Patents Issued in January 15, 2002
  • Patent number: 6338350
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a portable device for cleaning eyeglasses 16. A transparent enclosure 14 is provided having an upper chamber 18 for cleaning the eyeglasses, a lower left chamber 30 which may be removable for containing the cleaning solution 31 and a lower right chamber housing a pump 36 which is powered by batteries 56 and controlled by a microprocessor 58. The pump 36 circulates cleaning solution 31 through a plurality of apertures 60 in the floor 62 of the upper chamber which creates a spray 64 on the eyeglasses 16. A fan 72 with heating coil 74 then circulates warm air over the eyeglasses 16 in order to dry them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Ewen
  • Patent number: 6338351
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a household dishwasher, said dishwasher being equipped with a program selection device and a combined device for adding a detergent and a clear rinse agent to the washing area. The aim of the invention is to improve the cleaning effect. To this end, the clear rinse agent is added not only once during the last wash cycle, but on several occasions at various times during the wash program. Each of these processes is characterized by an adjustable number of equal quantities or a non-adjustable number of variable quantities of a clear rinse agent. A metering device for carrying out the inventive method comprises a reservoir, a temporary storage unit and a metering chamber. Both the temporary storage unit and the metering chamber can be configured with an adjustable volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Aweco Appliance Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Harald Schrott
  • Patent number: 6338352
    Abstract: A handle is provided on the interior side of a dishwasher door so as to facilitate the raising of the door from a low opened position. The handle is pivotally mounted within the door so as to move between an upstanding position when the door is open to a flush position when the door is closed. A counter weight is provided in the handle so the handle automatically rises to the upstanding position when the dishwasher door is moved from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Raches, Robert A. Elick, Cory D Howe
  • Patent number: 6338353
    Abstract: A four-segment foldable umbrella comprises a shank, a rib assembly, an opening spring, a closing spring, a control mechanism, and a plurality of gores. The shank further comprises a top fulcrum, an outer pipe, a second middle pipe, a first middle pipe, an inner pipe, a handgrip. a long plastic pipe, and an outer pipe plug. The rib assembly consists of a plurality of top stretchers, lower ribs, inner connection ribs, middle ribs, inner resilient ribs, small slide sockets, outer resilient ribs, outer connection ribs, tail ribs, and a runner. An upper end or a lower end of the opening spring sustains a lower end of the outer pipe plug or props a long controller at its upper end respectively. The long controller, the inner pipe, and a main body sheathing the long plastic pipe are fixed by nailing the main body to the opening spring. Besides, the closing spring is disposed on the rib assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ming Ho Umbrella Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tien-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 6338354
    Abstract: An orthopedic walker having a rear crossbar which is pivotally mounted to two side frames allowing for sequential movement of one side frame forward relative to the other to facilitate walking. A pair of wrist guards are positioned at the top of each frame and the frames provide a smooth transitioning of a number of handholds to aid in standing from a seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Larry Rush Alexander
  • Patent number: 6338355
    Abstract: A safety brake type rollator which is normally in detained state, but it starts to advance when releasing grips installed on both handle bars are gripped, is disclosed. The elaborate utilization of lever principle associated with power transmission between two ratchet wheels realizes innovative effect of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Merits Health Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Larry M. Cheng
  • Patent number: 6338356
    Abstract: A portable tent having an interior, mesh-like netting portion, and an outer, waterproof canvas covering which may double as a poncho. The tent requires no assembly components other than stakes to affix the bottom of the tent to the ground and a top securing plate which is removably secured to a support object such as a tree limb. The top metal plate has a plurality of fastening rings on its upper and lower sides and is tied to the object situated substantially above the place where the tent is to be erected. A unique flexible support ring is woven into the fabric of the interior netting portion to support the sides of the tent structure. An object such as a cellular telephone or a flashlight may be suspended from an interior suspension ring situated on the bottom side of the plate via twine or string to allow the occupant to conveniently protect valuable or electronic accessories or to provide hands-free illumination from above during tent assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Dalaimour Wallenstatter
  • Patent number: 6338357
    Abstract: A fluid catch device is adapted to prevent spills when used during removal of a drain plug located in an area of limited access. The fluid catch device is particularly well-suited for use on motorcycles or other vehicles wherein access to an engine fluid drain plug is limited by a glide plate or other obstruction. The fluid catch device comprises an elongated fluid receptacle, a fluid port, and a tool tube. The fluid receptacle has an open end and an opposite end. The fluid port is in fluid communication with the fluid receptacle and is adapted to drain fluid from the fluid receptacle. The tool tube extends at least from the opposite end of the fluid receptacle toward the open end of the fluid receptacle. The tool tube has a proximal end that opens outside of the opposite end of the fluid receptacle and a distal end directed toward the open end of the fluid receptacle. The tool tube is adapted to receive a drain plug loosening tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Frank E. Zevgolis
  • Patent number: 6338358
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure control apparatus comprising an air-supplying solenoid-operated valve and an air-discharging solenoid-operated valve which are composed of normally closed type solenoid-operated valves respectively, a power source-monitoring circuit for detecting whether or not a power supply source is dropped to be lower than a predetermined value, a power source-compensating circuit for delaying drop of a solenoid-operated valve-driving power source for driving the air-discharging solenoid-operated valve when the power supply source is dropped, and a control circuit for deriving an OFF signal to the air-supplying solenoid-operated valve and deriving an ON signal to the air-discharging solenoid-operated valve when the power supply source is dropped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadao Watanabe, Atsushi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6338359
    Abstract: A probe structure for inserting into and operating upon an object within a pipeline, especially a high pressure pipeline carrying liquid or gas, is characterized by two coaxial cylinders that can be either pneumatically or hydraulically actuated. A primary cylinder is adapted to be mounted onto a pipeline tee and/or valve, and includes a movable primary piston to which is fixedly attached a primary lower hollow shaft that moves with the primary piston and preferably a primary upper hollow shaft that also moves with the primary piston. The primary lower hollow shaft is adapted to selectively extend into the pipeline while the primary upper hollow shaft extends above the primary cylinder and is fixed to a secondary cylinder, such that the secondary cylinder moves with the primary piston. The secondary piston includes a secondary piston that moves independently of the first and second cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Welker Engineering Company
    Inventor: Brian H. Welker
  • Patent number: 6338360
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ames True Temper Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Spear, Steven F. Brooker
  • Patent number: 6338361
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flow-control apparatus with a check function for controlling the flow resistance of a photoresist solution. The apparatus is connected to a photoresist supply device, the photoresist supply device comprising a tank for storing the photoresist solution, a pipe partially submerged in the photoresist solution in the tank to transport the photoresist solution, and a pump for drawing the photoresist solution from the tank. The apparatus comprises a housing and a sphere. The housing comprises a chamber, a top opening positioned at the top of the chamber, and a bottom opening positioned at the bottom of the chamber, wherein the top opening can be mated to an end of the pipe or to a bottom opening of another apparatus. The sphere is moveably set inside the chamber of the housing and increases the flow resistance of the photoresist solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chung-Hsien Kao, Ying-Ming Cheng, Li-Chung Lee, Chia-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 6338362
    Abstract: A positive sealing inlet (PSI) valve assembly is provided for an automotive fuel tank fill tube. The PSI valve assembly includes a tubular housing having an interior and an exterior and this housing is fluidly mounted in series with the fuel tank fill tube. The housing includes a wall extending across the interior of the housing adjacent one end and this wall includes a through opening. A flapper valve is movable between an open and a closed position. In its closed position, the flapper valve overlies and closes the wall opening. Conversely, in its open position, the flapper valve is positioned away from the wall opening to permit nozzle insertion through the wall opening. The PSI valve is pivotally connected to a valve holder and this valve holder is mounted entirely within the interior of the housing. A spring is operatively disposed between the valve holder and flapper valve and urges the vent valve towards its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Pilot Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David John Gabbey, Daniel Paul Cunkle
  • Patent number: 6338363
    Abstract: An energy attenuation device for a conduit conveying a liquid under pressure, a system incorporating same, and a method for attenuating energy in a conduit, are provided. The device includes a conduit, a restrictor disposed in the conduit and dividing the interior thereof into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, and a first tube disposed in one of the chambers, wherein an annular space is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the conduit and an outer peripheral surface of the tube. One end of the tube is connected to and in fluid communication with the restrictor or with the inlet or outlet end of the one chamber, and the other, free end of the tube is spaced by an open gap from the inlet or the outlet end of the one chamber or from the restrictor. The tube has at least one aperture in the free end and/or on the peripheral surface thereof for providing fluid communication between the tube and the one chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yungrwei Chen, Jack R. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6338364
    Abstract: The invention is a round, flexible, hollow tubular insert to be affixed in a central position within pressurized sprinkler pipes, water pipes and water mains. The insert will be employed to prevent sprinkler pipe, water pipe and water main ruptures due to the water within the sprinkler pipe, water pipe or water main freezing. The insert is constructed of a thin-walled, flexible material that is capable of being deformed (e.g. compressed), thereby absorbing the expansion pressures exerted by the water in a frozen state (i.e., ice). The insert is constructed with guides to maintain a position in the center of sprinkler pipes, water pipes and water mains to absorb the radial freezing of water. By such absorption, the outer sprinkler pipe, water pipe or water main itself will not be over-pressurized, thereby avoiding the possibility of a rupture. Upon the thawing of the frozen water, the flexible, hollow, tubular insert will return to its original shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Burke H. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 6338365
    Abstract: A flexible piping structure has in combination, from the axis of the pipe towards the exterior, a cylindrical, metal inner sealing tube, a layer resistance to internal and external pressures and a sealing sheath made from extruded plastics material. In one embodiment, an intermediate layer of plastics material is arranged between the tube and the pressure-resistant layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Pierre Odru
  • Patent number: 6338366
    Abstract: A pipe insulation and fire retardant composition and method for coating the inside and/or outside surfaces of a thin flexible metal, fiberglass or plastic jacket, and measured in fractions of an inch, for pipes and pipe fixtures carrying hot fluids, to markedly reduce the loss of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: David R. Williams
  • Patent number: 6338367
    Abstract: A woven 3D fabric material comprises multilayer axial warp yarns and two orthogonal sets of weft which interlace with the rows and the columns of the warp respectively to provide integrity to the fabric which may additionally incorporate between the rows and the columns of the interlacing warp sets of non-interlacing multi-directionally orientated yarns in the fabric-length, -width, -thickness, and two diagonal directions respectively to improve the fabric's mechanical properties. The interlacing of the multilayer warp and the two orthogonal sets of weft is enabled by a dual-directional shedding means which forms sheds in the row-wise and the column wise directions of the multilayer warp. The produced woven 3D fabric material which may be cut into any desired shape without the risk of splitting up, may be wholly or in parts in technical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Biteam AB
    Inventor: Nandan Khokar
  • Patent number: 6338368
    Abstract: A gravity refilling system for adding water to wet cell batteries. The system is for one or more batteries and utilizes apparatus mounted to the underside of a golf car seat. The apparatus includes a reservoir tank, a valve assembly, a disconnect assembly and cell plugs that will automatically prevent overfilling of battery cells. The valve assembly has mechanism for individually controlling a plurality of refilling operations. The system does not require the operator to have any physical contact with the batteries as they can be acidic and potentially hazardous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Donald S. Hassell
  • Patent number: 6338369
    Abstract: A fuel dispenser system having a storage tank and a fuel delivery hose extending from the storage tank and terminating at a nozzle. A vapor recovery line extends between the nozzle and the storage tank. The vapor recovery line extends between the nozzle and the storage tank and has a section with a first larger diameter and a second section having a smaller diameter. A vapor pump is operatively connected to the vapor recovery line for moving vapor along said vapor recovery line. A chamber is positioned along the vapor recovery line and includes inlet and outlet ports, and a main sensor chamber. The inlet port connects to the vapor recovery line at a point having the larger diameter. The outlet port connects a point of the smaller diameter. Each of the ports connects to the main sensor chamber where a sensor is positioned for determining the vapor concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Marconi Commerce Systems Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Shermer, Edward A. Payne, Seifollah S. Nanaji
  • Patent number: 6338370
    Abstract: A fill valve assembly for use in association with a filler device. The fill valve assembly generally includes: an outer housing; a product dispensing member; a displaceable piston; and mechanisms for controllably displacing the piston to a clean-in-place position. The product dispensing member is associated with the outer housing and includes a channel having a sealing member retained therein. The displaceable piston is positioned within at least a portion of the outer housing and the product dispensing member. When the piston is in the clean-in-place position, the seal member retained within the channel of the product dispensing member is exposed which facilitates cleaning thereabout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignees: Fogg Filler Company, Scholle Corporation
    Inventors: Simon P. Edwards, Michael R. Resterhouse, Randall L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6338371
    Abstract: A filling apparatus of irregular—formed vessels having an intermittent swinging table (111) disposed above a continuous rotation table (5) and having a plurality of filling nozzles (121) at a same pitch as the vessel holding pitch, filling means for pushing out the liquid from the filling nozzles (121), vertical moving means for vertically moving the filling nozzles (121), a continuously rotating outside hollow shaft (119) to which the continuous rotation table (5) is mounted, a hollow shaft (116) disposed concentrically with the outside hollow shaft (119) for reciprocally rotating the intermittent swinging table (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yozo Araki, Kenji Mizukawa, Koichi Jinno
  • Patent number: 6338372
    Abstract: A flap valve for the filling pipe of a motor vehicle fuel tank, comprising a pipe section (3) that projects at a slant into the tank, a valve flap (2) that is positioned so as to rotate therein and has two pivoting arms (33), which project on the side from the pipe section, as well as a floater (1) that is guided axially on the outside peripheral surface of the pipe section. The pivoting arms (33) are hinged with their free ends to this floater. In the fully assembled state, the lower front of the floater (1) has an essentially horizontally extending plane, namely a frontal plane (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Alfmeier Präzision AG Baugruppen und Systemlösungen
    Inventor: Aziz Aksal
  • Patent number: 6338373
    Abstract: A traction assist device (16) adapted for girdling a motor vehicle tire (10) is fabricated as a nominally flat polymeric part that can assume a circular shape for fitting onto the tire. The part has a pair of side bars (18, 20) that are nominally straight, but assume circular shapes for fitting against opposite side walls (14) of the tire. A number of transverse bars (22) integrally joining with the side bars extend between the side bars at intervals along the length of the side bars. Each transverse bar is nominally straight, but wraps over the tire tread (12) when the device is installed. Respective ends (32, 34) of the side bars cooperatively form a respective connector (36) for connecting the respective ends together using interlocking serrated zones (40, 54). One zone (54) is on a pawl (54) that can be released to allow the ends to be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Alan David Brunning
  • Patent number: 6338374
    Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire (50) having a tread (52), a carcass (60) with two sidewalls (77, 78), one or more radial plies (70, 72), two annular beads (36a′, 36b′), a belt structure (56) located radially between the tread and the radial ply structure (58), a fabric underlay (54), deployed radially inward of the belt structure, and a tread insert (66) deployed between the belt structure and the fabric underlay. Said underlay (66) contains circumferentially aligned high-modulus fibers or cords (88) which, in combination with metal belt structure (56) and the tread insert (66), contribute to circumferential tread rigidity. Insert (66), in conjunction with the belt structure (56) and the radial ply structure (58), contributes to lateral tread rigidity. The circumferential and lateral stiffening of the tread (52) enhances high-speed runflat handling and contributes to improved runflat operational life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Gia Van Nguyen, Roland Close, Samuel Patrick Landers
  • Patent number: 6338375
    Abstract: A tool for tightening and melt-adhering a strap, which is light in weight, can be operated by one hand, performs a series of operations, i.e., tightening, pressurizing and frictionally melt-adhering the strap by utilizing power (fluid pressure) instead of manual operation, and which enables the time for frictional melt-adhesion to be adjusted over a wide range and highly precisely with ease, enabling the worker to continue the operation maintaining high efficiency with less fatigue. The tool for tightening and melt-adhering the strap comprises a means for pressing a tightening roller which includes a reversible motor, a means for pressing a vibrator for friction, and a timing mechanism capable of adjusting the time for driving the vibrator over a wide range and finely, which are compactly arranged as a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kohan Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Harada
  • Patent number: 6338376
    Abstract: A device for the transverse welding of plastic webs to produce bags and the like has a welding beam with a rounded edge turned toward the web juxtaposed with a welding roller which can have a plurality of rings mounted thereon to advance the weld seam length or transverse the welding width the rings can be coated with polytetrafluoroethylene and adjustment of the device to greater or reduced welding widths is accomplished by adding or subtracting the rings which are contiguous with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Lemo Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Meyer
  • Patent number: 6338377
    Abstract: A skylight assembly with head rail-mounted actuator includes a head rail having a shaft rotatably disposed therein. A battery-powered actuator is also disposed within the head rail and coupled to the shaft. The actuator is remotely operable to cause the shaft to rotate. As the shaft rotates, a collapsible shade connected to the shaft moves between an open configuration, wherein the shade is collapsed to allow sunlight to propagated through the skylight, and a closed configuration, wherein the shade is extended to cover the skylight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Harmonic Design, Incorporated
    Inventor: Douglas R. Domel
  • Patent number: 6338378
    Abstract: A braking device for a window screening arrangement includes at least one braking member (11, 12) mounted on the cords (4, 5) of the parallel guidance system. The braking members (11, 12) may be designed as hollow symmetrical bodies having a cylindrical outer shape and engage with the bar (3) at the free end of the free end of the screening body (2) of the screening arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: VKR Holdings A/S
    Inventor: Ove Kold
  • Patent number: 6338379
    Abstract: An improved sliding chain-type ingot mold for a continuous casting plant, including two pairs of chains arranged in a closed ring system and configured to rotate in opposite directions, each pair including at least one of molding elements and shell-type elements which forms a closed mold, the two pairs of chains being arranged to wind up on respective sprockets, one pair having a first set of the at least one of molding elements and shell-type elements configured to interlock with a second set of the at least one of molding elements and shell-type elements on the other pair to form a cavity for receiving a molten material, external pressurizing rollers configured to act on the first and second sets of the plurality of at least one of molding elements and shell-type elements to detach and approach with each other, and fixed contrasting elements fixedly positioned to counteract the pressurizing rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Techint Compagnia Tecnica Internazionale S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Mantovan, Giuseppe Ferrario
  • Patent number: 6338380
    Abstract: A multiport mold cooling apparatus for eliminating or reducing rhomboid errors and materials cracking defects during the production process. The multiport mold cooling apparatus includes a support base assembly including a housing having side walls, an open top and bottom, and further having holes disposed through the side walls; and also includes a tubular mold support member being removably disposed in the housing and being adapted to removably receive a mold therein; and further includes a plurality of water blocker members being removably disposed in the housing and about the tubular mold support member; and also includes a restriction-free water flow assembly including a plurality of restriction-free water flow members being removably disposed in the housing and about the tubular mold support member; and further includes a water flow control assembly being mounted to the support base assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: James P. O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 6338381
    Abstract: A system for heating or cooling a wellhead, the system including a header in fluid communication via a pipe with a wellhead so that header heat transfer fluid is flowable from the header to the wellhead and back to the header, an earth heat exchange system with earth heat exchange fluid flowable therethrough to provide heat exchange between the earth heat exchange fluid and the earth, and the earth heat exchange fluid flowable in heat exchange relation to heat or cool the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Guy L. McClung, III
  • Patent number: 6338382
    Abstract: In an air conditioner equipped with an air cleaner, a front panel is provided with three air inlets: a first air inlet located on the front face of the front panel, a second air inlet located on the top face thereof, and a third air inlet located therebetween. Each of the first and second air inlets has an opening/closing unit including louvers, and an air cleaner is arranged on the inside of the third air inlet. At the time of cooling/heating operation and at the time of dehumidifying operation, the first and second air inlets are opened and closed by the opening/closing unit, by which the amount of air passing through the air cleaner is changed, thereby utilizing the air cleaner effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Tomomi Takahashi, Shinji Sugiyama, Ritsushi Taira, Shunsuke Nakashima, Makoto Yanagida
  • Patent number: 6338383
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and method of making same includes a plate extending longitudinally. The heat exchanger also includes a plurality of apertures forming a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet extending through the plate. The heat exchanger further includes a mechanism forming a restriction to fluid flow through either one of the fluid inlet or the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramez S. Abdulnour, Kevin Bennett Wise
  • Patent number: 6338384
    Abstract: A downflow reboiler-condenser which can distribute and introduce an evaporating fluid (fluid to be evaporated) uniformly and securely into evaporation passages and which can also achieve simplification of its structure and reduction in the fabrication cost. This reboiler-condenser is provided with a reservoir 36 above a heat exchanger core 34 and with liquid distributors 37 located above evaporation passages 33 respectively. The liquid distributors 37 distribute the evaporating fluid collected in the reservoir 36 into the evaporation passages 33 uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Seiichi Sakaue, Hideyuki Hashimoto, Junichi Ohya
  • Patent number: 6338385
    Abstract: A downhole adjustable choke includes a choke body which is adapted to be lowered into a borehole. The choke body has a bore and an orifice connected to the bore. A sleeve is disposed inside the bore of the choke body. The sleeve has an orifice which is aligned with the orifice in the choke body. An actuator is coupled to move a flow plug inside the sleeve so that the flow area of the orifice in the sleeve is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventor: John Daniel Muchow
  • Patent number: 6338386
    Abstract: Gaseous and liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) are applied to a landfill well to penetrate the landfill under rapid pressurization and depressurization repeated in cycles, with or without leachate or fluid in the well. These cycles can be repeated until the CO2 flows more freely down a lower pressure gradient in the well into the landfill surrounding the well screen, creating fissures in the landfill which allow methane and other gases to enter the well, thereby significantly enhancing methane and other landfill gas recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Subsurface Technologies
    Inventors: Steven Catania, Neil Mansuy
  • Patent number: 6338387
    Abstract: An apparatus for jarring a portion of drill string lodged within a borehole, by jarring downhole using tension only, including a first member for attaching a first lower end of the apparatus to the upper end of the lodged tool or pipe through a threadable attachment; a second member for attaching a second end of the apparatus to a drill string on its upper end portion; a third anvil or hammer member which is triggered by spring having stored compressional force transferred by tension from the drill string to the apparatus when the drill string is pulled upward. There is also provided an actuator for rapidly releasing the tension force provided by the spring downward onto the stuck pipe in order to provide an impacting, downward force onto the pipe in an effort to dislodge the pipe. There is further provided a slow release mechanism for slowly releasing the tension force stored by the spring in the event the tool is not fired downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Downhole Research, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Mouton, William J. Mouton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6338388
    Abstract: A rotating tag bar is positioned below a progressive cavity pump stator for supporting at least a portion of a rod string a rotor. A tubular housing is secured to the stator and is fitted with a rotatable platform. The platform blocks downward stretch of the rotor and then rotatably support the rotor on a thrust bearing. Thereby, rotor-imposed loads on the platform translate into tensile loads directed into the stator, which is suspended from tubing string, lessening the load on the rod string and thereby both reducing the need for extreme accuracy in rotor positioning and reducing rod string and tubing wear. Optionally, a no-turn tool transmits load from the stator into the casing. In operation, the rotor is landed to contact the platform. The rotor is then lifted a distance less than the anticipated stretch so that when in operation, the rotor sets down on the platform and transfers at least a portion of the rod string load into stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Integrated Production Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven T. Winkler
  • Patent number: 6338389
    Abstract: An air outlet regulating mechanism for a pneumatic tool includes a long vertical and a short horizontal air-out passage provided in a handle and a body of the pneumatic tool, respectively, and a regulating valve mounted in the pneumatic valve at a convergence point of the two air-out passages and a body air-out passage typically provided in the pneumatic tool. The regulating valve includes a knob accessible from outside of the pneumatic tool and a long stopper movable between a first and a second position through turning of the knob. The long stopper in the first position fully blocks the vertical air-out passage for air in the pneumatic tool in operation to discharge via the short horizontal air-out passage to increase the torque force of the pneumatic tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: An-Mei Chang
  • Patent number: 6338390
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling subterranean formations with a rotary-type drill bit are disclosed in which oscillation is produced in the drill string, drill bit or cutting element, in an axial and/or torsional direction, to produce formation chips that have both thin portions and thick portions. More specifically, the oscillations cause a cutting element of the drill bit to engage the formation to various degrees, resulting in a chip that has varying thicknesses which facilitate fracture of the chip along its thinner portions, thereby reducing the likelihood of adherence of the formation chips to the drill bit or cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Gordon A. Tibbitts
  • Patent number: 6338391
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine controllably coupled to road wheels of the vehicle by a clutch, and having a turbocharger that is operated only when extra power is needed for a extended time, a traction motor coupled to road wheels of said vehicle, a starting motor coupled to the engine, both motors being operable as generators, a battery bank for providing electrical energy to and accepting energy from said motors, and a microprocessor for controlling these components, is operated in different modes, depending on its instantaneous torque requirements, the state of charge of the battery bank, and other operating parameters. The mode of operation is selected by the microprocessor in response to a control strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Paice Corporation
    Inventors: Alex J. Severinsky, Theodore Louckes
  • Patent number: 6338392
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for controlling a drive unit wherein a quantity, which represents the torque, is limited by a limiting value during the transition from the overrun phase of the drive unit into the traction phase. The limiting value is determined from the slip of at least one drive wheel in the overrun phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6338393
    Abstract: An improved motorized scooter utilizing suspension provided with a large tubular chassis having two central brackets, supporting a rider's platform. The front of the tubular chassis bends upward through a notch in the platform upward above the front wheel to support a steering head tube. The steering head tube supports a fork which holds the front wheel. The rear wheel is contained in a supporting bracket which also holds the engine relative to the rear wheel allowing it to be operatively connected. The central tubular member is pivoted somewhere along its length so that the frame halves can rotate in respect to each other along the pivot point. The long lever arm provided by utilizing the frame as a suspension element allows for greater terrain following characteristics due to the increased leverage. Rotation between frame halves is resisted by a shock absorber with either end connected to the respective frame halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher V. Martin
  • Patent number: 6338394
    Abstract: Compact vibrator for emitting elastic waves in a material medium such as the subsoil. The vibrator comprises a baseplate (3) intended to be coupled in operation with a surface of this medium, an inertia mass (5) and at least a pair of electromechanical transducers (1, 2) comprising each one or more pillars (A, B) made for example of a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive material. Pillars (A) of first transducer (1) are interposed between baseplate (3) and a relay plate (4). Pillars (B) of the second transducer are interposed between relay plate (4) and inertia mass (5), on the same side of relay plate (4) as pillars (A) preferably, so that inertia mass (5) is positioned in the vicinity of baseplate (3), which contributes to the compactness and to the stability of the vibrator that can therefore be used on slightly sloping surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignees: Compagnie Generale de Geophysique, Gaz de France, Institut Francais de Petrole
    Inventor: Patrick Meynier
  • Patent number: 6338395
    Abstract: A damping material for use in a loudspeaker enclosure to enhance sonic properties of the enclosure. The material for use in the enclosure is kapok, a fibrous material with a relatively low density. By incorporating the kapok within the enclosure, either standing alone or in combination with other materials known to function as acoustic dampers, the overall result is that the sonic quality of the speaker system is increased and may also be reduced in size without sonic compromise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: P.T. Hartono Istana Electronics
    Inventors: J. Dwidjaja Setiabudi, Adisusanto, Setiawan Yusran, Nafis Dwi CW, Sutarno
  • Patent number: 6338396
    Abstract: A magnetic guide system for an elevator, including a movable unit configured to move along a guide rail, a magnet unit attached to the movable unit, having a plurality of electromagnets having magnetic poles facing the guide rail with a gap, at least two of the magnetic poles are disposed to operate attractive forces in opposite directions to each other on the guide rail, and a permanent magnet providing a magnetomotive force for guiding the movable unit, and forming a common magnetic circuit with one of the electromagnets at the gap, a sensor configured to detect a condition of the common magnetic circuit formed with the magnet unit and the guide rail, and a guide controller configured to control excitation currents to the electromagnets in response to an output of the sensor so as to stabilize the magnetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Mimpei Morishita
  • Patent number: 6338397
    Abstract: A device according to the invention for the automatic fixing of bend B of a lining wear indicator, in particular for a motor vehicle brake, comprises a wire that is embedded in a plastic extrusion-coated component. A spacer and an insert are also embedded with the wire in the plastic extrusion-coated component. The procedure of the invention includes laying the wire along the spacer; positioning the spacer 3 with the wire into a hollow cylindrical portion of the insert; and bending the insert. Additionally, the bent insert can be placed in an injection mold; a plastic extrusion coating can be applied to at least part of the insert 4, and the coated, bent lining wear indicator can be removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Leoni Automotive Leads GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tanil Gezgin, Horst Kontants, Herman Brauer, Manfred Knoetig
  • Patent number: 6338398
    Abstract: A vehicle with a braking force retaining unit, which retains braking force after releasing the brake pedal, wherein driving force of the vehicle is increased if displacement of the vehicle is detected while the braking force retaining unit is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Eguchi
  • Patent number: 6338399
    Abstract: An energy absorption device is disclosed for use both as in-line and horizontal life line shock or energy absorbers for fall arrest systems. The device includes a sleeve through which a bolt head is drawn. The bolt head compresses from the interior surface of the sleeve and thus absorbs energy as the device is stretched during a fall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Gary E. Choate