Patents Issued in December 18, 2001
  • Patent number: 6330842
    Abstract: A power driven ratchet tool includes a generally tubular handle having a drive motor and transmission supported therein, and a driver assembly releasably secured to the handle. The driver assembly includes a tubular housing having a drive shaft extending therethrough and coupled to the motor through the transmission. A wrench head housing at the distal end of the housing includes a drive socket having an aperture therethrough configured to engage a standard threaded component. The drive socket includes gear teeth extending about the periphery thereof. The drive shaft supports an eccentric crank at its distal end to engage a slot opening in a drive pawl pin disposed within the head housing. The drive pawl pin is constrained to translate within the housing in a reciprocal arcuate path concentric to the drive socket axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin Brun
  • Patent number: 6330843
    Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver comprises a handle, a ratchet seat body, a rotary shaft rod, a stop plate, an anti-reverse plate, a dial knob seat, a recovery spring, a housing, a lock member, and a screw tip. The ratchet seat body is provided with a slide slot which is in turn provided with two slide edges capable of sliding back and forth along with the anti-reverse plate to support two gears mounted on the rotary shaft rod, thereby making the assembly of the ratchet screwdriver relatively simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Chang-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 6330844
    Abstract: A self-contained multi-use tool for a range of screws, nuts and bolts sized, consisting of various screw bit and adapter including holder and a nut driver set, which fit together in a decreasing order and can be stored in an increasing order on the back or inside of the handle. Each socket head has a clearance hold to allow threaded bolts or rods of the associated nuts to extend through. The screw bits and the adaptor can be stored on the holder or inside the opposite end of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Russell Earl Walker
  • Patent number: 6330845
    Abstract: A wrench assembly used to restrain an implant while applying a torque to a portion of the implant. The wrench assembly conveniently restrains the implant relative to the torque whether the implant is implanted or not. In the case where the implant is first implanted, the wrench assembly guards against displacing the implant or splitting the bone. The wrench assembly includes a handle and a socket shaft depending from the handle in torque transmitting relation. A socket is coupled to the socket shaft in torque transmitting relation. The socket has an implant engaging portion for engaging the implant in torque transmitting relation. The socket further has a through hole aligned with the portion of the implant. A driving shaft passes through the through hole in the socket and engages the portion of the implant such that with the handle torsionaly fixed, the implant is torsionaly fixed by way of the handle, socket shaft, socket and implant connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb
    Inventor: Steven L. Meulink
  • Patent number: 6330846
    Abstract: A invention relates to a chuck having a shank which provides two shank sections (5, 6), forms a clamping section (1) at one end for clamping in place in a drive member and forms a tool mounting (2) at the other end for mounting a tool, in particular a screwdriver bit (18), having an elastic element between the clamping-side shank section (6) and the tool-mounting-side shank section (5) for permitting a stop-limited twisting capability of the clamping section relative to the tool mounting (2). To achieve a narrow type of construction, provision is made for the elastic element to be formed as a bending spring which is bendable transversely to the axis of the chuck and connects the two shank sections to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Wera Werk Hermann Werner GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Martin Strauch
  • Patent number: 6330847
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically compensating for the lateral runout between an on-car lathe apparatus and a vehicle hub axis including one or more stop discs that rotate with the drive shaft of the lathe and that can be selectively stopped from rotating with the shaft by a stop mechanism. In response to such stopping, one or more adjustment discs are caused to rotate in order to adjust the relative position of the axis of the lathe with respect to the axis of the disc brake assembly. In this manner, the system compensates for and corrects lateral runout that exists between two concentrically attached rotating shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Joseph B. Willey
    Inventors: Harold Newell, John Wiggins
  • Patent number: 6330848
    Abstract: In the operation of cutting a metallic work material, if the rotation of an electric motor 21 is reduced by a reduction gear mechanism including a gear mechanism and transmitted to a main shaft 23 and the metallic work material is cut by a circular saw 28 attached to one end of the main shaft, the moment of inertia I (kgf·m·sec2) of the main shaft is set to be more than F×(D/2)/[1000×250×(N/60)2] while an outside diameter of said circular saw is D (mm), the number of revolution is N (rpm) and a cutting force per tooth as a component of force in tangential direction is F (kgf). By so setting, at the initial cut positions of the work material and in a region in which the number of cutting related teeth Zi is 1.0 or less at the final cut positions, the moment of inertia is high compared with a cutting torque applied to the main shaft by intermittent cutting resistance, so that the rotational variation of the main shaft is very small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Kanefusa Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Nishio, Kunio Ohno
  • Patent number: 6330849
    Abstract: A stand for an electric pot has a support extending out from a peripheral edge of a base of the stand and a plate integrally formed with the support and being adapted to receive and support cups on the plate. When the water within the electric pot is boiled, the cups that go with the pot can simultaneously be heated for sanitary purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Ming-Hui Chao
  • Patent number: 6330850
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the on demand preparation of beverages or sauces from water-dispersible foodstuffs. The device includes one or more pressing units that urge one or more solid refills of a water-dispersible foodstuff towards one or more abrading devices so that the refill contacts the abrading device and the abrading device abrades the refill to provide an amount of powdered foodstuff that is collected in a collector and combined with water to provide the beverage. The invention also relates to a refills for use in the device of the invention and a process for manufacturing the refills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Meinrad Rosse
  • Patent number: 6330851
    Abstract: An arrangement (101) of a plurality of food preparation devices (102, 103, 104), e.g. steamers, boilers, grill units, roasting units or microwave devices, each of which can be set to a particular cooking time. To improve ease of use, the cooking time of all the devices is automatically adjustable, and a central switching unit (106) is provided and connected via a control line (102, 103, 104) and has a control unit for the automatic adjustment of different cooking times and/or start times for the devices (102, 103, 104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Gottfried Riesselmann
  • Patent number: 6330852
    Abstract: A process of and system for distributing, filtering, storing, recovering, and disposing of bulk edible oil or other fluid. The filtering system having a filter box assembly, superstructure and fluid transfer unit functions to filter the edible oil or other fluid, transfer the fresh (new) oil or other fluid for use in commercial vats and transfer spent (old) oil or other fluid to an outdoor supply and disposal storage tank. Two three-way valves coupled to two manual three-way valve switch handles operate to control the fluid transfer unit to intake fresh or old fluid and to dispense of the fresh or old fluid. A mobile transport truck couples to the outdoor supply and disposal storage tank for filling the supply and disposal storage tank with fresh (new) oil or other fluid and retrieves the spent (old) oil or other fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: David R. Williams
  • Patent number: 6330853
    Abstract: A rotisserie comprises an oven having a space for receiving objects used for broiling, two brackets each including at least one pair of parallel elongate openings, at least one longitudinal groove coupled the elongate openings of each pair together, at least one fastener driven through openings to secure bracket to the front or the rear side of oven, and a recess disposed at one end thereof, a motor having at least one fastening member put on one bracket, a telescopic bar with one end inserted into motor and the other end rotatably supported on the recess, and two opposite forks on the bar. The distance between a broiled thing and the fire in oven, i.e., the height of brackets and bar, may be adjusted by adjusting the positions of fasteners in openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Chih-Hsin Yu
  • Patent number: 6330854
    Abstract: A reversible clamping member for use in a rotisserie grill having spaced end plates and a plurality of adjacent rods therebetween in a cradle formation connected at their ends to the plates. One pair of adjacent rods are spaced to define an opening for the passage of food into the interior of the cradle. The reversible clamping member has a pair of main rods intersecting each other and connected thereto at a center area of each main rod. Both main rods have slight bends in their center areas for closer positioning to the food located in the interior of the cradle. One of the main rods has a U-shaped member secured at each end, wherein one of the U-shaped member has legs perpendicularly extending from its center portion and the other U-shaped member has legs angularly extending from its center portion. A sleeve is removeably mounted at one end to one of the main rods, and the sleeve is removeably mounted at the other end to one of the adjacent rods of the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: John M. Waltman
  • Patent number: 6330855
    Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box-like enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes. The embodiment's design makes efficient use of valuable counter space by recessing back and raising off the countertop its controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventors: Alan L. Backus, Ron Popeil
  • Patent number: 6330856
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing and retrieving garments in a controlled manner. The apparatus retrieves the garments in a secure enclosure while accounting for the garments returned, and compacts the returned garments, all with a single, stand-alone apparatus. A paddle mechanism sweeps the garments into a horizontally extended storage compartment and compacts them with an upward movement. The paddle is articulated at a one-way joint to allow it to pass obstructions on its return path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Innovative Product Achievements, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Fitzgerald, Eugene O. Gresens, Ward P. Broom
  • Patent number: 6330857
    Abstract: The printing machine is designed to print different polygraphic matter without replacement of the printing form upon transition from printing one publication to another. The machine includes a printing form in the form of a mesh, and operates by filling all of the mesh cells with ink and forcing the ink through selected mesh cells by the light-hydraulic effect, which is to heat part of the ink volume in a cell with a laser beam pulse which in turn ejects all of the ink from the cell toward a receiving medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventors: Sergei Nikolaevich Maximovsky, Grigory Avramovich Radutsky
  • Patent number: 6330858
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing a smooth scrolling function in a map display tool used with a navigation system and a map database. The system includes a map processing layer in the map display tool having a multi-tasking abstraction layer and a synchronization object for allowing portability between different platforms. The method includes the steps of updating a display from a first graphics buffer while executing a look-ahead process in the background and filling a second graphics buffer with map information on a predicted future position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Navigation Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William McDonough, Srinivasa Rao, Ashutosh Srivastava
  • Patent number: 6330859
    Abstract: A dampener activation apparatus is disclosed for engaging and disengaging a dampener with a plate cylinder of a printing press and for engaging and disengaging a drive gear with a roller in the dampener. The drive gear is driven to rotate about a shaft supporting the roller by a press drive train. The drive gear is also axially moveable on the shaft to engage and disengage the form roller. A first actuator is mounted to a dampener side frame and configured to translate the drive gear on the shaft to engage and disengage the form roller. A second actuator is attached to the printing press and configured to engage and disengage the dampener with the plate cylinder. A compressed air supply is in fluid communication with and configured to control the first and second actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Varn Products Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Jakobsen, Carlito Crespo, Thomas Hayes
  • Patent number: 6330860
    Abstract: A rock blasting method is provided in which a series of aligned boreholes are charged with explosives and air tubes in a predetermined pattern. The air tube is a cylindrical flexible tube having a predetermined width and length to be fitted with the borehole. In one preferred form, each borehole is charged with the explosives and detonator with one air tube installed above the explosives. Stemming materials are installed above the air tube. For example, in a 45-millimeter diameter and 2.5-meter long borehole, the length of explosive charging is 0.8 meters, the co-operating charge weight was 0.648 Kg, the total amount of explosive 3.24 Kg, the length of the air tube 1.0 meter, the diameter of air tube 40 millimeters, and the length of stemming 0.7 meters. The explosives and air tube may be alternately charged along the borehole. The use of air tubes, charged above at least one explosive layer allows a quantitative air decking in every blasthole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Dae Woo Kang
  • Patent number: 6330861
    Abstract: A height safety system includes an elongate semi-rigid element (310) suspended from its end under tension between a pair of fixed anchors and is supported by intermediate guides (331). Shuttle means (360) are installed on the element (310) and are adapted for movement therealong between the fixed anchors. The shuttle means (360) are provided with attachment devices (365) for receiving a suspended load or a personnel safety line. The intermediate guides (331) are designed to grip the element (310) with a predetermined clamping force that allows limited slippage of the element (310) therethrough in response to an applied tensile load exceeding the clamping force. Slippage no longer occurs when the tensile load equals the predetermined clamping force. In this way, the tensile load is partially transferred to an adjacent span of the element (310).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Latchways PLC
    Inventor: Peter Robert Flux
  • Patent number: 6330862
    Abstract: An improvement in dead lever lugs for mounting on cast metal bolsters for railway trucks is disclosed. The bolster has two side walls. The side walls have angled portions that meet in radii along the junctures of the angled portions. The dead lever lug has two arms joined by a bridge section. Each of the arms has a mounting surface that is shaped to mate with the shape of one of the angled surfaces of the bolster. The mounting surfaces of the dead lever lug arms are separated by a gap. When the dead lever lug is mounted on the bolster, the dead lever lug straddles the juncture of the angled portions of the side wall. One mounting surface of each arm is positioned against one of the angled portions of the side wall and the gap overlies the juncture of the two angled portions of the side wall. With the dead lever lug of the present invention, no flat raised mounting area is needed on the side wall of the bolster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Citicorp USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Callahan, Anthony J. Bauer, Charles Moehling, Ronald R. Evers, Brian A. Toussaint
  • Patent number: 6330863
    Abstract: A railcar includes a pair of car tubs on opposite sides of a center sill. Each car tub includes a cross-section to increase carrying capacity. Each car tub includes a longitudinal semi-circular floor plate formed by a cold-formed process. Additionally, each car plate includes a one-piece composite tub closure at each end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: JAC Patent Company
    Inventors: Todd L. Lydic, William E. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6330864
    Abstract: A sewing machine includes a frame for supporting a fabric to be sewn and a drive device for moving the frame. The drive device includes an X-drive mechanism for moving the frame in X-direction and a Y-drive mechanism for moving the frame in Y-direction that is perpendicular to the X-direction. Each of the X-drive mechanism and the Y-drive mechanism preferably includes a linear motor as a drive source. A machine table is positioned below the frame. The linear motor of each of the X-drive mechanism and the Y-drive mechanism is disposed below the machine table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ikuo Tajima
  • Patent number: 6330865
    Abstract: A novel barge structure for transporting fresh water from one marine environment location to another is described having critical parameters. The barge is constructed of flexible material and preferably is filled to less than 50 percent of its capacity, typically greater than about 25,000 tonnes, so as to float with flat upper and lower surfaces and to have a relatively shallow depth as compared with its length and width. The flexible nature of the structure enables waves to be accommodated without significant stresses which otherwise would require the use of high strength materials. A system of heavy straps acts to prevent propagating rips and to distribute the concentrated tow force over the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Dalton Holdings Limited
    Inventor: James A. Cran
  • Patent number: 6330866
    Abstract: A missile support and alignment assembly for use on a moving vehicle having a fixed missile launch tube mounted thereon. The assembly comprises a missile support assembly including (i) a loading tray for supporting a missile, (ii) a storage structure for supporting the loading tray, and (iii) mounts resiliently connecting the storage structure to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Cipolla
  • Patent number: 6330867
    Abstract: A feeding device (1) is intended for use for feeding piglets. The feeding device comprises a pivotally pipe (2) mounted on a frame in a position below a hopper (10). A control bar (15) extends through the hopper (10) and the pipe (2) and is fastened to the lower end of the pipe by means of a fitting (25). The control bar (15) is made of an elastically flexible material and may be displaced in a slide bushing (16) in order to adjust the elastic flexibility by adjusting the length of the free section (33) of the bar (15). The pipe (2) may thus be deflected when animals push to the lower end in order to eat fodder on a fodder plate (4). Subsequent to a deflection the pipe will take its neutral starting position. By suitable dimensioning of the bar (15) an elastic flexibility is achieved in an easy and simple way, whereby the feeding device may be adjusted to animals of different sizes and especially to piglets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Egebjerg Maskinfabrik A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6330869
    Abstract: A controller for an internal combustion engine has a hydraulic valve characteristic changing mechanism for changing valve operating characteristics of suction and exhaust valves; a valve system provided with a hydraulic valve phase variable mechanism that changes the phase; a map that stores a fuel injection quantity and an ignition timing in response to the valve operating characteristics; and delay time setting means for setting a delay time required to complete changeover of the valve operating characteristics, based on operating oil properties detected from behavior of a valve phase variable mechanism, to change the map after the delay time has elapsed. Thus, a valve operating characteristic changing timing coincides with a map changing timing to thereby achieve an improved performance of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Yoshiki, Keiji Tsujii
  • Patent number: 6330870
    Abstract: A variable valve timing adjuster with an intermediate lock mechanism learns a lock position and a lock release control. During a lock control, a learning of the lock position from a real camshaft phase is repeated to update the learned value, and the learning is ended when it is judged that the learned values have converged. At this time, when the learned values of the lock position do not converge even if the number of learning of the lock position exceeds a predetermined value, an insufficient lock state is judged, and the learned value of the lock position is set to an initial value or the learned value at the previous lock control thereby to make a lock release control. During the lock release control, on the other hand, the control (or the lock release control) of a hydraulic control valve is learned. When the lock cannot be released during the lock release control, the lock release control (or the learned value) is corrected in a direction to facilitate the lock release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masaomi Inoue, Osamu Sato, Michio Adachi
  • Patent number: 6330871
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cylinder head-integrated cylinder block in which assembly is easy and a thickness of an aluminum member is not increased even if an integral cylinder head is molded by using the aluminum member and which is lightweight and has strength at a high temperature and a process for manufacturing the cylinder head-integrated cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasunobu Jufuku, Makoto Ueno, Akihiko Hirooka, Yasuo Imai, Tatsumi Furukubo
  • Patent number: 6330872
    Abstract: A unitary cylinder head casting for an engine includes a plurality of valve guide bore casting portions, each valve guide bore casting portion defining a valve guide bore and a plurality of head bolt bore casting portions, each head bolt bore casting portion defining a head bolt bore. The cylinder head casting is constructed and arranged such that there is at least one head bolt bore corresponding to each valve guide bore. The cylinder head casting also defines an upper water jacket and a lower water jacket. In order to eliminate fillets in the area of the upper water jacket which represent likely locations for fatigue cracks to initiate, gusset ribs are included as part of the cylinder head casting. There is at least one gusset rib extending between at least one combination of one head bolt bore casting portion and its corresponding valve guide bore casting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay F. Leonard, John S. Foy
  • Patent number: 6330873
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock, S. Miller Weisman, II
  • Patent number: 6330874
    Abstract: The total ignition angle ZW(z) of each cylinder z is composed of cylinder-selective values basic ignition angle GZ(z) {determined by engine speed n and load L}, knock adjustment angle KNK(z), in addition to a first adaptation value AD1(z) and a second adaptation value AD2 common to all cylinders. AD1(z) is increased when KNK(z) is greater than a threshold DEC and is reduced when KNK(z) is lower than a threshold INC. The second adaptation value AD2 is formed as a function of the average value {overscore (AD1+L )} of the adaptation values of all cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wojciech Cianciara, Gerhard Fischer, Thomas Haug
  • Patent number: 6330875
    Abstract: An engine system comprises a hydraulically actuated fuel injection system and an ABS circuit connected via a fluid flow passage that provides hydraulic fluid to both the fuel injection system and to the ABS circuit. The hydraulically actuated system includes a high pressure pump. The fluid control passage is in fluid communication with an outlet from the high pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley E. Bartley, James R. Blass, Dennis H. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6330876
    Abstract: A high-pressure injection system including a high-pressure pump having a plunger cylinder, a port element arranged on an outlet side of the plunger cylinder and having an outlet port, a first end face and a second end face, and a high-pressure line element arranged on the outlet side of the port element. The plunger cylinder has a delivery chamber. The port element is flow-connected to the delivery chamber and an outlet valve. The first end face of the port element faces the plunger cylinder. The high-pressure line element comprises a common rail with a high-pressure sealing surface. The common rail bears against the second end face of the port element. The port element is clamped between the plunger cylinder and the common rail. The first and second end faces of the port element each comprise a high-pressure sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: CRT Common Rail Technologies AG
    Inventors: Fritz Spinnler, Claudio Zanetti
  • Patent number: 6330877
    Abstract: An arrangement and a method for calibration or monitoring a combustion process in a combustion engine, wherein an injection device injects fuel into a combustion chamber of the combustion engine. A noise-detecting sensor at the engine detects a parameter which derives from the noise generated during the combustion process. A control unit receives signal values representing the parameter from the sensors and receives information on the rotation position of a crankshaft in the combustion engine. The control unit determines the crankshaft position when the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber. Thereafter the injection device can be calibrated. Detecting the noise from combustion also makes it possible to assess whether combustion takes place at the intended time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Scania CV Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Mikael Nordin
  • Patent number: 6330878
    Abstract: A module (22) for an on-board evaporative emission leak detection system that detects leakage from an evaporative emission space of a fuel system of an automotive vehicle. The module has a housing (50) that includes a first port (52) for communicating the housing to the evaporative emission space and a second port (86) for communicating the housing to atmosphere. The housing contains a particulate filter (84) through which the second port communicates with two parallel flow branches that extend within the housing to the first port. One branch contains a vacuum regulator valve (90), and the other, a solenoid-operated vent valve (88). During a leak detection test, the vent valve is operated closed, and a purge valve (20), that selectively communicates the evaporative emission space with the engine intake manifold, is operated open to cause vacuum to be drawn in the evaporative emission space. The vacuum regulator valve regulates evaporative emission space vacuum to a defined vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: Paul D. Perry, Ray Rasokas
  • Patent number: 6330879
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an evaporative emission control system which can prevent changes in fuel component in the fuel tank and vacuum boiling in the fuel pump to thereby accurately control the air-fuel ratio to a desired value and ensure smooth supply of the fuel. The control system includes an evaporative fuel passage for connecting a fuel tank and an intake system of an internal combustion engine, and a control valve is provided in the evaporative fuel passage for opening and closing the evaporative fuel passage. It is determined whether or not a pressure in the tank is higher than or equal to a pressure value obtained by adding a pressure in the intake system. If the pressure in the tank is higher than or equal to the pressure value, the opening operation of the control valve is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kitamura, Norio Suzuki, Naohiro Kurokawa, Tetsuya Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 6330880
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system capable of regulating the degree of valve opening with high accuracy in order to properly recirculate exhaust gas to the combustion chamber (1a) of a four-cycle engine (1) for automobiles even in the case of the diesel turbo-type car which usually generates high temperature and pressure exhaust gas. In the exhaust gas recirculation system disclosed herein, two closure valves (19, 20) are provided on the movable shaft (23) so that exhaust gas can flow into a movable space (10a) through openings formed by the movement of the two closure valves (19, 20) in their movable range. The pressure effecting on the two closure valves (19, 20) is canceled out and the movement of the movable shaft (23) is not prevented by high pressure of the exhaust gas. Therefore, even in the case of high temperature and pressure exhaust gas of the diesel turbo-type car or like vehicles, the movable shaft can be driven accurately with a relatively small power stepping motor (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Okada, Toshihiko Miyake, Sotsuo Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 6330881
    Abstract: A unique low profile archery bow quiver is disclosed wherein a cable guard removably grips a plurality of arrows along their shafts, the heads of the arrows are removably gripped by an arrow head receiver, and the arrows are stored in the quiver in a plane which crosses the longitudinal arrow launching plane of the bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Pippard
  • Patent number: 6330882
    Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating air from the body cavity of the patient during a collapsed lung condition which includes, an air delivery tube portion which is inserted through the skin and into the wall of the body cavity, the air delivery tube portion of the apparatus include a body portion, a first upper threaded end, and a bore extending through the body portion to accommodate air flow through the air delivery tube; there is also provided a trocar member, including a body portion insertable through the bore of the air delivery tube, with a pointed end partially protruding out of the second lower end of the tube for piercing the body cavity wall during insertion of a portion of the air delivery tube into the body cavity; an extender portion engageable to the first upper end of the air conveying tube after the tube has been inserted into the body cavity and the trocar member has been removed from the air delivery tube, for providing a point of delivering air flow through the air delivery tube from the body cavi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald French
  • Patent number: 6330883
    Abstract: A heat and moisture exchanger including a gas-permeable element, preferably a fibrous media, adapted to be warmed and to trap moisture from a patient's breath during exhalation and to be cooled and to release the trapped moisture for return to the patient during inspiration to effectively conserve the humidity and body heat of the patient's respiratory tract, wherein the media comprises a hydrophilic nylon polymer. The gas-permeable element can be formed entirely of monocomponent fibers of the hydrophilic nylon polymer or, preferably, fibers comprising at least a sheath of the hydrophilic nylon polymer can be bonded at their points of contact by a bonding agent, such as a polyester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Filtrona Richmond, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Berger
  • Patent number: 6330884
    Abstract: A plastically deformable stent for implantation within a body passage includes a plurality of cylindrical segments, and a plurality of connectors extending between adjacent segments. Each segment has an alternating pattern of curvilinear elements extending about its circumference, including first and second sets of curvilinear elements having different resistances to expansion, and preferably defining “U” shapes with alternating lengths that are connected to one another to define a substantially sinusoidal pattern. The connectors define a sinusoidal shape adapted to extend and compress axially substantially evenly when the adjacent segments are subjected to bending. The stent may be delivered on a device including an elongate member with a nose cone, an expandable member, and a proximal shoulder thereon, and an outer sheath for slidably receiving the elongate member therein. The outer sheath and/or nose cone may have perfusion holes for allowing continued perfusion of fluid during stent delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Transvascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Kim
  • Patent number: 6330885
    Abstract: An implant device which includes a structure implantable within a living animal and a sensor included as part of the structure. The sensor is operatively configured to detect accretion of biological material on the sensor by producing an output which varies as a function of the accretion of biological material on the sensor. A communication element is further included as part of the structure and is operatively coupled to the output of the sensor. The communication element is configured to communicate information based on the output of the sensor wirelessly to a remote element located outside the living animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: PMD Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Eric M. Weissman, William B. Spillman, Jr., Elmer D. Dickens, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6330886
    Abstract: A collapsible wind-resistant umbrella including an elongated main support pole and an umbrella top. The umbrella top includes a tubular secondary pole slidably translatable over the main support pole, a hub connected at an upper end thereof to the secondary pole and supportively engaged against a support member on the main support pole whereby the secondary pole and hub are supported on the upright main support pole. A plurality of vanes, each being wider at the outer end thereof, are pivotally connected in evenly spaced relation at a central or inner end thereof to and around substantially the entire hub periphery. A vane carrier is mounted for sliding translation over the secondary pole and a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid vane support rods are pivotally connected at one end thereof in evenly spaced relation to and around substantially the entire said vane carrier periphery. The end of each said vane support rod is pivotally connected to a mid point of one longitudinal edge of each corresponding vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Aerovane Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip H. Culver
  • Patent number: 6330887
    Abstract: An improved structure of the main shaft of a large size umbrella comprising an umbrella structure and an eccentric engaging element, characterized in that the umbrella structure includes an umbrella body, the main shaft an inner shaft and the eccentric engaging element includes an eccentric rotating gear cover and an eccentric shaft, and the eccentric rotating shaft is mounted within an eccentric slot of the eccentric shaft and is disposed at an eccentric post, which provides restriction and rotatably mounting function, a tolerance slot is provided at the eccentric rotating gear cover, and the edge of the eccentric rotating gear slot is threaded and the bottom section thereof is provided with an arch-shaped notch, which is corresponding to a protruded blocking section located at the bottom edge of the eccentric shaft, and the eccentric engaging element is mounted at the head end of the inner shaft and the inner shaft is located within the hollow body of the main shaft, a rolling slot is provided at the lower
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Chuan Tsai Chen
  • Patent number: 6330888
    Abstract: A visual stimulation cane or walking stick assists a Parkinson's Disease patient in overcoming a sudden immobility or freezing episode. The cane carries a visual indicator, which can be a plastic strip or leg, and which can be extended when needed to provide visual stimulation to initiate stepping. An actuator mechanism can include a plunger at the base of the cane, and a pivot member on which the indicator leg is carried. A lock/unlock knob allows the cane either to be used as a normal walking cane without visual stimulation, or to be used to overcome a freezing episode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventors: Dimitrios Aravantinos, Katina Aravantinos, Harold R. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6330889
    Abstract: A compact shade for the face of a sunbather or someone lying in the sun. The shade allows the circulation of air to flow about the sunbathers face, neck and head while tanning the rest of their body. The shade folds and can be used as a carrying case for personal goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Inventor: Kym J. Overton
  • Patent number: 6330890
    Abstract: A nipple (1) is connectable or connected to a system (2) of pressurizable fluid (16). The first rapid-coupling part operates with a dual function in which, in a first function, the first rapid-coupling part can be coupled together with a second rapid-coupling part and in the coupling position of the parts fluid can be drained off to a first apparatus receiving the drained-off fluid and, in a second function, the first rapid-coupling part receives a probe-shaped unit, which is insertable in the first rapid-coupling part, for draining off the fluid to a quality-detecting apparatus or container apparatus; connected to the probe-shaped unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Dart Engineering AG
    Inventor: Thure Ekman
  • Patent number: 6330891
    Abstract: In a double-damper apparatus 1 including a driving portion (2), two frame portions (3 and 4) arranged on both sides of the driving portion, and two open/close members (5 and 6) which are coupled with the driving portion (2) and perform the operation of opening/closing the openings (31 and 41) formed in the frame portions respectively by the driving force of the driving portion, a steps(s) &bgr; is formed between the flat portions (37b and 47b) of the two frame portions (3 and 4). A labyrinth structure is formed between both flat portions (37b and 47b) to prevent leakage of fluid between both fluid channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Seiichiro Noritake
  • Patent number: 6330892
    Abstract: A belt is provided in which no deviation of pattern is generated in the warp yarn and weft yarn despite its low weft yarn density and flexibility, provides stability in attaching various elements and fits to an object. The belt is woven with warp yarn and weft yarn, wherein said belt is sectioned to an element attaching region and a tape proper region in a width direction. In the tape proper region, a loop is formed with weft yarns running throughout substantially an entire width of the belt and that loop is caught with a loop formed by other weft yarns arranged in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Muchiji Shimono