Patents Issued in January 30, 2001
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Patent number: 6178897Abstract: The invention concerns a protective device for valuable documents, including a volume capable of being closed and divided into two compartments, one of the compartments being used to receive the documents to be protected while in the second compartment caps contain a pyrotechnic mixture which, when the device is wrongly manipulated, will burst into a flame which will penetrate the documents in the first mentioned compartment.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: FN Herstal, S.A.Inventors: Guy Appeltans, Luc Mellebeek
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Patent number: 6178898Abstract: In a recovery boiler for burning spent liquor of a pulp mill, a combustion chamber has heat transfer walls formed of tubes, at least one vertical heat transfer surface formed of tubes, and superheaters in an upper part of the combustion chamber for recovering heat generated by combustion and for cooling flue gases. The at least one vertical heat transfer surface divides the combustion chamber in a transverse direction into two combustion spaces.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping OyInventors: Tuomo Ruohola, Matti Salmela
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Patent number: 6178899Abstract: An industrial waste and household waste is treated by a pyrolysis step for carbonizing waste containing organic substance in a condition sealed from an air so as to separate to a pyrolysis gas and a pyrolysis residue; a gas cracking step for introducing the pyrolysis gas after the pyrolysis step so as to react an oxide component in the pyrolysis gas through an oxidization reaction and thermally decompose high molecular hydrocarbon in the pyrolysis gas with a heat generated by the oxidization reaction so as to obtain a cracked gas containing low molecular hydrocarbon; a residue cooling step for cooling the pyrolysis residue generated in the pyrolysis step for solidification; a mechanical processing step for crushing and sorting the pyrolysis residue solidified in the residue cooling step so as to obtain a pyrolysis char essentially consisting of pyrolysed organic substance and inorganic components; and a smelting and gasifying step for burning the pyrolysis char obtained in the mechanical processing step at aType: GrantFiled: April 7, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Masaki Kaneko, Masashi Yoshimori
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Patent number: 6178900Abstract: A fertilizer applicator assembly for use with a chisel plow includes a diverter shoe located in the root zone of the crop, above the tillage point of the plow. The diverter shoe closes the furrow formed by the plow shank and forms a lateral pocket in the soil for distributing a band of particulate fertilizer behind and to the side of the shank.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Case CorporationInventor: William J. Dietrich, Sr.
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Patent number: 6178901Abstract: A furrow opener of an air seed planter is equipped with a seed boot and seed positioner for planting one or more rows of seeds in soil. The seed boot has walls providing a passage for directing seeds into a furrow. The seed positioner attached to the seed boot channels seeds in one or more rows of seeds and covers the seeds with a substantially uniform layer of soil. The forward ground speed of the air seed planter and the velocity of the seeds carried by the flowing air reduce seed bounce due to the reverse drop of the seed boot.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Kevin M. Anderson
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Patent number: 6178902Abstract: Thread-cutting device for an eyelet buttonhole sewing machine, having a looper support (70) which can rotate about a vertical axis (22) and is fitted with mutually independently operable thread-cutting tools (42, 53) for a looper thread (60) and a needle thread. Provided on the looper support (70) are drive devices in the form of pneumatic cylinders (29, 30) for the thread-cutting tools (42, 53), which drive devices can be fed compressed air from a stationary compressed air source via a device (69) in the form of elastic hoses (33, 37) or of a rotary bushing. The thread-cutting device according to the invention permits the thread-cutting tools (42, 53) to be operated irrespective of the rotary position of the looper support (70).Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: D{umlaut over (u)}rkopp Adler AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thomas Nöltge, Eberhard Kastrup
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Patent number: 6178903Abstract: A quilting machine is provided having at least one set of single needle stitch forming elements for forming chain stitched patterns on a thick multilayered material such as a mattress cover. The machine is preferably web-fed, with a panel of the continuous web being clamped and held stationary on a frame. The stitch forming elements include a needle and a looper mounted on separate heads that are independently moveable on a bridge transversely relative to the panel, which is moveable longitudinally relative to the frame. The bridge is longitudinally moved by a servo and the heads are transversely moved on the bridge by separate servos. The stitching elements on each head are driven by separate servos. A controller drives the servos to chain stitch patterns and differentially move the heads transversely to account for transverse needle deflection. The drives of the needle and looper are phased to compensate for longitudinal needle deflection. The controller determines or predicts needle deflection.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: L&P Property Management CompanyInventors: James Bondanza, Roland Bulnes, Terrance L. Myers, Jeff Kaetterhenry, James T. Frazer, Glenn E. Leavis
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Patent number: 6178904Abstract: A sewing unit for working in extra width in a single fabric layer, wherein a necessary gathering value is calculated by a computer of the sewing unit after the entry of the initial length of the fabric layer and the desired length to be obtained after gathering and sewing. Furthermore, the real number of stitches is calculated to control the end point of an extra width section. The particular current real stitch length value, in which the gathering values dependent on slip of the feeders of the sewing machine is taken into account, is read for this purpose from a memory.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: G.M. Pfaff AktiengesellschaftInventors: Eduard Bastian, Bernd Maue
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Patent number: 6178905Abstract: A hull-less personal water craft is provided which reduces air, water, noise, and wake pollution over personal water craft presently on the market. The craft includes a strut assembly having forward and rearward ends, with an operator platform attached at the rearward end, and having at least one hydrofoil positioned substantially underneath the operator platform at a predetermined distance. A propulsion system is provided at the forward end of the strut, and is operatively coupled to a control column which provides the operator interface when the craft operator is kneeling or standing on the operator platform. The hydrofoil provides substantially all of the lift for the craft when in operation, and the elimination of a hull greatly reduces the power requirements and wake generated by the craft in operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: WaveBlade CorporationInventors: Richard Dynes, Robert Justin Higgins, Peter C. Freeland
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Patent number: 6178906Abstract: A spar for controlling downwind headsails is pivoted to headsail instrumentalities for stowage in an aerodynamic sleeve with the headsail. The spar and the headsail has preconnected lines for controlling the spar and headsail all stored within the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: John Garrison Hoyt
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Patent number: 6178907Abstract: A steering system is provided for watercraft having a hull and first and second thrust producing devices capable of providing forward or reverse thrust relative to the hull, wherein the first and second thrust producing devices provide thrust along first and second thrust axes, respectively, comprising a first rudder assembly positioned forward of the first thrust producing device, wherein the first rudder assembly is pivotally connected beneath the hull; a second rudder assembly positioned forward of the second thrust producing device, wherein the second rudder assembly is pivotally connected beneath the hull; first actuation device operatively connected to the first rudder assembly for actuating a change in the rotational position of the first rudder assembly; second actuation device operatively connected to the second rudder assembly for actuating a change in the rotational position of the second rudder assembly; and a control device operatively connected to the first and second actuation devices for contrType: GrantFiled: April 27, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventors: David C. Shirah, David C. Hackney
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Patent number: 6178908Abstract: A wind scoop for hatches and designed to direct and restrict the amount of wind through a hatch opening and if necessary, cut the wind completely. The scoop is collapsible for easy storage and transportation. A rigid sheet is scored to define foldable walls that form an intake opening and direct the wind therethrough. A wall is pivotally housed within the walls and movable between two extreme positions for allowing maximum air through or blocking it. A removable notched bar bites on the distal said of the pivoting wall to keep the latter at a predetermined position. An elastic cord is attached at one end inside the wind scoop and the other end passes through the hatch opening and it is attached to an elongated member with dimensions larger than the opening. The stretched cord keeps the wind scoop in place.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Brian Stolzenberger
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Patent number: 6178909Abstract: The present invention provides a protector assembly or fence type structure that is easily installed along the sides of a dock where water craft are docked or attempting to become docked. The fence type structure protects the water craft as well as the dock from being damaged. The invention includes a frame with spaced apart vertical members supporting a horizontal array of vertically supported tubular roller members which rotate when contact is made with a water craft as it approaches the dock. The fence type structure is attached by a bracket to a top side area of the dock so that it hangs vertically and extends to a location near the surface of the water. The fence type structure can be rotated about the top bracket to a position up and out of the water for cleaning and repairing, as well as for removing debris which may have been trapped by the dock structure and the fence type structure of this invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Randy C. Palmer
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Patent number: 6178910Abstract: The vessel including a hull and a cylindrical turret well, with a weathervane around a geostationary turret located in the turret well, and at least one swivel supported on the turret. The inner wall of the swivel is connected to rotation drive which allows the fall swivel weight to be transferred directly to the turret. The inner wall of at least one swivel is rotatably connected to a swivel support structure on the turret via a bearing. The rotation drive is adapted for rotating the inner walls in conjunction with the vessel so that relative displacements between the swivel and the turret are reduced such that the layout of the pipe lines connected to the swivel can be simplified by the omission of expansion loops. As the weight of the swivel is carried by the turret, the rotation and pipe support structure can be relatively small. The outer walls of the swivel stack may be fixedly connected to the turret so that a separate rotational drive for the outer walls can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings, Inc.Inventor: Jack Pollack
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Patent number: 6178911Abstract: An automatically inflatable boat including at least two separate compartments which are connected to one another by an intercommunicating valve which can be opened to connect adjacent compartments or closed to isolate adjacent compartments. The inflatable boat is provided with a gas pump permanently mounted on the boat and in fluid communication with a connection for receiving pressurized gas of at least one of the inflatable compartments. The pump can be actuated in order to automatically inflate the inflatable compartments of the boat to a preset pressure. Also shown is an inflatable enclosure which can be deflated and inflated and to house an adult and a commode to provide privacy.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Zodiac Hurricane Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Hemphill, Gary Dale
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Patent number: 6178912Abstract: A sit-on-top kayak having a seating and footwell arrangement that allows users to sit comfortably in a relatively small cockpit area defined by the kayak. Preferably, two or three seating surfaces and footwells are employed. The footwells associated with any given seating surface straddle the seating surface in front of the given seating surface if the given seating surface is not the forwardmost seating surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Old Town Canoe CompanyInventor: Timothy A. Niemier
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Patent number: 6178913Abstract: A collapsible boat includes two center deck panels and two outer deck panels, all of the deck panels being hingedly secured together. When the boat is in uncollapsed position all of the deck panels are disposed horizontally. When the boat is collapsed and the outer deck panels move toward one another, the two center deck panels raise to a vertical orientation.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: James C. Brignolio
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Patent number: 6178914Abstract: The invention relates to a method for launching and taking aboard a floating device (6) at a ship (1) under way. Said floating device (6) is arranged in and connected to a cradle (4) which is floating as such and open at the back. Said cradle hangs in a flexible carrying means (10) and is launched using a hoisting means (11) arranged at said ship (1). The bow portion (14) of said cradle (4) is guided using a flexible separate towing means (15) in such a manner that said cradle (4) when it floats on the water (2) will be directed in the ship's (1) general travelling direction. When said floating device (6) is not connected to said cradle (4) it is able freely to move into said cradle (4) and out therefrom through its stern portion (8). The invention also relates to a means for launching and, respectively, taking aboard a floating device (6).Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Sune Georg Axelsson
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Patent number: 6178915Abstract: A emergency rescue aid system including a waistpack having an open interior with a removable flap and a waistband attached thereto for coupling with a user. At least one balloon is positioned within the waistpack. Each balloon includes a netting positionable therearound. A light is positioned within the waistpack and is positionable on the upper extent of each balloon. A reel of wire is provided. The wire having a central electrical power cable, an exterior woven wire and an intermediate electrically insulating shield, adapted to couple at its upper end the light and to be supported on the reel at its lower end. At least one helium container is positioned on the waistpack. The helium container being adapted to fill at least one balloon to effect its rising upon being inflated.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Anthony J. Salandra
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Patent number: 6178916Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a compact, low-cost, rotary control knob assembly, including: an indicator portion having disposed thereon indicia representing selectable settings of the control knob assembly; a knob portion disposed over the indicator portion, such that the indicia are contained within a perimeter-defined area of the knob portion; and an indicator opening defined through the knob portion, which indicator opening is selectively alignable with ones of the indicia by rotation of the knob portion with respect to the indicator portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Delco Electronics CorporationInventor: Chris Ralph Snider
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Patent number: 6178917Abstract: A pointer instrument (1) has two pointer flags (3, 4) which can pivot in a common plane about a common axis (2). For this purpose, the pointer flags (3, 4) can each be deflected independently of each other in the region of a separate sector of a circle by a pointer drive (6, 6′), by of a mechanism (5, 5′). By this means, the pointer instrument (1) has a compact overall size and, at the same time, is easy to read.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AGInventor: Frank Jansa
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Patent number: 6178918Abstract: A plasma enhance chemical processing reactor and method. The reactor includes a plasma chamber and a source of electromagnetic energy. The plasma chamber is in communication with a process chamber which includes a wager support and a gas manifold. The plasma generated in the plasma chamber extends into the process chamber and interacts with the reactive gases to deposit a layer of material on the wafer. The reactor also includes a vacuum system for exhausting the reactor. The method includes the steps of generating a plasma within the plasma chamber, introducing at least one gaseous chemical into the process chamber proximate to the wafer support and applying r.f. gradient to induce diffusion of the plasma to the area proximate the wafer support.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Ron van Os, William J. Durbin, Richard H. Matthiesen, Dennis C. Fenske, Eric D. Ross
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Patent number: 6178919Abstract: The invention relates to a plasma processing reactor apparatus for semiconductor processing a substrate. The apparatus includes a chamber. The apparatus further includes a top electrode configured to be coupled to a first RF power source having a first RF frequency and a bottom electrode configured to be coupled to second RF power source having a second RF frequency that is lower than the first RF frequency. The apparatus additionally includes an insulating shroud that lines an interior of the chamber, the insulating shroud being configured to be electrically floating during the processing. The apparatus further includes a perforated plasma confinement ring disposed outside of an outer periphery of the bottom electrode, a top surface of the perforated plasma confinement ring being disposed below a top surface of the substrate and electrically grounded during the processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Lumin Li, George Mueller
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Patent number: 6178920Abstract: The present invention employs an internal inductive antenna capable of generating a helicon wave for generating a plasma. One embodiment of the present invention employs loop type antenna secured within a bell shaped portion of the chamber. Another embodiment employs a flat coil type antenna secured within the chamber. In the preferred embodiments, the internal antenna of the present invention is constructed to prevent sputtering of the antenna. The antenna may be formed of a non-sputtering conductive material, or may formed a conductive material surrounded, completely or partially, by a non-sputtering jacket. In one embodiment, the non-sputtering jacket may be coupled to the chamber wall so that heat generated by the antenna is transferred between the jacket and the chamber wall by conduction. Preferably, the non-sputtering jacket is formed of a material that also is electrically insulative with the surface of the antenna exposed to plasma being segmented to inhibit eddy current in conductive deposits.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Yan Ye, Allan D'Ambra, Yeuk-Fai Edwin Mok, Richard E. Remington, James E. Sammons, III
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Patent number: 6178921Abstract: Method of improving the breeding conditions for pigs, according to which the piglets are placed after birth in a closed or semiclosed chamber, a gaseous mixture containing oxygen is injected into the chamber, characterized in that the oxygen content of the gaseous mixture is between 25 and 50%.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: L'Air LiquideInventors: Philippe Girardon, Patrick Herpin
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Patent number: 6178922Abstract: A mastication article for a domestic animal comprising tough chew-resistant material defining a shape in the form of a small article for enticing or being retrieved by a domestic animal, and an effective amount of microbe-inhibiting agent applied to or incorporated in the material. The mastication articles may be fabricated in various shapes, designs, and styles. A process for applying the microbe-inhibiting agent to the material for forming the mastication article is disclosed. Application methods include spraying and soaking the article, and incorporating the agent within a resin or material for forming the article. The article can be digestible in whole or in part.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Seefar Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Denesuk, Eugenie V. Uhlmann
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Patent number: 6178923Abstract: A system and method for making animals appear to talk is provided. The system includes a speaker mounted on an article (such as a collar) worn by the animal. A memory stores a plurality of pre-recorded messages. These pre-recorded messages may be generic phrases to be “spoken” by all types of animals or may be messages which are based on the characteristics of a particular animal. Using a selection circuit, a user is able to selectively output the pre-recorded messages from the memory to the speaker, thereby making the animal appear to talk.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventor: Robert A. Plotkin
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Patent number: 6178924Abstract: A method for upgrading a boiler is provided. When operating at a first capacity, the boiler is used such that an open space is kept in radiation communication with a firebox. The open space is also kept as empty. A first set of water circulation tubes are connected to the boiler cylinder in connection with the ascending tubes. When the boiler is operated at a second capacity, which is higher than the first capacity, at least one additional part is arranged in the open space to expand the basic super heater arrangement. Additionally, or alternatively at the second capacity, a second set of water circulation tubes may be connected to the boiler cylinder in connection with the ascending tubes. The second set of water circulation tube has a capacity exceeding that of the first set of water circulation tubes.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping OyInventors: Aki Hakulinen, Kari Haaga
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Patent number: 6178925Abstract: A liquid delivery apparatus for vaporizing a liquid to produce a vapor therefrom. The apparatus incorporates a vaporizer with a surface arranged to receive liquid thereon. A liquid feed assembly is provided, including (i) a liquid source and (ii) a liquid flow circuit coupled to the liquid source and arranged to discharge liquid onto the vaporizer surface during liquid vaporization operation. The apparatus features a burst purging assembly including a pressurized gas source joined in gas flow communication with the liquid flow circuit. The pressurized gas source is arranged to introduce a clearance burst of pressurized gas into the liquid flow circuit after completion of the liquid vaporization operation, so that hold-up liquid in the liquid flow circuit and/or vaporizer following completion of the liquid vaporization operation is discharged onto the vaporizer surface and vaporized.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.Inventors: Edward A. Sturm, Gautam Bhandari, Craig Ragaglia
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Patent number: 6178926Abstract: A heater includes a radiant section having a wall and a roof, the roof having a longitudinal opening. A radiant heat exchange tube is disposed in the radiant section, and the tube has an inlet and outlet through which a process fluid can be carried respectively into and out of the radiant section. The tube between the inlet and outlet is arranged in generally horizontal tube lengths. A plurality of burners is provided, at least two of the burners being disposed on opposing sides of the tube. A plurality of tube supports is releasably positioned at longitudinal intervals along the tube lengths and define tube seats on which the tube lengths rest. The tube and tube supports are liftable as a unit through the longitudinal opening of the roof of the radiant section.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Foster Wheeler CorporationInventor: Donald D. Worman
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Patent number: 6178927Abstract: A gas engine has a control system having a pilot control device for adjusting the operating state of the engine in response to changes in limiting conditions that are monitored. The control system further includes a knock monitoring device which is superordinate with respect to the pilot control device when the operating state reach a minimum distance from the knocking limit of the gas engine. The knock monitoring device prevents the engine from being damaged from circumstance which can not be protected against via the pilot control device.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: MAN B&W Diesel AktiengesellschaftInventors: Kai Rieck, Robert Glauber, Klaus Lierz, Thomas Felber, Lars Dier
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Patent number: 6178928Abstract: An engine cooling system includes an engine 14; a radiator assembly including a radiator 16 and a fan 19 driven by an electric fan motor 21; a coolant circulation circuit 12 interconnecting the engine and the radiator for circulating coolant; a by-pass circuit 24 connected to the coolant circulation circuit so that coolant may by-pass the radiator; an electrically powered variable speed coolant pump 28 disposed in the coolant circulation circuit to pump coolant through the coolant circulation circuit; control valve structure 26 constructed and arranged to control mass flow of coolant through the radiator; an engine temperature sensor 54 to detect a temperature of engine coolant; a radiator temperature sensor 58 to detect a temperature of air exiting the radiator or a temperature of coolant at an outlet of the radiator, and a controller 36 operatively connected with the electric fan motor, the coolant pump, the control valve structure, the engine temperature sensor, and the radiator temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Siemens Canada LimitedInventor: Anthony F.J. Corriveau
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Patent number: 6178929Abstract: A method of operating cooling fluid circuit of an internal combustion engine for an automotive vehicle at cold start of said engine. Said cooling fluid circuit includes pump means, a heat storage and a cabin heating system heat exchanger interconnected between said heat storage and said engine. The method comprises unloading said heat storage to transfer heat thereof to cooling fluid circulating in said cooling fluid circuit and operating said heat exchanger so as to transfer at least some of the heat of the circulating cooling fluid to heating air of said cabin heating system.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Schatz Thermo System GmbHInventor: Oskar Schatz
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Patent number: 6178930Abstract: A safety cap, particularly for cooling liquid circuits of i.c. engines for motorvehicles, comprising an inner cover to be screwed onto a circuit filler and bearing a body axially and sealingly engageable within the filler. The body is hollow and carries a thermostatic actuator, and the inner cover is substantially completely surrounded by an outer cover which is movable, by means of the thermostatic actuator, from a torsionally coupled position to a torsionally uncoupled position relative to the inner cover.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik Italia S.p.A.Inventor: Franco Triberti
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Patent number: 6178931Abstract: The invention is directed to a hub unit of a fan wheel for an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a starter device. The hub unit has a wheel body made of plastic and a hub sleeve made of a high tensile strength material. The hub sleeve carries the wheel body and is held on the crankshaft to prevent rotation relative thereto and a clamping element axially fixes the hub sleeve on the crankshaft. A starter ring is concentric with the axis and is adapted for a clutch engagement with the starter device so as to be entrainable thereby. The starter ring and the hub sleeve are originally formed as a single piece to define a hub housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.Inventor: Bernhard D{umlaut over (u)}rr
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Patent number: 6178932Abstract: In a V-type engine including first and second pistons connected to a common crank pin of a crankshaft through first and second connecting rods, a large end of each of the connecting rods is formed so that its lower surface assumes a substantially horizontal attitude at a most-lowered position of the crank pin. This ensures that even if the construction is such that the large ends of the conducting rods do not contact with a defined amount of oil stored in lower portion of a crankcase in the V-type engine, the lower portion of the crankcase can be formed at a small depth, thereby lowering the entire height of the V-type engine.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hayato Matsuda, Hideo Shigedomi
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Patent number: 6178933Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-ignition combustion process in a four-stroke internal-combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder (1) having at least a first intake (2) and at least a first exhaust. The process according to the invention, at partial load, fills an external volume (10) independent of cylinder (1) with burned gases, the volume (10) being connected to cylinder (1) by a specific port and a specific line (9), and in controlling the flow and/or the pressure of the burned gases in the volume (10) through a throttle 15 (11; 14) associated with a seal allowing selective sealing of the specific port such as a valve (S or S1 and S2). The present invention further relates to a four-stroke engine implementing the above-described process.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Institut Francais Du PetroleInventor: Jacques Lavy
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Patent number: 6178934Abstract: When a failure of a variable valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine is detected, both a cylinder which is associated with the mechanism in failure and another cylinder which has a symmetrical phase in operation to the above-mentioned cylinder with respect to the stroke cycle are brought into inoperative condition. At the same time, the amount of air/fuel mixture fed to the remaining cylinders is increased. With this measure, engine vibration and power drop are suppressed or at least minimized.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takahiko Hirasawa, Mikio Matsumoto, Hatsuo Nagaishi
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Patent number: 6178935Abstract: A valve control device for an internal combustion engine having a gas exchange valve for controlling an inlet and/or outlet cross section in the combustion chamber of the engine. The valve control device has an axially movable gas exchange valve member whose valve member shaft is coupled to a piston rod to a differential piston that can be hydraulically actuated. The differential piston is embodied as two piston parts, wherein the two piston parts are disposed in relation to one another in such a way that they are operatively connected to each other in the axial direction and can execute a radial relative movement in relation to each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Udo Diehl, Karsten Mischker, Rainer Walter, Stefan Franzl, Volker Beuche, Stefan Reimer, Ulrich Kappenstein
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Patent number: 6178936Abstract: To simplify the assembling process to mount a valve operating mechanism on a cylinder head, one intake valve and one exhaust valve are mounted on the cylinder head symmetrically with respect to the axis of a cylinder shaft. A rocker arm supporting base which supports rocker arms is fixed to the top of the cylinder head. Rocker arm shafts are supported by the base. The central portions of the rocker arms engage with the rocker arm shafts in such a way that the arms are free to swing. Push rods and the intake and exhaust valves are engaged with the ends of the arms. The valve operating mechanism is enclosed in a head cover which is fixed to the top surface of the cylinder head. This engine is distinguished by having the mounting surface for the rocker arm supporting base, on which the rocker shafts are mounted, and the surface on which the head cover sits be virtually coplanar. This makes it possible to machine the two surfaces at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kouchi, Kazuyuki Kobayashi, Shogo Nakamura, Isao Katayama, Shigeichi Okada
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Patent number: 6178937Abstract: A fixture for positioning internal combustion engine rocker arm pedestals prior to bolting the pedestals to the engine. The fixture is a molded synthetic plastic body having recesses for receiving the rocker arm pedestals and fingers within the recesses maintain the pedestals therein. The fixture also includes positioning surfaces cooperating with engine components to assure proper positioning of the pedestals, and the fixture remains in the engine eliminating the necessity for removing the same after the pedestals are bolted in place.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: TMJ Properties, L.L.C.Inventors: William D. Solomon, Erin C. Lickfelt, Mark A. Herioux
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Patent number: 6178938Abstract: The combustion heater when operates at a cold time increases a temperature of engine cooling water, and includes a combustion chamber in which the combustion takes place, an air supply passageway through which the air for the combustion is supplied to the combustion chamber, a heating plug for igniting a combustion fuel within the combustion chamber, and a combustion gas discharge passageway for discharging from the combustion chamber a combustion gas burned in the combustion chamber. Of the air supply passageway and the combustion gas discharge passageway, at least the combustion gas discharge passageway is connected to an intake passageway of the engine, through which the intake air flows toward the cylinders of the engine. The combustion heater has an air suction fan for regulating a quantity of air supplied to the combustion chamber via the air supply passageway, and an ECU which includes a CPU for controlling an operating state of the air suction fan according to an engine rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Makoto Suzuki
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Patent number: 6178939Abstract: A housing for abating noise and receiving an air cleaner is disclosed. The housing is configured for separable coupling to an internal combustion engine of an automobile. The engine includes a plurality of belt driven accessories driven by a crankshaft. The housing includes an internal air cavity disposed in the housing. The cavity provides an air induction chamber adjacent an intake for inducing air into the air induction chamber from an external source and a filtering chamber adjacent an air discharge for venting air from the filtering chamber. The filtering chamber is configured to receive a filter for purifying air disposed intermediate the intake and the discharge. The engine further includes a shroud integral with the exterior of the housing. The shroud provides a peripheral wall defining a recess configured to at least partially surround at least a portion of at least two belt driven accessories. The shroud substantially reduces noise generated by the engine.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Siemens Canada LimitedInventor: Jeffrey Joseph Powell
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Patent number: 6178940Abstract: An intake system for an internal combustion engine, in particular an internal combustion engine driving a vehicle, having a resonator, wherein the resonator is designed as a resonator module (1), the resonator module (1) comprising a resonator housing (2) and a resonator-housing cover (21) and the resonator housing (2) and the resonator-housing cover (21) being connected permanently to one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AGInventors: Axel Gössling, Rainer Montigny
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Patent number: 6178941Abstract: A device in a power-driven tool, such as a motor saw, includes a handle (10) having a gas control (14) and a gas control catch (15). The gas control and the gas control catch have pivots (14a, 15a) adapted to be rotatably attached to the handle. In order to facilitate the assembly, the handle is provided with resilient bearing (11, 12) which allows the pivots to be mounted in the handle by a snap-in function.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1997Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Aktiebolaget ElectroluxInventor: P{umlaut over (a)}r Martinsson
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Patent number: 6178942Abstract: A diesel cycle, direct injected internal combustion engine is provided with a piston recess or bowl into which fuel is injected each combustion cycle. One or more reaction chambers adjacent the piston recess are in communication with the recess through an array of discrete orifices located along the side wall of the recess. Partial reaction of fuel and air in the reaction chambers each combustion cycle produces radicals including intermediate species for seeding a fuel air mixture of a following combustion cycle through a delayed discharge of radicals from the reaction chamber into the piston recess. The discrete orifices are arranged in a specific array that ensures a desired chaotic flow in the reaction chambers and maximum interaction between radicals discharged from the reaction chamber and the soot cloud formed in the combustion chamber upon ignition of the fuel air mixture in the piston recess.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Sonex Research, Inc.Inventors: Carlo Leto di Priolo, Andrew A. Pouring
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Patent number: 6178943Abstract: An engine control system for a direct injection-spark ignition type of engine determines a target load based on an engine speed and an accelerator pedal travel, determines target air-to-fuel ratio based on an amount of intake air and the target engine load, and determines an amount of fuel injection based on the target air-to-fuel ratio, so as thereby to control engine output torque balancing the target engine load even during a transitional operating state.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Junichi Taga, Michihiro Imada, Masayuki Kuroki, Masayuki Tetsuno, Kiyotaka Mamiya, Hirofumi Nishimura
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Patent number: 6178944Abstract: A control method and system is described for a spark ignited, four-stroke engine having multiple combustion chambers, each coupled to at least one intake and one exhaust valve, a fuel injection system for injecting fuel directly into each combustion chamber, and an electronically controlled throttle for throttling air inducted through an intake manifold into the combustion chambers. Additional fuel is injected during the exhaust valve overlap. This additional fuel is drawn from the combustion chamber into the intake manifold and subsequently inducted back into the combustion chamber past the intake valve, thereby cleaning carbon deposits from the intake valve and the surrounding surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Michael Kerns, Michael John Cullen
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Patent number: 6178945Abstract: When an air conditioner is turned on during homogeneous operation, an equivalence ratio correction factor &Dgr;&phgr; is increased sharply and suddenly in such a manner as to show a jump for thereby increasing an engine output torque, and thereafter is decreased gradually with increase of a cylinder intake air quantity, whereby to maintain the engine output torque constant. However, when switching to a homogeneous mode occurs in the middle of the above control, switching to proper torque correction is not carried out at the time of a homogeneous combustion mode, i.e., torque correction by the use of ignition timing but the torque correction by the equivalence ratio correction factor &Dgr;&phgr; continuously. By this, in contrast to the case in which the torque correction is switched to one that is carried out by the use of ignition timing correction quantity, a sharp and sudden variation of engine output torque can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keisuke Suzuki, Nobutaka Takahashi, Takeaki Obata
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Patent number: 6178946Abstract: A compression engine braking system for an engine is disclosed having two exhaust valves 26a and 26b per cylinder, a crosshead 28 in contact with both exhaust valves 26a and 26b and a rocker 30 arranged in the drive train between an exhaust cam and the crosshead 28. One end of the rocker 30 acts on a point on the crosshead 28 lying between the exhaust valves 26a and 26b and the other end of the rocker is arranged to follow the surface of the exhaust cam. The braking system comprises a hydraulic primary piston 12 arranged in a hydraulic circuit 16 with a secondary cylinder 14 acting on one of the exhaust valves 26a. The primary cylinder is biased by a spring away from said other end of the rocker 30 when the compression brake is inactive and is biased by the pressure in the hydraulic circuit 16 to move with the other end of the rocker 30 when the compression brake is active. In the invention, a spring biased lash adjuster is arranged between the rocker 30 and the crosshead 28.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Inventors: Jeff A. Matthews, Jerzi Baginski