Patents Issued in February 19, 2002
  • Patent number: 6347572
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor comprising a cylinder block having at least a first group of radial cylinders, a reaction member mounted to rotate relative to the cylinder block, and an internal fluid distributor having distribution ducts. The motor further comprises a single declutching selector constrained to rotate with the cylinder block about the axis of rotation and provided with a communication duct for each cylinder of the first group of cylinders, the selector being suitable for taking up a first position, in which it is possible to connect the cylinder ducts of said cylinders to the distribution ducts, a second position, in which it is possible to declutch the pistons of the cylinders of the first group by putting the cylinder ducts of said cylinders in communication with a fluid discharge enclosure, and an intermediate transitional position between said first and second positions, and in which said cylinder ducts are connected together via an isolated enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventors: Louis Martin, Jean-Marie Rouillard, Jean-Pierre Souply
  • Patent number: 6347573
    Abstract: A piston-cylinder unit with an adjustable stroke length includes a cylinder having an axis, a closed end and a rod end, a piston rod supported in the rod end of the cylinder in sealed and sliding relation, and a piston received on the piston rod for axial movement relative to the piston and received in the cylinder for axial movement relative to the cylinder. A threaded connections is provided between the piston rod and the piston. A stop surface on the side of the piston facing the rod end of the cylinder and a counterstop surface associated in fixed relation with the cylinder and facing the closed end of the cylinder are engaged when the rod is extended from the cylinder to a full stroke length position. Upon such engagement the piston is held rotationally fixed to the cylinder such that upon rotation of the cylinder about the axis, the piston is rotated relative to the piston rod and is moved axially along the piston rod by the threaded connection such as to change the stroke length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Henkel, Ines Kistenbrügger
  • Patent number: 6347574
    Abstract: A radial piston pump for generating high fuel pressure in fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines, having a drive shaft which is supported in a pump housing. The drive shaft is embodied eccentrically or has camlike protrusions in the circumferential direction. A plurality of pistons are disposed radially with respect to the drive shaft in a respective cylinder chamber. A plate is mounted on the ends of each piston toward the drive shaft, and the pistons are movable back and forth radially in the respective cylinder chamber by rotation of the drive shaft. Wear problems are solved by providing that the plate is pivotably connected to the associated piston. By the deflection of the plate on the piston, the load on the piston from moments of the bracing force is lessened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch, GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Guentert, Klaus Wuerth, Hans-Juergen Simon, Thomas Schwarz, Kasim-Melih Hamutcu
  • Patent number: 6347575
    Abstract: A piston and compression ring combination with a piston having a generally cylindrical configuration for mounting in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, an annular groove adjacent the top of the piston; and a piston ring having an upper inwardly directed flange adapted to rest on top of the piston, the ring having a lower inwardly retaining foot adapted for fitting into the ring groove in the piston. Such combination for the purpose of diminishing ring crevice volume, improving performance and reducing engine emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Benjamin V. Booher
  • Patent number: 6347576
    Abstract: An electric cooker includes a rounded bottom member including a flat surface for defining a food receiving space, a thermal transmission member coupled on an outer bottom surface of the rounded bottom member, an insulating member for insulating the rounded bottom member from the thermal transmission member, a base coupled between the heating member and the insulating member for supporting the cooker, and a coupling device for coupling the insulating member, the base and the thermal transmission member to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Rok Chung
  • Patent number: 6347577
    Abstract: A rotisserie basket for cooking whole chickens, roasts, etc. without the need to pierce the food with a spit or rod as in other, conventional rotisserie baskets. The rotisserie basket consists of a pair of end plates secured in a parallel relationship by a set of parallel rods. A gate is hingeably attached to a hinge rod, and when closed, bears against a latch rod. The gate is secured into position by a latch that positions the latch rod in a “U” shaped portion of a centrally located rod. A leaf spring holds the food to be cooked onto the set of rods, securely positioning the food for cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Uwe Harneit
  • Patent number: 6347578
    Abstract: An improved breadmaker capable of maintaining the freshness of the bread baked for a period of time. A temperature sensor and a humidity level sensor located inside the baking chamber of the breadmaker monitor the ambient conditions inside the baking chamber. In response to these sensors, a surface heater and humidifier are employed to maintain a predetermined temperature and humidity level inside the baking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Simon K. C. Yung
  • Patent number: 6347579
    Abstract: A husking apparatus supplies cereal grains between a pair of rotating rubber rolls through a guiding chute, rubs and husks them. A roll diameter marker for indicating an abrasion degree of the diameter of one of the rubber rolls is provided near the minimum gap between the rubber rolls. An incline angle changing marker previously marked with a changing degree of a position or an angle of incline of the guiding chute in correspondence to the roll diameter marker is provided near the lower end of the guiding chute. An operator can readily detect the diameter of the rubber roll by means of the roll diameter marker and accurately set the position or the angle of incline of the guiding chute in accordance with the incline angle changing marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Houri, Minoru Koreda, Takeshi Mito, Satoru Satake
  • Patent number: 6347580
    Abstract: A juice maker uses a handle to control an upper mold to move upward or downward, which corresponds to a lower mold at underneath, and the lower mold is controlled by the handle to turn, when the upper mold is driven to move upward or downward, the lower mold will turn to squeeze juice from a fruit seating in a barrel of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Atom Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Chyong-yen Huang
  • Patent number: 6347581
    Abstract: A folding table having a hole in the table top is combined with a fruit and vegetable peeler. The table may include a plastic bag retained within and under the hole for containing peelings therein, or may include a variety of other containers in alternative embodiments. In one such alternative embodiment, the table and peeler are combined with a sink and garbage disposal, whereby the peelings may pass freely through the table and ultimately through the garbage disposal. The table is preferably constructed of materials and components that are easily cleaned, offer stain resistance, and which may be compactly stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventors: Janet M. Sahli, Michael J. Sahli
  • Patent number: 6347582
    Abstract: The imprint printing system allows imprinter head changes on the run. A printing roller, either an offset or a flexo printing roller, has an axial channel in which one or more imprinter heads are disposed. The imprinter heads can be selectively raised out of the channel so that the print surface projects radially above the periphery of the printing roller. In a variation of the basic concept, the imprinter heads are also axially movable along the axial channel. The individual heads can thereby be brought into a printing section defined by the location at which the product is to be imprinted. The respective imprinter head is raised for printing only in the printing section, while the other heads are withdrawn into the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Heidelberg
    Inventor: Jackson Hacker Jones
  • Patent number: 6347583
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a screen of a screen printing machine, including the steps of taking, with an image taking device, an image of at least one opening of the screen, and judging, based on image data representing the taken image, whether the opening of the screen is clogged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeyoshi Isogai, Jun Adachi, Toshinori Shimizu, Manabu Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6347584
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing electronic components using intaglio transfer printing for improving printing yield. Intaglio 1 having a dual releasing layer structure is used. In this structure, first releasing layer 2 is formed on the surface of intaglio 1 by chemical absorption, and second releasing layer 3 is formed on the first releasing layer by physical adsorption. This structure allows intaglio 1 to have stable releasing ability, thereby improving the printing yield. In addition, because second releasing layer 3 can be added as required, the printing yield is not decreased even when the intaglio is repeatedly used for printing. Furthermore, the dual releasing layer structure can improve durability of the releasing ability of intaglio 1. As a result, patterns for electronic components can be formed on substrates at an excellent yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Kawamoto, Kazuhiro Miura, Masaaki Hayama, Yoshihisa Takase
  • Patent number: 6347585
    Abstract: A gap adjusting device for a rotary press comprises a frame and a fountain roller and a metering roller which are both rotatably mounted relative to the frame. A gap is defined between the metering roller and the fountain roller, and an adjustment member is provided which has an actuator for alternatively moving the rollers toward and away from each other, thereby decreasing or increasing, respectively, the size of the gap. Additionally, the gap adjusting device includes a stabilizing member for stabilizing the metering roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Goss Graphic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Kiamco, Lawrence J. Bain, John M. Lee, Mark Milazzo
  • Patent number: 6347586
    Abstract: A printing press comprises a cylinder having an outer surface and a plurality of air holes for providing air to the outer surface. A sound-damping material is located on a section of the outer surface and an axially-removable printing sleeve fits over the outer surface. Also disclosed is a method for reducing noise from a printing press comprising the steps of providing air through air holes in a cylinder having a free end to aid in placement or removal of an axially-removable printing sleeve, and providing a sound-damping surface to an outer surface of the cylinder at the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Ronald Henry Boucher, John Sheridan Richards, Robert Richard Murray, Dan Alan Thomas
  • Patent number: 6347587
    Abstract: A device for cleaning the outer surface of rotary cylinders and the like (2) comprising a pair of rotatable members (9, 11) for unwinding and rewinding a fabric (10), a presser means (12) cooperating with the fabric (10), means (50) for feeding onto the fabric (10) a liquid for cleaning the cylinder (2), and means (51) for feeding drying air onto the rotary cylinder (2), in which the pair of rotatable members (9, 11), the presser means (12) and the detergent liquid feeding means pertain to a cleaning assembly (6) movable by pneumatic drive away from and towards the rotary cylinder (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: T.G.C. S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marcello Ghisalberti, Lorenzo Ghisalberti
  • Patent number: 6347588
    Abstract: A mount for use in the suspension system of a railway that truck limits the relative lateral movement between a side frame member and a bearing adapter. In one embodiment, the mount includes a rigid material layer having at least four sections laterally angled between a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. A first and second elastic material layer are respectively positioned between the side frame member and rigid material layer, and between the rigid material layers and bearing adapter. The first elastic material layer has least four sections abutting and conforming to at least four sections of the rigid material layer. In addition, the second elastic material layer has at least four sections abutting and conforming to at least four sections of the rigid material layer. The angled sections cooperate to increase the lateral spring rate of the mount, and improve the ride characteristics and high speed stability of the railway truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: Charles J. Leingang
  • Patent number: 6347589
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a railway tank car including a tank coupled with first and second stub sill assemblies may be provided. The stub sill assemblies may each be coupled with associated railway car truck assemblies. A tank defined in part by a generally elongate hollow cylinder having first and second heads with first and second heads mounted upon the first and second heads, respectively, may also be provided. In a particular embodiment, one or more heat transfer panels may be disposed within the cylinder adjacent the first and second heads. In another embodiment, first and second support members may be disposed within the cylinder, and intermediate a midpoint of a longitudinal centerline of the tank, and each respective head. Each support member may provide support for, and maintain their respective heat transfer panels in a spaced relation with a lower portion of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: TRN Business Trust
    Inventor: Richard P. Loevinger
  • Patent number: 6347590
    Abstract: A tray table for a vehicle that is extensible from and may be stored in a center console. The center console has longitudinally shiftable lateral side walls that define a pocket for storing the tray table. The lateral walls of the center console are moveable along a track to permit fore and aft adjustment of the location of the table relative to a seat in the vehicle. A push button is provided on a pivot locking mechanism to lock and unlock a tray support arm. A cup holder may be provided on the tray support arm that is moveable between a storage position in which it is parallel to the tray support arm and a use position in which it is perpendicular to the tray support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D'Annunzio, Todd A. Mysliwiec, Patrick M. Murray, Jason P. Baldas, Jeff A. Kempf, Frank Olson
  • Patent number: 6347591
    Abstract: A table construction and method is provided having an internal opening that selectively accommodates a floor lamp or torchier and allows the insertion and removal of the lamp from the opening in a horizontal plane without disassembling the lamp and without requiring the component pieces of the table to be completely separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Karpa, Scott A. Binder
  • Patent number: 6347592
    Abstract: Presented is a simplified modular free-standing workbench including a pair of laterally spaced and parallel workbench-top support members to which a workbench top is rigidly yet detachably secured by quick-connect/disconnect fastener elements. Pairs of tubular steel legs rigidly yet detachably engage the associated ends of the tubular bench top support members. Foot members are rigidly yet detachably engaged with the bottom ends of the leg members to enable height adjustment. Transversely extending tubular members rigidly yet detachably engage the confronting surfaces of the laterally spaced top support members by quick-connect/disconnect fastener elements to maintain their parallelism. An auxiliary shelf may be rigidly yet detachably mounted on the workbench by an auxiliary shelf support framework supermimposed over the workbench and secured thereto by quick-connect/disconnect fastener elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Roy E. Gessert
  • Patent number: 6347593
    Abstract: A modular dethatcher and seeder includes a housing having a rear opening, a removable rear cover substantially closing the rear opening, and a plurality of tines driven by a motor to rotate about a shaft within the housing. When the device is to be used as a seeder, a seeder attachment is inserted into the rear opening of the housing in place of the rear cover. The seeder attachment can be driven by the rear wheels of the device. Alternatively, when the device is to be used as a dethatcher, a chute can be removably attached to the rear opening and a collection bag is then attached to the chute to hold debris thrown by the tines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: BlueBird International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Tadashi Moran, Edward T. Biegel
  • Patent number: 6347594
    Abstract: An opener assembly includes a single opener disk rotatably supported from a drawbar and angled approximately five degrees from the forward direction to define a shadow area behind the trailing surface of the disk. A material placement boot and delivery tube are supported adjacent the trailing surface substantially entirely within the shadow of the disk and have profiles conforming to the furrow profile. The boot and the outlet portion of the tube also lie within the periphery of the disk for protection. The tube has an upper portion with a round cross section which changes to an elliptical cross section towards the outlet to remain within the shadow while retaining high throughput capabilities. First and second wheels are supported on opposite sides of the disk to urge soil downwardly behind the outlet of the delivery tube immediately after the material is deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ignatz Wendling, Larry Patrick Ferguson
  • Patent number: 6347595
    Abstract: A distributor of horticultural seeds for a sowing agricultural implement, comprising a casing (10) and a disc (20) rotatably mounted inside the casing (10), dividing the latter into a seed chamber (CS) and in a suction chamber (CA) maintained in fluid communication with a suction device and selectively and adjustably connectable with the atmosphere, said disc (20) having at least two rows of holes (21, 22), each comprising a selector (50, 60) having a leading edge extension (51, 61), which is selectively displaced, in order to interfere, upon rotation of the disc (20), with the path of a predetermined part of the seeds which are pneumatically carried in each hole of the respective row of holes (21, 22), so that each hole enters the discharge chamber (CD) carrying a desired number of seeds, the discharge chamber (CD) being opened to discharge channels (15, 16) arranged in such a way as to receive the seeds released from a respective row of holes (21, 22), when they enter the discharge chamber (CD) and to direc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Fabricio Rosa de Morais
  • Patent number: 6347596
    Abstract: A device (1) for the transportation of a length of cloth (10) is disclosed. The device has a slide face (7) on which the length of cloth (10), laid out flat, can be moved, and at least two conveying belts (140-14d, 17), each disposed so that they run in the direction of conveyance (13, 16). The first conveying belt (17) is disposed in front of the second conveying belt (140-14d) in the direction of conveyance (13, 16). For the purpose of io the transmission of a conveying motion, at least the second conveying belt (140-14d) can be brought into contact with the length of cloth (10) from above. In the transition region between a first conveying belt (17) and a second conveying belt (140-14d), there is provided at least one pressure element (20, 21) which, pressing the length of cloth (10) against the slide face (7), can be brought into contact with the length of cloth (10) from above, at least in regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Texpa Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Koeberlein, Martin Schnaus
  • Patent number: 6347597
    Abstract: A flat sewing device without bobbins is provided that includes an oblong case, a plurality of gears, shuttle casing, a shuttle, and a large spool of sewing thread. The gears are connected with one another to rotate the shuttle. A pinion rotated by a driving spindle rotatably engages a driving gear. The driving gear rotatably drives a second pinion mounted on a hollow driving axial rod. The hollow driving axial rod is coupled to the shuttle and the sewing thread passes through the hollow driving axial rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Jung Kuang Chen
  • Patent number: 6347598
    Abstract: An uplift spring assembly to compensate for hull deflection at a main bearing of a mooring turret is disclosed. Elastomeric pads are used to react turret uplift because of their properties of large deflections and resistance to cold weather. Tie rods are provided to transmit the uplift loads into the elastomeric pads. The elastomeric pads react the uplift loads in compression. The assembly arrangement prevents the elastomeric pads from reacting tension loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Fontenot, Miles A. Hobdy, L. Terry Boatman
  • Patent number: 6347599
    Abstract: This invention relates to stabilization and propulsion of windsurfing and other floating boards such as surf boards. The invention consists of a modular device consisting of a seat and pontoon float unit fitted with remote controls by which a modified trolling motor can be used to steer and propel the board through the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Richard A. Hendrickson
  • Patent number: 6347600
    Abstract: A portable indicating and protective structure for underground utilities is provided. The portable structure is designed to be erected about a utility located at ground level on a construction site, to permit construction workers to avoid inadvertent damage to such a utility. Such damage occurs when the utility is impacted by construction machinery, delivery trucks, and other vehicles on the construction site. The portable structure is a protective barrier which would enclose or encircle the utility. The sidewall elements may be secured in place by stakes or the like. The sidewall may be cylindrical, rectangular, or some other geometric configuration. The top portion and the lower portion would be open to permit access to the utility. Two poles will be affixed proximal the sidewall and will extend vertically several times the height of the sidewall. These pole elements may secure the sidewall in place by passing vertically through a plurality of ring elements which are connected to the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: John T. Duff, II
  • Patent number: 6347601
    Abstract: For enhancing plasma uniformity and long-term stability so as to readily form a film with excellent uniformity of thickness and quality and with good repeatability and for suppressing occurrence of image defects and drastically increasing the yield to form a deposited film ready for volume production, particularly, a functional deposit film (for example, an amorphous semiconductor used for semiconductor devices, electrophotographic photosensitive members, photovoltaic devices, and so on) is formed in an apparatus including a reaction vessel which can be hermetically evacuated, a substrate holder in the reaction vessel, a source gas supply, a power supply for high-frequency power. An end covering member is provided at an end of each of the substrate holder, the source gas supply and the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuto Hosoi, Toshiyasu Shirasuna, Kazuhiko Takada, Ryuji Okamura, Kazuyoshi Akiyama, Hitoshi Murayama
  • Patent number: 6347602
    Abstract: In the plasma processor, the microwaves generated from a microwave generator (86) are led to a plane antenna (62), which in turn introduces exponentially attenuating microwaves into a container (22) that processes an object (W) in plasma. Microwave absorption device (96) provided in the circumference of the plane antenna (62) absorbs microwaves propagating from the center of the plane antenna (62) and suppresses the reflection. As a result, the microwaves reflected in the circumference of the plane antenna (62) and returned to the center are decreased to some degree, and the electromagnetic field distribution of the microwave becomes uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Naohisa Goto, Makoto Ando, Nobuo Ishii
  • Patent number: 6347603
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in exercising a dog or other animal on a treadmill. For some applications the apparatus may be releasably secured to the treadmill. For other applications the apparatus may be permanently attached to the treadmill. The apparatus preferably includes first and second generally U-shaped frame members with a pair of side members attached thereto and extending therebetween. One or more rings are provided as part of the apparatus for use in positioning the dog or other animal at a desired location on the treadmill. A system may also be provided for local and/or remote recording, monitoring and evaluation of exercises performed by the dog or other animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: H. Victor Felger
  • Patent number: 6347604
    Abstract: A method for moving chickens or other poultry, wherein the chickens are moved upwards from the floor (3) by means of a conveyor (4), to a level on which the bottom of a collecting space (5) is positioned. A vehicle, in which the conveyor (4) and the collecting space (5) are mounted, is thereby driven through a poultry house. Several collecting spaces (5, 9, 10) are disposed one above the other, and the collecting spaces are moved in vertical direction in such a manner that various collecting spaces can successively be positioned in relationship with the sloping surface (4). The chickens are led from said collecting spaces (5) into transport spaces (17)), which are mounted on a lorry. From said transport spaces the chickens are led into accommodation spaces (22), which form part of a slaughterhouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Lacosin N.V.
    Inventors: Geert Lodewijk Lapere, Frank Raymond Lapere, Bart Paul Lapere, Jan Robert Lapere
  • Patent number: 6347605
    Abstract: Described is a device for moistening the inlet air of internal combustion engines having a turbo-supercharger. The device comprises moistening means through which the inlet air and the moistening liquid flow and contact with one another. The moistening means is disposed upstream of the compressor of the turbo-supercharcher in flow direction of the inlet air. In the flow path of the inlet air upstream of the moistening means an air/air heat exchanger is disposed which serves for preheating the inlet air and which is flown through by the atmospheric inlet air and the moistened and compressed inlet air from the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Munters Euroform GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Wettergard
  • Patent number: 6347606
    Abstract: A valve operating system in an internal combustion engine includes a switchover pin which is movable between an associatively operating position where adjacent ones of rocker arms are operated in association with each other, and an associative-operation releasing position where the associative-operation is released, the switchover pin receiving at axially opposite ends thereof a hydraulic pressure force acting toward the associatively operating position and a spring force acting toward the associative-operation releasing position, a cylindrical roller shaft which is fixed to one of the adjacent rocker arms, and into which the switchover pin is slidably fitted in response to the movement thereof toward the associatively operating position, and a roller rotatably carried on the roller shaft to come into rolling contact with a cam provided on a camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikara Tanaka, Hiromu Nakamura, Noriyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 6347607
    Abstract: One of adjacent rocker arms in a valve operating system of an engine is provided with first and second support walls. A roller is disposed between the first and second support walls to come into rolling contact with cams. A cylindrical roller shaft, supporting the roller, is provided between the first and second support walls, so that a switchover pin of an associative-operation switchover means can be slidably fitted into the roller shaft in response to the movement thereof. The roller shaft is press-fitted into at least a second one of the first and second support walls, and a press-fit margin for the roller shaft press-fitted into the second support wall on the side of the other rocker arm is set smaller than a press-fit margin for the roller shaft press-fitted into the second support wall on the side of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chikara Tanaka, Hiromu Nakamura, Noriyuki Yamada, Junichi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6347608
    Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a brake booster that uses the negative pressure in an intake pipe of an internal combustion engine includes an automatic stop-start apparatus that performs an automatic stop-start control of the engine while securing a sufficient brake booster negative pressure in accordance with changes in the atmospheric pressure. The apparatus detects the pressure in the brake booster. If the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined reference value during the automatically stopped state of the engine, the apparatus outputs warning information or automatically restarts the engine. The reference value is changed in accordance with the magnitude of the atmospheric pressure around the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuya Hara, Koichi Mizutani, Yasushi Kusaka
  • Patent number: 6347609
    Abstract: An air resonator for an air intake system includes a plurality of serially positioned increasing volume chambers. Air passing to the engine passes through these chambers. Noise passing from the engine back towards the source of air will also pass through these increasing volume chambers. As the noise serially passes through the increasing and then decreasing volume, the noise is dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventor: Stephen F. Bloomer
  • Patent number: 6347610
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion reciprocating piston engine comprises the steps of: moving a piston (12) within a cylinder (10) to compress a charge in the cylinder (10) and igniting the compressed charge while the piston is being moved in the chamber at substantially constant or increasing velocity. The length, duration and pattern of at least one piston stroke may differ from the length, duration and pattern of another stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Cyril Andrew Norton
  • Patent number: 6347611
    Abstract: An engine system includes a plurality of adjacent expansion rotor housings each having a generally cylindrical expansion rotor cavity. The expansion rotor cavity of each expansion rotor housing is substantially aligned with the expansion rotor cavity of each other expansion rotor housing. An elongated shaft extends through the expansion rotor cavity of each expansion rotor housing along a respective longitudinal axis of each expansion rotor cavity. A set of adjacent combustion assemblies is attached to each one of the expansion rotor housings. Each one of the combustion assemblies includes a combustion chamber. An expansion rotor is mounted on the shaft in the expansion rotor cavity of each expansion rotor housing such that the elongated shaft extends through a centroidal axis of each expansion rotor. A fuel delivery system is attached to each one of the combustion assemblies for providing a supply of fuel to each one of the combustion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Ellis F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6347612
    Abstract: A control system is adapted for a direct injection engine of spark ignition type provided with an exhaust gas purifying catalyst in an exhaust passage, a fuel injection valve for directly spraying fuel into combustion chambers, a sparking plug having an electrode projecting into the combustion chamber. The control system includes an intake air amount controller for controlling the amount of intake air to be admitted into the combustion chambers, and a fuel injection controller for carrying out stratified combustion in a stratified combustion region set in a low engine load region while carrying out uniform combustion in a uniform combustion region set in a high engine load region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hirofumi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6347613
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control mechanism having a housing and cover member with a throttle valve, gear mechanism, motor, and failsafe mechanism. The housing, cover member and other components are made of a plastic composite material. A spring member positioned between the housing and sector gear member which is attached to the throttle valve shaft, biases the throttle valve plate member toward the closed position. A spring-biased plunger member biases the throttle plate member from its closed position to a default or “limp-home” position. Several of the components, such as the motor holder, electrical connectors and housing for the throttle position sensor (TPS), are molded together into the cover member to form an integrated modular assembly. This reduces the cost and weight and improves the reliability and overall size of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Richard Rauch
  • Patent number: 6347614
    Abstract: A mechanical fuel pump includes first and second flexible members disposed within a pump body. The first flexible member is deflected in timed sequence with a rotating engine member. Deflection of the second flexible member is limited to select the amount of fuel expelled from the pump for each engine cycle. A stop member is movable in response to movement of an engine governor and throttle to result in increased fuel and air being supplied when the engine encounters a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Evers, William J. Towne, Jeremy S. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6347615
    Abstract: A tap-changer vacuum switch having an actuating rod extending and displaceable along an axis is provided with a damper having a damper housing offset from and fixed relative to the vacuum switch, and a rod piston fixed on the valve-actuating rod, in the damper housing, and defining in the damper housing a compartment whose volume changes as the rod piston moves axially with the rod. The damper housing is formed with a pair of radially open ports opening into the compartment. An in-only check valve fitted to one of the ports only permits fluid flow into the compartment, and an out-only check valve fitted to the other port only permits fluid flow out of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Höpfl, Silke Wrede
  • Patent number: 6347616
    Abstract: The Solenoid Valve For A Vehicle Carbon Canister includes a housing with an outlet end and a inlet end. A portion of the inlet end of the housing extends around an inlet port formed in the inlet end to create an air inlet tube. Inserted in the outlet end of the housing is an end cap formed with an outlet port. The end cap extends around the outlet port to form an air outlet nipple having an internal portion and an external portion. Formed around the internal portion of the air outlet nipple is an annular cavity. Disposed within the housing is a solenoid mechanism slightly smaller than the housing to form an annular air passage having sufficient area to provide the proper air flow, but also having a thickness small enough to prevent carbon particles from passing through the annular air passage. A continuous air passage is formed by the air inlet tube, the annular air passage, and the air outlet nipple. A plunger is included to block the flow of air through the air outlet nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Guadalupe Rodriguez, Luis A. Flores-Mena, Alberto Alcantara, Yingjie Lin
  • Patent number: 6347617
    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 fuel temperature is higher than or equal to a predetermined fuel temperature. If the fuel temperature is higher than or equal to the predetermined fuel temperature, the opening operation of the control valve is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kitamura, Norio Suzuki, Naohiro Kurokawa, Tetsuya Ishiguro, Takeshi Suzuki, Toshiaki Ichitani
  • Patent number: 6347618
    Abstract: Disclosed is an intercooler system which uses an air conditioner evaporator coil or other mechanical refrigeration device to cool air flowing therethrough prior to intake of the air by an internal combustion engine. The invention thereby reduces the temperature of the air entering the engine well beyond the temperature reduction provided by a conventional intercooler. The invention may be used to chill the air to a point cooler than ambient temperature or even down to below freezing. In some embodiments, a conventional intercooler may be used to partially cool the air before it enters the intercooler of the invention. In other embodiments, the intercooler may be used in combination with a novel engine-driven supercharger having a variable-speed drive. The engine-driven supercharger of the invention may alternatively be used independently of the disclosed intercooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Klem Flying Boats, L.P.
    Inventor: Richard H. Klem
  • Patent number: 6347619
    Abstract: Exhaust gas recirculation is provided in a turbocharged diesel engine by adding a separate EGR manifold and a secondary exhaust valve for each combustion chamber that permits passage of exhaust gas from the combustion chamber to the EGR manifold. The secondary exhaust valve is opened during the expansion stroke of the engine cycle and sometime after the combustion process has been completed while the pressure in the combustion chamber is still greater than the pressure in the intake manifold. One or two EGR valves can be opened to admit the high pressure exhaust gas from the EGR manifold into the intake manifold. Decompression braking can be provided by an additional valve between the EGR manifold and the exhaust manifold that is opened to dump the gas from the EGR manifold to the exhaust manifold while the secondary exhaust valve in the cylinder head is opened at the beginning of the expansion stroke of the piston whereby the compressed air in the cylinder escapes before performing work on the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Todd Mathew Whiting, James Alan Eng, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6347620
    Abstract: In an EGR valve or an ISC valve used as a control valve assembly for regulating the flow amount of a controlled fluid flowing through an internal combustion engine of an automobile, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushik Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshihiko Miyake
  • Patent number: 6347621
    Abstract: A device for feeding projectiles to a gun barrel includes a hopper for containing projectiles for feeding to a housing. The housing has an outlet communicating with the gun barrel and an indexed loading disk mounted at the outlet over a flat housing floor. The loading disk has a number of projectile spaces for receiving projectiles, and the disk is selectively positionable at index positions with the spaces over the outlet to gravity feed projectiles into the gun barrel. A trigger assembly is coupled to the loading disk and includes a ratchet to engage fins on the disk to sequentially rotate the disk to the index positions to drop projectiles into the barrel. The trigger also includes a projection for substantially continually engaging a corresponding slot on the disk for holding and stabilizing the disk in the housing during operation. The device is configured to be used to sequentially load a single paintball to a blowgun by successive pulls of the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher L. Guthrie