Patents Issued in November 15, 2001
  • Publication number: 20010039931
    Abstract: A variable valve timing system have a rotor member relatively rotatably mounted into a housing member and forming an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber at a vane portion in the housing member. In the system, a lock member of a lock mechanism is not caught between the rotor member and the housing member when a volume of either the advanced angle chamber or the retarded angle chamber shifts from an initial volume to a target volume. The hydraulic pressure within the system is shifted from an initial condition in which the volume is maintained at the initial volume and locked by the lock mechanism, to another condition in which the volume is varied to the target volume after passing a transition in which the volume is maintained at the initial volume and the lock mechanism is being unlocked during a predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Kazumi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20010039932
    Abstract: The vane type hydraulic actuator in the prior art has a drawback that the locking of the rotor at a best position was difficult, therefore, the optimization of the timing of opening and closing of the valves, using a simple apparatus, was impossible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mutsuo Sekiya, Katsuyuki Fukuhara, Masafumi Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20010039933
    Abstract: A seal plate partitions a sectorial space which houses a vane and a circumferential groove which houses a torsion spring, so that the sectorial space is formed to prevent the communication between an advance angle pressure chamber and a retard angle pressure chamber regardless of the space of the circumferential groove. As a result, by setting the inner diameter of the vane smaller than the outer diameter of the torsion spring, the outer diameter of the vane can be made relatively small without lowering the engine performance. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the actuator in size without lowering the engine performance, to reduce the weight of a valve timing adjusting device and to obtain a mounting space easily for mounting the valve timing adjusting device on the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Osamu Sato, Akira Hori
  • Publication number: 20010039934
    Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine having a flexible arrangement is disclosed such that the engine can be easily configured for supercharged or normally aspirated operation. The engine includes a cooling system that includes both closed loop and open loop cooling systems for improved cooling efficiency. A power take off housing located on one end of the crankcase. Various engine components are operatively coupled to the crankshaft within the power take off housing including a cam shaft for a valve actuation assembly, a generator, an engine starting mechanism, a balance shaft, and a supercharger. The engine contemplated in accordance with the present invention also includes a dry sump lubrication system having lubricant separator for separating lubricant from blow-by gas within the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Gerd Ohrnberger, Norbert Korenjak, Alois Wolfsgruber, Rudolf Tscherne
  • Publication number: 20010039935
    Abstract: The angle of fuel spray at the time of pre-injection is set to a wider angle of spray and the angle of fuel spray at the time of main injection is set to a narrower angle of spray. The pre-injection timing is set so that when fuel spray after the pre-injection is diffused in a cylinder and stratified, the stratified fuel spray is ignited by a rise in the pressure in the cylinder in association with movement of a piston from the bottom dead center to the top dead center. The main injection timing is set so that when the spray stratified by the pre-injection is burned, the fuel spray injected by the main injection passes through the combustion zone while being ignited in the combustion zone, reaches a combustion chamber of the piston, and is burned in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Kato, Toshiyuki Yoda, Kenji Date
  • Publication number: 20010039936
    Abstract: With a composition where there are provided an injection valve installed on each cylinder and a high-atomizing injection valve installed in the upstream, it is aimed to prevent worsened start-up performance and unburnt gas exhaust resulting from adhesion of the fuel on the suction air passage as a result of reduced air for atomization during the start-up cranking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Takanobu Ichihara, Masami Nagano, Toshiharu Nogi
  • Publication number: 20010039938
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises two accelerator position sensors and two throttle position sensors, and when one out of said two accelerator position sensors or said two throttle position sensors fails to operate, a limitation is added to the increase in accelerator position for the output characteristics of the accelerator position sensor. Thereby, the vehicle is enabled to travel at a minimum speed necessary without excessively increasing the engine output. When one of the two throttle position sensors fails to operate, the fuel injection quantity may be set based on the detection value of the accelerator position, which enables the vehicle to be driven by approximately the desired speed without excessively increasing the engine output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: UNISIA JECS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Machida, Masahiro Iriyama, Mikio Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20010039939
    Abstract: The technique of the present invention enables a full closed position of an accelerator pedal to be learnt with a high accuracy. More specifically the arrangement of the invention effectively prevents the full closed position of the accelerator pedal from being mistakenly learnt and quickly changes a current full closed position of the accelerator pedal to a new, more appropriate full closed position. In a system of the present invention, a master controller updates a full-closed position accelerator opening &thgr;closed when an accelerator open flag Fopen is set ON and when a current accelerator opening &thgr;n is less than a learning permission accelerator opening &thgr;lok and monotonously decreases to be converged. The master controller sets the converged accelerator opening &thgr;n to a new full-closed position accelerator opening &thgr;closed when the converged accelerator opening &thgr;n is greater than a current full-closed position accelerator opening &thgr;closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Nada
  • Publication number: 20010039940
    Abstract: A control unit for detecting an opening of an accelerator and an opening of the throttle valve to operate the throttle valve via a motor, sets a commanded value of an opening of the throttle valve at each of first predetermined cycles in accordance with an of the accelerator. A first opening/closing velocity is set in accordance with the set commanded value, a present opening of the throttle valve is read at each of second cycles shorter than the first predetermined cycles, the motor is rotated to open/close the throttle valve to follow a first predicted opening of the throttle valve until the opening of the throttle valve is smaller than the commanded value by a predetermined quantity, and the motor is caused to open/close the throttle valve to follow a second predicted opening of the throttle valve which is smaller than the first predicted opening of the throttle valve after the cycle when the opening of the throttle valve has been made smaller than the commanded value by a predetermined quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ken Kuretake
  • Publication number: 20010039941
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which comprises detecting means for detecting a discharge current flowing between electrodes of a spark plug when a high voltage for ignition is applied to the spark plug, judging means for judging whether or not the spark plug is fouled on the basis of the discharge current, and inhibiting means for inhibiting the progress of spark plug fouling when the spark plug is judged fouled. A method carried out by the control system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Tatsunori Yamada, Yasushi Sakakura, Takahiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20010039942
    Abstract: To perform with high accuracy the analog-to-digital conversion of signals of an air flow meter irrespective of fluctuation of a reference voltage of an analog-to-digital conversion circuit. A thermal type air flow meter including means for measuring an intake air flow rate by heating and controlling a heating resistor and means for performing analog-to-digital conversion of an air flow rate signal of the air flow rate measurement means, which inputs a reference voltage to the analog-to-digital conversion circuit so that the reference voltage can be converted from the analog signal to the digital signal by the analog-to-digital conversion circuit, and the air flow rate signal can be corrected in accordance with the value of the reference voltage. A/D conversion of the air flow rate signal can be executed accurately even when the voltage of the reference voltage source of the A/D converter in an electrical control unit is fluctuating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: HITOSHI ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20010039943
    Abstract: A starting fuel supplying apparatus improves restarting performance of an engine in a warm-up state. In the engine in which a carburetor is disposed on the side of the cylinder, the starting fuel supplying apparatus and a thermo-sensitive member attached to the carburetor are disposed on the side of the carburetor close to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Tokihiko Aodai, Hisaharu Ishii, Yasuhiko Shibata
  • Publication number: 20010039944
    Abstract: A fuel system for fluidly connecting a fuel tank with an engine includes a low-pressure fuel circuit fluidly connected to the fuel tank. A high-pressure fuel circuit is supplied with fuel by the low-pressure fuel circuit, and is fluidly connected to the engine. A priming fuel circuit includes a priming fuel conduit and a priming valve. The priming fuel conduit has a first segment and a second segment. The priming valve has an inlet and an outlet. The first segment of the priming fuel circuit fluidly interconnects the low-pressure fuel circuit and the outlet of the priming valve. The second segment of the priming fuel circuit fluidly interconnects the high-pressure fuel circuit and the inlet of the priming valve. The priming valve is operable to control a flow of fluid through the priming fuel conduit to thereby selectively fluidly connect and disconnect the high-pressure fuel circuit and the low-pressure fuel circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Charles W. Braun, Chris C. Begley, Michael J. Niemiec
  • Publication number: 20010039945
    Abstract: A paintball hopper for connection to a paintball launcher or marker has a counter which includes a flexible potentiometer extending into a transfer conduit that connects to the paintball launcher or marker. The hopper has a reservoir shaped for movement of the paintballs toward the transfer conduit. The hopper has a nose with slanted surfaces that are deflection engineered to enhance the deflectability of paintballs directed at the user. The counter mechanism includes a timer and an LCD display so the user can see how many paintballs have been launched and monitor time. The hopper also includes an agitator to agitate the paintballs in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Ennis Rushton, Douglas M. Odom, Mark Wenzel, Joseph Harris, Gregory Misbach, Gordon B. Langford
  • Publication number: 20010039946
    Abstract: A constitution comprises separated processing of an abrasive grain waste liquid into recycled abrasive grain and a fine abrasive grain mixed liquid in a first centrifugal separator, adding a fresh cutting liquid to the fine abrasive grain mixed liquid to direct the resulting liquid to a second centrifugal separator to subject the same to separated processing in the second centrifugal separator, into waste abrasive grain and a recovered cutting liquids directing the recovered cutting liquid through a recovered cutting liquid tank to a recovered abrasive grain tank, adding fresh abrasive grain and a cutting liquid for dilution to the recovered cutting liquid in the recovered cutting liquid tank and to the recycled abrasive grain to create a recycled abrasive grain mixed cutting liquid, and feeding the recycled abrasive grain mixed cutting liquid to an abrasive grain supply tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Motoichi Horio
  • Publication number: 20010039947
    Abstract: A closure (30) for a container is designed to facilitate the mixing of a first material within the container with a second material within the closure at the point of use. The first and second materials are generally chemically reactive. The plastics material closure (30) has a base (32) and a lid (34). The base (32), which is circular, has an annular peripheral rim (36) defining an annular recess (38) by which the closure (30) may be clipped onto a container (10). Radially inwardly of the rim (36) is an upstanding peripheral wall (40) defining a chamber (42) for containing the second material. A plunger (44) is affixed to the base (32) centrally of a convex button (50). When mixing of the first and second materials is required, the container (10) is positioned so that the base (32) of the closure is uppermost, and the button (50) is pressed to move the plunger (44) to push the lid (34) out of the opening of the chamber (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Matthew J. Searle
  • Publication number: 20010039948
    Abstract: The metering valve which includes a material reservoir formed generally above a load bearing bottom hollow, with a toroidal gas chamber formed thereabout. Both the gas chamber and the material reservoir include metering spindles which allow the material to be dispensed and gas to be mixed precisely in a mixing chamber, and dispensed through an orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Frederick Sexton, Perry A. Genova, Akwete L. Adjei
  • Publication number: 20010039949
    Abstract: A superglottic and peri-laryngeal apparatus for supraglottic airway device insertion that contemporaneously clears a patient's upper airway of the tongue and other pharyngeal tissues, and raises the epiglottis without use of the medical practitioner's fingers in the upper airway. The insertion apparatus comprises an offset member with a compressor-lever shield at a distal insertion end and a handle at the proximal end thereof. The offset member, medially disposed between the handle and the compressor-lever shield, should preferably be configured to be substantially flat, consistent in thickness throughout and having a tight, arcuate shape. The compressor- lever shield member preferably widens from its junction with the offset member into a broad tip at its leading distal edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Paul G. Loubser
  • Publication number: 20010039950
    Abstract: The procedure and the apparatus serve for the control of a respirator device which is used for the supply of breathable gas to a patient. At least one sensor for the capture of the time-wise evolution of at least one respirator-treatment parameter is provided. The sensor can be arranged in the area of an air delivery which encompasses a respirator device as well as a connecting installation. The sensor is connected to an analyzer which carries out a pattern recognition and which is connected to a control for the modification of at least one respirator-treatment parameter. In order to implement the pattern recognition, one captures—at least at intervals—the time-wise evolution of at least one of the respirator-treatment parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Bernd Scholler, Bernd Graetz, Jorg Maurer
  • Publication number: 20010039951
    Abstract: A medical ventilator system is disclosed which automatically controls and modifies the oxygen support provided to the patient. The system includes a source of pressurized oxygen and a fluid conduit extending between the pressurized oxygen source and a patient. A valve is fluidly connected in series with the conduit which is variably controllable to vary the oxygen support for the patient. A pulse oximeter provides an SpO2 signal representative of the blood saturation of the patient. A controller is responsive to the magnitude of the SpO2 signal as well as the rate of change of the SpO2 signal for varying the oxygen support (FiO2) to the patient by variably actuating the valve. Preferably, the controller utilizes fuzzy logic to determine the proper oxygen support for the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: James H. Strickland
  • Publication number: 20010039952
    Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for enhancing the action of anti-cancer agents, which includes the introduction of anti-cancer agent into or proximate a tumor within a body and thereafter introducing ultrasonic energy at the solid tumor with the introduced anti-cancer agent. The ultrasonic energy is sufficient to increase the anti-cancer activity on the solid tumor without significant heating of the solid tumor or surrounding tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Walter A. Hacker, Ph. D
    Inventors: THOMAS M. PETERSON, ROBERT J. SIEGEL
  • Publication number: 20010039953
    Abstract: A two-piece smoking pipe vaporization chamber with directed heat intake and vapor tube extending in a manner easily adaptable to be compatible with and used in conjunction with common smoking pipe designs currently in use by replacing the standard smoking pipe bowl used for smoking. Temperature controlled hot air flow from a widely available heat gun aimed into the directed heat intake is used to enable the controlled heating of the commonly smoked materials until the active constituents reach their boiling, or vaporization points and are vaporized out of the plant material and delivered in a manner preferred over the combustion of such commonly smoked materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: MARK SCOTT MCCOY
  • Publication number: 20010039954
    Abstract: A humidifying cylinder includes a first rotatable cylinder having an inlet end and an outlet end and a plurality of first blades extending substantially radially outwardly from an exterior surface of the first cylinder. The humidifying cylinder further includes a second rotatable cylinder having an inlet end and an outlet end and a plurality of second blades extending substantially radially inwardly from an interior surface of the second cylinder, the second cylinder being substantially coaxial with the first cylinder and the first cylinder being disposed inside of the second cylinder such that the exterior surface of the first cylinder and the interior surface of the second cylinder define an annular space. At least one drive is provided for rotating the first cylinder and the second cylinder. At least one conduit is disposed in the annular space for introducing moisture into the annular space. A method of humidifying material is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Steven Rohn Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20010039955
    Abstract: A dental floss dispenser having a shape or attaching elements which allows it to be held during flossing. One embodiment has a finger spool which is worn on the finger tip or finger during flossing. The dental floss dispenser may also incorporate a finger grip so that the dispenser can be held by the lower fingers, a contoured shape to better fit the hand of the user, a wide or weighted base for easy pick-up, or a U-shaped indentation for quickly grabbing dental floss at the commencement of flossing. A take up spool is designed to be used during the flossing procedure as an anchor for the dental floss to thereby allow the user to floss without wrapping floss around a finger or fingers. The take up spool is incorporated into the handle of a toothbrush. By using the dispenser or the take up spool in the flossing procedure, time is saved and flossing becomes more convenient and efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: JAMES J. MURPHY
    Inventors: STEVEN NEBEKER WINTERS, TIMOTHY S. EVANS, BRENT A. LARSON
  • Publication number: 20010039956
    Abstract: A method including the consecutive steps of: dipping a wafer in a washing solution in a washing chamber; replacing the washing solution by a first chemical solution in the washing chamber receiving therein the wafer, the first chemical solution including at least one chemical; dipping the wafer in the first chemical solution after stopping the replacing; and replacing the first chemical solution by a second chemical solution including the at least one chemical and having a concentration lower than a concentration of said first chemical solution. The number of the particles remaining on the wafer is significantly reduced compared with a conventional method to improve the removing rate of the particles deposited onto the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Tatsuya Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20010039957
    Abstract: A method of operating a counterflow cascade washer for wet-chemical treatment of a surface of a metal strip and including branching a portion of a water flow, which circulates through a rinsing water circuit associated with each of the washer units off in form of a bypass stream, and feeding the bypass stream to a washer unit located immediately upstream of respective washer unit, and an apparatus for effecting the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Dirk Holthaus
  • Publication number: 20010039958
    Abstract: A method for removing an acidic deposit containing a sulfur compound, which comprises contacting the acidic deposit with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal carbonate and/or an alkali metal hydrogencarbonate to remove it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shigeru Sakurai, Masaharu Emoto, Hachiro Hirano, Makoto Yoshida, Hiroaki Noda, Michihiro Kawano
  • Publication number: 20010039959
    Abstract: A collapsible structure has a first panel and a second panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The first panel has a first side that is stitched to the fabric of the second panel by a stitching. Another collapsible structure has a first panel and a second panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The second panel has an opening provided in its fabric, with a first side of the first panel inserted through the opening to couple the first panel to the second panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Publication number: 20010039960
    Abstract: A PV roof assembly (6) includes a roof (12) mountable to an electric vehicle (4), and a PV assembly (10) at the upper part of the roof. The PV assembly may be mounted to a separate roof surface (34) or the PV assembly may itself constitute all or part of the roof. The vehicle may include a secondary PV assembly (96) coupled to a display unit (92) to provide an independent indication of the intensity of solar irradiation. The roof may have mounting element recesses (68) to accommodate mounting elements (70) of the PV assembly, the mounting elements configured so as not to shade the PV panel (14). The roof may also be configured to accommodate a global positioning device (80). The roof preferably includes a peripheral gutter (88). The roof body preferably includes hand-hold recesses (90) housing hand-hold elements (42) at positions to provide a horizontal setback (92) from the lateral sides (93) of the roof body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Daniel S. Shugar, Thomas L. Dinwoodie, Steven T. Slavsky
  • Publication number: 20010039961
    Abstract: A modular gas control device for use with a compressed gas cylinder (111) comprises a primary module (152) and a secondary module (252) mounted on the primary module. The primary module comprises a first supporting body (154) having a first main gas flow path (155) through the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Dao-Hong Zheng, John Irven, Mark Allen George
  • Publication number: 20010039962
    Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Dan Lohde, John Larry Kent, Alan Dawn
  • Publication number: 20010039963
    Abstract: A hose reel carrier includes a wheeled structure having spaced apart side walls and a top wall covering a receptacle; a hose reel is rotatably mounted between the side walls and is rotated by a hand crank operated outside one of the side walls; a reciprocating hose guide carried on support rods is also driven by the crank; a fluid connection is provided through the other side wall to supply fluid to a hose carried on the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Spear, Steven F. Brooker
  • Publication number: 20010039964
    Abstract: A pressure monitoring assembly includes an isolation valve assembly and a differential pressure sensor assembly. The rigid manifold has two pressure inlet ports which each communicate with respective pressure outlet ports through isolation valves. An equalization passage and valve connect the two pressure lines. The pressure sensor assembly is sized to mate directly with the monolithic manifold by having sensor inlet ports that line up with the pressure outlet ports. Pressure tight attachments releasably secure the pressure sensor assembly to the manifold, but a rigid to support the weight of the pressure sensor assembly. No bleeding valves are necessary. Orientation and the positioning and construction of the manifold effectively reduce the amount of heat transfer between the pressure lines and the pressure sensor(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: S. Asim Gul
  • Publication number: 20010039965
    Abstract: A system and method is claimed for protecting sections of a buried utility pipe that will eventually be excavated and exposed for tapping purposes. The system includes a protective collar that is applied to the utility pipe before the utility pipe is buried. When the utility pipe is to be tapped, the utility pipe is excavated directly above the protective collar. The presence of the protective collar provides a physical barrier that prevents the utility pipe from being damaged from the excavating equipment. When the protective collar is removed, a clean, unobstructed area of utility pipe is exposed on which a tapping procedure can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Michael D. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20010039966
    Abstract: In a poppet valve the guide attachment (2) of each sealing member (1) together with the spring (5) is arranged and supported in a cup-like suspension member (8) inserted in a continuous receiving bore (15) in the catcher plate (3) and is guided with its external periphery at least in part directly on the internal periphery of the suspension member (8), as a result of which the guide length of the sealing member (1) and thus the length of stroke thereof becomes independent of the thickness of the catcher plate (3). As a result, the production, assembly and storage are simplified and new fields of application for valves of this type are opened up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Jim Walpole, Greg Reback
  • Publication number: 20010039967
    Abstract: A shielding apparatus for preventing premature entry of a liquid into an overflow drain tube. The shielding apparatus has a shielding member, which may be convex, positioned over an opening of the overflow drain tube. The shielding member deflects airborne liquid and prevents the airborne liquid from passing through the opening. The shielding apparatus also has at least one stem that is inserted through the opening and into the bore of the overflow drain tube. At least one spacer provides a space between at least a portion of the shielding member and a rim that surrounds the opening. The shielding apparatus may be used in a system for cleaning semiconductor structures by preventing liquid from being splashed or projected into the opening of the overflow drain tube. Methods for shielding an overflow drain tube and for cleaning semiconductor structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Staley
  • Publication number: 20010039968
    Abstract: A fluid control element comprises a housing in which two control chambers are formed, which are isolated from each other and comprise a working port each as well as two pressure ports. Two of these ports are provided with a sealing seat each. The fluid control element further comprises a switching element movably mounted in said housing and comprising a sealing part in each control chamber. The sealing part cooperates with the sealing seats such that these are opened or closed. The fluid control element further comprises an actuating member for the switching element, the actuating member being able to bring the switching element into three positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Heinrich Dettmann
  • Publication number: 20010039969
    Abstract: A fluid flow proportioning device including spool type valve elements (12,14,16) opposite end portions of which reciprocate in oppositely disposed and spaced apart valve block halves (100,102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: David Needham
  • Publication number: 20010039970
    Abstract: A junction device (1) for hoses (2) comprises an insert (3) having a portion (3a) inserted internally to an end of a hose (2) and a bushing (9) inserted externally to said end of the hose and locked to maintain the end of the hose securely inserted between the portion (3a) of said insert and the bushing. The insert comprises an annular groove (6) interposed between the portion (3a) inserted internally to the end of the hose and a portion (3b) external to said hose, whilst the bushing (9) comprises a concave annular area (10) which, when the junction device is assembled, is positioned internally to said annular groove of the insert. The insert further comprises an annular rib (7) to provide an area of interference with the concave annular area (10) of the bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: MAC TUBI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Azzolini, Claudio Maghei
  • Publication number: 20010039971
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a kit for installing an underground piping system. The kit includes a protective conduit having flexible piping contained therein and a plurality of sealing members. The installer positions the protective conduit and flexible piping as a single unit thereby facilitating installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Mark Albino
  • Publication number: 20010039972
    Abstract: A hose includes a tube assembly surrounded by a textile reinforcement that is surrounded by a cover assembly. The tube assembly includes an inner non-foamed layer that is surrounded by a foamed layer that is surrounded by an outer non-foamed layer. The textile reinforcement surrounds the outer non-foamed layer of the tube assembly and preferably consists of a first spiral threading and a second mesh threading. The cover assembly includes an inner non-foamed layer that is surrounded by a foamed layer that is surrounded by an outer non-foamed layer. The adjacent relationship of the outer non-foamed layer of the tube assembly and the inner non-foamed layer of the cover assembly provide a substantial increase in adhesion between the two assemblies. Further, this configuration reduces the tendency for water seepage between the layer or plies that can cause bubbles and separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Scott L. Badders, John R. Aull, Doug M. Brock
  • Publication number: 20010039973
    Abstract: A reinforcement structure of pipe comprises a hard resin to be inserted into a pipe portion to be reinforced and protruded members protruded from the hard resin and having a slightly larger diameter than an inside diameter of the pipe portion, the protruded members being formed of a foaming resin material and the protruded members pressed into the pipe portion being foamed and expanded to seal between an internal surface of said pipe and an external surface of at least one of said core member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20010039974
    Abstract: A ground warp thread sheet and a pile warp thread sheet are supplied to a shed forming device. Two stop motions on separate planes respectively monitor the pile warp and the ground warp. The ground warp and the pile warp are deflected over a deflecting rod upstream from the shed forming device. The deflecting rod supports the ground warp and directs the pile warp to cross and interpenetrate through the ground warp before being deflected into the back shed. The vertices of the ground warp and pile warp back sheds are thus located on opposite sides of the deflecting rod. The pile warp crosses through the ground warp directly upstream from the deflecting rod, at a steep angle, for example from 45 to 135°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Adnan Wahhoud, Peter Czura, Herbert Mueller
  • Publication number: 20010039975
    Abstract: In a weaving loom of the Jacquard type comprising electrical actuators for displacing heddles controlling the position of the warp yarns, the following steps are carried out:
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Dominique Braun
  • Publication number: 20010039976
    Abstract: A binding apparatus capable of facilitating reliable tightening of a binding belt without directly touching the binding belt. The apparatus includes a body provided therein with a belt passage and a fastener passage. The belt passage functions to guide therethrough a continuous binding belt formed on one side surface thereof with asperities in a rack-like manner. Fasteners guided in the fastener passage are each provided with holding pawls engageable with the asperities of the binding belt. The belt passage is formed with an opening through which the binding belt is exposed. A tightening lever is pivotally mounted on the body and includes a gear portion releasably engaged with the asperities of the binding belt exposed from the opening of the belt passage. A cutter cuts the binding belt while a foremost one of the fasteners holds a distal end of a portion of the binding belt wound around an article on one of the holding pawls of the fastener to bind the article with the portion of the binding belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: NIREI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Shirakawa, Shigenobu Nirei
  • Publication number: 20010039977
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a multi-compartment container having two open ends and a partition wall that forms a fluid-tight seal defining two compartments each holding a separate component to be mixed with one another by the end-user prior to use. The process and apparatus for filling the two-compartment container comprises filling one compartment with material through an opening at one end of the container; sealing the opening; rotating the container; filling the other compartment with material through an opening at the other end of the container; and sealing the other opening preferably with a removable seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: M.L.I.S. Projects Ltd.
    Inventors: Igal Sharon, Michael Inbar
  • Publication number: 20010039978
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas
  • Publication number: 20010039980
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a magnetic powder which can provide a bonded magnet having excellent magnetic properties and having excellent reliability especially excellent heat stability. The magnetic powder is composed of an alloy composition represented by Rx(Fe1-yCoy)100-x-z-wBzNbw (where R is at least one kind of rare-earth element, x is 7.1-9.9 at %, y is 0-0.30, z is 4.6-6.9 at %, and w is 0.2-3.5 at %), the magnetic powder being constituted from a composite structure having a soft magnetic phase and a hard magnetic phase, wherein the magnetic powder has magnetic properties in which, when the magnetic powder is formed into an isotropic bonded magnet having a density &rgr; [Mg/m3] by mixing with a binding resin and then molding it, the maximum magnetic energy product (BH)max[kJ/m3] of the bonded magnet at the room temperature satisfies the relationship represented by the formula (BH)max/&rgr;2[×10−9J·m3/g2]≧2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Akira Arai, Hiroshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20010039981
    Abstract: Composition of a rail structure that can cut down cost of alloy composition, and enhance strength of the rail structure to minimize defects occurred in a fabrication process of the CRT, consisting of Fe as a main constituent, 22˜27 wt % of Cr, C≦0.02 wt %, Si≦0.40 wt %, Mn≦0.40 wt %, and P≦0.02 wt %, with addition of Mn as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Tae Chun, Sang Yoon Park, In Jue Kim, Nam Je Koh
  • Publication number: 20010039982
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a process for manufacturing hollow pressure vessels, particularly compressed gas cylinders, comprising the following steps:
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Christophe Sigli, Pierre Sainfort