Patents Issued in December 19, 2000
  • Patent number: 6161485
    Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of end rails (12a, 12c) fixed to a support surface and one or more intermediate rails (12b) located parallel to and between the pair of end rails (12a, 12c). At least one carriage (10) is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails (12a-c). The carriage (10) includes an elongated frame (17) that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels (23) and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft (35) which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft (35) and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear (33) on the shaft which has a substantially smaller diameter than the diameter of driven gears (29) on the units. An electric motor (41) is operatively connected to the drive shaft (35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Spacesaver Corporation
    Inventor: James C Muth
  • Patent number: 6161486
    Abstract: A foldable and extendable bench for allowing users with limited space to have a full size work bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Andrew P. Boots
  • Patent number: 6161487
    Abstract: A computer office table structure includes an upstanding rod having a lower end fixed to a supporting base and an upper end provided with a shoulder, a supporting post extending upward from the shoulder and having a diameter smaller than that of the upstanding rod, a first table supporting member provided with a plurality of crossbars and including a first end provided with a first extension bar having a first sleeve rotatably mounted on the supporting post, and a second end provided with a first table leg and two first rollers each rotatably mounted on the first table leg, a second table supporting member provided with a plurality of crossbars and including a first end provided with a second extension bar having a second sleeve rotatably mounted on the supporting post and a second end provided with a second table leg and two second rollers each rotatably mounted on the second table leg, two table plates each mounted on the first table supporting member and the second table supporting member, and a supporting
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Chien-Kuo Chang
  • Patent number: 6161488
    Abstract: A shelf (1) for a cabinet. The shelf has a hinged flap (7,8) at either end. When the shelf is lifted, the flaps pivot downwardly under gravity to cause an effective reduction in the width of the shelf allowing the shelf to be removed between two front posts of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Edward A Reddicliffe
  • Patent number: 6161489
    Abstract: A fabric table cover assembly including a table cover body having a top portion configured for covering a top of a table and a bottom portion configured to at least partially cover a support portion of the table. The bottom portion of the table cover body is dark colored for forming an opaque skin about the support portion of the table. The top portion of the table cover body is light colored, and preferably white, so that light colored overlay fabrics positioned upon the top portion are colorwise unaffected in appearance by the top portion. The top portion and the bottom portion of the table cover body are separate fabric pieces joined together at a seam to form the table cover body. The seam is arranged to be located immediately below a top of the table when installed thereupon and therefore substantially concealed from sight. An overlay table top cover is configured to cover the top portion of the table cover body for presenting a contrasting appearance to the bottom portion of the cover body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Mitchell T. Kelldorf
  • Patent number: 6161490
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a swirling-type melting furnace for gasifying combustible wastes and/or coal, and a method of gasifying wastes by the swirling-type melting furnace. In the swirling-type melting furnace (5), gaseous materials supplied to a combustion chamber (6) form a swirling flow which includes an outer swirling flow primarily containing particulate combustibles and an inner swirling flow primarily containing gaseous combustibles. Oxygen is supplied through an inner wall of the combustion chamber (6) to the outer swirling flow primarily containing the particulate combustibles for thereby accelerating gasification of the particulate combustibles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shosaku Fujinami, Shuichi Nagato, Takahiro Oshita, Shinichirou Chiba, Osamu Kameda, Toshio Fukuda, Yoshio Kosaka
  • Patent number: 6161491
    Abstract: Embroidery pattern positioning apparatus and embroidering apparatus is disclosed, wherein a pattern is projected on a cloth F on which the pattern is embroidered. The projected pattern is moved on the cloth by operation of jog keys 6 to determine a position of the pattern where the pattern is stitched. In the meantime the original position of a carriage is adjusted or the position of the pattern is calculated and memorized in accordance with the moving amount of the pattern. This operation may be repeated as to each of plural patterns selected to be stitched such that a plurality of patterns may be stitched respectively at the positions determined and memorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Janome Sewing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Takenoya, Hidechika Kuramoto, Akiyoshi Sasano
  • Patent number: 6161492
    Abstract: A trolling plate having first and second plate members joined in hinged fashion with one of the trolling plates moveable to a trailed inclined position in the presence of boat propulsion system backwash associated with speeds in excess of trolling speeds. Spring components reposition the trailing inclined plate member upon resumption of reduced boat speed and reduced backwash forces. Trailing of the plate member during high backwash force avoids trolling plate damage and, in some trolling plate assemblies avoids undesired unlatching of the trolling plate from an operative vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: William B. Dyer
  • Patent number: 6161493
    Abstract: A lift-off cover assembly for barges includes adjacently positioned curved cover sections and end cover sections located at opposite ends of the adjacently positioned curved cover sections. The cover assembly includes a central walkway which extends between openings on the cover assembly and climbing stairs which are positioned so as to facilitate the travel of a cargo loading operated toward the openings. Additionally, each of openings can include cover members such as lids or doors which have handles or latches that are accessible from the central walkway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Proform Company LLC
    Inventor: Robin L. Berg, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6161494
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bumper device for boats, which is extremely simple to use. The device comprises inflatable bodies, which are associated with the peripheral walls of the boat, and means for inflation-deflation of the inflatable bodies. The means for inflation-deflation can be activated by command, for transition of the inflatable bodies from a condition of rest, in which they are deflated, to a condition of work, in which they are inflated, and project from the peripheral walls of the boat, in order to protect the peripheral walls during mooring manoeuvres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Adriano Iannucci
    Inventors: Antonello Lucio Pontevolpe, Adriano Iannucci, Roberto Corbetta, Gianni Mariani
  • Patent number: 6161495
    Abstract: A marine vessel having backup power storage in the event of primary power source failure. The invention applies to different marine vessels and is particularly suited to vessels used in marine seismic operations. A rotating mass energy storage provides stored energy which can be distributed to the vessel following primary power source failure. A pulsed generator charges the energy storage means, and the pulsed generator can comprise a homopolar generator or a compensated pulsed alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc
    Inventor: Loran Ambs
  • Patent number: 6161496
    Abstract: A boat includes a hull and a unique integrated, molded, floor and stringer system for positioning in the hull for providing structural support and stiffening thereto. The floor and stringer system may include first and second stringers and at least two bulkheads extending therebetween. The first and second stringers include a floor surface integrally molded therewith so that once the floor and stringer system is positioned in the interior of the hull, the floor surface remains exposed to serve as part of the boat's floor. Associated methods for manufacturing the boat and integrated floor and stringer system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Jimmy J. Fulks
  • Patent number: 6161497
    Abstract: A parking aid in the form of a vehicle position indicator and parking method that includes an alerting mechanism that deploys when a portion of the vehicle contacts a deployment mechanism positioned in a predetermined location to alert the driver that the desired position has been achieved. The vehicle position indicator includes a weighted base assembly, a deployment bellows assembly in connection with the weighted base assembly, and an inflatable recoil tube in air flow communication with the deployment bellows assembly and supported on the weighted base. The deployment bellows assembly has an air volume equal to the air volume of the inflatable recoil tube such that when the deployment bellows is fully compressed, the inflatable recoil tube is fully inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Billy P. Sallee
  • Patent number: 6161498
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma process apparatus which permits generating microwaves and a magnetic field so as to bring about electron cyclotron resonance and, thus, to generate a plasma which is applied to a semiconductor wafer, comprising microwave generating means for generating said microwaves, microwave transmitting means for transmitting the microwaves, a process chamber having said semiconductor wafer arranged therein, the microwaves being introduced into said process chamber through said microwave transmitting means, process gas supply means for supplying a process gas into said process chamber, and magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field within the process chamber. The frequency of the microwave falls within a range between a lower limit of a cutoff frequency determined by the inner diameter of the process chamber and an upper limit of a maximum frequency at which a standing wave of the microwave does not occur on the surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Toraguchi, Satoru Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6161499
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for nucleation and growth of diamond by hot-filament DC plasma deposition. The apparatus uses a resistively heated filament array for dissociating hydrogen in the reactant gas. For two sided diamond growth, configurations of substrate-hot filament-grid-hot filament-substrate or substrate-hot filament-hot filament-substrate configuration are used. For the latter configuration, two independent arrays of filaments serve as both hot filament and grid, and AC or DC plasma is maintained between the filament arrays. For this and the other electrode configurations, the grid electrode is positively biased with respect to the hot filaments to maintain a plasma. The plasma potential gradient across the grid and the hot-filament draws ions from the plasma towards the filaments. To further increase deposition rates, the filament array is biased negatively with respect to the substrate holder so that a DC plasma is also maintained between the substrate and filament array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: CVD Diamond Corporation
    Inventors: Biwu Sun, Leo W. M. Lau
  • Patent number: 6161500
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a film by chemical vapor deposition comprises a showerhead for dispersing reactant gases into the processing space wherein the showerhead has a first space therein operable for receiving and dispersing the first reacting gas, and has a second space therein, generally isolated from the first space, and operable for receiving and dispersing the second reactant gas separate from the first gas dispersion for maintaining segregation of reactant gases and generally preventing premature mixture of the gases prior to their introduction into the processing space to prevent premature deposition in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Stanislaw Kopacz, Douglas Arthur Webb, Gerrit Jan Leusink, Rene Emile LeBlanc, Michael S. Ameen, Joseph Todd Hillman, Robert F. Foster, Robert Clark Rowan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6161501
    Abstract: In a device for generating plasma in a vacuum chamber (9) with the aid of alternating electromagnetic fields, at least one rod-shaped conductor (7) is guided inside of a tube (16) made of insulating material through the vacuum chamber (9), the insulating tube (16) is held at its ends in one or in the opposing walls (6;17,17a) of the vacuum chamber (9) and is sealed off, wherein one or both ends of the rod-shaped conductor (7) are connected to a generator (18,19), wherein one or both ends of the rod-shaped conductor (7) are surrounded by outer conductors (20,21), each extending from the generator (18,19) to the respective inside wall surface (22,22a) of the vacuum chamber (9), wherein, in the area of the wall passages, the rod-shaped conductor (7) connected to the sources (18,19) and the outer conductors (20,21) surrounding it are each provided with a branch constituting a bypass (23,24), wherein a second rod-shaped conductor (26) extending into or through the vacuum chamber (9) surrounded by a second insulati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Leybold Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Liehr
  • Patent number: 6161502
    Abstract: Transducers are acted upon by milk flowing respectively from each teat of the animal into a milking claw which has an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The transducers respond to a condition of the milk and a processor controls valves. If the transducer indicates normal milk, the valve is set to direct flow into the lower chamber from which it passes via a pipe to a collection tank. If abnormal milk is indicated, the valve is set to direct flow into the upper chamber from which it passes via a discharge pipe to a dump container or drain. The transducers, the control valves and preferably also the processor are housed within the milking claw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Tickleford Limited
    Inventors: Sydney William Simpson, Alan Clare
  • Patent number: 6161503
    Abstract: An automatic animal feeding and watering device for home or animal industry use. The device is remotely activated by the activation of a water dispensing system like a home sprinkler system which turns an impeller while the water is flowing. While the watering system is activated the flowing water rotates an impeller which in turn dispenses food stored in a hopper to the animal at the same time water is flowing into a bowl. The amount of food dispensed from the device may be adjusted by closure of apertures interfacing with the impeller powered finned roller or by applying a brake to slow the rotation of the impeller and roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Antonio Blas
  • Patent number: 6161504
    Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and discharging live marine animals, the apparatus having a collection chamber for holding the marine animals, an inlet conduit having one end extendible into a body of water containing the marine animals, and another end in fluid communication with the chamber, the conduit being sized to allow the marine animals to pass therethrough, a pump to suck water out of the chamber which also causes water to flow through the conduit and into the chamber thereby carrying the marine animals through the conduit and into the chamber, a screen to prevent the marine animals from being sucked into the pump, a discharge outlet through which the marine animals can pass out of the apparatus, and a mechanism the marine animals through the discharge outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventors: Werner Wilhelm Jungling, Timothy Norman Staier
  • Patent number: 6161505
    Abstract: A flexible tether connecting a collar to a harness with a portion of the tether between the collar and the harness available to be held for restraining an animal wearing the collar and the harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Elena M. Noguero
  • Patent number: 6161506
    Abstract: A pulsed combustion high capacity boiler has air inlet flapper valves at an inlet air decoupler toward a combustion chamber, with a fuel supply and an ignitor upstream of the combustion chamber along a flow path. The combustion chamber is immersed in a water jacket, and downstream of the combustion chamber a plurality of exhaust pipes are immersed in the water jacket and lead to an exhaust decoupler. The exhaust decoupler is disposed outside of the water at the periphery of the unit. An orifice assembly along the flow path defines a flow restriction producing turbulence and preferably serially combines a reduction in cross sectional area followed by a diverter having vanes to induce further turbulence. The ignitor and fuel supply are enabled by a controller that senses spark and combustion flame, and also enables a blower at least during a startup interval. The air inlet flapper admits air, opening and closing at a resonant frequency during combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Harsco Corporation, Patterson-Kelley Division
    Inventor: Garry O. Hanson
  • Patent number: 6161507
    Abstract: A tube protector device includes a first cap member, the first cap member being configured to fit over and substantially seal a first end of a tube; a second cap member, the second cap member being configured to fit over and substantially seal a second end of the tube; and a fastening device adapted to resiliently bias the first cap member toward the second cap member. At least the first cap member includes a collar configured to surround a portion of an outer surface of the tube and an angled tube support member configured to fit within the internal diameter of the tube, the collar and the angled support being configured to receive the first end of the tube therebetween. The first cap member further includes a sealing member, a particle barrier and/or a shock absorber between the collar and the angled support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Norman L. French, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6161508
    Abstract: The invention concerns a radial-piston engine of rotary type of the kind having a valve system comprising apertured disc rings arranged in intersliding relationship, one of said rings being stationary while the other one is arranged to take part in the rotary motion of the rotor. The valve opening relationship is determined by the manual angular positions of the discs. In accordance with the invention, filed injection takes place via an injection nozzle positioned in the stationary disc. The valve ring is formed with a through opening which in response to the position assumed my the rotor at the moment of fuel ignition forms an open communication means between the injection nozzle and the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Kesol Production AB
    Inventor: Karl-Erik Lindblad
  • Patent number: 6161509
    Abstract: The invention refers to a cylinder (1) for a two-stroke internal combustion engine intended for a handheld working tool, preferably a chain saw, and the exhaust duct (2) and transfer ducts (3, 4) of the cylinder are symmetrically arranged around a mutual symmetry plane (5) which follows the centre line (6) of the cylinder, and at the mouth (7) of the exhaust duct (2) outside the cylinder, a mounting plane (8) with mounting holes (9) for a directly mounted muffler, is arranged.According to the invention, at least one inlet port (11) is located in the cylinder wall (12) and/or in an adjacent crankcase half (10), and the cylinder's in let duct (13) up to the inlet port (11) is so arranged that it forms a fixed and heat-conducting part of the cylinder, and has a length longer than 0.8 times the diameter (14) of the cylinder, preferably longer than 10 times the diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventors: Goran Dahlberg, Magnus Frojd, Niels Hartz, Ulf Naslund
  • Patent number: 6161510
    Abstract: A separate lubricating device for an internal combustion engine includes a lubricating oil injection nozzle for injecting a lubricating oil into a passage of an air intake system and an electric deliverer for delivering a lubricating oil from an oil tank to the lubricating oil injection nozzle. The electric deliverer is positioned remotely from the lubricating oil injection nozzle. The electric deliverer may, to special advantage, be housed inside the oil tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Ishikawa, Tadashige Kondo
  • Patent number: 6161511
    Abstract: A valve timing control system for an internal combustion engine which is capable of making an actual intake/exhaust valve timing resume speedily rapidly to a desired valve timing with high accuracy to thereby prevent degradation of exhaust gas quality includes a desired valve timing arithmetic means (202) for determining desired valve timings (To) for an intake valve (17) and an exhaust valve (18), respectively, in dependence on an engine operation state (D), a variable valve timing mechanism (40) for changing open/close timings of the valves (17, 18), respectively, an actual valve timing detecting means (203) for detecting actual valve timings (Ta), respectively, of the valves (17, 18), an actual valve timing control means (204) for generating a control quantity (i) for the variable valve timing mechanism (40), and a learning means (206) for learning a most retarded valve timing as a learned value (LRN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6161512
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sprocket system having an internal torsional damper which absorbs crankshaft torsional vibrations and minimizes their transfer to other components in the engine system. In particular, the present system interposes uses friction plates in the various embodiments to absorb the dissipated torsional and vibrational energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Morse TEC Europe S.P.A.
    Inventor: Hans R. Beels Van Heemstede
  • Patent number: 6161513
    Abstract: A modular integrated intake manifold (10) for a V-type internal combustion engine (20). A fuel module (16) nests between cylinder heads (28, 30) and has through-passages (42) leading to intake valves in the heads. An air cleaner module (12), which has an air box (60) within which intake air is filtered, also closes on one of the heads (28) to cover the exhaust and intake valves and the valve operating mechanisms of that head. A plenum/runner module (14) has a plenum that closes on the other of the heads (30) to cover the exhaust and intake valves and the valve operating mechanisms of that head. Runners (160, 162, 164, 172, 174, 176) have respective combustion air entrances disposed within a plenum chamber space (142) of the plenum and run to the through-passages of the fuel module. The runners are part of a runner pack (132) that has both complete (160, 162, 164) and incomplete (166, 168, 170) runners and that when assembled into the plenum, completes the incomplete runners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Carl Lohr, Michael Robert Kaput, Theodore Thomas Geftos, William Clark Weber
  • Patent number: 6161514
    Abstract: A suction or air intake module for an internal combustion engine comprising an air suction pipe made of synthetic resin material and a flange joint at the air intake on the cylinder head housing of the internal combustion engine. The air suction pipe is a one-piece blown element of synthetic resin material and is disposed by a spring in a housing part of the air intake module with the air outlet end of the air suction pipe extending into the area of a connection between the housing part and the cylinder head housing. A flange is arranged in the connecting area between the housing part and the cylinder head housing, the flange forming a single piece with the housing part and enabling the housing part to be sealingly attached to the air inlet of the cylinder head housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Ernst, Arthur Klotz, Rudolf Leipelt, Thomas Schermuly
  • Patent number: 6161515
    Abstract: A lubrication system is provided, including a pressure control valve for regulating oil pressure in an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. An oil pump for circulating oil through the lubrication system is connected in flow communication with an engine lubrication circuit and a sump. A control valve in the oil pump is slidably movable in response to a control oil pressure. As oil pressure increases, the control valve functions to recirculate some of the oil back into the oil pump. By recirculating the oil, the control valve controls the flow of oil from the oil pump, and thereby regulating oil pressure in the lubrication system. During a cold engine start, the pressure control valve is actuated using a combined oil pressure, where a check valve is used to blend a first pressure prevailing at the outlet of said oil pump and a second pressure prevailing at or near the end of the lubrication circuit and.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Kopec
  • Patent number: 6161516
    Abstract: Process for ensuring the mixing of a predetermined quantity of liquid or gaseous fuel with the air that is contained in a pre-chamber with one end that is open toward cylinders of an alternative internal-combustion engine, as well as the ignition of the mixture with the fuel being injected axially from closed end of the pre-chamber by an injector that is actuated by a predefined surplus of pressure compared to that which is present in the pre-chamber itself, the injection is a accomplished during the terminal phase of the compression half-cycle, whereby the injector and surplus are such as to ensure the fuel jet which is injected is completely evaporated and/or mixed with the air that is contained in the pre-chamber at the moment when it reaches the open end of the pre-chamber and which, during its translation motion, mixes with the above-mentioned air according to mixture richness values that can be represented by a predetermined curve that rises from injection point (A) towards center (C) of the open-end of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Pier Andrea Rigazzi
  • Patent number: 6161517
    Abstract: A device for controlling a controlled-ignition direct-injection internal combustion engine to avoid abrupt variations in torque when switching from homogeneous-charge to stratified-charge combustion mode and vice versa, includes a determinator for determining a reference value of a transmission torque as a function of a position of an accelerator pedal. A calculator is provided for calculating a value of at least one command of at least one controller for controlling the engine based on a datum value for a transmission torque. A corrector is configured to correct the datum value of the transmission torque as a function of the engine combustion mode by applying a torque correction taken from a correction table as a function of at least one variable representing a load on the engine. The calculator has a first inverse model of the engine in its homogeneous-charge combustion mode and a second inverse model of the engine in its stratified-charge combustion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive S.A.
    Inventor: Mariano Sans
  • Patent number: 6161518
    Abstract: A direct-injection diesel engine in which a shallow-dish type piston cavity is formed on a top surface of a piston; wherein in the vicinity of the top dead center, a squish area is defined mainly by the top surface of the piston and an inner surface of a cylinder head opposite the top surface; when a velocity of a reverse squish flow from the shallow-dish type piston cavity to the squish area, generated due to a movement of the piston and is represented by Vs, and a fuel spray velocity in the vicinity of a lip portion of the shallow-dish type piston cavity is represented by Vsp, the distance between opposite wall portions of the shallow-dish type piston cavity is set such that the ratio Vs/Vsp is not greater than 1.25; and the squish area constitutes a part of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Kiyomi Nakakita, Minaji Inayoshi, Kazuhisa Inagaki, Yoshihiro Hotta, Takayuki Fuyuto
  • Patent number: 6161519
    Abstract: In a diesel engine which conducts exhaust gas recirculation and low temperature pre-mixed combustion at a low compression ratio, an ambient temperature at initiation of combustion which is determined by a compression ratio and an intake gas temperature or engine load is determined to be in a low temperature region which is lower than a first target temperature T1 which supports pre-mixed combustion or not. When the ambient temperature at initiation of combustion is determined to be in a region that is lower than a first target temperature T1, a temperature increase control device is operated which increases the temperature of the operational gases in the cylinder so that the temperature at initiation of combustion exceeds a first target temperature. The main fuel injection timing is placed in the range of 5.degree.-20.degree. of the combustion top dead center so that the main combustion temperature is above a fixed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Kimura, Eiji Aiyoshizawa
  • Patent number: 6161520
    Abstract: A gasket of non-conductive material formed of layers of a ceramic between which is embedded a wire circuit for connecting spark electrodes, high voltage connectors and ground connectors of a spark ignition system. The wire circuit includes small diameter wires surrounding gasket openings for bounding and sealing the edges of combustion chambers defined by cylinders in an internal combustion engine. The small diameter wires are insulated by the high dielectric layers of the gasket as well as by high dielectric wrappings and a sheath of high dielectric material bonded to and within the layers forming to gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: The Gasket King
    Inventor: William A. Clarke
  • Patent number: 6161521
    Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine using poppet valves, valve timing control and fuel injection, cuts off fuel during engine deceleration and controls valve timing such that charge is trapped in the engine cylinders while the fuel is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen George Russ, William Francis Stockhausen
  • Patent number: 6161522
    Abstract: The invention provides a controller of an engine and a variable capacity pump which can perform a speedy work even under a heavy load and a strong work at the critical moment. Accordingly, there is provided control means (30) which outputs commands to a fuel injection pump (2), relief control means (19, 21) and variable capacity pump output control means (27, 29) so that when a signal for an on operation of an active mode switch (7) is inputted, the product of a pump discharge pressure P by a pump discharge amount Q is expressed by a P-Q constant horsepower curve Ha in an active mode in which the product of P and Q is higher than a predetermined value in the normal operation, and when a signal for an on operation of a power mode switch (9) is inputted, the product of the pump discharge pressure P by the pump discharge amount Q is expressed by a P-Q constant horsepower curve Hap in a power active mode in which the product of P and Q is higher than that in the active mode by one stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Komatsu, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichi Fuchita, Fujitoshi Takamura, Junichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6161523
    Abstract: A method for determining the ignition point in ignition systems for internal combustion engines, having integrated knock control, a basic ignition point being determined on the basis of measured operating parameters using a stored characteristic map. The knock control, after engine knock has occurred, determines a knock control ignition point, which is more retarded than the basic ignition point, the knock control ignition point, in response to knock-free combustions, being altered step-by-step so as to be more advanced. Furthermore, a torque interface is integrated, which on the basis of the operating parameters and/or the demands placed by the driver, determines a torque-optimized ignition point, and the knock control ignition point being the most advanced permissible ignition point which is issued by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Unland, Oskar Torno, Robert Sloboda, Werner Haeming, Iwan Surjadi, Michael Baeuerle, Steffen Franke
  • Patent number: 6161524
    Abstract: Electronic control device for single-cylinder or multicylinder autoignition reciprocating internal combustion engines/motors, wherein fuel is suppliable to the given combustion space by use of an injection valve and an injection pump, the injection pump exhibiting a control rod by displacement of which the fuel injection quantity is changeable, an actuator controlled by a control unit further engaging with the control rod, and the control unit being in operative connection with engine sensors, pickups and/or further actuators and, if and to the extent provided, with service (e.g., vehicle) pickups and/or displays and/or controls and/or actuators via inputs and outputs. The representation of a modular concept with a wide range of variation is to are changeable via the number and/or the allocation and/or the signal mode of the inputs and/or outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Deutz AG
    Inventors: Taghi Akbarian, Manfred Glockner, Walter Burow, Heinz H. Muller, Harry Klinck
  • Patent number: 6161525
    Abstract: A liquid gas engine includes at least one combustion chamber, in which a liquid gas/air mixture is introduced and ignited, the liquid gas engine having an injection device which injects liquid gas via an injection nozzle. The injection nozzle opens into the combustion chamber, so that the liquid gas is injected directly into the combustion chamber.The direct injection of the liquid gas achieves ideal combustion conditions, particularly since liquid gas evaporating in the combustion chamber induces cooling which is utilized particularly under a high load.The liquid gas engine is preferably provided with an injection device which is designed as an alternating piston pump and which works on the energy accumulation principle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ficht GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhold Ficht
  • Patent number: 6161526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solenoid valve fixing structure. In an apparatus for suppressing evaporated fuel gas emission, of the prior art, the solenoid valve is fixed to a frame of a vehicle independently from the fixing of a check valve or an air filter. Hence, there are drawbacks, for example, that the number of the fabrication elements is large, and the fabrication performance is small.The present invention propose a solenoid valve fixing structure constructed as a module comprised of a solenoid valve, a check valve and an air filter. Namely a solenoid valve 10 and a check valve 8 are fixed onto a cover 3 of an air filter 1. The number of the fabrication elements can be reduced. The size of the apparatus can be made small, by using the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Sakata, Tatsuya Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6161527
    Abstract: A fuel injection system incorporates a plurality of fuel injection arrangements, wherein each fuel injection is associated with a particular cylinder of the engine. Each of the fuel injection arrangements comprises a fluid passageway in which fuel and air are combined prior to injection into a combustion chamber of the cylinder. A valve is moveable with respect to an injection port to allow the pressurized fuel/air mixture to flow from the fluid passageway into the combustion chamber. A fuel injector is used to inject liquid fuel into the fluid passageway to be combined with pressurized air within the passageway. The system has a common air rail and a common fuel rail which are each connected to a plurality of the fuel injection arrangements. Upward movement of a piston within a cylinder is used to pressurize the air within the common air rail. All of the fuel injection arrangements can be used to contribute pressurized air to the common air rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Ruman
  • Patent number: 6161528
    Abstract: A recirculating exhaust gas cooling device is provided for cooling exhaust gas of a vehicle engine while the exhaust gas is recirculating through an EGR system designed to lower NOx emission levels. The cooling device includes a housing in which an exhaust gas recirculation passage and a cooling fluid passages are located next to each other, to extend in parallel with each other, and a heat-exchange core member rotatably provided in the housing and defining a multiplicity of passages that extend in substantially parallel with a rotational axis of the core member, and a rotating mechanism that rotates the core member. The multiple passages of the core member communicate with both of the exhaust gas recirculation passage and the cooling fluid passage. With the core member being rotated, EGR gas passing through the exhaust gas recirculation passage is cooled by a part of the passages of the core member that has been cooled by a cooling fluid passing through the cooling fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Akao, Norio Nakazawa, Hiroshi Ogita
  • Patent number: 6161529
    Abstract: A closed crankcase emission control assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a replaceable filter element having a ring of filter media; a first annular end cap sealed to one end of the media ring; a sump container defined by a second annular end cap sealed to the other end of the media ring and a cup-shaped valve pan fixed to the second end cap; and a check valve in the valve pan to block blow-by gas flow directly into the filter element during engine operation, and to allow collected oil flow out of the sump container during engine idle or shut-down. The filter element of the present invention is located in a filter housing including an inlet port to receive blow-by gasses from the engine crankcase, and an outlet port to provide the substantially oil and particulate free gasses to an induction system (e.g. a turbocharger) and back to the engine crankcase. A pressure control assembly can be provided with the emission control assembly to maintain acceptable levels of crankcase pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen F. Burgess
  • Patent number: 6161530
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an automotive internal combustion engine equipped with a fuel injector valve. The control system comprises a sensor for detecting a ratio between air and fuel which form air-fuel mixture in the engine. A controller is provided to control the ratio between air and fuel, and includes a section for calculating the ratio between air and fuel, in accordance with an engine operating condition. A section is provided for calculating a quantity of fuel to be supplied through the fuel injector valve, in accordance with the calculated ratio between air and fuel. A section is provided for calculating a coefficient relating to a feedback control for the ratio between air and fuel, in accordance with the calculated quantity of fuel to be supplied. The feedback control is made in accordance with the ratio between air and fuel detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Kakizaki, Mikio Matsumoto, Hiraku Ooba
  • Patent number: 6161531
    Abstract: Air/fuel and ignition control of engine are used to more rapidly heat-up a catalytic converter. A control system generates a fuel command for fuel delivery to the engine based upon at least an amount of air inducted into the engine. The fuel command is corrected by a correction value so that the exhaust gas mixture is shifted more closely to the preselected air/fuel ratio. Correction values are adaptively learned during warm engine operation from a feedback signal derived from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor. Initial warm correction values are stored in a reference table. At engine shut-off the difference between the warm correction values and the reference table are stored in an offset correction table. This offset correction table is then used during the next engine cold start to schedule the open-loop air/fuel ratio by using the cold adaptive table values which have been modified by the values stored in the corresponding cells of the offset correction value table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Douglas Ray Hamburg, Daniel Lawrence Meyer, William Earl Leisenring
  • Patent number: 6161532
    Abstract: The invention comprises an archery bow with a drawlock device adapted for use with an overdraw arrow rest. The device includes an elongated mounting bracket attached at its forward end to the bow's handle, and having intermediate its forward and rearward ends an overdraw arrow rest. The device further includes a draw tube attached to the rearward end of the mounting bracket and a draw rod in telescoping engagement with the draw tube. In a preferred embodiment, the draw tube can be attached to the mounting bracket at a selectable angle to align with the axis of the arrow between nock point and arrow rest after vertical adjustment to a tuned knocking point. The back end of the draw rod supports a bow string mechanical release. A latching device locks and holds the draw rod at a full draw position when the bow string is drawn beyond the full draw position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventors: Jerry Alan Goff, Sherwood Lunsford Goff
  • Patent number: 6161533
    Abstract: A managing system for managing slurry, which is supplied to a wire saw. Slurry is prepared in a preparing tank and sent to the wire saw and used to cut workpieces. After usage for cutting workpieces, the slurry is sent to a separating apparatus from the wire saw. The separating apparatus separates impurities from the used slurry to recover a mixture of recyclable dispersing liquid and abrasive grains from the used slurry. The recovered mixture is returned to the preparing tank. The recovered mixture is mixed with fresh abrasive grains and dispersing liquid in the preparing tank to prepare slurry. The property (specific gravity and viscosity) of the slurry in the preparing tank is detected. The amount of fresh abrasive grains and dispersing liquid supplied to the preparing tank is adjusted in accordance with the detection results. Accordingly, slurry having properties that are optimal for the cutting of workpieces is prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignees: Nippei Toyoma Corp., Toyobo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Katsumata, Kensho Miyata, Kazutomo Kinutani, Kensho Kuroda, Toyotaka Wada, Akihiro Nakayama, Katsumasa Takahashi, Takaharu Nishida, Shouichi Uemura, Tetsuo Kodama
  • Patent number: 6161534
    Abstract: Backyard type gas grills are made suitable for use with solid fuels such as charcoal by removing existing passive radiant heat material such as lava rocks and inserting an apparatus comprising supports (50) and perforated fuel basket (40). The unique design of the invention allows for its implementation in a majority of gas grills on the market by permitting the supports (50), which rest on at least a gas burner, to be positioned and fastened to the fuel basket (40) anywhere and in various directions with respect to the fuel basket (40). Locking means (56) prevent separation of the supports from the fuel basket. By locking the supports (50) to the fuel basket (40), the supports add structural integrity to the fuel basket and prevent the basket from warping and torquing due to repeated exposure to extreme temperature differentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Leonard Kronman