Patents Issued in March 27, 2001
  • Patent number: 6205733
    Abstract: A direct mount ceiling grid system comprising a plurality of base grid members, cross grid members, and channel grid members for mounting ceiling panels close to a mounting surface. The base grid members are elongated T-shaped beams having a base flange and a transversely extending web having a thicker bulb portion at its marginal end. The base flange of each base grid member is directly mounted to a mounting surface. The channel grid members are elongated beams having two parallel transversely extending webs forming a channel therebetween. Upon installation of ceiling panels, the channel of the channel grid members removably engage the bulb portion of the transversely extending web of the base grid members. The channels have hook portions of the parallel webs of the channel grid members and deflect to allow capture of the bulb portion. The base flange of the base grid members and the base flange of the channel grid members capture the ceiling panels placed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Dennis LaLonde
  • Patent number: 6205734
    Abstract: A multi-layer shingle is made by cutting an anterior layer of shingle material to have a headlap area and a tab area, and with a plurality of tabs being present in the tab area, separated by slotted openings. The tab area of the anterior layer has a predetermined design that has a repeatability in the longitudinal direction, or from one edge of a shingle to another in the right-to-left direction, which repeatability is a function of the length of the shingle between said left and right edges, as well as being a function of the number of tabs in the shingle's anterior layer, with the repeatability being smaller or greater than the length of the shingle in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, an ornamental appearance is provided that has a random, natural-looking effect when the shingles are laid up on a roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Joseph Quaranta, Kermit E. Stahl
  • Patent number: 6205735
    Abstract: A mason wall cementitious building block system comprising two lightweight dry-stackable block units and methods of using such units, including a wall unit and a corner/end unit, connected one to another in an interlocking fashion by means of male posts and female sockets, and variants on each of said units for capping the uppermost course of an assembled wall. The male posts angle rearwardly to define partial apertures, such that adjoining blocks define an aperture which extends vertically between the adjoined blocks for placement of vertical reinforcement, electrical and plumbing chase, and for the introduction of mortar or cement. The top surface defines a recessed cavity for placement of rebar when stacked. The corner/end unit of the present invention interconnects with wall units also by means of posts and sockets and may function as either an end or a corner, requiring only the removal of a small portion of the block at prescored cut lines to alter functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Steve D. Witcher
  • Patent number: 6205736
    Abstract: A space frame including at least two elongate structural frame elements arranged side by side and being interconnected by a plurality of elongate struts spaced along the length of the elements, each structural frame element comprising an elongate hollow body having one or more strut connection nodes located along its length at predetermined positions, each connection node being in the form of a socket extending internally of the element, the socket comprising a socket wall depending from one side wall of the hollow body, the socket wall defining a socket recess and being formed by hydro-forming from said one side wall of the hollow body, each opposite end of each strut being in the form of a plug received within the socket defined by a co-operating respective connection node. The hydro-forming process may include the use of any type of pressurised hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: Ing Peter Amborn, Simon Jonathan Giles Griffiths
  • Patent number: 6205737
    Abstract: To product a steel-reinforced hollow-body ceiling, reinforcing cages (10) are fitted to the ceiling area. The reinforcing cages (10) have three U-shaped stays (12) each made of round steel at an angular distance, with the U-shaped stays being welded together with two horizontal rings (18, 20) to form a stable structure which can be walked upon. A container (22), open at the bottom and having aeration holes (26) in the cover (24) can be hooked into this reinforcing cage (10). In this way the container (22) becomes buoyancy-free. Reinforcing cages (10) and containers (22) are stackable, forming truncated pyramids with a hexagonal base. The reinforcing cages (10) can be positioned with little space between them. They can be walked upon and act as spacers for the upper reinforcement of the concrete ceiling. Once concrete has been poured into place, a hollow-body reinforced-concrete ceiling or slab in honeycomb structure results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Haussler Planung GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Häussler
  • Patent number: 6205738
    Abstract: A frame for forming a housing of a group of air-handling units mainly includes a plurality of extruded plastic angle columns and a plurality of integrally injection molded plastic three-way unions. The plastic angle columns and three-way unions eliminate the problem of condensate on the surfaces of the housing and allow the air-handling units to operate with reduced energy consumption, because the plastic columns and unions have low coefficient of thermal conduction and would not easily have a surface temperature lower than a dew point temperature of ambient air outside the housing. Meanwhile, the extruded plastic angle columns and the injection molded plastic three-way unions can have standardized dimensions and be efficiently produced through mass production, the frame for the housing of the air-handling units can therefore be formed at reduced labor and time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Yang Fan Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsai Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 6205739
    Abstract: A connector for readily fabricating trusses or scaffolding for use in temporary, demountable construction which cooperate with elongated support members to fabricate modular box trusses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Tomcat Global Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Newlin
  • Patent number: 6205740
    Abstract: An elongate supporting element has a cross section with a web (9) and two side flanges (10, 11) for the supporting of building panels or the like. The web (9) has an elongate, stress-equalising zone (4) which extends wholly or partly between the two outer ends (8a, 8b) of the supporting element and by means of which the supporting element (8) is reinforced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lindab AB (Publ)
    Inventors: Bengt Ekerholm, Hans Larsson, Ingmar Svensson
  • Patent number: 6205741
    Abstract: A unitary protective bumper rail for protecting a substrate comprises a resilient, longitudinally-extending mounting member having a substantially planar mounting surface for flush attachment to the substrate, a resilient, longitudinally-extending protective strip, and a hinged connector attached to the mounting member and protective strip along the adjacent longitudinally-extending sides threof. The connector permits pivotal movement of the protective strip relative to the mounting member between a first position in which the protective strip overlies the mounting strip and a second position in which the protective strip is pivoted from the mounting member. The mounting member includes a latch mounted along the longitudinally-extending side thereof opposite the side thereof that is hingedly connected to the protective strip, and the protective strip includes a connector mounted along the longitudinally-extending the thereof opposite the side thereof that is hingedly connected to the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Boston Metal Products Corp.
    Inventors: Heraldo Couto, Leonard J. Lapenta
  • Patent number: 6205742
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing and installing a roof structure, in which clay is formed into tiles which simulate wood shakes, and the tiles are attached atop a supporting surface in a predetermined manner in a substantially unrecognizable pattern. The tile configuration provides a structure which is light in weight yet is structurally sound, which lends itself to ready installation upon a wide variety of structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: United States Tile Co.
    Inventor: Eric Martin Hahn
  • Patent number: 6205743
    Abstract: The parisons (P) manufactured by an extrusion group (1,1″) are gripped between the mould and the counter-mould (S,S′) mounted, together with the associated actuating mechanisms, on a carriage (19) which, after receiving the parisons, moves into a blowing station (Z1) for the formation of the bottles which then remain suspended from the nozzles of this station. By means of a set of three self-centring closing and opening grippers (P1, P2, P3), the groups of bottles are then transferred from the said blowing station to a sprue-removal and mouth-calibrating station (Z2), to a quality control station (Z3) and then to a filling station (Z4). By means of a fourth self-centring gripper (P4) with an independent movement the filled bottles are finally transferred into an end capping station (Z5). A conveyor (59) which collects together and removes all the production waste is provided underneath the various work stations which are aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Techne Technipack Engineering Italia S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Castellari
  • Patent number: 6205744
    Abstract: An embossed seal is formed in a cavity in the neck of a corked bottle over a cork using a die having a die surface with a die image. A first molten seal material is introduced into a die cavity. The die cavity is formed in part with the die surface. The introduction of the first molten seal material deposits an embossed seal portion with an embossed surface. The embossed seal portion is allowed to cool. A second molten seal material is introduced into the cavity of the neck of the corked bottle. The embossed seal portion is brought into contact with the molten seal material in the bottle cavity with the embossed surface disposed on top facing away from the molten seal material. The molten seal material partially melts the embossed seal portion to form a single seal upon cooling. The embossed seal portion is sufficiently cooled and solidified to prevent melting and damage of the embossed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Patented Innovations LLC
    Inventors: David Paul Zurlinden, David Marc Zurlinden, Malcolm Yuill-Thornton
  • Patent number: 6205745
    Abstract: The specification describes a method for dispensing IC chips from a chip carrier tape for a flip-chip assembly operation. In a conventional assembly operation, the solder bumped side of the chip is the top side of the chip as loaded on the tape, and is normally the side of the chip that engages the head of the pick tool. For flip-chip assembly it is necessary to invert the chip for solder bonding to an interconnect substrate. In the technique of the invention, the chip carrier tape is inverted and inserted into the dispensing machine upside down. The IC chips are then ejected through the back of the tape instead of being lifted from the from of the tape. In this way the pick tool head engages the back side of the solder bumped chip and the chip is in the proper orientation for flip-chip placement and bonding on the interconnect substrate. Carrier tapes designed for through-tape dispensing are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dixon Dudderar, Charles Gutentag
  • Patent number: 6205746
    Abstract: A post processing fitment applicator for applying a fitment to a formed, filled and sealed carton is disclosed herein. The post processing fitment applicator may be utilized in conjunction with a linear form, fill and seal packaging machine such as a TETRA REX® packaging machine. The post processing fitment applicator includes a supply of fitments, a plurality of fitment carriers, a conveyor system and a hot melt dispenser. The plurality of fitment carriers are disposed on a continuous track that partially parallels the movement of a series of formed, filled and sealed cartons on the conveyor system. The plurality of fitment carriers is capable of applying a fitment to a formed, filled and sealed carton as it is moving along the conveyor system. Each of the plurality of fitment carriers may include a fitment holder and a fitment displacement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventors: Sheila Moss, Arid Larsen, Martin Krewer
  • Patent number: 6205747
    Abstract: The process comprises the welding of the lower extremity of the net, then filling the net with the predetermined amount of fruits or the like, and making a second transversal welding of the tubular net element in an upper area of the net, and nipping the tubular net element in an area comprised between the upper welded closure and the fruits contained in the net, closing the net by means of a dismountable clamp which remains incorporated at a point situated under the upper welded closure of the net and above the net. The net can be opened and closed repetitively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Rosalina Paniagua Olaechea
  • Patent number: 6205748
    Abstract: A machine for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, a suture package unloading arrangement and package unloading method employed in an automated machine for the high-speed individualized packaging of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ethicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Daniele, Anthony Esteves
  • Patent number: 6205749
    Abstract: A foodstuff collating apparatus having a plurality of discrete channels within which foodstuffs are collated. The apparatus is elevated at one end to provide a slide for the foodstuff with the channels converging from one end of the apparatus to the other. As the foodstuff slides down a channel, the former is oriented from a random position to an ordered vertical disposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Paul Crawford
  • Patent number: 6205750
    Abstract: A method for packaging bulk goods into an intermediate bulk container including the steps of placing an inner package made of a flexible resilient material onto a base, providing the inner package with a reinforcement structure in an interior thereof, filling the interior of the inner package with bulk goods whereby the inner package obtains substantially the shape of a parallelepiped, and then surrounding the inner package with an outer package made of a plastic material to provide stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: UPM-Kymmene Oy
    Inventors: Erkki Koskinen, Tom Stenmark
  • Patent number: 6205751
    Abstract: In order to be able to quickly and inexpensively feed articles, in particular bags, into spaces, for example insides of folding boxes of a continuously moving, transporting device, the speed of the transporting device is slower during a feed-in operation than the speed of the transporting device outside of the feed-in operation. A control device is provided in a device for feeding in the articles in order to control this change in speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Rovema Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Kammler, Walter Baur
  • Patent number: 6205752
    Abstract: A disc mower conditioner utilizing a modular disc cutterbar to sever standing crop material by impact action. The side sheets of the disc mower conditioner are provided with a rolling crop divider that can be an optional attachment. The rolling crop divider is constructed as a series of overlapping rolling coulters mounted to the side sheet by bearings to enhance the rolling operation of the coulters. The rolling coulters effectively divide the crop material to direct tall and entangled crops into the header to be severed by the rotating knives. The coulters are arranged in a trailing orientation to present a curved leading edge that is highly effective in directing tall, entangled or viney crops downwardly into engagement with the adjacent disc cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Hess, Charles H. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6205753
    Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower for operation by an operator. The operator can operate the mower while standing on a foot platform, or alternatively when sitting down on a selectively deployable seat. Thus, the mower includes both sitting and standing modes. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the foot platform is located between first and second rear drive wheels. The rear drive wheels are independently driveable in both forward and reverse directions at variable speeds so as to allow for approximate zero radius turning of the mower about a vertical turning axis. The foot platform is positioned near this vertical axis so that the operator when standing may be substantially unaffected by centrifugal force created during approximate zero radius turning of the mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright, William D. Patton
  • Patent number: 6205754
    Abstract: A mowing apparatus with multiple articulating cutting decks includes a support for the cutting blades which is attached at a first side to the mower to pivot about a horizontal axis, and is carried by a rocker arm at an opposing second side. The rocker arm has ground support wheels at its opposing ends and is coupled to the second side of the support by linkage that is adjustable to vary the position of the support member relative to the rocker arm and to vary the height of the cutting blade from ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Laskowski
  • Patent number: 6205755
    Abstract: A blade is secured to a blade adapter which is dimensioned to receive a fixed adapter. The fixed adapter is connected to the engine drive shaft of a rotary mower. The blade and fixed adapter are provided with cooperating surfaces which permit the adapters to be selectively locked together and separated from each other without requiring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Murray, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Bontrager, Richard J. Pitman, Paul L. Scott
  • Patent number: 6205756
    Abstract: A conveyor system for a cotton picking machine having a duct for the air transport of cotton from the picking heads and cotton transport apparatus for receiving air borne cotton and moving it to a common collection location for the transport to a storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse H. Orsborn, Kevin Scott Richman, James Kelley Adamson
  • Patent number: 6205757
    Abstract: A windrow gathering machine including a main frame, first and second combined pickup and conveyor units pivotally mounted on skewed axes on opposite sides of the main frame, for movement between substantially horizontal operating positions and inclined vertical stowed positions, first motors for driving the conveyors in the same and opposite directions, second motors for moving the combined pickup and conveyor units between the operating and stowed positions, third motors for moving the combined pickup and conveyor units transversely of the main frame, and mountings for moving only the conveyors relative to each other and relative to the pickups of the combined pickup and conveyor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Byron Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Dow, Hubert A. Wick
  • Patent number: 6205758
    Abstract: Yarn is unwound from a reel by means of unwinding rollers. Simultaneously the yarn is untwisted partially to free constituent fibers by means of a rotating arm guiding the yarn through an eye. Nip rollers prevent slack in the untwisted yarn. Drafting rollers draft the untwisted yarn to break bonding among the fibers. A pair of endless belts moving in opposing relation hold the drafted fibers together in a bundle. The fibers are sucked from the bundle via a conduit into a foraminous container from which the fibers can individually be reclaimed for testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Technology Finance Corporation
    Inventors: Etienne Weideman, Jaromir Cizek
  • Patent number: 6205759
    Abstract: To provide an individual-spindle-drive type textile machine capable of making a number of wires to the drive motor of each spindle unit compact even if the number of spindle units is large. Because the spindle units are arranged in two parallel arrays, one in front and one to the rear, maintenance work is greatly simplified. A wiring duct box, in which the common wiring line for each wiring is extended and routed, is disposed between the front-stage and rear-stage spindle unit group arrays, and is configured such that an electronic circuit board governing the rotation speed control of each motor is removably connected to the wiring line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiji Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6205760
    Abstract: An improved manufacturing process for twisted pair exchange cables and for an improved binding machine used during this manufacturing process is provided. The manufacturing process includes a stranding phase and a cabling phase. During the stranding phase, unit cables are produced with only a first colored ribbon to identify them. During the cabling phase, a second colored ribbon that identifies the orientation of the unit within the cable is applied. This will result in units that have one of two colors (e.g., yellow or black). The improved binding machine is used to apply the second colored ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Belden Communications Company
    Inventors: Gabe Pellicciotti, James A. Haas, Mark Bernhardt, Robert Goodridge, William Dawson
  • Patent number: 6205761
    Abstract: A spinning rotor adapted to be seated in a spinning box of an open-end spinning machine and having an identification mark (9), preferably embodied as alpha-numeric characters, formed at a location on the rotor cup (8) at which the information content of the identification mark (9) can be visually determined while within the spinning box after opening and stoppage of the rotor but without removal from the spinning box, thereby permitting a user-friendly, time-saving and dependable visual check of the spinning rotor type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz-Georg Wassenhoven, Hans Grecksch, Bert Schlömer, Brigitte Riede, Elisabeth Klaczynski
  • Patent number: 6205762
    Abstract: A combined cycle power plant includes a combination of a gas turbine plant and steam turbine plant. The gas turbine cooling steam temperature is adjusted appropriately so that the gas turbine can be made of easily obtainable material. Steam supplied from the intermediate pressure evaporator is mixed into the cooling steam supply passage for supplying therethrough exhaust steam from the high pressure steam turbine into the gas turbine high temperature portion as cooling steam. Thus, cooling steam temperature is lowered without lowering of the entire efficiency, and material of less heat resistant ability becomes usable as material forming the gas turbine high temperature portion to be cooled. Thus, design and manufacture of the gas turbine may be satisfied by less expensive and easily obtainable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Uematsu, Kazuharu Hirokawa, Hidetaka Mori, Hideaki Sugishita
  • Patent number: 6205763
    Abstract: A method for determining the appropriate hole parameters to achieve the desired airflow in a swirler with as-cast air jet holes includes the steps of determining the desired airflow through the holes and selecting a hole angle for the holes. Next, the ratio of the hole exit area to the hole inlet area is calculated based on the desired airflow and the selected hole angle using a regression equation. Then a value is determined for either of the hole exit area or the hole inlet area, and the other area is calculated from the known ratio. Once the hole angle, hole exit area and hole inlet area have been determined, then a swirler can be cast with as-cast holes using these hole parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gilbert Farmer, James A. Groeschen, Jason P. Hoppa, Stanford P. Seto, Marwan Al-Roub
  • Patent number: 6205764
    Abstract: A method for the active damping of combustion oscillation in a combustion chamber uses at least two actuating members. Control of the actuating members necessitates measurement of the combustion oscillation at fewer points than there are actuating members. That is achieved, in particular, by utilizing the symmetry of natural acoustic oscillation in the combustion chamber. A combustion apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: Jakob Hermann, Carl-Christian Hantschk, Peter Zangl, Dieter Vortmeyer, Armin Orthmann
  • Patent number: 6205765
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying active, closed loop control to reduce combustion driven pressure oscillation in a single or multi-chamber combustion system in an industrial gas turbine, to increase operability and life of the parts, and in such a way as to require minimal input power. The invention combines the passive control of a two stage nozzle with active control thereby to reduce the requirements on the control device. This allows selection of a control device which will have an adequate life in an industrial environment and yet require minimal input power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Iasillo, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Stephen Hugh Black
  • Patent number: 6205766
    Abstract: A fluid flow system for supplying fuel to an engine, the system including a fluid flow valve having a valve element movable alternatively to a first operative position in which a relatively low fluid flow rate is permitted through the valve, for achieving a normal gradual shut-off of fuel supply, and a second operative position in which a relatively high fluid flow rate is permitted through the valve, for achieving a rapid emergency shut-off of fuel supply. Also disclosed is a fluid flow valve for use in the system. The invention has application in aircraft gas turbine engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventors: Glyn Edward Dixon, Trevor Stanley Smith
  • Patent number: 6205767
    Abstract: An adapter fitting for use in a stationary gas turbine installation which is provided with a compressor, a turbine, a combustion chamber and an external pressure-supercharged fluidized-bed furnace, is to be fitted between the turbine and the burner. The adapter fitting makes it possible to run various operating states of the gas turbine installation using various controllable inlets and outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 6205768
    Abstract: A gas turbine system includes a compressor side for compressing an air/fuel mixture, and a turbine side for driving the compressor side. A heat exchanger transfers heat from turbine exhaust gases to the air/fuel mixture from the compressor side. A main catalytic combustor is disposed between the heat exchanger and the turbine side for combusting the air/fuel mixture and supplying the resultant products of combustion to the turbine side. The main catalytic combustor has a volume which is sufficient for oxidizing enough fuel to achieve a predetermined turbine inlet temperature, but insufficient for oxidizing all of the fuel. A secondary catalytic combustor is disposed downstream of the turbine side for combusting at least some of the fuel that was not combusted by the main catalytic combustor. The second catalytic combustor typically operates at a lower temperature than the main catalytic combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Solo Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Dibble, Rajiv K. Mongia
  • Patent number: 6205769
    Abstract: Microwave-Electro-Thermal thrusters produce a high temperature rocket exhaust by sending microwaves into a resonant cavity where an excited mode then creates an electrodeless discharge that heats gaseous fuel. Heretofore, the microwave power coupling between the microwave generator and the resonant cavity and plasma has consisted of rigid waveguide with impedance matching equipment. This waveguide and impedance matching hardware greatly adds to the weight and size of the system making it impractical for spaceflight. The foregoing problems are overcome by greatly reducing or eliminating the waveguide and impedance matching equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: John E. Brandenburg, Michael Micci
  • Patent number: 6205770
    Abstract: A rocket engine comprises first and second rotary injectors for injecting respective fuel and oxidizer propellant components into a first combustion chamber, and the effluent therefrom drives a turbine that rotates the rotary injectors. The mixture within the first combustion chamber is preferably fuel-rich so as to reduce the associated combustion temperature, and the fuel-rich effluent mixes in a second combustion chamber with additional oxidizer injected by a third rotary injector so as to generate a high temperature effluent suitable for propulsion. The rotary injectors are adapted so as to isolate the low pressure propellant supply from the relatively high pressures in the respective combustion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: Gregg G. Williams, Robert S. Thompson, Jr., Richard D. Stephens, Dean S. Musgrave, John F. Jones, Guido D. Defever
  • Patent number: 6205771
    Abstract: A control system for a ducted fan gas turbine engine (10) comprises a control unit (29) that receives input signals from a pressure transducer (27) located within the engine's fan duct (11) downstream of the fan (13) and a rotational speed transducer (32) mounted adjacent the shaft (24) carrying the fan (13). In the event of the control unit (29) detecting a fall in the air pressure downstream of the fan (13) and an increase in fan speed, it commands a temporary reduction in the fuel flow to the engine (10). Such a decrease in the air pressure downstream of the fan (13) and increase in fan speed is indicative of the fan (13) entering a stall condition. The temporary reduction in fuel flow to the engine (10) enables the fan (13) to recover from that stall condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Arthur L Rowe
  • Patent number: 6205772
    Abstract: The deployable diverging part comprises a first portion (20) having an upstream end connected to the end wall (14) of the thruster, a ring-shaped second portion (22) that is movable between a retracted position and a deployed position in which it connects to the downstream end of the first portion (20) to extend it, and a deployment mechanism comprising a plurality of hinged arms (30). Means (50, 52) are provided in distributed manner at the periphery of the downstream end of the first portion and at the periphery of the upstream end of the ring to enable the ring (22) to be locked onto the downstream end of the first portion (20) when the ring is in its deployed position, and the deployment mechanism comprises at least four arms (30) co-operating with the ring (22) to form a hyperstatic assembly so that the ring can be displaced without significant deformation so as to be brought into the desired position to lock automatically and completely on the first portion (20) when it is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'etude et de Construction de Motenrs d'Aviation
    Inventors: Bruno Perrier, Jean-Luc Sans, Alain Henault
  • Patent number: 6205773
    Abstract: An NOx occluding and reducing catalyst is disposed in an exhaust gas passage of an internal combustion engine to absorb NOx in the exhaust gas when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is lean, and to release and reduce the absorbed NOx when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is rich. A recovery operation is executed only under particular operating conditions of the engine to heat the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst so as to release NOx as well as SOx absorbed thereby. The engine operating conditions for executing the recovery operation are expanded with an increase in the amount of SOx held by the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst while preventing a drop in the engine fuel efficiency. The recovery operation is easily executed with an increase in the holding amount of SOx, and a state in which SOx are held in increased amounts by the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst is prevented from lasting long.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6205774
    Abstract: A method for detecting flow-reducing changes in an exhaust-gas catalyst body is provided. The method includes measuring the ion-current signal from an ion-current probe in an internal combustion engine and monitoring the signal to determine whether its signal strength for a particular operating cycle falls below a minimum strength which can be specified as a function of the engine operating state. The method also include providing warning information to the control system when such an event occurs. The method further includes a variety of embodiments used to determine whether the ion current signal falls below a minimum strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Peter Hohner, Jörg Miroll, Hartung Wilstermann
  • Patent number: 6205775
    Abstract: Past exhaust emission control systems fail to utilize exhaust gas recirculation during all operating parameters of an engine. The present exhaust gas recirculation system reduces the emissions emitted from an engine during all operating parameters of the engine. The engine includes a cylinder, a rotatable crankshaft and a turbocharger defining a compressor section compressing a flow of intake air to a first preestablished pressure and being driven by a flow of exhaust gas having a first preestablished pressure. The exhaust gas recirculation system is comprised of a portion of the flow of exhaust gas being recirculated to the cylinder and forming a flow of recirculated exhaust gas. The flow of recirculated exhaust gas is cooled. The flow of recirculated exhaust gas is compressed to a second preestablished pressure being at least equal to the first preestablished pressure of the intake air. And, a quantity of the flow of recirculated exhaust gas is controlled depending on the operating parameter of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Keith E. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 6205776
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is equipped with an exhaust emission control catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine, air-fuel ratio control means for controlling an air-fuel ratio of at least one of the plurality of cylinders, and an exhaust gas temperature sensor operating as catalyst temperature detection. During a cold start of the engine, the air-fuel ratio control means achieves one of rich-state and stoichiometric operation in all of the cylinders until the temperature of the exhaust emission control catalyst reaches a predetermined temperature. After the temperature of the exhaust emission control catalyst has reached the predetermined temperature, the air-fuel ratio control means starts lean-state operation in a first portion of the plurality of cylinders while maintaining rich-state operation in a second portion of the plurality of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kaoru Otsuka
  • Patent number: 6205777
    Abstract: An emissions control system for rich-burn internal combustion engines, includes a reaction chamber for thermal oxidation of exhaust gas fuel values. A passive means utilizes exhaust flow energy for induction of air into engine exhaust gas, and a duct transfers the exhaust gas together with the inducted air into the reaction chamber for thermal oxidation. To achieve a high degree of efficiency the thermal oxidation is facilitated by through mixing of air and exhaust gas to insure gas phase thermal reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Pfefferle
  • Patent number: 6205778
    Abstract: An exhaust pipe assembly for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is made up of a plurality of exhaust pipes made of steel whose upstream ends are connected to a flange provided for connection to a cylinder head, a collecting case to which downstream ends of the exhaust pipes are connected, and a coupling flange interposed between the exhaust pipes and the collecting case. The coupling flange is made of a thin steel plate and has upward burred portions which are circular in shape and into which respective downstream ends of the exhaust pipes are separately inserted for welding with the burred portions, and a downward bent portion whose peripheral edge portion is fitted onto an upper outside end portion of the collecting case for welding with the bent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Yutaka Giken, Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Akaba, Kazuhiro Furuhashi, Hideo Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 6205779
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid pump for an automatic transmission which has at least one driven gear which has a hub portion insertable into the housing of the pump. By using this apparatus, the driven gear needs only to be aligned in one portion of the pump housing. This eliminates the need to align bores in both halves of the pump housing and to align the post section of the driven gears with the bores in the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Valentin Botosan, Thomas D. Nogle, Berthold Martin
  • Patent number: 6205780
    Abstract: The invention related to a drive system with at least two hydraulic actuators, which are supplied with a hydraulic fluid by means of at least one pump. The drive system comprises at least one further second pump (15′) arranged parallel to the first pump (15), wherein the pumps are bi-directionally speed-regulated, and a valve arrangement (59) with one inlet per pump (61.1, 61.2), wherein each one of the inlets is connected to a pump (15), and with a number of outlets (63.1, 63.1′, . . . 63.4, 63.4′) which are connected to the actuators (1.1 . . . 1.4), wherein the inlets (61) can be connected to the outlets (63) in a pre-determined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Aeroquip-Vickers International GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Zervas
  • Patent number: 6205781
    Abstract: A fluid control system including a valve arrangement operable for selectively, controllably supplying pressurized fluid to a work element of the system from at least two pressurized fluid sources depending on load conditions on the pressurized fluid sources. The valve arrangement is operable for directing pressurized fluid from the first pressurized fluid source to the work element when a first or low load condition is present on the first pressurized fluid source and directing pressurized fluid from the second pressurized fluid source to the work element when a second or high load condition greater than the first load condition is present on the first pressurized fluid source and a low load condition is present on the second pressurized fluid source, such that operability of the work element and other work elements supplied by the pressurized fluid sources is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. A'Hearn
  • Patent number: 6205782
    Abstract: A Stirling cycle machine has a piston (11) which reciprocates in a cylinder (12) and defines a hot chamber (23) between the piston (11) and end of cylinder (12). Heat exchange for the working fluid in the hot chamber (23) is effected while the working fluid is outside the hot chamber (23) in a flow path (24) communicating with that chamber (23). The piston (11) has a concave crown forming a surface (31) of the hot chamber (23). A seal is provided by a land (33) of larger diameter than the general diameter of the piston (11) formed around the upper periphery of the piston (11) and at least one annular groove (36) formed in the land (33) to disrupt free flow of working fluid along the gap between the land (33) and the cylinder wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sustainable Engine Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard Furneaux Kinnersly