Patents Issued in September 18, 2001
  • Patent number: 6289642
    Abstract: A method of protecting glass panes in window structures installed in buildings includes applying a polymeric foam layer to the glass pane before the storm has arrived and peeling the polymeric foam layer from the glass pane after the storm has passed. The polymeric foam layer can be a polyurethane foam, provided as a one-component system or a two-component system, and the polyurethane foam can be sprayed onto the exterior surface of the glass pane to prevent damage thereto including shattering while absorbing energy from wind-borne debris. A window structure installed in a building includes a glass pane mounted to a frame with a polyurethane foam layer disposed thereon for protection of the glass pane during storms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Aranar, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Diamond
  • Patent number: 6289643
    Abstract: A motorized sliding door assembly including a sliding door that slides longitudinally inside an outer support frame assembled in a standard 2×4 stud wall opening in a building. The support frame includes a load-bearing header located horizontally between two vertical posts and opposite a lower threshold. Jack screws are placed between the ends of the header and the vertical posts which enable the position of the header to be adjusted relative to the vertical posts and against the ceiling plate. Located inside the header is a longitudinally aligned track rail that rests on top of the vertical posts over which the sliding door moves. Located inside the header is a linear motor. Disposed vertically inside the support frame are two parallel fixed panels that are sufficiently spaced-apart to create a pocket in which the sliding door may extend. Also provided around the support frame and fixed panels is a sealing frame assembly that creates a weather-tight seal therebetween when the sliding door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Autoglide, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Bonar
  • Patent number: 6289644
    Abstract: An externally suspended facade system comprises a subsystem, either horizontal or vertical sections or both, facade boards, which can be secured by means of board holders on the horizontal or vertical sections, and joint sections which are arranged in behind the vertical joints or both, between the facade boards. In order to reduce the material input, to shorten the necessary assembly time and to increase the proofing against incident rain, the board holder is arranged centrally to the vertical joints and designed to engage by means of one or more tongues into the vertical joints between one or more pairs of boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Max Gerhaher
  • Patent number: 6289645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shuttering element for separating a concrete section into concrete subsections. The shuttering element is of strip-like form and is adapted widthwise to the thickness of the concrete section. It comprises at least a strip-like shuttering board which is formed from a thin-walled, sheet-like material, with the result that, once the concrete section has been cast, the shuttering board can remain between the cast concrete subsections. The shuttering board preferably has recesses through which reinforcement struts can engage, with the result that the shuttering element according to the invention can be inserted even when reinforcement struts of a reinforcement are required to cross the shuttering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Agrar Chemie AG
    Inventor: René P. Schmid
  • Patent number: 6289646
    Abstract: A metal fixture assembly for installation of vertical sidings to fix the siding to a furring, which is capable of providing a construction of the installation having excellent appearance and weathering, and a method using the metal fixture assembly to facilitate the installation. A metal fixture assembly for installation of a vertical lower siding and a vertical upper siding vertically adjacent to each other on a furring is positioned therebetween. The metal fixture assembly includes a fastening metal fixture to be fixed to the furring, an upper metal fitting provided between the fastening metal fixture and the upper siding and fittingly fixed on a bottom portion thereof, and a lower metal fitting provided between the fastening metal fixture and the lower siding and fittingly fixed on a top portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Nichiha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morimichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6289647
    Abstract: A wall facing system including elongate wall facing tiles (15) of stone material and mounting bars (11) adapted to be secured in a vertical position on a building wall to support the tiles (15) with the tiles positioned one above the other and having their longitudinal dimension horizontal, and with vertically adjacent tiles adjacent and, optionally, overlapping one another. Each facing tile (15) has on its front side a rebate (15A), which extends along the upper edge of the tile, and a front plate, which extends from the rebate down to the lower edge of the tile. Moreover, each facing tile (15) has on its rear side a downwardly projecting support rib (15E), which extends in parallel with the upper and lower edges of the tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Oliver Sjölander
  • Patent number: 6289648
    Abstract: There is provided a laminated roofing shingle having a first shingle sheet and a second shingle sheet. The first shingle sheet has a headlap section and a buttlap section, the buttlap section being about 7 inches or greater in height and including a plurality of tabs which are spaced apart to define one or more openings between the tabs. Each of the tabs has a relatively uniform color throughout the tab. The second shingle sheet is attached to the underside of the first shingle sheet and has portions exposed through the openings between the tabs. The second shingle sheet has at least first, second, third, and fourth horizontal striations thereon across at least partial portions of the second sheet which are exposed through the openings between the tabs. The first striation includes a first elongated quadrilateral area with a substantially uniform dark color throughout the first quadrilateral area. The second striation includes a second elongated quadrilateral area below the first striation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Elk Corporation of Dallas
    Inventors: John G. Freshwater, Willard Calvin Hudson, Jr., Clark Daniel Maytubby, Larry Scott Reed, Frank Clydean Richey, Michael Allen McLintock
  • Patent number: 6289649
    Abstract: A protective foam cushion-making apparatus dispenses reactive foam components into an interior space between two panels of plastic film to form protective foam cushions. The apparatus includes a supply of plastic film and a film driving assembly. A foam component dispensing assembly is interposed between the film panels and injects two reactive foam components into the interior space where they are mixed together to form a mass of expandable foam. The plastic film forms a flexible mixing chamber in the area between the two pliable rollers in which the reactive foam components are mixed together after they are dispensed from the foam dispensing assembly. The foam component dispensing assembly includes two foam component dispensing tubes that are oriented at an angle to each other. One of the dispensing tubes includes a diverter assembly attached to it that provides a reaction surface that directs the flow of one foam component into the flow of the other foam component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation(US)
    Inventor: Raymond Cherfane
  • Patent number: 6289650
    Abstract: A photosensitive printing plate supplying apparatus for supplying a photosensitive printing plate to an automatic plate making machine for a photosensitive printing plate includes a printing plate packaging device which accommodates a bundle of photosensitive printing plates; a printing plate accommodating portion to which the printing plate packaging device is removably attached and which can completely shield light from the exterior; and a taking-out/conveying device which takes out the photosensitive printing plates from an interior of the printing plate packaging device in the light-shielded accommodation portion and conveys the photosensitive printing plates to a predetermined position. When the printing plate packaging means has an opening/closing lid, the photosensitive printing plate supplying apparatus may further include a lid opening/closing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Usui, Toshizi Sone
  • Patent number: 6289651
    Abstract: Panel interlocking means secures together first and second panels in overlapping relationship. The first panel comprises a locking tab struck therefrom adjacent the free edge thereof The locking tab extends away from the free edge of the first panel and defines a first aperture in the first panel. The locking tab has a neck portion hinged at its base to the first panel and terminates in its shoulder portion. The second panel includes a second aperture struck therefrom adjacent the free edge thereof. The second aperture receives the locking tab such that when the panels are locked together, the free edge of the second panel is located along the locking tab between the base of the neck portion and the shoulder portion, and the locking tab is engaged with an edge of the first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: The Mead Corporation
    Inventor: Philippe Le Bras
  • Patent number: 6289652
    Abstract: A non-powered packaging material transporting surface for use in combination with a load support surface of a wrapping apparatus for wrapping a top and bottom of a load is provided. The non-powered packaging material transporting surface includes non-driven rollers aligned in an inline configuration, and a packaging material support guard adjacent to the non-driven rollers. The packaging material support guard bridges gaps between the inline rollers, thereby preventing capture of packaging material between the non-driven rollers. The non-driven rollers rotate as packaging material, wrapped around a load on a top surface of the load support surface and around the non-powered packaging material transporting surface on the underside surface of the load support surface, is moved along the transporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignees: Lantech Management Corp., Lantech Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Patrick R. Lancaster, III, Steve Hack, Steven Degrasse, Don Norris
  • Patent number: 6289653
    Abstract: A photographic film cassette manufacturing apparatus, has a perforator for providing a long film with perforations and a cutter for cutting the long film into individual filmstrips to be contained in the film cassette driven synchronously with transport of the long film. A magnetic recording head for recording data on a magnetic recording layer of the long film is driven in synchronism with the perforator and the cutter. The long film is transported in a first direction before being cut into the individual filmstrips. In cooperation with the cutting, a trailing end of the individual filmstrip in the first direction is moved in a direction which is reverse to the first direction to secure the trailing end to the spool. A cassette shell consisting of a pair of shell halves is temporarily assembled by mating the shell halves together while containing a spool inside the shell halves, and thereafter opened to an extent that confining elements still confine the position of flanges of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Shimizu, Toshiro Esaki, Tadayoshi Shibata, Koichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6289654
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ink cartridge for use in an ink jet recorder, comprising the step of providing an ink bag having a top end, and a bottom end below the top end, the top end being open and the bottom end having an ink feed port therein; moving the ink bag from a first position near a top edge thereof and positioning the ink bag in a vacuum chamber; depressurizing the vacuum chamber; charging a selected quantity of ink into the ink bag; sealing the open end of the ink bag at a second position below the first position; pressing the sealed portion of the ink bag to a selected thickness with press plates; sealing the bag in the pressed position at a third position below the second position; and cutting the ink bag between the second and third positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Yamaguchi, Toshio Ito, Masahide Matsuyama, Yasuhiro Ogura, Fuminori Doi, Masanori Kamijo, Hisashi Koike, Takeo Yamaguchi, Hideo Fujimori
  • Patent number: 6289655
    Abstract: A packaging structure for holding an object securely against a rigid backing. The structure includes a substantially rigid panel having a pair of fold lines defining respective folding side portions and a center portion. A flexible film material is superimposed on one surface of the rigid panel and extends onto at least one of the folding side portions. The ends of the film material are connected to the rigid panel, with at least one end connected to one of the folding side portions. The folding side portions include patterned cuts defining tabs which separate the film material from the center portion when the folding side portions are folded away from the film material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation
    Inventors: Devin C. Ridgeway, James R. Paonessa
  • Patent number: 6289656
    Abstract: A packaging machine for enclosing items in a package delivers individual items, such as medicine, through a feeder that disposes the item between two strips of packaging material which are then joined together around the item by a closure member thus sealing the item in an individual package. The packaging machine demarcates upper and lower boundaries about the item such that the enclosed item may be separated from a continuously produced strand of packages. The packaging machine includes a selectively operable hole punch portion disposed adjacent the strand of packages for providing a hole in a portion of each package. The hole punch portion includes a punch driving member which is disengable responsive to unexpected resistance encountered by the punch. A cutter/stacker portion adjacent the strand of separable packages separates the strand into individual packages and stacks the packages in a removable magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignees: McKesson Automated Healthcare, Inc., FP Developments, Inc.
    Inventors: Manoj K. Wangu, Frederick Pfleger, Paul J. Eachus, Michele L. Porcelli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6289657
    Abstract: A mail inserter machine having a drive system including a drive motor, gear reducer unit and indexing unit. The drive motor and gear reducer communicate by a belt driven around pulleys residing in a plane and the gear reducer communicating through a direct shaft drive with the indexing unit. The indexing unit rotating a belt pulley which carries a belt connected to a timing pulley for driving a cross shaft. The belt pulley and timing pulley residing in a plane parallel to said drive motor and gear reducer unit pulleys. Said drive system arranged in a lower portion of the mail inserter machine chassis, whereby the said parallel planar pulleys thereby generate forces vectored in parallel directions enabling a greater size, greater precision, high durability, and greater dynamic stability for the mail inserter machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 6289658
    Abstract: The invention proposes a handling apparatus for moving sheet-like articles, in particular an inserter for pushing inserts into envelopes, in which apparatus a link hand, which forms part of a rectilinear-guidance mechanism formed from three links, has spring-loaded fingers which are articulated at the free end of the link hand and slide over a base plate during the operating stroke, while, during a return stroke, the fingers are raised off together from the base plate by means of a control guide arrangement. Said apparatus operates at high cycle speeds without disruption and requires the arrangement as a whole to be of just a small overall height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Bell & Howell GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Sting, Axel Brauneis
  • Patent number: 6289659
    Abstract: A height sensing shoe assembly for an implement such as a cotton harvester includes an arm pivotally connected at an upper end to the lower portion of a harvester row unit for rocking about an arm axis transverse to the forward direction. A shoe or ski elongated in the fore-and-aft direction is pivotally connected at a central location to the lower end of the arm for rocking about an axis parallel to the arm axis. The elongated pivoting shoe tends to bridge peaks and valleys in the soil surface irregularities proving a mechanical averaging effect to reduce the range of pivoting of the arm as the unit passes the irregularities. An actuator connected to the arm and responsive to arm pivoting controls the lift system to maintain the height of the unit above the ground within a preselected range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jeffery Robert Fox
  • Patent number: 6289660
    Abstract: A lawn edger having a deflector to deflect debris when the edger is in use. The deflector includes a frame extension and a deflector assembly carried on the frame. The deflector assembly preferably comprises a rigid V-shaped mounting member and a flexible member. The V-shaped mounting member is mounted to the frame at a mounting site that includes a first surface co-planar with the frame extension and a second surface parallel to the top surface of the frame. Upon mounting the flexible member to the frame, the flexible member re-forms from a planar configuration to a mounted configuration wherein an upper portion is angled outwardly from the frame. This angled portion comprises between 20-80% of the area of the flexible member. A trailing edge of the flexible member directly contacts the associated surface on which the lawn edger travels. The deflector is preferably used upon a vertical drive shaft lawn edger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: MTD Products INC
    Inventor: David M. Martinez
  • Patent number: 6289661
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a wire guide holder for use with a flyer bow comprising a clamp having a base having a first surface for placement adjacent the flyer bow and a second surface in opposition to the first surface. A first gripping flange extends from the base and a second gripping flange extends from the base. The first and second gripping flanges secure the wire guide holder to the flyer bow without the need for fasteners through the flyer bow. A guide eye engaged to the base. The wire guide holder for use with a flyer bow further comprises a clamping system including a plurality of straps; at least one fastener for securing a first strap of the plurality of straps to a second strap of the plurality of straps about the flyer bow; and a guide eye engaged therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Kamatics Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Boland
  • Patent number: 6289662
    Abstract: Below a ring-spinning spindle, a clamping ring and a clamping sleeve have frustoconical surfaces, at least of one first textured to increase the grip on an underwinding thread. The clamping sleeve, for example, may be spring-biased to axially engage the clamp and force may be required to open the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Zinser Textilmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Dinkelmann, Gerhard Darcis, Peter Mann
  • Patent number: 6289663
    Abstract: A conduit plate adapter (10) for an open-end spinning device (1) which device comprises a vacuum-loadable rotor housing (2) which can be sealed by a cover element (5) and which device comprises a spinning rotor (3) rotating at high speed in the rotor housing (2). The replaceable conduit plate adapter (10) is arranged in a receptacle (7) of the cover element (5) and comprises, as is customary, the mouth area (32) of a fiber guide conduit (12) as well as a yarn withdrawal nozzle (11). The fiber guide conduit section running inside the conduit plate adapter (10) has an entrance opening (28) with a non-circular cross section in the area of the conical contact surface (19) of the conduit plate adapter (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventor: Hans-Josef Schroder
  • Patent number: 6289664
    Abstract: A bracelet (2) formed by a flexible structure (4) and a plurality of hard elements (6) defining a hard structure, especially a metal structure, arranged in the median region (8) of the bracelet. The hard elements and the flexible structure comprise complementary fixing means defined by respective parts (20, 22) which form mutual abutments in a direction perpendicular (24) to the general surface (26) defined by the flexible structure. This flexible structure comprises elastically deformable parts which are stressed for assembly of the hard elements therewith. The features of the bracelet allow easy assembly without damage. Moreover replacement of the flexible part can be effected without damaging the hard elements, especially elements of gold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Protaurec Sarl
    Inventors: Aurèle Bourquin, Jean-Claude Probst
  • Patent number: 6289665
    Abstract: The device involves the placement of an air pump turbine and the aircraft outflow valve in a duct through which all the air flows, with the turbine shaft attached to that of an electric generator, to a hydraulic pump, and to the N2 and accessory gearbox inside the engine, the air is also sent through a duct to strike inclined against the tips of the fan blades and against the tips of the first stage of the low speed compressor blades of the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Manuel Munoz Saiz
  • Patent number: 6289666
    Abstract: A power generating system is described which operates at high pressure and utilizes a working fluid consisting of a mixture of compressed non-flammable air components, fuel combustion products and steam. The working fluid exiting the power generating system is substantially free of NOx and CO. Working fluid is provided at constant pressure and temperature. Combustion air is supplied by one or more stages of compression. Fuel is injected at pressure as needed. At least about 40% of the oxygen in the compressed air is consumed when the fuel is burned. Inert liquid is injected at high pressure to produce working an inert mass of high specific heat diluent vapor for use for internal cooling of the combustion chamber. The use of non-flammable liquid injection inhibits the formation of pollutants, increases the efficiency and available horsepower from the system, and reduces specific fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Ginter Vast Corporation
    Inventor: J. Lyell Ginter
  • Patent number: 6289667
    Abstract: A catalytic combustion chamber is provided with at least two cataleptic combustion zones arranged in flow series, In a first mode of operation fuel is supplied from first fuel injectors, positioned upstream of the first catalytic combustion zone, into the catalytic combustion chamber and is burnt in the first catalytic combustion zone in order to preheat the subsequent catalytic combustion zones. In the second mode of operation the supply of fuel to the first fuel injectors is reduced and fuel is supplied from second fuel injectors positioned between the first catalytic combustion zone and the second catalytic combustion zone into the space between the first catalytic combustion zone and the second catalytic combustion zone. This prevents the first catalytic zone becoming overheated, and reduces the possibility of the second and third catalytic combustion zones becoming overheated and allows the optimum catalyst to be selected for the first catalytic combustion zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Stanslaw I. Kolaczkowski, Serpil Awdry, John L. Scott-Scott
  • Patent number: 6289668
    Abstract: An arrangement for the selective introduction of fuel and/or water into a combustion chamber, in particular the combustion chamber of a gas turbine, comprises valve means, by which a fuel feed line (18) for the fuel and a water feed line (19) for the water can be selectively connected to a common combustion-chamber feed line (17) leading to the combustion chamber, or the fuel feed line (18) and the water feed line (19) can be connected to one another for flushing the feed-line system, or the fuel feed line (18) and the water feed line (19) can be shut off individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventor: Frank Meier
  • Patent number: 6289669
    Abstract: A lateral-thrust control device for a four-quadrant final-phase guidance control of a missile having lateral-thrust nozzles (10) communicating with a solid-fuel gas generator (13). Each of the nozzles has a valve member (22, 38), whose open and closed states are controlled by a common actuator (12, 30) which is rotatable and axially displaceable to select one nozzle to be supplied with gas from the gas generator while the other nozzles are closed according to the required flight mode. The actuator is configured such that each of the lateral-thrust nozzles (20) can be individually controlled to be active or inactive, intermittently, and independently of one another. In one embodiment, the actuator is a cylindrical piston and in another is a conical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: LKF Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Smirra
  • Patent number: 6289670
    Abstract: An integrated exhaust nozzle and thrust reverser for a turbojet engine is provided. The exhaust nozzle comprises an exhaust duct situated within a fairing (9), a set of hot flaps (14) at a downstream end of the duct, a set of cold flaps (16) at a downsteam end of the fairing (9), and a thrust reverser (30). The thrust reverser comprises two eyelids (31, 32) which are movable between a thrust reversal position wherein they project into the duct and a forward-thrust position. In a takeoff mode, the eyelids (32, 33) are moved away from each other by one or more actuators (50) acting on arms (33, 34) pivotably connected to the eyelids (31, 32). Movement of the eyelids (31, 32) from the reverse-thrust position to the forward-thrust position, or vice-versa, is implemented by control actuators (35, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: SNECMA Moteurs
    Inventors: Gilles Alain Charier, Xavier Jean-Michel André Guyonnet, Gilles Louis Rollin
  • Patent number: 6289671
    Abstract: Plugs for protecting internal spaces of rocket combustion chambers against moisture, dust, and other environmental factors. Each plug includes a central rod with a bracket fastened to it. The plug also includes a sleeve with radially extending structural ribs. Spring-loaded cams with rollers are securely hinged at the ends of the ribs. In addition, a spring-loaded limiter and a valve are mounted on the central rod so that they can possibly move relative to the central rod. The limiter includes a sleeve and a conical shell that are connected by rod ties. The valve includes a metal stamped conical plate that forms a gas-tight fit with the rod. A sealing ring of elastic material is positioned on a peripheral part of the plate. The set of spring-loaded cams and the limiter secure the self-mounting plug in a working position and make the valve operation independent of the operation of other plug components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Otkrytoe Aktsionernoe Obschestvo “Nauchno-Proizvodstvennoe Obiedinenie “Energomash” Imoni Akademika Kaksolmika V.P. Glushko”
    Inventor: Matvei Mikhailovich Makarov
  • Patent number: 6289672
    Abstract: An NOx occluding and reducing catalyst is disposed in an exhaust gas passage of an internal combustion engine that operates at a lean air-fuel ratio. When the engine is operating at a lean air-fuel ratio, the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst absorbs NOx in the exhaust gas. To release NOx, the engine is operated at a rich air-fuel ratio so that the exhaust gas flowing into the NOx occluding and reducing catalyst acquires a rich air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Katoh, Takaaki Itou, Toshio Tanahashi, Hiroshi Tanaka, Naoto Suzuki, Yukio Kinugasa
  • Patent number: 6289673
    Abstract: A catalyst in an exhaust passage for an engine is capable of storing oxygen. A memory stores, as an oxygen storage capacity, an oxygen storage amount at the time of change of the downstream air-fuel ratio on the downstream side of the catalyst from stoichiometric to lean. A processor calculates the current oxygen storage amount accurately in due consideration of a fast oxygen absorbing rate in the case of the downstream air-fuel ratio being stoichiometric, and a slow oxygen absorbing rate in the case of the downstream air-fuel ratio being lean, and controls the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas mixture flowing into the catalyst so as to bring the oxygen storage amount in a region under the oxygen storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., LTD
    Inventors: Akira Tayama, Hirofumi Tsuchida, Kazuhiko Kanetoshi, Keiji Okada
  • Patent number: 6289674
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter, which exhibits important advantages regarding the consumption of fuel and the operation at low RPM in the power train of a motor vehicle, has a stator, a pump and a turbine which jointly form a toroidal structure having a meridian cross-sectional outline which is asymmetrical with reference to at least one axis other than the rotational axis of the housing of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Luk Getriebe-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Clemens Halene, Allan Biber, Volker Middelmann, Ravishankar Gundlapalli
  • Patent number: 6289675
    Abstract: The invention concerns a hydraulic control circuit in which the pressure medium conveyed by a hydraulic pump of variable delivery (10) is fed, in each case via a metering aperture (17, 31), as a priority to a first hydraulic consumer (14) and only secondly to a second hydraulic consumer (15). A priority control system is now produced without additional delivery losses and with sufficient amounts of pressure medium being conveyed in that the valve member (48) of the priority valve (45) can be acted upon in the closure direction of the connection between the first connection (46) and the second connection (47) by a pressure prevailing in a line section (13) upstream of the first metering aperture (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Werner Herfs, Jacques Maffini, Thomas Weickert
  • Patent number: 6289676
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustor presented either as a simplex or duplex pressurized fuel injector, wherein the fuel is introduced into the injector to provide a swirl to the fuel in a first annular channel which communicates with a coaxial conical fuel swirl chamber and then the primary nozzle. In a duplex version, a secondary annular swirl channel is provided for spinning the fuel and communicating downstream with a conical fuel swirl chamber and eventually an annular nozzle whereby the fuel is atomized as it exits the nozzle. An air swirler is also provided with the fuel injector, and the air swirler includes air passages arranged in an annular array about the fuel injector tip. A second array of auxiliary air passages can be arranged spaced radially from the first array and also to provide an air swirl and to control the spray cone of the fuel air mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Harris Shafique, Parthasarathy Sampath
  • Patent number: 6289677
    Abstract: A fuel injector for a combustor and a gas turbine engine, wherein the combustor includes a combustor wall defining a combustion chamber tube surrounded by pressurized air. The injector comprises a nozzle tip assembly protruding through the combustor wall into the chamber, the nozzle tip including a first air passage forming an annular array of individual air passages spaced radially from the first air passage and communicating the pressurized air from outside the combustor wall into the combustor. A fuel gallery extends through the fuel injector tip and defines an annular fuel nozzle radially within the first air passages, whereby the first air passages are arranged to atomize the fuel emanating from the annular fuel nozzle, and second fuel passages are arranged in annular array in the injector tip spaced radially outwardly from the first air passages whereby the second passages are arranged to shape the mixture of atomized fuel and air and to add supplemental air to the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Lev Alexander Prociw, Parthasarathy Sampath
  • Patent number: 6289678
    Abstract: A hard disk system having a disk housing shock mounted in an environmental housing employs a device to transfer heat from the disk housing while avoiding any mechanical connection that would impose significant rigidity between the disk housing and the environment housing so as to defeat the shock mounting. In one embodiment, a Peltier effect heat pump has a cold side in contact with the disk housing and a hot side in contact with heat-conducting spring fingers contacting the environmental housing. In another embodiment, a fan is positioned in a space between the outside of the disk housing and the inside of the environmental housing to circulate air around the disk housing, while a Peltier effect heat pump moves heat to the environmental housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Phoenix Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Pandolfi
  • Patent number: 6289679
    Abstract: This invention is concerned with a method for a non-freeze enhancement in a vortex tube assembly which includes a heat exchanger having an uncontrolled opening in its inner passage and a vortex tube comprising a slender tube, a diaphragm having a hole in the center thereof and closing one end of the vortex tube, one or more tangential nozzles piercing the slender tube just inside the diaphragm and an outlet opening on the other end of the vortex tube, the method comprises ways of connecting the non-freeze enhanced vortex tube as follows: attaching a heat exchanger to an outward side of a vortex tube's diaphragm; connecting a vortex tube's diaphragm hole for discharging a cold fraction flow with a heat exchanger's inlet opening and then connecting the inlet opening through a heat exchanger's inner passage with a heat exchanger's outlet opening to discharge gas flow from the non-freeze enhanced vortex tube assembly; and connecting a vortex tube outlet opening at the far end of the vorte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Vortex, INC
    Inventors: Lev Tunkel, Boris Khasqvitski
  • Patent number: 6289680
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an operation of a linear compressor by which an instablel phenomenon caused due to a characteristics deviation of parts of a compressor is corrected to stabilize the operation of the system, thereby accomplishing an optimal operation. Also, when the tuning instability occurs due to the characteristic deviation and the assembly deviation of the mechanic unit of the compressor, and the parts deviation in the control circuit such as the sensorless stroke estimator, the compressor deviation is corrected by using a relative coordinate value. And, while the linear compressor is being operated with the stroke command value according to the cooling mode, in case that the current stroke is in an unstable state, the stroke command value is lowered down as much as a predetermined value, with which the linear compressor is operated for a predetermined time. Then, when a predetermined time lapses, it is operated with the original stroke command value, thereby evading the instablel state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ki Tae Oh, Joo Wan Kim
  • Patent number: 6289681
    Abstract: A multi purpose interconnect assembly between upper and lower helium vessels in a recondensing superconducting magnet to provide isothermal connections to extend the ride-through period, and to provide for helium liquid and gas passage, electrical interconnections, and to accommodate differential thermal contraction and expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Phillip William Eckels, Richard Thomas Hackett, Gregory F. Hayworth, Xianrui Huang, Clifford J. Ginfrida, Gregory Alan Lehmann, John Scaturro, Jr., Bu-Xin Xu
  • Patent number: 6289682
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming an amorphous tissue specimen into a cooled block while preserving the anatomical orientation of the specimen includes a base assembly, a system of magnetic movable wall units and a cover which may be intercoupled to form an enclosed specimen cavity. The wall units each include a hinged panel at one end, so that the wall units may be adjustably intercoupled to form various planar surfaced shapes, such as a rhomboid or eccentric block form. Each wall unit also includes a reservoir for a refrigerant such as liquid nitrogen for cooling the enclosed specimen to an optimal temperature for tissue cutting. The base is equipped with orientation indicia and temperature sensors. A synthetic resin may be applied to the specimen-contacting surfaces of the form in order to facilitate release of the cooled specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: David C. Rada
  • Patent number: 6289683
    Abstract: An ice sculpture mold, forming assembly and process is described in which a mold body is releasably received within an immersion tank having an open top end defined by a peripheral rim, and a closed bottom. The mold includes an internal cavity shaped as a negative of a selected ice sculpture form, and includes a top section positionable adjacent the open top end of the immersion tank and a bottom section positionable adjacent the closed bottom of the immersion tank. The mold body also includes at least one water intake and discharge openings formed in the upper section mold body, openly communicating with the internal cavity. A water circulating pump and water delivery tube are connected to each intake opening. The water discharge and intake openings are positioned on the mold to enable circulation of water within the assembled mold cavity to facilitate freezing of water in the assembled mold cavity to form an ice sculpture that is visually clear and devoid of clouding and air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Ice Cast Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Daukas, Dennis D. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 6289684
    Abstract: An extended, box-like, metal, industrial size, insulated container (1/101, two embodiments disclosed, FIGS. 1-1G & FIGS. 2A-2D) including a rigid, structural framework (12/13) for safely and reliably transporting and/or storing relatively large quantities of temperature sensitive items (food, medical supplies, ice, human corpses, etc.) over a long distance (e.g., from an on-shore food center to an offshore platform) and/or for a substantial period of time (7+days), useful for such delivery/storage and in emergencies, disasters, etc. The container includes at its ends a structurally protected, enclosed equipment section (2/102), which includes all operating machinery (e.g. compressor, motor, fuel tank, control mechanisms, etc., in isolated sub-compartments) and associated equipment, and a freezer/cooler section (3/103A-103B) for the temperature sensitive items. The second embodiment includes two, separate, freezer and cooler sections (103A/103B) with separate, side doors (105A/105B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: John L. Guidry, II, Kevin L. Morales
  • Patent number: 6289685
    Abstract: A compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, and the like are connected to each other with refrigerant piping to form a refrigerant circuit in a closed loop configuration. The refrigerant circuit is provided with a four-way switch valve such that the direction of circulation of a refrigerant is reversible. The refrigerant circuit is provided with a refrigerant heater. During a cooling operation, an electromagnetic valve is closed so that the outdoor heat exchanger serves as a condenser to perform a refrigeration cycle operation. During a heating operation, natural gas is caused to burn in the refrigerant heater to heat and evaporate the refrigerant with high-temperature combustion gas. The evaporated refrigerant flows into the indoor heat exchanger, exchanges heat with indoor air, and is condensed, whereby the indoor air is heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Utsumi, Katsuhiro Kawabata, Keisuke Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 6289687
    Abstract: An integral type air conditioner is provided having its main unit fastened to an outer case by fastening device at a position manageable inside the room, instead of by fastening the main unit to the outer case with screws inserted from the outside of the outer case through the side faces thereof. Regardless of conditions of installation, the main unit can easily and surely be fastened and the main unit is never pushed out from the outside to the inside of the main unit. The integral type air conditioner has the outer case attached to an opening of a wall and the main unit is slid into the outer case and installed therein. The fastening device is provided for securely coupling the main unit and the outer case to each other at a position manageable inside the room so as to prevent the main unit from being pushed out into the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Kawano, Yuji Shimamura
  • Patent number: 6289688
    Abstract: A condensate drain outlet for a room conditioner of the type which includes a sheet metal basepan having a horizontally extending bottom wall and a rear wall joined to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall in a perpendicular relationship. The rear wall has a substantially U-shaped opening formed therein. A one-piece molded plastic condensate drain insert for insertion into the U-shaped opening includes a mounting plate having a size configured to overly the U-shaped opening in the rear wall and having an opening extending therethrough. A tubular section, having an axial opening extending therethrough, extends from one side of the mounting plate. A U-shaped section extends by a distance greater than the thickness of the rear wall from the other side of the mounting plate. The U-shaped section has an open back, and an inner surface which is in fluid communication with the opening in the plate and the opening in the tubular section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Luciano da Luz Moraes, Daniel Alessandro Oliveira de Barros
  • Patent number: 6289689
    Abstract: A water collection and dispensing machine having a primary housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, an air blower structured to draw air into the primary housing through the air inlet and push air out of said primary housing through the air outlet. The water collection and dispensing machine further includes an evaporator coil structured to cycle a cold refrigerant liquid therethrough, the evaporator coil being disposed in line with the air inlet so that the air drawn into the primary housing through the air inlet passes thereover and moisture therefrom condenses on an exterior surface of the evaporator coil so that it may be collected in the form of water droplets, filtered to eliminate contaminants, and dispensed for convenient consumption by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: International Water Makers, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Zakryk
  • Patent number: 6289690
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing sanitized water in a bottled water dispenser uses a refrigeration system to cool the water and an ozone generating system to generate ozone for sanitizing the water. Ozone is generated and collected within an ozone generator housing. A blower transmits air to the housing, the air carrying the ozone through a flow line to an air diffuser that is positioned inside the reservoir of the water dispenser. A time deactivates the refrigeration system and at about the same time activates the ozone generator and the blower. The blower continues to pump air for a selected time period after the ozone generator is shut down, the water in the reservoir having been sanitized. This action dispenses any ozone odor. The pump then shuts off and the refrigeration system resumes operation of cooling the water in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Davis
  • Patent number: 6289691
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a compressor, a condenser for condensing a refrigerant supplied from the compressor, and a pair of evaporators which are connected in series for evaporating the refrigerant supplied from the condenser. The refrigerator further includes a connection refrigerant tube connecting the pair of evaporators, and an intercooler refrigerant tube extended from the condenser and contacting the outer surface of the connection refrigerant tube for heat-exchanging with the connection refrigerant tube. Accordingly, a tube connection work is facilitated and a refrigerant leakage possibility is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kwang-Il Kim, Sung-Cheol Kang, Eui-Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 6289692
    Abstract: This invention concerns a method and an apparatus for improving the efficiency of an open-cycle refrigeration process for LNG production by the employment of a liquid expander to recover energy associated with the flashing of a pressurized liquid stream and employing said recovered energy to compress the flashed vapor streams in the open cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Clarence G. Houser, Rong-Jwyn Lee, Ned Baudat