Patents Issued in January 9, 2001
  • Patent number: 6170735
    Abstract: A soldering flux containing borneol, which is also referred to as bornyl alcohol. A method soldering using such a flux is also disclosed. Even minor proportions of borneol in the flux help reduce ionic residue from the flux after soldering. Larger proportions of borneol can give the flux tackiness for wave soldering operations. The flux preferably comprises borneol and an organic acid activator that volatilizes during soldering. The flux is applied as a solution of borneol and the organic acid activator in a solvent that substantially evaporates before soldering without leaving any measurable solvent residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel Victor Bristol, Mary Beth Young, David Ross Summers
  • Patent number: 6170736
    Abstract: A semiconductor die bonder (10) has a height adjuster (13) that is positioned next to the die bonding head (11). The height adjuster (13) assist in ensuring that die bonding head (11) positions a semiconductor die (36) at the desired bond line thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin J. Briehl, Russell J. Elias, Douglas L. Glover, Marjorie S. Errickson
  • Patent number: 6170737
    Abstract: An apparatus for placing an array of solder balls on a substrate includes a carrier plate having an array of holes therethrough. Each hole is capable of holding a solder ball. A ball placement head having an array of pins is aligned with a desired pattern of solder balls held by the carrier plate. The array of pins push the pattern of solder balls through the holes in the carrier plate onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Speedline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Foulke, Richard F. Foulke, Jr., Cord W. Ohlenbusch
  • Patent number: 6170738
    Abstract: A first aluminum brazing alloy for cold brazing, comprises 70 to 90% by weight of zinc and 0.05 to 5% by weight of titanium with the balance consisting of aluminum and impurities. A second aluminum brazing alloy for cold brazing, comprises 30 to 70% by weight of zinc, 1 to 7% by weight of silicon, and 0.05 to 5% by weight of titanium with the balance consisting of aluminum and impurities. Brazing alloys having these compositions have a low melting point and can well wet a base metal. Further, use of the above aluminum brazing alloy for cold brazing enables a low-melting aluminum material to be well brazed at 400 to 550° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Showa Aluminum Corporation
    Inventors: Ryotatsu Otsuka, Koji Ashida
  • Patent number: 6170739
    Abstract: A foldable container made of a liquid resistant carton blank has a bottom bracing and bottom closing tab or portion that provides rigidity when the container is expanded for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Multi-Pak A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Hansen
  • Patent number: 6170740
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a one piece blank of foldable sheet material cut and scored so that it is divided into a series of connected wall forming panels which when assembled provides an oval folding carton with an automatic closing bottom for packaging an article. The present invention is also directed to a one piece oval shaped carton with an automatic closing bottom for packaging an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: International Paper
    Inventor: Mitchell Clark
  • Patent number: 6170741
    Abstract: A container carrier including a blank of a foldable sheet material, in particular cardboard, for wrapping around a plurality of bottles or other containers which includes a bottom panel, side panels hingedly joined to the longitudinal edges of the bottom panel, and a top panel hingedly joined to other longitudinal edges of the side panels. Two spaced-apart handle openings are included in the top panel. The container carrier also includes a connection between one of the aforementioned panels and an adhesive tab hingedly attached to an adjacent panel or between overlapping sections of one of these panels. A further blank made of a foldable sheet material, in particular cardboard, is arranged above the plurality of containers which comprises a reinforcement panel provided under the top panel. Two further spaced-apart handle openings are included in the reinforcement panel arranged under the handle openings of the top panel and a connection to the blank to be wrapped around the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: FCP Europa Carton Faltschachtel GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Skolik, Jens Eckermann, Hilger Scheelcke
  • Patent number: 6170742
    Abstract: A computerized “smart card” which has a read/write memory and formatted data storage blocks is used to track the life history of one or more associated machine(s) (e.g., vehicles, medical instrumentation and apparatus, business and copying machines, etc.). The smart card can store a variety of information including machine identification, hardware/software specifications, debit/credit, regulated performance, warranty/insurance, maintenance/service and operational transactions that might impact the hardware, software or the intended operation or performance of the machine. The smart card will be equipped to interact with any of a plurality of autonomous reader/writer smart card units and computer-based reader/writer smart card units that may be equipped to interact with any of the plurality of computer databases through the utilization of land or wireless communications links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Q-International, Inc.
    Inventor: Yaser Yacoob
  • Patent number: 6170743
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to enable to prevent an erroneous erase of a data stored or writing another data on the data as well as to enable to easily switch an erroneous erase prevention switch. A command generator, upon reception of a register instruction for checking a state of a memory card received via an S/P & P/S sequencer, sets a state of an erroneous erase prevention switch in a register and transmits this register content via the S/P & P/S sequencer to a host computer. According to the register content from the memory card, the host computer decides whether a write protect is ON and executes a write inhibit processing when the write protect is ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takumi Okaue, Yoshio Kondo
  • Patent number: 6170744
    Abstract: A self-authenticating document is created by providing a one-way hash value in a symbol creation process, and then using a public key to decrypt data of the self-authenticating document. Raw data to be provided with the self-authenticating document is received, and an account digital signature key is retrieved and used to sign the raw data. A non-repudiation hash value from a previously-created self-authenticating document is utilized, and the raw data and the digital signature key is combined with the hash value to create a new hash value for the self-authenticating document. The hashed data is then encrypted, and any non-encrypted fields are merged in to create a full data packet. The full data packet is used to provide a self-authenticating symbol, such as a bar code label, on the self-authenticating document. The self-authenticating code is used during a document verification step to ensure that the document is genuine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Payformance Corporation
    Inventors: Warren S. Lee, William D. Meadow
  • Patent number: 6170745
    Abstract: A wireless debit card communications system comprising a radio unit, a base station, and an end station. The radio unit, for example, a radio telephone, includes a first processor, a reader for reading a credit amount and a personal access number from a debit card, and a transceiver for communicating, using radio waves, a credit signal. The base station receives and relays the credit signal over a communications channel to the end station. The end station includes a switch to generate a first control signal to allocate the credit amount of the debit card to the radio unit, and to set a radio unit access number of the radio unit to the personal access number of the debit card with a communications path through the base station. The end station also generates a second control signal for changing the credit amount and the personal access number of the debit card. The base station may be connected to a debit meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Schilling
  • Patent number: 6170746
    Abstract: A drug tracking system and method for use in hospitals, pharmacies, etc. uses a portable barcode scanning and printing system to reduce errors in the tracking information and to facilitate the ease and efficiency of the drug tracking operation. The portable scanning and printing system automatically prompts the user to enter data necessary for tracking one or more drugs. The portable scanning and printing system also prompts the user to select a particular drug and/or quantity. Automatic verification of the user entered data is performed by the portable system so as to warn the user via a displayed message that the wrong drug and/or quantity was selected or to prompt the user to recount and/or re-enter data so that any discrepancies can be immediately corrected. The portable scanning and printing system also prints alpha-numeric and barcode information on labels that are used to continue the drug tracking operation at other locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brook, Mark S. Morrow, Raymond D. Tavener
  • Patent number: 6170747
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting the print quality of a series of barcodes positioned on at least one side of a high speed moving web. The apparatus includes a synchronization element having a light source and a photocell; a laser scanning element; a microprocessor, and means for generating decoded barcode data. Also included is a means for comparing the contrast value of the print on either side of the web material, whether black or multicolored. The apparatus includes an objective means of inspecting print quality which is more efficient than subjective means of visual inspection. If erroneous scanned data is found, the web is stopped until the problem is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Jacob P. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6170748
    Abstract: An object orientation-independent information storage and retrieval system ‘tags’ an object with a compact, strip-embedded transponder containing object identification information. The transponder remains unpowered until the tagged object passes through a pulsed time-varying magnetic field generated by a tag reader. In response to a transponder coil sensing this interrogation magnetic field, the transponder extracts and stores energy from the incident field, powering up the transponder and stimulating the emission of an alternating magnetic field reply burst encoded with information stored in memory. The reply burst has the same frequency as the interrogating magnetic field burst, and is emitted by the transponder coil prior to receipt of the next interrogation burst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Widata Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Hash, Donald K. Belcher, Robert W. Boyd
  • Patent number: 6170749
    Abstract: A method of reading an indicia, for example a bar code, comprising areas of differing light reflectivity comprises producing an electrical signal representative of light reflected from the indicia and selectively sampling the signal at a rate well below the Nyquist rate. The sample points are not uniform, and are chosen to represent key features in the signal. An attempt is then made to decode the indicia, using the samples. If the decode is unsuccessful, the samples which have been collected are analyzed to provide information on the extent to which they represent true data corresponding to the indicia, and the extent to which they present noise. Signal collection and/or processing and/or sampling is then adjusted and the process is repeated. The continual feed-back of information related to the scanning environment allows more aggressive decoding techniques to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Goren, Edward Barkan, Raj Bridgelall
  • Patent number: 6170750
    Abstract: A reading aid member is formed by fixedly overlaying on a hard substrate a scan guiding plate-like member having substantially the same shape as that of the hard substrate with use of adhesive or the like. The hard substrate has a code pattern recording face on one side, on which two-dimensional code patterns (dot code patterns) are printed so as to be optically read. The scan guiding plate-like member has windows formed at positions corresponding to the printed positions of the code patterns. In reading a code pattern, the distal end portion of a pen-like reading apparatus is positioned in a window. By manually moving the reading apparatus along the window, the reading apparatus can be moved without meandering on the code pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fuminori Ueno
  • Patent number: 6170751
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a scanning module with variable optical paths for increasing scanning resolution. The scanning module comprises a carriage with a first scanning position, a light detecting device, a plurality of mirrors, and a lens set. The light detecting device is installed inside the carriage for detecting light transmitted from the document at the first scanning position. The plurality of mirrors is installed inside the carriage for reflecting the light from the document to the light detecting device. The plurality of mirrors comprises at least one moveable mirror for changing an optical path from the document to the light detecting device thereby allowing the light from the document be transmitted to the light detecting device along a first optical path or a second optical path. The lens set is installed inside the carriage with a first end and a second end for focusing the light from the document onto the light detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Microtek International Inc.
    Inventor: Chi-Pin Tsai
  • Patent number: 6170752
    Abstract: A card hopper for receiving plastic cards that are to be fed to a card processing apparatus. The hopper includes an elongated trap member having a bottom surface and first and second side surfaces. A layer of fiber material on each of the side surfaces holds plastic cards received in the card hopper in a substantially vertical position and substantially aligned one behind another. Preferably, the fiber material has fibers extending at substantially 90 degrees from the side surfaces, with the fibers being spaced in the order of about 10/1000-inch apart and at a depth of pile in the order of about 3/16-inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: NBS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Miller
  • Patent number: 6170753
    Abstract: A card reader for reading the data recorded in an IC card comprises a front case having a substrate and an inner panel mounted thereto, and a rear case detachably mounted to the front case. A plurality of claws, which can be engaged with each other, are formed at the peripheral portions of the front case and the rear case so as to permit the rear case to be detachable from the front case. The particular construction makes it possible to renew batteries and to wash contact pins forming contact points with the IC card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hisao Takemura
  • Patent number: 6170754
    Abstract: A spiral ramp for toy vehicles includes a vertical center pole supported by a base having a receiving socket for the lower end of the pole and a plurality of radially extending feet. A plurality of support clamps are arranged at different positions along the center pole and receive the upper ends of a corresponding plurality of downwardly angled support arms. A plurality of curved track segments are serially joined to form a spiral ramp which is supported by the attachment of the lower ends of the support arms to selected ones of the curved track segments. The height and character of the spiral ramp thus formed is adjustable by moving the plurality of support clamps upon the center pole and adjusting the angle defined by the support arms extending therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Halford
  • Patent number: 6170755
    Abstract: The invention relates to a profiled rail (1), especially for a railway track, with a reduced total radiated noise level when in use. In order to reduce the noise radiation level, at least one web side surface (31) is substantially concavely rounded without any salient points in the lower region (31′) between the transition edge (32) on the side of the rail patten (3) and the center of gravity axis (X) in the rail cross-section and/or the height (H) of the pattern is increased by comparison with a normally profiled rail having a corresponding total rail height A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Schienen GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert-Adolf Schifferl
  • Patent number: 6170756
    Abstract: A T-shaped electrically insulated member for securing to rails having electric current passing therethrough. The electrically insulated rail member includes a metallic core and an electrically insulating material encasing the metallic core. The electrically insulated rail member can be used as a gauge plate or a switch plate. Bushings are received by the electrically insulated rail member for receipt of fasteners secured to adjacent rail members. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the electrically insulated rail member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Adkins, William T. Urmson, Jr., John S. Cooper, John W. Mospan
  • Patent number: 6170757
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines, having a valve member that is displaceable axially outward counter to a restoring force in a bore of a valve body. On an end toward the combustion chamber, the valve member has a closing head. The closing head protrudes from the bore and forms a valve closing member and on a side toward the valve body has a valve sealing face. The valve closing member cooperates with a valve seat face, disposed on a face end toward the combustion chamber of the valve body. The valve closing member at least one injection opening on the closing head. The injection opening originating at a pressure chamber and outlet opening being covered, in the closing position of the valve member, by the valve body and being uncovered upon an outward-oriented opening stroke. A two-stage hydraulic stroke stop, which limits the opening stroke of the valve member and is embodied as a hydraulic damping chamber with a relief line that can be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Herrmann, Stephan Haas, Thomas Kuegler
  • Patent number: 6170758
    Abstract: A multifunctional air gun, designed to be operable in a sucking mode, a blowing mode or a sucking and blowing mode, is disclosed. In the air gun, a tubular body has an on/off valve unit in addition to upper and lower openings communicating with each other. A fixed spool is set within the upper opening of the tubular body and connects the air supply tube to an air jet pipe while controlling the flowing direction of compressed air. A vacuum valve unit is set within the lower opening of the tubular body and is assembled with suction and exhaust nozzles at both ends while allowing the two nozzles to communicate with each other. The vacuum valve unit vacuumizes the interior of the two nozzles due to the compressed air. A first control knob is assembled with the fixed spool to control the compressed air for the vacuum valve unit, thus controlling the suction force generated by the compressed air for the vacuum valve unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Nambu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Howang Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6170759
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the delivery of adhesives, in particular for the delivery of hot melt adhesives in the form of a thin stream of adhesive spray directed onto the product surface and acted upon by at least one air jet. A spray head (40) is arranged at the one end of the device (45), which comprises a connecting housing (25) for receiving a insertion element (30), provided with an outlet opening (34) for the thin stream of adhesive spray (glue) and embodied as a nozzle conduit, a guide sleeve (35), designed for the coaxial seating of the piston rod (43), as well as a nozzle body (15) with bores (20) arranged in the circumferential direction distributed in respect to each other, in which an air nozzle (10) with an interior chamber, which is embodied to be convergent-divergent in the flow-through direction, is respectively arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Robatech AG
    Inventor: Thomas Meyer
  • Patent number: 6170760
    Abstract: A compact spray valve that provides an extended atomizing air cap for reaching between tightly spaced electronic components. The compact spray valve of the present invention includes an air body, a fluid control body and an extended atomizing air cap. The atomizing air cap along with a seat extension provides a plurality of laminar air flow conduits causing atomization of a fluid into a spray. The resulting spray pattern can be controlled to provide a narrow line spray pattern with clearly defined edges. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a flat spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Precision Valve & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard John Bievenue, Jonathan N. Urquhart
  • Patent number: 6170761
    Abstract: A method and a device for gentle continuous mixing of a droplet dispersion with a liquid are described, wherein the liquid is injected into the droplet dispersion in the form of a plurality of fine liquid jets, such that the kinetic energy of the liquid jets is dissipated at a short distance from the injection point and further mixing is effected by circulating flow generated in the vessel and exhibiting shear rates of less than 20/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesselschaft
    Inventors: Christine Maul, Matthias Stenger, Jörg Tofahrn, Michael Van Teeffelen
  • Patent number: 6170762
    Abstract: A valve-closure member has an outer straight portion or an outer cylindrical portion confronted respective groove outlets of a swirler at a length of not less than ⅓ of the groove depth of the grooves when the valve is fully opened, or at a length of not less than {fraction (1/10)} of the groove depth when the valve is totally closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Sumida, Norihisa Fukutomi
  • Patent number: 6170763
    Abstract: A fuel inject includes an orifice plate which is arranged on a valve-seat member, particularly at its downstream end face, the valve-seat member having a fixed valve seat, the orifice geometry of the orifice plate being bounded by the valve-seat member, so that the flow ratios in the orifice plate are influenced by the valve-seat member. The valve-seat member covers an upper inlet region of the orifice plate, at least to the extent that downstream outlet orifices of the orifice plate are overlapped. The fuel injector is particularly suited for use in fuel systems of mixture-compressing internal combustion engines with externally supplied ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Fuchs, G{umlaut over (u)}nter Dantes, Jörg Heyse
  • Patent number: 6170764
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve having a swirl disk, located downstream from a valve seat (15), that is made of at least one metallic material and has at least two swirl channels emptying into a swirl chamber, with all layers being built up by electrodeposition (multilayer electroplating) so that they adhere firmly to each other. The swirl disk has an upper layer that includes multiple material areas separated from each other by opening structures. The material areas of the swirl disk rest against a valve seat body containing the valve seat. The fuel injection valve is especially suitable for injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin M{umlaut over (u)}ller, G{umlaut over (u)}nter Dantes, Jörg Heyse
  • Patent number: 6170765
    Abstract: A shower head having a water inlet passage for providing a supply of water to the shower head and a plurality of nozzles for expelling water from the shower head. The flow of water from the water inlet passage to the nozzles is controlled by a pressure actuated toggle valve mechanism. The valve mechanism is in communication with a rotatable bottom portion of the shower head and rotates as the bottom portion of the shower head rotates. The valve mechanism can adjust the flow of water to the nozzles and shut it off altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventors: Amos Gil, Ben Ami
  • Patent number: 6170766
    Abstract: Valve, in particular glue valve, having a magnetostrictive actuator (14) for actuating a closure member (15) in consequence of a change in a magnetic field. In order to nullify the effects of uncontrolled changes in length of the actuator (14), in particular in consequence of temperature fluctuations, the actuator (14) is connected to a holder, more specifically a holding block (23), which can be moved with inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Harald Gosebruch
  • Patent number: 6170767
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, in particular for direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, has a magnet coil, an armature that can be moved by the magnet coil in a linear stroke direction toward a first return spring, and a valve needle joined to a valve closure element. In the linear stroke direction, the armature engages positively on the valve needle. In the opposite direction, the armature is freely movable independently of the valve needle toward a second return spring. The armature is bearing-mounted on the valve needle by way of at least one slide bearing having several balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Herold, Georg Fischer
  • Patent number: 6170768
    Abstract: A dilute phase pneumatic materials conveyance apparatus is disclosed having a pneumatic accelerator which is capable of conveying materials through a gas stream which is selectively patterned. The conveyance apparatus also includes a source-gas manifold and control apparatus which enable selective control of the apparatus on a real time basis to achieve desired gas pattern flows through the apparatus to achieve selected particle dispersion, isolation, stratification, electrification, classification and entrainment of material and to convey it through a processing conduit. The configuration of the conveyance apparatus also enables further processing, including drying, sorting, pulverization and classification of the materials. The conveyance apparatus also enables classification of materials based on the aerodynamic diameter of the particles being conveyed because of the ability to achieve particle isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Terra Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: L. Kent Harmon, Christopher B. Harris, Leonard R. Howe
  • Patent number: 6170769
    Abstract: Screening apparatus is disclosed for separating fiber suspensions including a housing having an inlet for the fiber suspension, a stationary tubular screen having an inlet end adjacent to the housing inlet and an outlet end, and dividing the interior of the housing into a central chamber for receiving the fiber suspension from the inlet, and an outer accept chamber for receiving an accept fraction of the fiber suspension, a rotor journalled on the housing for rotation within the central chamber coaxially with the stationary tubular screen, a reject passage for receiving a reject portion of the fiber suspension at the outlet end of the stationary tubular screen, and an annular reject passage which has a radial width and a cross-sectional area at the outlet end of the stationary tubular screen for discharging the reject portion of the fiber suspension from the central chamber to the reject passage, the annular reject passage including an annular flange attached to the inner wall of the passage, resilient tubing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Fibertech Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Anders Bergdahl, Kjell Forslund, Lennart Svensson, Björn Wikström
  • Patent number: 6170770
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for coal gasification plant feedstock preparation. A raw feedstock slurry is fed to a hydrocyclone which separates and provides a primary carbonaceous-rich overflow. The primary overflow is further separated by a dewatering screen into a secondary carbonaceous-rich overflow and a media bleed slurry. The secondary overflow is crushed by a crusher and a portion of the media bleed slurry is added to the crushed secondary overflow for subsequent milling and conditioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: John W. Rich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6170771
    Abstract: A device and method are set forth for crushing rocks. The device includes first and second rotors defining therebetween a nip for crushing rocks. A feed opening is provided to feed rock between the rotors to the nip. Angular shoes on the second rotor direct rocks between the openings. In a further aspect, the second rotor may have a non-circular perimeter such as a pentagon or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: HRW Limited Partnership
    Inventor: John Healey
  • Patent number: 6170772
    Abstract: A wrapping method comprises the prior stretching of a film wherein the prior stretching of the film advantageously includes a step of paying out the film from a feed reel, a stretching step, and a step of winding the stretched film onto a mandrel or a take-up reel in readiness for subsequent use. The film of the present invention is previously stretched under a large amount of tension, is released, and is then wound under moderate tension, under which the film is allowed to relax. The present invention is applicable to preparing film for wrapping loads that are optionally palletized and suitable for being put into place either manually, or mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Thimon, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Martin-Cocher, Georges Jaconelli
  • Patent number: 6170773
    Abstract: A spinning reel comprises a reel body casing, a rotational frame member rotatably provided for the reel body casing, a spool shaft provided for the reel body casing to be movable in a rotation axis direction of the rotational frame member, a spool mounted to one end portion of the spool shaft, a handle lever operatively connected to the rotational frame member capable of rotating the same, an oscillator secured to another end portion of the spool shaft, an oscillator gear provided for the reel body casing to be rotated by the handle lever and a rotational member mounted to the oscillator gear to be rotatable. The rotational member is formed with a first projection engageable with a cam groove formed to an inner surface of the reel body casing and a second projection engageable with the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Ryobi Limited
    Inventor: Atsuhito Okada
  • Patent number: 6170774
    Abstract: The invention provides a reel support drive mechanism which has a frictional power transmission mechanism 2 disposed in a power transmission path extending from a motor toward two reel supports 7, 71. The transmission mechanism 2 comprises a felt plate 23 interposed between a pulley 21 and PLAY and REV disks 32, 26 which are rotatable relative to and coaxially with the pulley. The PLAY disk 32 is slidable in contact with an outer peripheral region of the felt plate 23, and the REV disk 26 is slidable in contact with an inner peripheral region of the felt plate 23. A one-way clutch spring 27 is provided between the PLAY disk 32 and the REV disk 26. Power is output from the PLAY disk 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Akashi, Takahiro Okuie
  • Patent number: 6170775
    Abstract: A retracting extension cord reel includes a mounting bracket, a housing bracket removably and pivotally attached to the mounting bracket, and a cord reel housing attached to the housing bracket. When the mounting bracket is attached to a mounting surface, the housing can be moved toward and away from the mounting surface. When the housing bracket is detached from the mounting bracket, the housing bracket can be used as a handle for carrying the housing to a remote location. The cord reel is particularly useful for powering small appliances and electrical tools, and can incorporate a resettable circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Alert Stamping & Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Kovacik, Paul S. Blanch, Stanley E. Grzywna
  • Patent number: 6170776
    Abstract: A wrapping method comprises the prior stretching of a film. The prior Stretching of the film advantageously includes a step of paying out the film from a feed reel, a stretching step, and a step of winding the stretched film onto a mandrel or a take-up reel in readiness for subsequent use. The film of the present invention is previously stretched under a large amount of tension, is released, and is then wound under moderate tension, under which the film is allowed to relax. The present invention is applicable to preparing film for wrapping loads that are optionally palletized and suitable for being put into place either manually, or mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Thimon, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Martin-Cocher, Georges Jaconelli
  • Patent number: 6170777
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a load roll arrangement for loading a winding arrangement with one or several wound rolls on the same axis, during the winding of a web-like material, particularly paper, onto winding cores in a multiple-drum winder wherein support drums form a winding bed, in which the winding arrangement, rotating about its axis, is supported, with a support beam (60), vertically movable dependent upon the wound roll diameter, with a multipart load roll, consisting of a number of load rollers (42), which, individually with respect to the support beam (60), are vertically movable on a mounting arrangement and can be maintained in contact with the wound roll along a nip, with means for the fluid-like, particularly hydraulic, pressing of the load rollers (42) against the winding arrangement, and with an additional adjustment device, by means of which the mounting arrangements (50) of the individual load rollers (42) can be moved to different heights, independently of each other with respect to the sup
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventors: G. Walter Dörfel, Bernd Görner
  • Patent number: 6170778
    Abstract: A method for reducing a nose-up pitching moment in an unmanned aerial vehicle during forward flight. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes counter-rotating rotor assemblies that are mounted within a duct. Each rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades. The method involves adjusting the rotor blades to have substantially zero pitch. Then rotating the rotor assemblies to produce a virtual plane across the duct. The virtual plane is operative for substantially deflecting air passing over the fuselage away from the duct. In one embodiment of the invention, the method involves the further step of obstructing at least a portion of the bottom of the duct to inhibit air that is flowing across the bottom of the duct from passing into the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Cycon, Mark Winfield Scott, Christopher W. DeWitt
  • Patent number: 6170779
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for locking the pitch axes of the rotor blades of a rotor/wing aircraft so as to form a rigid wing. In one embodiment of the present invention the rotor blades of a rotor/wing aircraft are locked to each other to form a rigid wing assembly having a common pitch axis. This wing assembly is then locked in position about its pitch axis by means of a pitch lock apparatus that engages the lower end of the pitch link of the rotor blade that is oriented at the leading edge of the fixed wing. In another embodiment each rotor is independently locked about its respective pitch axis by means of two separate pitch lock apparatus. By locking the rotor blades into a rigid assembly by means of an independent rigid pitch lock apparatus, it is possible to provide a rotor/wing aircraft having a fixed wing with more predictable and controllable response to aerodynamic forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company
    Inventor: Daniel A. Nyhus
  • Patent number: 6170780
    Abstract: A jet aircraft has an elongated fuselage with an intermediate section of maximum lateral cross section, a generally conical aft fuselage section of relatively smaller cross section and a single vertical stabilizer extending upwardly from the aft fuselage section. The aircraft's propulsion engines are mounted on the vertical stabilizer with the air inlets thereof spaced from the fuselage and vertical stabilizer yet disposed entirely within a rearward projection of the lateral cross section of the intermediate fuselage section thereby to preclude the ingestion of foreign objects into the engines while minimizing the effect of boundary layer airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Inventor: Sam Barlow Williams
  • Patent number: 6170781
    Abstract: An aircraft door sealing system for use with an aircraft door. The aircraft door is movable between open and closed positions with respect to a door frame. The door has a peripheral door opening portion and a peripheral door seal portion. The door frame has a peripheral frame opening portion and a peripheral frame seal portion. The frame opening portion is aligned adjacent the door opening portion when the door is in the closed position. The frame seal portion is aligned adjacent the door seal portion when the door is in the closed position. The sealing system is provided with an elastic seal which is interposed between the door and the door frame. The seal is attached to the door seal portion and the frame seal portion. The seal is expandable and contractible for permitting movement of the door between the open and closed positions thereof. The seal has a pair of seal opening edges disposed between the door opening portion and the frame opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: David Eugene Sherrill, Robert Wade Chapman
  • Patent number: 6170782
    Abstract: A resilient support (10), such as for supporting part of the exhaust system of a motor vehicle, is molded from elastomeric material such as rubber. Upper and lower end blocks (16, 18) have through bores (12, 14) for receiving fixtures connected respectively to the body of the vehicle and to the exhaust system. The blocks (16, 18) are interconnected by three integral diagonally directed arms (22, 24, 26). Vertical vibration of the exhaust system is resisted, absorbed and damped by a combination of tension in the arms (22, 24, 26) and bending at their points of interconnection with the upper and lower blocks (16, 18). The support (10) is thus relatively resilient in this direction. However, sideways movement of the exhaust system, tending to cause movement of the lower block (18) in the direction of the axis of the lower bore (14), is firmly resisted by the arms (22, 24, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Draftex Industries Limited
    Inventors: Gonzague Barrier, Pascal Chanteux, Luc Pecot
  • Patent number: 6170783
    Abstract: An aerial cable spacer is provided with a cable retainer. The cable retainer includes a cable seat and a cable retaining arm. A resilient pad is secured to either or both of the cable seat and the cable retaining arm. With a cable located in the cable seat and the cable retaining arm closed upon the cable, the resilient pad is compressed and acts like a spring to maintain a force on the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Hendrix Wire & Cable, Inc.
    Inventor: Salvatore Bello
  • Patent number: 6170784
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing cables in a communication rack system having a first upright support member, a second support member spaced apart from the first support member to define an upright plane, a plurality of fastening locations along the first and second support members, an electronic device releasably mounted to the support members at selected fastening locations, and a plurality of cables projecting from a front surface of the electronic device. In one embodiment, a cable management device includes a mounting structure and a support structure. The mounting structure generally has a plurality of universal mounting sites arranged to correspond to the fastening locations along a portion of the first and second support members so that the mounting structure can be releasably affixed to the support members at selected fastening sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Polygon Wire Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian MacDonald, Eric Graham