Patents Issued in January 30, 2001
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Patent number: 6178747Abstract: A reservoir including a housing having a chamber formed therein for the storage of hydraulic brake fluid. The chamber is in fluid communication with a master cylinder. The housing has an opening which is in communication with the atmosphere. The housing further including a passageway in communication with the cavity and the opening. A membrane is disposed in the passageway of the housing. The membrane has oleophobic properties such that the membrane permits the passage of air therethrough and substantially prevents the passage of brake fluid therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes CompanyInventor: Louis S. Tang
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Patent number: 6178748Abstract: An altitude compensating turbocharger wastegate control system operates by bleeding air from an intake air line extending from an intake manifold of an engine to a wastegate actuator to raise the intake manifold pressure at which the wastegate is opened when the engine is operating at high altitudes. The control system operates in response to a comparison of barometric air pressure sensed by a pressure sensor and a number of predefined ranges of sensed pressure in a memory of an engine controller to determine whether no, full, or an intermediate amount of bleeding should take place in order to maintain the desired turbocharger output at high altitudes.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp.Inventor: Radek A. Oleksiewicz
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Patent number: 6178749Abstract: A method of reducing turbo lag in a compression ignition engine having an exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) and a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT). The method includes the steps of determining an intake manifold pressure and intake manifold mass airflow setpoint, MAPd and MAFd, as a function of the current engine speed and requested fueling rate (Wf,REQ). The method further includes modifying the setpoints by a transient governor to generate modified setpoints, MAFc and MAPc, as a function of MAFd and MAPd, respectively, and feeding the modified setpoints to the controller to drive the turbocharger and EGR valve to the desired setpoints, thereby maximizing the amount of fresh air admitted to the engine during transient operation. Another embodiment of the method for reducing turbo lag coordinates the controller gains between the EGR and VGT. The method speeds up the MAF response by using multivariable control of both the EGR and VGT to aggressively regulate airflow to the desired setpoint.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, Michiel J. Van Nieuwstadt, Paul Eduard Moraal
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Patent number: 6178750Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the conversion of low-grade heat into mechanical energy, in particular electricity. To this end a working medium is heated in a closed circulation system causing the working medium to expand. The expansion produces mechanical energy. The heat remaining in the working medium is abstracted by a cooling medium in counterflow, to be reutilized for the production of mechanical energy. This makes its possible to achieve a high degree of efficiently. Due to cooling the working medium contracts and this contributes to the achievement of a high degree of efficiency. The working medium is preferably a paraffine.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Cyclo Dynamics B.V.Inventors: Jeichienus Adriaan van der Werff, Johannes Jeichienus van der Werff
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Patent number: 6178751Abstract: The liquid fuel injector includes continuous air assist with both the liquid fuel injector tube and the surrounding air assist tube constrained or reduced in diameter at the discharge ends thereof. The associated gas turbine engine compressor provides combustion air to the combustor and also air for continuous air assist with a separate air pump. The air assist air may be cooled in a heat exchanger either before or after the separate air pump. The liquid fuel injector may be mounted within an annular air blast tube and directed tangentially at the inner wall of the combustor. A solenoid valve controlled purge line, together with solenoid valves in the liquid fuel and air assist lines can be utilized to purge any liquid fuel in the liquid fuel injector and manifold upon shutdown of the combustor. The liquid fuel injector can also be insulated and liquid fuel can be used to cool the fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Capstone Turbine CorporationInventors: Jack R. Shekleton, Curtis C Martin
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Patent number: 6178752Abstract: The invention is a tangential entry, premixing fuel injector (10) for the combustion chamber (30) of a turbine engine. The injector includes a pair of arcuate scrolls (18) defining the radially outer boundary of a mixing chamber (28) and a pair of air entry slots (36) for admitting a stream of primary combustion air tangentially into the mixing chamber. The scrolls also include an axially distributed array of primary fuel injection passages (42) for injecting a primary fuel into the primary air stream. A flame stabilizing fuel injector centerbody (46) includes an impingement and transpiration cooled outlet nozzle (50) for introducing secondary fuel and secondary air into the combustion chamber. The nozzle (50) includes an impingement plate(74) with an array of impingement ports (76) and a tip cap (104) with an array of discharge passages (106).Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Stephen A. Morford
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Patent number: 6178753Abstract: A self-heating or self-cooling container has a container body, a closure at one end of the body through which the contents of the container can be consumed, and a thermic module at the other end of the body having an actuator portion and an elongated reaction chamber portion that extends distally into the container body and contains a liquid reactant relatively more distally from the actuator portion than a solid reactant separated from the liquid reactant by a breakable barrier. When a user actuates the thermic module, an elongated actuator member punctures the barrier. The user can then immediately invert the container, allowing the liquid reactant to drain through the puncture into the solid reactant in the reaction chamber. The reactants mix and produce a reaction that, depending upon the reactants, either heats or cools the container contents by conduction through the thermic module wall. An advantage is that the user does not need to wait to invert the container after actuating it.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Ontro, Inc.Inventors: James A. Scudder, James L. Berntsen
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Patent number: 6178754Abstract: A structural cryogenic tank wall has an outer skin and an inner skin between which is a cavity containing a thermally insulative structure. The cavity is empty of any gas and contains at least one sensor for continuously verifying that the vacuum is maintained in order to monitor the structural integrity of the outer and inner skins and sealing of the cryogenic tank.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Agence Spatiale EuropeenneInventor: Christian Francois Michel Dujarric
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Patent number: 6178755Abstract: Plant for supplying helium to a plurality of production lines, comprising a helium source of at least 7000 liters; a network of secondary ducts, feeding production lines using helium gas; and a main duct for conveying helium, connected upstream to the helium source and downstream to the network of secondary ducts. Such a plant is useful in a filling operation for diving gas cylinders, dirigible airship gas bags or safety airbag inflation containers, for quenching metal articles, or for fabricating electronic products or optical fibers.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: L'Air LiquideInventor: Frederic Castellanet
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Patent number: 6178756Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing perishable liquid products for shipment aboard uncooled tankers in which liquid product is mixed with a cryogen such as liquid nitrogen. The mixing may be carried out simultaneously with tanker loading by use of a mixing/injection lance positioned through a port in the tanker, with the nitrogen being introduced at one end of the lance and the liquid product being introduced through an aperture in the sidewall of the lance downstream from the nitrogen entrance along a path of travel not directly at the central axis of the lance, to produce a centrifugal action in the liquid product. Alternatively, the cryogen may be mixed with the liquid product by introduction into a body of the liquid to be chilled at a submerged location.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Tri-Gas, Inc.Inventors: Norman B. Frable, Cornelius J. F. Elenbaas, Steve William Jones
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Patent number: 6178757Abstract: A device for controlling the temperatures in a cooling chamber for a microtome, in particular an ultramicrotome, comprises at least two different temperature control circuits for controlling the temperatures of the specimen and of the cutter. The control circuit for the temperature of the specimen (8) and the control circuit for the temperature of the cutter (9), as well as, if appropriate, the control circuit for the temperature of the chamber gas, have a common setting element (17), such that the control circuit can be programmed to an identical temperature as the set value.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Leica Microsysteme AGInventors: Hellmuth Sitte, Klaus Neumann, Helmut Haessig
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Patent number: 6178758Abstract: A refrigerating system is proposed which comprises a cooling circuit 7 for cooling a cooling room 3, the cooling circuit 7 comprising an evaporator 9 arranged in the cooling room 3 and passed by a coolant and the power to be supplied to the cooling circuit 7 being adjustable, a control device 23 for making available to the cooling circuit 7 a performance value stating the power to be supplied, a temperature sensor 27 for making available to the control device 23 a temperature measurement value essentially stating the temperature of the coolant in the evaporator 9, a clock 29 for making available to the control device 23 a predetermined first time interval and a pre-determined second time interval following the first time interval, wherein the control device 23 during the first time interval makes available a first performance value stating an essentially constant first power to be supplied and after the end of the first time interval makes available a second performance value stating a second power to be suppType: GrantFiled: March 25, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Electrolux Siegen GmbHInventor: Uwe Schwarzpaul
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Patent number: 6178759Abstract: A rupture disk for a refrigeration unit that, upon bursting, does not interfere with the operation of a downstream, normally closed, mechanical relief valve. The disk is designed to rupture at predetermined pressure and is made of a compressed powder or an organic wax that dissolves in the refrigerant. The process side of the disk, i.e. the side facing the evaporator, is covered with a film that is impermeable to the particular halocarbon refrigerant in use. Upon rupture, fractures from a disk that is made of compressed powder readily pass through a downstream mechanical relief valve because the fragments are small and have a uniform geometry. Upon rupture, fractures from a disk that is made of organic wax readily pass through a downstream mechanical relief valve because they have all or partially dissolved in the halocarbon refrigerant.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Mark B. Key
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Patent number: 6178760Abstract: An air conditioner system for vehicles has an exterior heat exchanger, which is used as an evaporator at the time of heating operation. A control unit monitors the heating operation and stores a defrost flag when the heating operation continues for a predetermined time period, e.g., 20 minutes, under a low exterior air temperature below a predetermined temperature, e.g., 5° C. When an electric vehicle is at rest after the heating operation to charge its secondary battery with an electric power from an external power source, the control unit first starts a defrosting operation and starts a charging operation of the secondary battery after the completion of the defrosting operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Masaya Tanaka, Kunio Iritani
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Patent number: 6178761Abstract: The CO2 refrigerant fluid, compressed by the compressor to a supercritical pressure, is delivered through a three-way valve selectively into a cooler and/or into a bypass branch, so that in the former case, after passing through an expansion device, the fluid is vaporised in an evaporator so as to cool the cabin of the vehicle; while flow of the fluid through the bypass branch avoids the cooler so that the fluid is then cooled in the evaporator, thereby heating the cabin.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Valeo ClimatisationInventor: Stefan Karl
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Patent number: 6178762Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a desiccant/evaporative cooling system for providing cool and dry air to an enclosed structure is disclosed. The system includes a desiccant chamber, at least one evaporative cooler, and a heat exchanger. The desiccant chamber intermittently receives and drys a first airstream from the enclosed structure to produce a second airstream. The evaporative cooler(s) receive and cool the second airstream to produce a third airstream at a temperature below a dew point for an ambient airstream. The heat exchanger uses the third airstream for absorbing heat from the ambient airstream to produce a fourth airstream before the fourth airstream is forced into the enclosed structure. Condensate is removed from the ambient airstream on the dry side surface of the heat exchanger. In another embodiment, a method for conditioning an ambient airstream in order to provide cool and dry air to an enclosed structure is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Ethicool Air Conditioners, Inc.Inventor: Arthur M. Flax
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Patent number: 6178763Abstract: A refrigeration unit with a thermal break member and an anti-sweat heating mechanism in the form of a heater wire suitable for high humidity environments is provided. The thermal break member includes a main body portion and a conduit portion connected to the main body portion. The conduit portion defines a channel disposed near the access opening of the refrigerated compartment and configured to receive therein the heater wire. The thermal break member includes a closure member and a flexible hinge portion. The flexible hinge portion has a first end connected to the main body portion and a second end connected to the closure member. A typical value for the durometer of the flexible hinge portion is 70 Shore A, and a typical value for the durometer of the main body portion and the closure member is 80 Shore D.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.Inventors: Harry A. Brancheau, Dan G. Hopkins, Thomas E. Yingst, Michael A. Branz
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Patent number: 6178764Abstract: An air conditioning system suitable for automotive application is disclosed, in which the noise in the frequency range of about 1 kHz to 2 kHz is reduced. At least a sound absorbing member is arranged over the portions extending from a turning section of an air path where the air blown under pressure from a blower impinges and changes direction toward a heat exchanger, i.e. from the spiral end of a scroll casing to the front of an evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Toru Tanaka, Teruhiko Kameoka, Koji Ito, Koji Matsunaga
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Patent number: 6178765Abstract: An air conditioner which includes therein a dust collecting device having a high voltage unit coupled to a power supply and discharge and dust collecting electrodes each coupled to the high voltage unit, and which has an air cleaning function for collecting by means of the dust collecting device dust contained in external air sucked by rotation of a fan thereby to exhaust the air thus cleaned to an outside. The air conditioner further includes a microcomputer control section (dust removing control section) which executes a dust removing mode for heating a heater provided at the dust collecting electrode to remove dust adhered to the dust collecting electrode, in which the dust removing control section executes the dust removing mode after stopping the operation of the air conditioning function.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasumasa Hironaka, Takao Sakaue
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Patent number: 6178766Abstract: An air-conditioner with high-efficiency differential cold-valley pipes, which include J pipes and a low-pressure circulating pump, has a first arc heat-exchanger which is formed by multiple-layer ladder-shaped corrugated plates and multiple-layer arc J pipe stacked alternatively, and a second arc heat-exchanger which is formed by multiple-layer arc J pipe and multiple-layer wave-shaped film-type evaporation face stacked alternatively. A low pressure pump is connected between the first arc heat-exchanger and the second arc heat-exchanger through pipelines. The air-conditioner solves the problems that the conventional air-conditioner consumes high energy, quality of the air in the room is low and the use of CFCs is confined.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventors: Xiamin Tong, Amin Ji
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Patent number: 6178767Abstract: The compact rotary evaporative cooler of this invention includes a case containing a powered rotor mounting a partition that divides the case longitudinally into a wetted chamber and a nonwetted chamber. An annular array of elongated Perkins tubes is supported for rotation with the rotor and each Perkins tube extends through the partition, with the evaporation end section extending into the nonwetted chamber and the condensing end section extending into the wetted chamber. Each Perkins tube mounts a plurality of closely spaced heat conductive fins along its length, and a layer of porous metal is bonded to the entire inner surface of the evaporation section of the tube. A first inlet port introduces hot, dry outside air into the wetted chamber and a first outlet port vents the cooled but humidified air from the wetted chamber to the atmosphere or to a space to be conditioned.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Milton F. Pravda
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Patent number: 6178768Abstract: A cooling device for cooling a hot, moving metal strip by means of laminar coolant jets consists of at least one water box (3) located across the direction of strip travel, into which at least one coolant supply line (4) leads and from which a plurality of coolant discharge lines (5) arranged at a distance from one another depart. In order to ensure that uniform flow conditions occur in the coolant jets during operation, particularly also during the starting and stopping phases of the cooling device, and to reliably prevent uncontrolled continued coolant flow, a shut-off device (6) is allocated to each coolant discharge line (5).Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Voest-Alpine Indstrienlagenbau GmbHInventors: Gerlinde Djumlija, Jian Chen, Andreas Schweighofer, Johann Oberhumer
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Patent number: 6178769Abstract: A cooling apparatus for introducing a coolant fluid into a weapon barrel through a breech end thereof for cooling internal wall faces of a loading chamber of the barrel. The cooling apparatus includes a bellows having a circumference provided with a plurality of holes. The bellows has a retracted state and an elongated, tubular expanded state and is introducible into the weapon barrel in the retracted state. The cooling apparatus further has a coolant driving arrangement coupled to the bellows for introducing the coolant into the bellows to place the bellows into the expanded state and to force the coolant out of the bellows through the holes.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbHInventor: Rolf Bartolles
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Patent number: 6178770Abstract: An increased capacity thermal storage apparatus for forming frozen storage liquid during a storage cycle is provided. The apparatus comprises a container for holding a pool of storage liquid. A coil assembly having a plurality of tubes is immersed in the pool storage liquid. The tubes are adapted to transport a refrigerant therethrough to create a tubular envelope of frozen storage liquid around each tube during the storage cycle. Each tube has a non-circular cross-section with a horizontal dimension and a vertical dimension. The vertical dimension is greater than or equal to the horizontal dimension. The tubes are oriented generally horizontally and are arranged in a plurality of spaced apart, generally vertical rows. Neighboring tubes in adjacent vertical rows are horizontally spaced apart sufficiently such that unfrozen, generally vertical passageways remain between the envelopes of frozen storage liquid.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Evapco International, Inc.Inventors: Wilson E. Bradley, Jr., Richard P. Merrill, George R. Shriver
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Patent number: 6178771Abstract: The suction feed pipe of an accumulator extends above the flow path through a baffle dividing the accumulator thereby permitting the storage of a larger amount of liquid in the accumulator. Where the accumulator has a portion located below the fluid connection going into the compressor, this portion can be used to store a charge of make-up oil to replace the oil distributed in the system during operation without initially overcharging the compressor or of compromising the compressor oil charge.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventor: Kyung Woo Yun
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Patent number: 6178772Abstract: An improved refrigerant receiver which includes an improved combined filter and adsorbent unit consisting of a filter extending outwardly from an elongated tube which is mounted on a refrigerant outlet conduit of the receiver and which has an outer edge with the wall of the receiver so that all refrigerant must pass through the filter, and at least one container of adsorbent material mounted within the receiver so as to be exposed to the flow of refrigerant passing through the filter without completely obstructing the portion of the receiver through which this flow passes.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Samuel A. Incorvia
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Patent number: 6178773Abstract: An adsorbent unit including a porous container having first and second end portions, adsorbent in the container, a rigid clip on the first end portion for engaging the spaced pipes of a U-bend of a refrigerant accumulator, a tab on the second end portion, and an aperture in the tab for receiving the filter housing on the return bend of a U-shaped pipe.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Samuel A. Incorvia, Peter R. Millen
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Patent number: 6178774Abstract: In the process of the invention, an ammonia synthesis mixture and carbon monoxide are produced. The hydrogen is purified in a nitrogen-washing column (61). The carbon monoxide is recovered cryogenically from a first liquid fraction (51) collected at the base of the said washing column (61), in a medium-pressure stripping column (62), then in a low-pressure distillation column (63). A second liquid fraction (52) is drawn from a position intermediate between the base and head of the washing column (61).Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Jean Billy, Daniele Fauroux
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Patent number: 6178775Abstract: A method and apparatus of separating air to produce an oxygen product. In accordance with the method and apparatus the air is rectified within a double column arrangement. The lower pressure column has lower and intermediate reboilers. Nitrogen from the higher pressure column is compressed and sent to the lower reboiler and oxygen tower overhead from the higher pressure column is fed to the intermediate reboiler. The resultant liquid is used to reflux both columns. The advantages in the arrangement set forth above is that the higher pressure column may be made to operate at a lower pressure to conserve energy.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.Inventors: Paul Higginbotham, Joseph P. Naumovitz
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Patent number: 6178776Abstract: A system for producing pressurized oxygen gas from low pressure oxygen gas without the need for engaging an oxygen compressor wherein low pressure oxygen gas is condensed by indirect heat exchange with a multicomponent refrigerant fluid, passed through a liquid pump, and then vaporized against that same multicomponent refrigerant fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Kevin William Mahoney, Dante Patrick Bonaquist, Walter Joseph Olszewski
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Patent number: 6178777Abstract: An electric open-top melter for use in the manufacture of mineral fibers, such as fiberglass, is provided with a side-discharge outlet. The side-discharge outlet allows the melter, conditioner/refiner, and forehearth to all be located on substantially the same level, thereby allowing molten glass to flow from the side of the melter, through the conditioning zone, and into the forehearth from which spinners produce glass fibers or the like. Isolation members are provided in the conditioning or refining area so as to enable molten glass therein to be isolated from the melter and forehearth when the molten glass level is lowered below the tops the isolation members.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Guardian Fiberglass, Inc.Inventor: Vaughn Charles Chenoweth
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Patent number: 6178778Abstract: In the manufacturing of optical fiber preform with excellent accuracy of outer diameter made of the rod as drawn from synthetic quartz ingot, the outer diameter measuring devices 67 and 68 measure the outer diameters of the cone 2 and rod 3 drawn from the ingot 1, and the drawing speed is controlled based on the measured outer diameters. The optical fiber preform manufacturing apparatus that finishes the rod into truly round form without any curve has a rotary holding means 13 and 14 that hold the rod 3 resulting from the heating and drawing of the ingot 1 rotating it in synchronization with the rotation of the ingot 1, a comparison device 18 that outputs a signal after comparing the outer diameter of the cone 2 as measured by the outer diameter measuring device 11 with that of the referential circle, a control device 19 that controls the rotational amount of the rotating device 10, and a control device 20 that controls the rotational amount of the rotary holding device 13 and 14.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1997Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Soichiro Kenmochi, Hideo Hirasawa, Tadakatsu Shimada, Akihiko Suzuki, Waichi Yamamura, Yoshiaki Shimizu
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Patent number: 6178779Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling two optical fiber preforms together end-to-end, the method comprising the following operations: the two cylindrical preforms are placed in alignment along a common longitudinal axis; the preforms are rotated about the common longitudinal axis; the facing ends of said preforms are heated by a heater; and the preforms are moved towards each other parallel to the common axis to press them against each other so as to form intimate contact between the ends after cooling. According to the invention, the heating is performed by causing the preforms or heater to move in a radial direction orthogonal to the common longitudinal axis in such a manner as to heat the peripheries and then the cores of said preforms.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: AlcatelInventors: Alain Drouart, Pierre Ripoche, Bernard Wurier
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Patent number: 6178780Abstract: A porous body 4 and a first immersing solution 6 are put in a vessel 5 in proportions such that the whole of the porous body 4 is immersed in the immersing solution, and the immersing is conducted for an arbitrary period of time. The vessel 5 is formed so as to have a depth greater than the height of the porous body 4. A vessel-capacity changing device 7 is inserted in the vessel 5. The first immersing solution 6 overflows from the interstice between the vessel-capacity changing device 7 and the vessel 5. A second immersing solution 8 is poured through a charging port, and simultaneously the vessel-capacity changing device 7 is lifted to thereby remove the same from the immersing solution. Thus, the porous body 4 is immersed in the second immersing solution 8 without being exposed to the outside air to thereby complete solution replacement. The immersing of the porous body can be effected safely, securely and at a lowered cost without damaging the porous body.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1997Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuko Morita
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Patent number: 6178781Abstract: A process of rotary knitting a tubular blank with a knitted pocket or pockets such as a heel or toe portion on a multi-feed circular knitting machine and products made by the process. The blank is preferably first knit with continuous courses of stitches on all needles, then with rotary knitting continuing on partial courses to form a pocket on one side of the blank while no other knitting on the blank is taking place. Each partial course has at its start a selected number of yarn end securing stitches such as tuck stitches, then a selected number of stitches to substantially form the partial course, and then a selected number of securing stitches at the end of the partial course, the purpose of the securing stitches being to lock in the yarn at the beginning and end of the partial course.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Sara Lee CorporationInventor: Jonathan M. Myers
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Patent number: 6178782Abstract: A method for knitting without retaining double or more stitches on a needle when a loop transferring is performed in the fabric knitting including a stitch narrowing knitting and the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Shima Seiki Manufacturing LimitedInventors: Koji Takeda, Toru Ekawa
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Patent number: 6178783Abstract: An improved yarn feeder for knitting machines includes a frame, a feeding reel, a brake, a press block, a pulley, a holder, a transmission spindle and a yarn guide. The feeding reel includes a driven wheel which has a top flange with a center opening and a plurality of equally spaced rods extending downward from bottom surface of the top flange, and a driving wheel which has spoke like ribs each has a slot opening at a free end thereof for engaging with an elongated bar at a lower portion which has a “8” shaped crosssection. The driving wheel may engage with the driven wheel through the center opening with the top end of the elongated bar engaged with a cavity formed in the bottom side of the top flange between a pair of adjacent rods. The feeding reel and the yarn feeder may be made with greater precision at a lower cost than conventional yarn feeder.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Chung-Min Lin
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Patent number: 6178784Abstract: A brassiere having a minimal number of seams and allowing for independent breast support is described. The brassiere is produced from a circularly knit blank having a first tubular portion, and integrally knit cylindrical tubular welt portion, and an integrally knit second tubular portion. Portions of each of the first and second tubular portions are cut and removed to define right and left front portions, and the remaining portion of one of the first or second tubular portions is inverted so that the remaining parts of each of the first and second tubular portions extend away from the welt portion in generally the same direction. Banding can be attached to form neck and arm openings, and, where applicable, the front and rear strap portions can be secured together, thereby forming a finished brassiere. In this way, substantially seamless brassieres having right and left breast covering portions made to have visually distinct appearances can be readily and easily produced.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Alba-Waldensian, Inc.Inventor: Joel Wayne Marley, Jr.
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Patent number: 6178785Abstract: Socks having a rib top part, a leg part, a heel part, a foot part and a toe part which are knitted in order wherein first gore lines extending obliquely downwardly from upper portions of the heel part to rear portions of the heel part are formed on the heel part next to the leg part from first and second trapezoidal knit fabrics whose top sides are common to each other, and a third trapezoidal knit fabric having a top side whose length is equal to the length of a bottom side of the second trapezoidal knit fabric at portions of the first gore lines rather near to the toe part is knitted next to the second trapezoidal knit fabric. Further, a fourth trapezoidal knit fabric is knitted continuously to the bottom side of the third trapezoidal knit fabric, and second gore lines are formed between the bottom side of the third trapezoidal knit fabric and inclined sides of the fourth trapezoidal knit fabric of the socks.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Naigai Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Samata
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Patent number: 6178786Abstract: A knitting machine (1) comprises a shaft (2) with a recess (11) in which a selection element (12) provided with a controllable raising butt (20) is mounted swivellably and can be swivelled to and fro between a position in which the raising butt (20) is retracted into the recess (11) and a position in which the raising butt (20) projects forwards over the front side of the shaft (2). A spring (21), which can be attached to the selection element (12) or the shaft (2), serves to pre-tension the selection element (12) into one of these two positions (FIG. 1).Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: SIPRA Patententwicklungs- u. Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbHInventor: Rolf Willmer
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Patent number: 6178787Abstract: A motorcycle wheel disk lock reminder system for reminding a user that a disk lock is mounted to the wheel of the user's motorcycle so that the user does not drive the motorcycle with the disk lock attached to the wheel. The motorcycle wheel disk lock reminder system includes a disk lock adapted for attachment to a wheel of a motorcycle. The disk lock has a slot therein into which an insertion tab outwardly extending from an inner face of a reminder unit is removably inserted. The insertion tab of the reminder unit is also insertable into an ignition keyhole of the motorcycle subsequent removable of the insertion tab from the slot of the disk lock to prevent insertion of an ignition key into the ignition keyhole without prior removal therefrom of the insertion tab of the reminder unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Lee Titterton
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Patent number: 6178788Abstract: An anti-theft device for an aircraft includes first and second U-shaped members one of which has tubular legs telescopically receiving arms of the other and one of the arms of which extends through a passage in sleeve and control post components in the cockpit of an aircraft to lock the aileron and elevator components of the aircraft against displacement relative to the aircraft wings and stabilizer, respectively. A key or combination type lock releasably holds the anti-theft device in its mounted condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.Inventor: James B. Winner
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Patent number: 6178789Abstract: A convertible cylinder lock handle comprises a hub, a handle extending from the hub, and a drive shaft extending from the hub along an axis of handle rotation. The hub has a channel sized to receive a lock cylinder and a slot that extends along and spacially communicates with the channel sized to receive a spring loaded lock cylinder bolt. The lock handle also has a bolt lock plate sized to be received in reversible orientations within the slot that has two stops spaced apart a distance to receive and entrap the cylinder bolt therebetween. One of the stops has a ramp for camming engagement with the spring loaded cylinder bolt whereby in one lock plate orientation the bolt is locked out of the lock plate and in its reversed orientation the lock plate receives and entraps the bolt. The handle is particularly suited for use on delivery van type vehicles as it is fully compatible with existing lock cylinders that may be removed with spanner tools without having to disassemble the handle.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Kason Industries, Inc.Inventors: Burl Finkelstein, Stevie C. Roop
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Patent number: 6178790Abstract: As assembly is provided for securing a door to a fixed object which allows the door to be locked from the outside with a conventional padlock, but which allows the door to be opened from the interior while the padlock is in place. The door has a first face, a second face and an edge. The fixed object typically includes an abutment. Means are provided for engaging the door to the abutment. The engaging means are disposed on the first face of the door proximate to the edge and are movable from an engaged position in which the door is engaged to the abutment, to a released position in which the door is disengaged from the abutment. Means are also provided for biasing the engaging means toward the engaging position. A flexible cord is attached to the engaging means. An active hasp is connected to the flexible cord distal to the engaging means and is disposed on the second face of the door.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: John Chiarelli
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Patent number: 6178791Abstract: The technique for electronically resetting a magnetically sealed solenoid to an unattracted, unactuated position is described for use with solenoids which have either a residual magnetic or a permanent magnet holding force necessary to retain the armature of the solenoid in its actuated position until such time as the armature is either physically displaced by a mechanical force or an electronic signal is applied to the solenoid. This displacement creates a reverse polarity magnetic field, effectively overcoming the magnetic field acting to hold the armature in its actuated position, permitting a small mechanical force to reset the armature. In order to prevent a lock or similar device from being conditioned for opening and possibly left in that condition for a significant period of time while unattended, jeopardizing the security of the container and its contents, the actuation of the armature in the reset or release phase may occur a relatively short time following its actuation.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Mas-Hamilton Group, Inc.Inventors: James D. Hill, William Fain Irving, James Thomas Loiselle, Joseph W. Luciano, Kenneth H. Mimlitch, John E. Passafiume
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Patent number: 6178792Abstract: An apparatus having two barrel and tumbler locks which are longitudinally overlapped and conjoined to operate in combination with each other. When the first lock is moved to an open position it becomes frozen with the key snagged therein. The second lock is used to unfreeze and release the key from the first lock. Both locks are of the type having a barrel and tumbler. The first lock has a barrel having a ramped circumferential groove segment having a shallow end portion. A groove wafer extends from the tumbler into this groove. The second release lock has a circumferential groove segment in its barrel similarly having a groove wafer extending from the tumbler into this groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: James F. Glazier
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Patent number: 6178793Abstract: Two cylinders with two holes at the ends, gripping in each other. Two key rings are installed in these holes. The outer cylinder key ring moves through a split in the inner cylinder. The upper side of outer cylinder is used to attach a penholder to it. This key holder gives an excellent option to carry the keys without inconvenience inside the pocket. It is aligned with foot axis. It can be easily removed from the pocket and be used by moving cylinders together with easy access to whole keys. They can easily be separated from each other and replaced in the pocket.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Shahriar Hojjati Emami
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Patent number: 6178794Abstract: A free-wheeling lock mechanism for operating a door latch includes a body, a handle, a lock and a split shaft having two halves rotationally connected together along the shaft axis. One half of the shaft is connected to the handle and one half extends from the body to operate the door latch. The two halves of the shaft may be coupled and uncoupled via a shaft lock movable perpendicular between locked and unlocked positions. In the unlocked position the shaft lock connects the two halves of the shaft to rotate together when the handle is turned. In the locked position the shaft lock disengages the two halves of the shaft to rotate separately and allow the handle to free-wheel without operating the door latch.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Darren C. Eller, Richard Hai Huang, Thomas A. Pelletier
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Patent number: 6178795Abstract: A lockable structure for a big-handle lock includes a base plate for connection with a bottom plate and a cover plate. A lock core assembly is mounted between the base plate and the cover plate. A transmission assembly is mounted between the base plate and a bottom plate. The lock core of the lock core assembly and a turn-button of an inner handle may drive a locking bar around which a follower disc is mounted. The follower disc includes a cam for driving a control plate. The control plate includes a projection for releasably engaging with a groove of a press-plate. Thus, when a press member is pressed, the press-plate, the control plate, and the actuating plate are moved accordingly. The actuating plate includes a rack portion for meshing with a transmission wheel for turning a spindle, thereby controlling retraction of a latch bolt.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chiang-Lin Hsueh
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Patent number: 6178796Abstract: A device and a method for shaping a flat article under high pressure, in which a one-sided forming tool is used together with a high pressure press equipped with a membrane. The one-sided forming tool comprises at least one first trimming device, a second trimming device provided with a punch, and with at least two clamps arranged to hold a blank in position over said one-sided forming tool. The clamps are arranged moveable in respect to each other such that the blank is stretchable and pressure is applicable by said membrane so shaping the blank against said one-sided forming tool within a single and continuous press operation. The one-sided forming tool also comprises a piercing device. The advantage of the invention is that an article may be stretched, trimmed, shaped and pierced in one continuous forming cycle, which article may also be formed from a blank that has been pre-painted on at least one side.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Flow Holdings GmbH (SAGL) LLCInventor: Keijo Hellgren