven heat pump system having electric power co-generation capability includes a compressor unloading valve to reduce demand on the engine and optimize the efficiency of intermittent power generation during heat pump system downtime. Some benefits of electrical power generation available in more sophisticated system designs are thereby obtained with a smaller, simpler, inexpensive and reliable system.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1993Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: James R. Harnish
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Patent number: 5996368Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a first, second and third internal devices, and an external device which is provided with a plurality of separately operable units.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kyung Sik Kim
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Patent number: 5996369Abstract: In a heating system having a refrigerating circuit accompanied with a sub-condenser, an air conditioner with the sub-condenser is designed with simplified piping structure and easy piping work. The system can be easily installed to an electric car and other vehicles. One block 11 is provided, in which a bypass flow path 9, a refrigerant returning flow path 10, connections 12, 13, 14, and 15 between both flow paths 9 and 10 and refrigerant main flow pipe 8, plural solenoid valves 21, 22, and 23 and plural check valves 31, 32, 33, and 34 to control flow passing states at the both flow paths to the refrigerant main flow pipe 8 are incorporated.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignees: TGK Co., Ltd., Calsonic CorporationInventor: Hisatoshi Hirota
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Patent number: 5996370Abstract: A refrigeration compartment door for refrigerators, provided with a door duct capable of introducing cool air to the interior of a refrigeration compartment, is disclosed. The door includes a main body having an insulating layer therein and a door duct provided in the insulating layer. Also, the door duct has at least two more branch ducts, so cool air, introduced from a cabinet of a refrigerator to the door duct, is separately introduced into the branch ducts. An insulating member is mounted to the door duct and has a plurality of first discharging holes in order to allow the cool air to be discharged into the interior of the refrigeration compartment passing through the door duct. Thus, a wide temperature difference between the interior of the refrigeration compartment and the door duct is reduced by the insulating member.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Hyung G. Lee
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Patent number: 5996371Abstract: A saddle type adsorbent unit including first and second porous fabric adsorbent containers, a connecting member connecting the first and second containers and for placement between the upstanding pipe portions of a U-shaped pipe of a receiver, tabs on the outer ends of the adsorbent containers having apertures therein for receiving a filter housing on the underside of a return bend of the U-shaped pipe to thereby fixedly mount the saddle type adsorbent unit onto the U-shaped pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Paul A. Riemenschneider
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Patent number: 5996372Abstract: An accumulator is capable of preventing an excessive enlargement of the flow rate of a liquid refrigerant which is discharged from the accumulator, reducing the quantity of refrigerating machine oil which is accumulated in the accumulator, and maintaining a required quantity of refrigerating machine oil in a compressor. Liquid and a gas which circulate in a refrigerating and air-conditioning circuit are introduced into a first space by a suction pipe, and the gas refrigerant is discharged to a refrigerating and air-conditioning circuit through a gas passage pipe, a second space and a discharge pipe 5. A liquid-level maintaining mechanism prevents a rise in the height of the accumulated liquid introduced into the first space. When the height has been made to be not lower than a predetermined height, a gas communication mechanism moves liquid in the first space from the first space to the second space.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshihide Koda, Masahiro Sugihara, Mihoko Shimoji, Naoki Tanaka, Hitoshi Iijima, Masaki Toyoshima
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Patent number: 5996373Abstract: A cryogenic air separation process and apparatus in a distillation column having a top condenser. Air is compressed, purified and cooled to a temperature suitable for distillation. The air is separated in a distillation column so that an oxygen-enriched liquid and a nitrogen-enriched gas are produced within the column. A stream of cryogenic liquid is sent to the column and an oxygen-enriched liquid is sent from the column to the condenser. The flow rate of cryogenic liquid is regulated as a function of the level of oxygen-enriched liquid at the bottom of the column, and a product stream is withdrawn from the column.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Ananyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Lucien Greter, Fran.cedilla.ois Venet
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Patent number: 5996374Abstract: A jewelry ring which comprises a ring section and a rod support section located above the ring section in which the rod support section includes rod support members at least one of which is hingedly connected to the ring section permitting the rod support members to be moved away from engaging the rod allowing a rotatable element to be inserted, placed on or removed from the rod and to lock the rotatable element in place when the movable support is moved into engagement with the rod.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1998Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Marquesa Jewelry Co., Inc.Inventor: Vahram Bardisbanyan
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Patent number: 5996375Abstract: A method of producing an optical waveguide grating by exposure to light. An optical waveguide having a core composed of a material wherein the refractive index changes due to exposure to UV light is formed into an optical waveguide grating by applying a grating portion formation step wherein a grating portion is formed by irradiation with UV light at a predetermined spacing, and an overall exposure step after formation of the grating portion wherein the entire grating portion is irradiated with UV light. As a result, the effective refractive index of the grating portion is changed so as to allow the central wavelength to be adjusted without changing the rejection. Consequently, the grating properties can be precisely and easily controlled.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventors: Michihiro Nakai, Kensuke Shima, Hiroshi Hidaka, Satoshi Okude, Masaaki Sudoh, Tetsuya Sakai, Akira Wada, Ryozo Yamauchi