Patents Issued in October 10, 2000
  • Patent number: 6129024
    Abstract: In connection with a projectile, the effective substance (4) is designed as a projectile core (3), which is held in place by a propulsion reflector sheath (1) and a propulsion reflector back (2). The data reception coil (13) and the power supply (14) are arranged in the propulsion reflection back (2), while the remaining elements (9, 10, 11, 12) of the programmable time fuse (8) are installed in the projectile core (3, 25). Predetermined breaking points are provided in the propulsion reflector sheath (1) and the propulsion reflector back (2), so that following the firing of the projectile, the propulsion reflector sheath (1) and the propulsion reflector back (2) with the data reception coil (13) and the power supply (14) are separated, and only the projectile core (3) with the remaining elements (9, 10, 11, 12) of the programmable time fuse (8) alone continue to travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Oerlikon Contraves AG
    Inventors: Michael Gerber, Peter Ettmueller
  • Patent number: 6129025
    Abstract: In a transportation/logistics system in which a pallet/vehicle with an automobile/container mounted/fixed thereon travels, a normal steering operation is carried out by changing the direction of the wheels (including tires) by an electronically controlled automatic steering system on the basis of steering information, whereby comfortable travel and a smooth turns are obtained. When the pallet/vehicle is about to run off a lane on which it travels, the run-off thereof is prevented physically and mechanically since a fin provided on the pallet/vehicle is inserted in a groove provided in a road, whereby a safe traffic/transportation system is obtained. The pallet/vehicle obtains a driving force by a gap length regulated/controlled linear induction motor so that the pallet/vehicle can travel at high speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Minakami, Motoyuki Minakami
  • Patent number: 6129026
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling cargo are disclosed which include a plurality of cargo carriers capable of being operated manually by human operators or remotely by a central controller. The carriers are operated in their manual mode to traverse paths near aircraft or other movable objects whose stopping positions cannot be accurately known until arrival. Once the carriers have been loaded and manually guided away from the movable object, they are driven onto a track from which point an automated controller takes over to guide the carriers to their destinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventor: Donald L. LeCroy
  • Patent number: 6129027
    Abstract: This invention concerns a processing machine, particularly for panel-shaped workpieces of wood or wood materials, which consists of: one or more processing stations which essentially lie in the same plane; at least one working unit which can travel over the work stations in three axes perpendicular to one another, and, a number of bearing rails upon which the displaceable carriage units are arranged in the plane of the work stations. The bearing rails have electrical and pneumatic supply interfaces for the carriage units and the supply interfaces are arranged linearly along the longitudinal direction of the bearing rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Shomag Maschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Achim Gauss, Karl Frey, Kurt Kalmbach
  • Patent number: 6129028
    Abstract: A mechanism for steering a beam guided vehicle having four steerable wheels linked to a centrally located steering trolley guided by an electrified T-shape beam mounted on a structural roadbed. A trolley flexibly propelled by the vehicle follows the guide beam to actuate the steering of the wheels. The trolley is quickly detachable by drop-pit access for rapid change-out to periodic off vehicle servicing. Two steering arm sensor posts engaging two sockets in the repositioned trolley guarantee interchangeability of standardized repaired units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: John B. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6129029
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a safe deposit box stored in a vault. The safe deposit box includes a customer lock and a bank lock, each of which must be opened to access the box. Apparatus is provided to permanently maintain the bank lock in an open position and to enable a customer to enter the vault without requiring the assistance of a bank teller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Ronald R. Watson
  • Patent number: 6129030
    Abstract: A device for positioning and joining at an angle, by means of a sewing machine, the borders of two flaps of fabric, particularly of a horizontal cloth and of a vertical band for forming the case of a mattress, having an angular element which comprises a first laminar channel, forming a guide for the border of the cloth, and a second laminar channel, which forms a guide for the border of the band; the channels are arranged at a right angle and each channel is comprised between two walls: one wall is external to the channels and the other wall is internal thereto; respective through openings are formed in the outer wall and two feeders are also provided which comprise rotating heads which are arranged so as to tangentially engage the cloth and the band through the through openings in order to place the borders of the cloth and of the band, guided in the channels, adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Resta S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Resta
  • Patent number: 6129031
    Abstract: A stitching apparatus and end effector system particularly suited for stitching composite preforms includes a six-degree-of-freedom manipulator arm and an end effector that is releasably coupled to the end of the manipulator arm by a quick-change coupler system. The end effector comprises a C-shaped bow having a pair of spaced-apart legs the free ends of which support a stitching head and a bobbin in opposing relation so that a workpiece to be stitched can be received between the stitching head and bobbin. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of bows of different configurations are provided, each having a quick-change coupler on each leg for releasably coupling the stitching head and the bobbin to the bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Branko Sarh, Ray Palmer
  • Patent number: 6129032
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for sewing textile articles, according to which provision is made for moving a sewing machine from and to article-supporting shapes, so as to cause the legs of the articles to be sewn to transit through an optical control port facing the needle of a seamer and extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to that of transit of the articles in the process of formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Matec S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pier Lorenzo Migliorini
  • Patent number: 6129033
    Abstract: A pulley- or roller-type block is provided with a lock arrangement. The block has a casing and a rolling unit mounted in the casing for clockwise and counterclockwise rolling. The rolling unit has a circumferential ring portion including a line-bearing surface whereby. In use the line is allowed to transit partially around the rolling unit as the rolling unit passively rolls clockwise or counterclockwise in response to alternate-direction transit of the line. The lock arrangement has a line-contacting portion operative between locking and unlocked extreme positions, and an operator for operating the strand-contacting portion. Wherein, because of the risk of forming a permanent weak spot in the line under highly concentrated locking contact, either .cndot. the circumferential ring portion of the rolling unit, including the strand-bearing surface thereof, or .cndot. the strand-contacting portion of the locking arrangement is formed from the following:--ie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: John L. Jarrell
  • Patent number: 6129034
    Abstract: Herein taught is an accessory cover device which is removably attachable to an open-top boat. With the cover being of a size and shape to provide comfortable shelter for the user. Also, the cover is portable, and easily assembled and secured while the user is in the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventors: Cathy D. Santa Cruz, Frank L. Davis, William L. Retzer
  • Patent number: 6129035
    Abstract: A visual car spotter that is visible for a distance either day or night. The visual car spotter includes a telescopic mast with three telescopic segments frusto in cross section constructed of translucent or transparent material which when extended frictionally lock one within another. The mast is removably attached to a base which either has a permanent magnet embedded therein or has a layer of plastic with magnetic particles embedded therein adjacent to the bottom of the base for attachment to the metal roof of the automobile. In one embodiment a light at the distal end of the extended mast is a visual indicator at night and in another embodiment the light is in the base and the entire mast has illumination. A lanyard attached to the base or mast or both extending into the interior of the automobile between the door and door frame prevents theft and provides notice to the driver of the automobile to remove the visual car spotter from the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Dale Schweinberger
  • Patent number: 6129036
    Abstract: A swimmer's safety device including a casing having a top surface with a plurality of perforations to allow water to enter once submerged, and having a deflectable membrane along with a plunger to penetrate a dye material and puncture a rupturable bottom surface to release the dye into the water, once the casing is submerged to a depth predetermined aforehand, and for a time interval set in accordance with the skills of the swimmer, as well. The casing, in accordance with the invention, could be incorporated as part of a swimsuit construction, could be temporarily secured to the swimsuit of a wearer, or could be worn as a swimsuit accessory as a wristband, armband, headband, or necklace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventors: Lawrence P. King, Matthew G. Reinhart, David M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6129037
    Abstract: A bakery dough flour applicator 10 for applying flour 12 to a dough piece 22 as the dough piece 22 travels along a processing path 134 includes a hopper 32 for supplying flour 12 and a transfer assembly 54 for providing flour 12 from the hopper 32 to an aerator 34 which creates an airborne flow of flour 40. The airborne flow of flour 40 is delivered to the interior of an enclosure 130 disposed about the dough processing path 134 through a plurality of spray nozzles 44 which direct the airborne flow of flour 40 to a dough piece 22 travelling through the enclosure 130 along the processing path 134 so that flour 12 from the airborne flow 40 adheres to the exterior surface of the dough piece 22. Flour 12 that does not adhere to a dough piece 22 is collected and filtered and provided back to the hopper 32 for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Camtech, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James L. Watts, Sterrett P. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6129038
    Abstract: A tablet coating machine for applying a coating to a bed of tablets, the machine comprising a circular drum with frusto-conical ends which is rotated about its axis. The periphery of the drum is perforated to allow air to flow through the bed of tablets disposed in the drum under the action of a suction shoe. In order to be able to optimise the efficiency of the tablet coating process for different quantities of tablets, the volumetric capacity of the drum is adjustable to achieve a desired tablet depth for the quantity of tablets being processed. More particularly an axially adjustable wall portion is provided within the drum to adjust the length of the tablet containing portion of the drum. The wall portion is made up of segments which are dimensioned to fit through an opening into the drum by which tablets are introduced into the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: BWI plc
    Inventors: Kenneth Lawrence Morrow, Paul Raymond Westcott
  • Patent number: 6129039
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for evenly applying an atomized adhesive for bonding a die to a leadframe is disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a hood in communication with an air supply and a vacuum plenum that encompass a semiconductor device component located in a target area during adhesive application so that the adhesive is selectively applied to specific portions of the leadframe or other semiconductor device component and adhesive is not allowed outside the system. A mask or stencil may be employed for further prevention of adhesive application to undesired areas. An air purge may be employed to direct the adhesive mist toward the component to be coated. In another embodiment, a fine adhesive spray is directed against the surface of the workpiece to be coated, selected areas being masked to prevent coating. Wafers may be coated as well as leadframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sven Evers
  • Patent number: 6129040
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying an adhesive pattern to a chip mounting surface by means of an adhesive dispensing head movable in z, y, and z dimensions, contains a first carriage, which is movable in x and y dimensions using first and second actuators. A second carriage with a dispensing head is movable in the z dimension, perpendicular to the chip mounting surface, on a guide mounted on the first carriage. A third actuator is provided with a positioning motor mounted in a stationary manner and an auxiliary carriage displaceable in the z direction. The auxiliary carriage, driven by the positioning motor, runs in a stationary guide. The auxiliary carriage has a positioning surface parallel to the chip mounting surface and a stop, the stop kept in constant contact with the positioning surface. Preferably, this contact is a gliding contact retained by a spring. The apparatus has good dynamic properties which make possible a rapid "drawing" of adhesive patterns with a high degree of precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Esec SA
    Inventors: Franco Viggiano, Christof Koster
  • Patent number: 6129041
    Abstract: When motor vehicle wheels are subjected to a coating process, the fastener holes must be masked. Masking elements are inserted into pilot holes of the fastener holes for masking the fastener holes during the coating process. The masking elements are such that they a form-locked in the respective pilot hole. In the apparatus in accordance with the invention a controlled swivel arm with a feed hopper is provided for feeding each masking element to the pilot hole of the fastener hole. After the coating process the masking element is removed from the pilot hole by swivel movement of the wheel, such that the masking element drops out of the pilot hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Stahlschmidt und Maiworm GmbH
    Inventors: Friedhelm Maiworm, Gottfried Graf
  • Patent number: 6129042
    Abstract: In a process and machine for coating a surface of an ophthalmic lens, the lens is manually loaded by the operator to a wash/dry station within an enclosure of the coating machine. Thereafter, the machine computer controls the entire process. The machine is closed to minimize the introduction of external contaminates into the machine. Positive pressure and filtration of air is initiated in the enclosure before washing the lens. The loaded lens is washed and dried at the wash/dry station. The dried lens is transferred to a coating station within the enclosure and coated. The coated lens is transferred to a curing oven within the enclosure and cured. The cured lens is then discharged from the curing oven and the machine for collection by the operator. The machine can simultaneously process three lenses, one in the wash/dry/coat section, one in the cure section and one at a pick-off station between the wash/dry/coat and cure sections of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Coburn Optical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith, Daniel P. Branch
  • Patent number: 6129043
    Abstract: A gas tube with heating apparatus. The gas tube is applicable in a chemical vapor deposition machine. The gas comprises a gas circulating tube and a coaxial gas tube invaginating a gas transporting tube therein. A heater is installed in the gas circulating tube, while the coaxial tube is covered by a thermal insulating layer. In addition, a control valve, a pressure gauge, and a particle trap are installed in a gas supplying tube connecting with the gas circulating tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-Hsin Lai, Fu-Yang Yu
  • Patent number: 6129044
    Abstract: The present invention provides an approach which provides an increase in the number of usable substrates with a film, such as titanium nitride, deposited thereon at a sufficient deposition rate and where the film meets uniformity and resistivity specifications as well as providing good step coverage. In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for substrate processing. The apparatus circulates a heat exchange medium through a passage in a chamber body of a vacuum chamber, and heats a heater pedestal having a surface for supporting the substrate to a heater temperature. The heat exchange medium has a heat exchange temperature of about 60.degree. C. or less. The the apparatus also flows a gas into the chamber at a flow rate to deposit a film on a substrate, where the flow rate provides an effective temperature of the substrate lower than the heater temperature and where the film meets uniformity and resistance specifications after deposition onto a number of substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Zhao, Ashok Sinha, Avi Tepman, Mei Chang, Lee Luo, Alex Schreiber, Talex Sajoto, Stefan Wolff, Charles Dornfest, Michal Danek
  • Patent number: 6129045
    Abstract: A spherical object transport apparatus of the invention brings a spiral stream into contact with a first atmosphere containing a spherical object, selectively sucks the first atmosphere outward so as to engulf in the spiral stream for diffusing the first atmosphere outward, guides the spherical object so that the spherical object passes through the center of the transport apparatus, supplies a second atmosphere to the spherical object, and sends the spherical object together with the second atmosphere to the following step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignees: Mitsui High-tec Inc., Nippon Pneumatics/Fluidics System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumi Amano, Tashiro Arai
  • Patent number: 6129046
    Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate processing apparatus having improved temperature distribution on a block heater and improved productivity. The substrate processing apparatus includes a reactor having an exhaust unit to form a vacuum environment therein for processing a surface of a substrate, a support member provided in the reactor, and gas introduction units for introducing reactive gases into the reactor, the substrate support member including a block heater. The block heater has upper, intermediate and lower members, which are placed one over another, the faying surfaces of the respective members being joined by diffusion bonding. A heating member is provided between the intermediate and lower members, and purge gas passages are formed between the intermediate and upper members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Mizuno, Masahito Ishihara, Kazuhito Watanabe, Nobuyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6129047
    Abstract: It was an objective of the present invention to provide a susceptor which can prevent a increasing phenomenon of the dopant concentration of the epitaxial layer at the peripheral portion of the wafer. By providing a through-hole 7 passing through to a rear side at the outer peripheral side of the wafer inside the wafer pocket 6, a down flow of a reacting source gas from the upper surface of the susceptor 5 is formed, so that the unwanted flow of the dopant species being exhausted at the rear surface onto the wafer surface can be avoided. As a result, a raise in the dopant concentration at the outer peripheral portion of the epitaxial layer 9 can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6129048
    Abstract: A susceptor for supporting wafers in a reaction chamber of a barrel reactor during a chemical vapor deposition process. The susceptor includes a body sized and shaped for receipt within the reaction chamber of the barrel reactor. The body includes a generally laterally facing, sloped face having a plurality of circular recesses therein for receiving wafers to support the wafers with one surface directed generally laterally outward for exposure to reactant gas inside the reaction chamber of the barrel reactor during the chemical vapor deposition process. Each of the plurality of recesses has a substantially planar bottom and opposing arcuate wall portions on opposite sides of the planar bottom. Each wall portion intersects and merges with a corresponding wall portion of at least one adjoining recess of the plurality of recesses at an intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven M. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6129049
    Abstract: A feeding device for feeding young pigs comprises a feeding tube (16), which may be a flexibly yielding or a rigid feeding tube. The feeding tube (16) is connected with a feed reservoir (26) and is fastened to a frame (15). The lower end (17) of the feeding tube (16) is arranged at a short distance over a feeding plate (12). Arranged around the lower end of the tube is a ring (1). The ring (1) may be manipulated by young pigs, which have a size between 5 and 13 kg, so that these animals are able to be fed by the feeding device. The feeding device will make it possible in a technically simple manner to feed young pigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Helena E. E. Petersen
    Inventors: Hans Rasmussen, Helena E. E. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6129050
    Abstract: A canine waste collection apparatus for providing a location where canine pets can deposit their waste so that the waste is collected in a convenient location for easy disposal. The canine waste collection apparatus includes a base having a cavity therein and a top opening and a side opening into the cavity. A screen covers the top opening to prevent passage of objects greater than a predetermined size through the top opening. A drawer with an open top is slidably inserted through the side opening into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Jesse V. Carbajal
  • Patent number: 6129051
    Abstract: A collapsible insect containers are provide that comprise a base, a top having a selectively closeable passageway therein, at least one support member that extends between and engages the base and top and supports the top in spaced relation to the base, and pliant sidewalls that extend between the base and top and enclose the space therebetween. By utilizing pliant sidewalls, the container, absent support by the support members, is collapsible and may be packaged in a collapsed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Processed Plastic Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Jessie, David C. Bergman
  • Patent number: 6129052
    Abstract: A knock-down bird cage, which includes a cage body and a stand supporting the cage body, wherein the cage body is formed of a right side panel, a left side panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a right top panel, a left top panel, a horizontal bottom panel, and a collector plate spaced below the horizontal bottom panel and defining with a respective bumper board at each of the right side panel, left side panel, front panel and rear panel a receptacle for collecting waste matter; the stand include a plurality of legs, the legs each a top mounting frame, and a plurality of clamping plates respectively fastened to the top mounting frame at each of the legs to secure the legs to the receptacle of the cage body at a bottom side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Candy Huang
  • Patent number: 6129053
    Abstract: A pet toy product for holding one or more animal treats has a body member having an outer surface with one or more recesses for removably holding one or more animal treats. The recesses may be of varying depth so that the treats in the deeper recesses are more difficult for the animal to extract than are the treats in the shallower recesses. The recesses may be circular, triangular, irregular, in the form of a groove or any other suitable configuration. The outer surface of the toy may be raised to accommodate the recesses or the recesses may extend into the surface. The pet toy may have recesses forming openings which extend through the pet toy product for receiving treats. With the structure recited, the pet owner can replenish the treats as often as necessary to maintain the pet's interest in the toy. Different treats can be provided with different nutritional values and tastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Markham, Brent P. Johnson, Gary D. Fields
  • Patent number: 6129054
    Abstract: A pad is designed to form a collar for supporting the neck of an animal. The pad is formed from a resilient, trimmable, and washable material having a top surface and a bottom surface separated by a pad thickness t. The pad is preferably substantially rectangular, having a pair of free ends which embrace the mandible and scapula of the animal, and a pair of engaging ends which overlap. The pad has a pad length L.sub.p between the engaging ends, and a pad width W.sub.p between the free ends. Preferably, the ratio of L.sub.p /W.sub.p is such that 3<L.sub.p /W.sub.p <6. The pad is preferably fabricated from a closed-cell polymer foam, and the top and bottom surfaces preferably form soil-resistant layers. Cross-linked polyethylene foam having a density of between about 2 and 6 lbs/cu.ft. with the thickness t being about 1/4 inch has been found effective. To form a collar, one or more inelastic bands secure the pad about the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Blair H. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6129055
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ring belt. Locking units are provided in both ends of the ring belt so that they may be removably coupled to each other. An extension is formed to start from the end of the ring belt in which one locking unit is provided to extend along by the inside of the ring. A coupling ring is provided in the top end of the extension for holding a lead or a lifeline. Another coupling ring is also provided in the position corresponding to the coupling ring in the ring belt for holding a lead or a lifeline while both the locking units remain locked together. Such an arrangement enables both these coupling rings to be located in the adjacent positions with both locking units locked together so that the lead may be connected with both coupling rings. This will cause a force from the lead to be transmitted to the extension in such a way that there is no influence of this force on both locking units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Clasp, Inc.
    Inventor: Toyohiro Hanada
  • Patent number: 6129056
    Abstract: A cooling system for a work vehicle (e.g., a wheel loader) having reduced air restriction noise includes a cooling system frame defining an enclosure therein. A cooler (e.g., an engine cooler) and a fan are coupled to the cooling system frame, the fan imparting a velocity on a flow of cooling air flowing through the cooler. An air deflection member is coupled to the cooling system frame and extends into the enclosure to shape the flow of cooling air as it travels between the cooler and the fan. The air deflection member defines a fluid reservoir (e.g., a hydraulic reservoir) for holding a fluid (e.g., a hydraulic fluid).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: James C. Skeel, Dale M. Winkelman
  • Patent number: 6129057
    Abstract: An engine block includes a unitary engine block casing having a cylinder wall and an upper peripheral wall spaced from the cylinder wall to define an open channel therebetween. The channel has a bottom formed by a portion of the engine block casing and an open top formed between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall. An independent insert member is disposed in the open top of the channel extending between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall for providing structural support between the cylinder wall and the peripheral wall. The invention further includes a method for diecasting the engine block using permanent molds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Langer
  • Patent number: 6129058
    Abstract: An oil blow-by reservoir is provided including a blow by tube of an engine with oil passing therethrough. Also included is a container with at least one mounting bracket for mounting the container to the engine. At least one vent is formed in a top face of container. An oil deflector is included for preventing oil from exiting the container upon the release of pressure from within the container. An oil inlet is formed in the container and connected to the blow by tube for receiving oil therefrom. Finally, an oil release valve is connected to the container for allowing the selective removal of oil from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: George R. Muth
  • Patent number: 6129059
    Abstract: To provide a 2-stroke cycle internal combustion engine for a vehicle in which less blowoff of a gas mixture occurs in a combustion chamber, fuel consumption is low and high exhaust gas purifying performance is attained. The cylinder of the internal combustion engine is slightly inclined toward the forward side of the vehicle body from its upright position. The high pressure chamber and the communication passages are arranged forwardly toward the vehicle body from the cylinder. Openings of the communicating passages toward the combustion chamber are arranged, from the scavenging port, near the combustion chamber. The intake control valve rotated from the crank chamber near the openings of the communicating passages toward the combustion chamber is arranged near the openings of the communicating passages, and the exhaust pipe and the exhaust expansion chamber communicating with the exhaust gas passage of the internal combustion engine are arranged at a rear part of the vehicle body from the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Asai
  • Patent number: 6129060
    Abstract: A camshaft phase changing apparatus for an internal combustion engine has a control valve interposed in a hydraulic circuit. The control valve controls the connection between one of first and second hydraulic passages and the hydraulic supply passage and the connection between the other of the first and second hydraulic passages to the hydraulic drain passage according to the engine driving condition. The first and second hydraulic passages are linked to a corresponding one of an advance-angle side hydraulic chamber and a retardation-angle side hydraulic chamber defined between a rotatable main body and a sleeve fitted on the camshaft. The control valve has a first port connecting the hydraulic drain passage to either the first or second hydraulic passage, and a second port connecting the hydraulic supply passage to the other of the first or second hydraulic passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Koda
  • Patent number: 6129061
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a rotational phase is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an input member provided so as to be rotatable, an output member co-axially provided with the input member so as to be rotatable, a planetary gear mechanism co-axially provided with the input member and the output member for connecting the input member with the output member, the planetary gear mechanism including three elements, namely a sun gear, a planetary carrier supporting planetary gears and a ring gear, a drive apparatus connected with one of the three elements of the planetary gear mechanism for shifting a rotation phase, the drive means including two members which are rotatable with respect to each other. One of the input member and the output member is connected with the ring gear, and the other of the input member and the output member is connected with the planetary carrier. The two members of the drive apparatus is co-axially provided with the planetary gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tsunehisa Okuda, Yoshiyuki Shinya, Tsutomu Shimizu, Yasuaki Hasegawa, Toshihide Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6129062
    Abstract: In a camshaft phase changing apparatus for an internal combustion engine, a plurality of sealed surfaces are formed between an inner peripheral surface of a predetermined hole (a retaining hole formed in an engine cylinder block) present between respective annular hydraulic introducing grooves and an outer peripheral surface of a valve body of an electromagnetic type hydraulic control valve and a length of one of the sealed surfaces having a first difference in pressure is set to be longer than that of the other of the sealed surfaces having a second difference in pressure, the first difference in pressure being larger than the second difference in pressure. In the embodiment, an axial length (S1, S1) of each of the one of the sealed surfaces is set to be longer than that (S2, S2) of each of the others of the sealed surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Koda
  • Patent number: 6129063
    Abstract: A device for changing the rotational position of a shaft relative to a drive wheel has an adjusting device with two pressure chambers that act against one another. The chambers are pressurized by a pressure medium pump. The adjusting device includes an inner part with ribs that divides the chambers formed by the ribs of a compartmented wheel into corresponding pressure chambers. A plurality of depressions extending axially are machined into the circumferential surfaces of the compartmented wheel that faces the ribs of the inner part, which depressions serve to collect dirt particles carried by the pressure medium into the pressure chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Bernd Niethammer, Andreas Knecht
  • Patent number: 6129064
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled cylinder head for a multicylinder internal combustion engine. The cylinder head has a coolant chamber in which gas exchange passages running in the direction of a transverse engine axis and at least one chamber for a spark plug and/or an injection nozzle are arranged. Also, bolt pipes for distributing the bolt tension forces of the cylinder head bolts are provided, the cylinder head being joinable to a crankcase of the internal combustion engine with interposition of a cylinder head seal. The bolt pipes have ribs formed by thickened configurations of adjacent wall sections of the gas exchange passages in the region of the cylinder head bolt. A high, uniform surface pressure on the cylinder head seal is thereby enabled, even in the regions between the cylinder head bolts, and even when space is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Berner, Wolfgang Kizler, Roland Meyer, Bernard Vethacke
  • Patent number: 6129065
    Abstract: In a cylinder injection engine which includes an injection valve disposed in the vicinity of an intake port of the engine and adapted to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, a spark plug disposed closer to the center portion of the combustion chamber than the injection valve, and a piston having a cavity formed in the top face that substantially faces the injection valve and the spark plug, the cavity is formed by smoothly connecting a curved surface located below the spark plug and a curved surface located below the injection valve via a connection curved surface. The curvature .kappa..sub.1 of the curved surface located under the injection valve and the curvature .kappa..sub.2 of the curved surface located under the spark plug satisfy a relationship .kappa..sub.1 <.kappa..sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsunori Ueda, Nobuaki Murakami, Takashi Kawabe, Jun Takemura, Tetsuo Kataoka
  • Patent number: 6129066
    Abstract: A piston for an internal-combustion engine has a longitudinal axis, a crown and an outer crown face. The crown face includes a dished depression; a surface region surrounding the dished depression and being elevated relative thereto; and a plurality of substantially radially extending clefts subdividing the surface region into a plurality of elevated partial surface regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Umierski
  • Patent number: 6129067
    Abstract: An improved rotary engine (12), wherein the improvement comprises a facility (58) for transferring any remaining exhaust gases from a first center well (16) in a housing (14) of the engine (12) into a cavity (34) of a second rotor (32) in a second well (18) in the housing (14) during the expansion cycle. An assembly (62) is for purging any remaining exhaust gases from the cavity (34) of the second rotor (32) in the second well (18) back into an air intake port (44) in the housing (14). An assembly (70) is for ejecting the compression of any fresh air and trapped exhaust gases into an exhaust port (48) in the housing (14) during the meshing of a piston (28) on a first rotor (26) in the first center well (16), with a cavity in a third rotor (38) in a third well (22) in the housing (14). A unit (78) is for drawing fresh air from the air intake port (44) into the cavity (40) in the third rotor (38), when the piston (28) of the first rotor (26) starts to exit from the cavity (40) in the third rotor (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas Riley
  • Patent number: 6129068
    Abstract: A rotary engine (10) is provided having a housing (11), a rotor (34) mounted within the housing, an intake manifold 21, an exhaust manifold (33) and a reciprocating combustion containment valve (42). The rotor has a base (35) and a shoulder (36) extending from the base. A fuel injector (23), air injector (25) and spark plug (27) are all coupled to the intake manifold. The rotor is coupled to a cam (40) having a cam follower (43) thereon coupled to the combustion containment valve, whereby the movement of the combustion containment valve is synchronized with the movement of the rotor shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: John L. Wingate, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6129069
    Abstract: An ignition device (22) is positioned in an ignition chamber (21) which in turn is positioned in a prechamber (11) in the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. A valve controlling flow to and from the ignition chamber is opened to initiate ignition near top dead center of the compression stroke and is closed before the exhaust stroke to trap hot combustion gases in the ignition chamber. Very exacting control of ignition is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignees: Motoren-Werke Mannheim AG, GET Gas Engine Technology B.V.
    Inventor: Paul Uitenbroek
  • Patent number: 6129070
    Abstract: A piston for a cylinder direct injection spark ignition internal combustion engine mounted on an automotive vehicle. The piston comprises a piston head including a protruded section which is protruded from a standard horizontal plane which is perpendicular to a center axis of the piston. The protruded section has a cavity whose periphery forms a generally circular ridgeline, and an inclined surface formed outside the ridgeline and extending toward a periphery of the piston head. The inclined surface continuously slopes down in a direction from the ridgeline to the periphery of the piston. The inclined surface forms an angle (.theta.1) ranging from 10 to 60.degree. relative to the standard horizontal plane. The cavity has a depth (A) within a range of from 3 to 9 mm which depth is an axial distance between a bottom surface of the cavity and the standard horizontal plane of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhisa Jingu, Mitsuhiro Akagi
  • Patent number: 6129071
    Abstract: An electronic throttle valve for an engine includes a throttle plate with upper and lower reliefs that allows for tight closed in bore sealing and allows the throttle plate to rotate past the maximum airflow position. A unidirectional spring force is used to reduce feedback control problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 6129072
    Abstract: A hydraulically actuated device includes a device body which defines an inlet passage and an outlet passage. The inlet passage is separated from the outlet passage by a first valve seat and a second valve seat. The device body also defines a control passage that opens into an area between the first valve seat and the second valve seat. Trapped between the first valve seat and the second valve seat is a ball valve member. When the ball valve member is in contact with the first valve seat, it acts to close the inlet passage to the control passage. Likewise, when the ball valve member is in contact with the second valve seat, it acts to close the outlet passage to the control passage. Attached to the device body is an electrical actuator. When the electrical actuator is de-energized, a compression spring positioned in the device body biases the ball valve member into contact with the first valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Graves
  • Patent number: 6129073
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic fuel injection valve for injecting fuel by opening/closing a fuel flowing path, including a valve seat, a valve element for opening/closing the fuel flowing path formed between the valve seat and the valve element, and a drive unit having at least one coil, for driving the valve element. The drive unit includes a first magnetomotive force generating device using the at least one coil and a second magnetomotive force generating device, the first magnetomotive force generating device and the second magnetomotive force generating device being composed so that the first magnetomotive force generating device generates and raises magnetomotive force at a larger rate of change in time in comparison with the second magnetomotive force generating device. A valve opening hold state is held by the second magnetomotive force generating device which uses a smaller current flow in comparison with the first magnetomotive force generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Yamakado, Yoshio Okamoto, Nobukatsu Arai, Yuzo Kadomukai, Yoshiyuki Tanabe, Yasunaga Hamada, Yasuo Namaizawa, Hiromasa Kubo, Kenji Tabuchi