Patents Issued in March 21, 2002
  • Publication number: 20020033121
    Abstract: A process for preparing a flowable slurry comprising mixing 25-70 wt. % water; an alkaline material selected from the group consisting of chlorosilicon manufacturing byproducts, direct process residue gels, cement kiln dust, and mixtures thereof; and a process aid selected from the group consisting of sucrose, raffinose, lignin, methylglucopyranoside, lactose, fructose, sodium polyphosphate, trehalose and mixtures thereof to form a flowable slurry. This slurry is especially useful in the manufacture of cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Ollie William Marko
  • Publication number: 20020033122
    Abstract: A pallet assembly is provided which includes a grid-patterned frame and a plurality of supporting legs detachably coupled to the grid-patterned frame, wherein each supporting leg is formed locking portions for securely coupling the supporting leg to the grid-patterned frame, a supporting portion disposed between the locking portions so as to elevate the grid-patterned frame to a predetermined height, and a couple of base portions interconnecting the locking portions and the supporting portion. The base portions are flat in shape so as to form a supporting plane which is of sufficient planarity to prevent underlying cargo from being crushed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Tsun Jen Lin
  • Publication number: 20020033123
    Abstract: By using a gasification and melting furnace for wastes having a vertically movable furnace center lance disposed along the axis of the furnace and adapted to blow off a combustion sustaining gas downward into the furnace, one or more stages of upper tuyeres disposed so that the angle at which the combustion sustaining gas is blown off into the furnace is displaced from the furnace axis direction, and one or more stages of lower tuyeres projected into the furnace so as to blow off a combustion sustaining gas or both combustion sustaining gas and fuel toward the furnace axis, it is possible to prevent the formation of a low temperature region in the furnace and concentrate a fire spot for the combustion of wastes. As a result, molten slag and various metals, as well as an energy gas, which are high in added value, can be recovered stably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: SUMITOMO METAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.,
    Inventors: Takaiku Yamamoto, Hideyuki Yamaoka, Yoshinori Matsukura, Hirotaka Sato, Katsuya Isaka, Akio Mutsuta, Hiroaki Ishida, Hitoshi Matsubara, Tatsuo Nakashima, Takahiro Yano, Noboru Furukawa, Teruo Oowada
  • Publication number: 20020033124
    Abstract: A method for blowing a synthetic resin material into a furnace comprises: classifying synthetic resins into film-shaped synthetic resins and non-film-shaped synthetic resins; processing the film-shaped synthetic resins into a first granular resin material; crushing the non-film-shaped synthetic resins into a second granular resin material; pneumatically feeding said first granular resin material and said second granular resin material; and blowing into a furnace. An apparatus comprises: a first processing line for processing film-shaped synthetic resins into a granular synthetic resin material; a second processing line for processing non-film-shaped synthetic resins into a granular synthetic resin material; a primary storage silo; and a blowing station for supplying the granular synthetic resin material into a furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: NKK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minoru Asanuma, Hiromi Nakamura, Iwao Okochi, Mitsuhiro Fujii, Atsushi Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20020033125
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of controlling the incineration temperature of industrial waste incineration processes such that the incineration emissions products comply with governmental regulations and operating and capital costs are minimal. Modifying the incineration temperature in response to changes in the emission products and the waste streams results in optimal and reliable control of the incineration process and the resultant incineration emissions. Capital and operating costs are reduced significantly as a result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Mayra Rodriguez Cochran, Charles Anthony Dafft, Michael Stanley DeCOURCY, James Edward Elder, John Edward Henderson, Frederick Paul Fendt
  • Publication number: 20020033126
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining cylindrical sections, including a semi-cylindrical profile member adapted to be coupled to a cylindrical section on an outer circumferential portion of the profile member and including an outer circumferential groove and an inner circumferential ridge; a ring-shaped compression member coupled to the profile member and including a circumferential groove on an outer portion thereof and attachment members on opposite sides thereof; and a pair of semi-cylindrical tension members forming a ring shape and each including a pair of inner circumferential ridges and attachment members on end portions thereof. The circumferential ridge of the profile member couples to the circumferential groove of the compression member. One of the circumferential ridges of one of the tension members couples to respective of the circumferential groove of the profile member. The attachment members of the tension members couple to respective of the attachment members of the compression member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Samuel William Tolkoff, Leo Gurfinkel, Knut Streitlien
  • Publication number: 20020033127
    Abstract: The boat is essentially mono hulled in its appearance but has the capacity wherein the lower and outer sections of the hull can be hinged out of a concave recess under the main deck and behind the full bow of the boat. The front of the hinging sections are curved to a point and graduated longitudinally to allow a bowlike profile at any given point as the sections are swung upward and away from the core of the boat. When the hinging sections are semi extended a full twin hulled operation can be achieved and when further extended a true triple hulled operation can be achieved with essentially three “bows” cutting the water. When fully extended the walls of the hinging sections come up to horizontal and also provide the benefit of extra deck space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Christopher Leslie Barrett
  • Publication number: 20020033128
    Abstract: A sponson for a watercraft includes a nose; a trailing end; and a base extending between the nose and the trailing end; wherein the base is non-linear in shape in a direction from the nose to the trailing end. The sponson can include an outboard surface extending between the nose and the trailing end; wherein the outboard surface is configured to reduce the water pressure during cornering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Bill Orr
  • Publication number: 20020033129
    Abstract: Amorphous or polycrystalline films have been recrystallized into single-crystal thin films (of micrometer thickness) by a zone melting technique, in which an electrically heated wire generated a narrow heated or molten zone (0.5-2 mm wide) on the substrate sandwiched between two pieces of glass or indium-tin-oxide-coated glass. The substrate can be either an organic or inorganic compound. When the molten zone was moved slowly (3-120 &mgr;m/min) across the layer from one end of the cell to the other, a single-crystal film was produced after a single pass. This technique allows for thin film purification and an improvement in electronic, optical, and optoelectronic properties of the thin film. After this treatment, the steady-state short-circuit photocurrent can be improved by several orders of magnitude. These films are useful in the fields of optics and electronics for improving the performance in devices such as thin-film transistors and organic light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Board of Regents
    Inventors: Chongyang Liu, Allen J. Bard
  • Publication number: 20020033130
    Abstract: In a process of producing a SiC device, a Si layer is formed on the surface of a SiC substrate, and the Si layer is removed from the surface of the SiC substrate by supplying oxygen gas to the Si layer in a high ambient temperature and a low ambient pressure. The pressure is set at 1×10−2 to 1×10−6 Pa. Thus a cleaned surface of the SiC substrate, not contaminated by carbon and the like in atmospheric air, can be provided. Preferably, the oxygen pressure and temperature are set at about 10−6 Pa and 1000° C. for removing the Si layer. Thereafter, the oxygen is further supplied to raise the pressure to about 104 Pa to form an oxide film on the cleaned SiC substrate. Thus, the SiC substrate is cleaned and then formed with the oxide layer in the same chamber by changing the ambient pressure but without changing the ambient temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Hisada, Shinichi Mukainakano, Takeshi Hasegawa, Ayahiko Ichimiya, Tomohiro Aoyama, Kiyoshige Kato
  • Publication number: 20020033131
    Abstract: To provide superior anti-agglomeration, or tackiness-reducing, properties, one aspect of the invention is directed to coated polymeric particles, with each of the coated particles comprised of a polymeric substrate particle and a block-reducing coating on the surface of the substrate particle. The coating includes polymeric coating particles which advantageously may be in the form of a micro-fine powder. Also disclosed herein is a process for applying the polymeric coating particles onto the polymeric substrate particles, as well as equipment which is especially useful in producing the coated polymeric particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: David O. Bostrom, William K. Shumake, Paul H. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20020033132
    Abstract: A process for the extrusion of microcellular polymeric material onto data communications material such as wire and optical fiber is described. Electrical conductors and optical fibers coated with microcellular polymeric material exhibit unexpected strength sufficient to pass certain industry tests necessary for use in a variety of applications, even without an exterior coating of structurally-supporting polymeric material. Polymeric microcellular materials provided in contact with the electrical connectors for a variety of purposes are described where the strength of microcellular material provides required structural support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Roland Y. Kim
  • Publication number: 20020033133
    Abstract: A substrate processing pallet has a top surface and a plurality of side surfaces. The top surface has at least one recess adapted to receive a substrate. The recess includes a support structure adapted to contact a portion of a substrate seated in the recess and a plurality of apertures each adapted to accommodate a lift pin. Lift pins can extend through the apertures initially to support the substrate and retract to deposit the substrate onto the support structure. A side surface includes a process positioning feature adapted to engage with a feature located in a process chamber to position the pallet. A side surface includes a positioning feature adapted to engage with an end effector alignment feature to position the pallet with respect to the end effector during transport. A side surface includes support features adapted to engage with end effector support features to support the pallet during transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Martin P. Klein, David Felsenthal, Piero Sferlazzo
  • Publication number: 20020033134
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that combines the coating spray booth with process heating and radiation to increase the efficiency of the processing of powder coatings on wood, wood-based composite materials and plastic substrates. The temperature of the parts in process can be maintained within the booth after preheating or elevated in temperature within the booth before, during, and after the application of the coating material. The invention allows for the control of the rate of thermal expansion of heat sensitive materials, thereby reducing substrate damage from cracking. Increased efficiencies permit a significant reduction of processing energy expense. Multiple coatings can be applied and cured to parts in process within the invention while experiencing an overall reduction in the length of the processing system compared to the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Mark G. Fannon
  • Publication number: 20020033135
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved design for a spray gun and application system for cold gas dynamic spraying of a metal, alloy, polymer, or mechanical mixtures thereof. The gun includes a rear housing comprising a powder inlet and a gas inlet, a front housing removably affixed to the rear housing and comprising an mixing cavity therein for mixing of the powder and gas and an exit therefrom, a nozzle holder having a bore disposed therethrough and removably affixed to the front housing, and a nozzle positioned within the nozzle holder, an interior taper of the nozzle holder bore complementing an exterior taper of the nozzle, said nozzle having an initially converging, subsequently diverging centrally disposed bore therein adapted to receive the mixed powder and gas from the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: ASB Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Kay, Jeganathan Karthikeyan
  • Publication number: 20020033136
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer processing system including a multi-chamber module having vertically-stacked semiconductor wafer process chambers and a loadlock chamber dedicated to each semiconductor wafer process chamber. Each process chamber includes a chuck for holding a wafer during wafer processing. The multi-chamber modules may be oriented in a linear array. The system further includes an apparatus having a dual-wafer single-axis transfer arm including a monolithic arm pivotally mounted within said loadlock chamber about a single pivot axis. The apparatus is adapted to carry two wafers, one unprocessed and one processed, simultaneously between the loadlock chamber and the process chamber. A method utilizing the disclosed system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Silicon Valley Group, Thermal Systems LLC.
    Inventors: Richard N. Savage, Frank S. Menagh, Helder R. Carvalheira, Philip A. Troiani, Dan L. Cossentine, Eric R. Vaughan, Bruce E. Mayer
  • Publication number: 20020033137
    Abstract: A construction for automatically milking animals is provided with a milking robot having at least one teat cup (2) and means (3 to 8) for connecting the teat cup(s) (2) to the teats of an animal to be milked. The construction comprises at least one milk collecting unit and at least one milking unit (1) which is movable relative to the milk collecting unit, said milking unit (1) being provided with own propulsion means (10, 11, 14, 15). The mobile milking units (1) may be disigned as light and compact ones. The own propulsion means of the milking units (1) result in a multifunctional construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Lely Enterprises A.G., a Swiss Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Alexander van der Lely, Karel van den Berg, Renatus Ignatius Josephus Fransen
  • Publication number: 20020033138
    Abstract: An animal-milking system exceptionally suitable for the milking of large herds based on an animal-milking carrousel that can be configured to operate without human intervention. A rotating platform with animal-milking stalls disposed around the edge of the platform is provided. A teat-cup attaching area, equipped with one or more teat-cup attaching robots, is located so as to attach teat-cups to animals confined in milking stalls when the animals are brought into proximity with the robots. By allowing a plurality of animals to board the carrousel simultaneously, and by extending the time each stall is available for boarding, efficient use of the teat-cup attaching robots is possible. Using existing technologies a carrousel with 32 stalls can automatically milk a herd of more than 1100 animals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Eyal Brayer
  • Publication number: 20020033139
    Abstract: A construction for automatically milking animals is provided with a milk reservoir (3; 13), with milk lines and with a milking robot (5) having at least one teat cup (6; 20) and means (9, 10; 19) for connecting the teat cup(s) (6, 20) to the teats of an animal (1; 11) to be milked. The construction (2; 12; 25, 26) is designed so as to be displaceable as a whole. The construction (2; 12; 25, 26) is further provided with own propulsion means (7; 23, 24), which results in a wide range of application possibilities and a high degree of flexibility in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Lely Enterprises A.G., a Swiss Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Alexander van der Lely, Karel van den Berg, Renatus Ignatius Josephus Fransen
  • Publication number: 20020033140
    Abstract: A construction for automatically milking animals comprises a milking robot with teat cup(s) (6) and means (10, 11) for connecting the teat cups (6) to the teats of an animal (7) to be milked. The teat cups (6) are disposed on a carrying element (8) which is supported by the floor (9) of the milk box (1), provided with propulsion means and suitable for moving across a two-dimensional part of the floor surface (9) of the milk box (1). The carrying element (8) is compact and easy to control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: LELY ENTERPRISES A.G. A SWISS LIMITED LIABILITY CO
    Inventors: Alexander Van der Lely, Karel Van den Berg, Renatus Ignatius Josephus Fransen
  • Publication number: 20020033141
    Abstract: This assembly comprises a hopper and a manger being connected together by means of a frame, said hopper comprising means to control the dry feed quantity to be supplied, means to supply water to the manger being fitted to the frame. Characteristic of this assembly is the fact that the manger is divided into a central area for the dry feed, and two lateral areas for the water, said three areas being separated by two transversal partitions, said central area comprising a centrally located, raised portion with a stepped edge, at least the lowest step having a slightly concave section, each of the manger sides comprising a drain hole being arranged at a lower level as compared with the top edge of the transversal partitions. The means to control the dry feed quantity comprise a vertical pipe being held by an axial rod being associated to an external control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: TECNICA E INNOVACIONES GANADERAS, S.A. (TIGSA)
    Inventors: Antonio Rovira Badia, Jose Franco Tarazaga
  • Publication number: 20020033142
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for preparing and distributing cattle feed, including a chassis carrying a tank with side walls, at least one of which has a flap for distributing the feed, said tank having shredding and mixing means consisting of at least one substantially horizontal screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: KUHN-AUDUREAU S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Martin, Anthony Drouet, Robert Allain
  • Publication number: 20020033143
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bird launcher with a remote controlled system. The bird launcher includes a box open on its top. First and second support bars are extended widthwise from the upper corners of the sidewalls of the box. A pair of cradle rods are each rotatably inserted at both ends into two holes formed in one-side ends of the support bars. A net-shaped fabric is attached at opposite side ends to the cradle rods. A holding lever is rotatably attached to the box by a center pin, and rotatably provided at its upper end with a roller bearing. A release lever rotatably is attached to the first support bar so as to position a bird accommodated in the fabric in the box when its bend portion is engaged with the roller bearing and a depression formed on the box. A transmitter transmits a user's command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Ho-Yun So
  • Publication number: 20020033144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of preventing or reducing the risk or incidence of skeletal injuries in horses. The present invention further relates to compositions and methods for alleviating pain associated with skeletal injuries in horses and to treating skeletal injuries in horses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Donald R. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20020033145
    Abstract: A harness that closes on the back by putting two rings into the clip of a leash. It consists of two straps. One end of the short strap is secured around the center bar of a tri-glide. The other end goes through a ring on the animal's chest. It then goes back through the same tri-glide and forms a loop that is secured. The long strap runs through the afore mentioned loop and one end goes through a keeper. It goes through a side ring and back through the same keeper. It goes under the side bars of a tri-glide and through the chest ring. It goes back around the center bar of the same tri-glide forming a loop that is secured. The other end of the long piece repeats the procedure on the opposite side. The other embodiment of this harness is formed using only one length of strap. The center of this strap is secured over a chest ring. One end of this strap passes through a side ring and under the side bars of a tri-glide. It goes through the chest ring and around the center bar of the tri-glide. There it is secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Patricia G. Clark
  • Publication number: 20020033146
    Abstract: An open-webbed cage support device providing support that enabling a mechanical device such as a thermal expansion tank to be suspended or mounted adjacent to the thermal water heating device without the need to improvise a “made in the field” support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Philip A. Parker, Patricia E. Garvin
  • Publication number: 20020033147
    Abstract: Formed in a cylinder block are oil grooves each arranged in a top deck of the cylinder block to surround a corresponding cylinder liner, a supply channel connected to an oil pump, a return channel connected to an oil pan, communication holes interconnecting adjacent oil grooves in series, an inflow hole connecting the most upstream oil groove to the supply channel and an outflow hole connecting the most downstream oil groove to the return channel. Consequently, the oil grooves of all cylinders connected in series cause engine oil to flow through all the oil grooves at the same rate. Such an arrangement is simple in structure and has reduced the number of components so that the manufacturing cost is reduced and the reliability of the cooling system is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Negishi, Shinichi Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20020033148
    Abstract: In a working engine including a bearing mounted on an outer wall of a crankcase for carrying a crankshaft, an oil seal mounted on the outer wall of a crankcase and disposed outside and adjacent the bearing, and a cooling fan which is attached to an outer end of the crankshaft adjacent the oil seal with its blades turned toward the crankcase and which has blades protruding toward the crankcase, a cylindrical protective tube is formed on an outer sidewall of the crankcase to cover ends of bosses of the cooling fan, and a foreign matter-beating piece is formed on the cooling fan 16 in proximity to an outer peripheral surface of the protective tube. Thus, even if a long foreign matter drawn in by the cooling fan such as a weed and the like has been entangled around the crankshaft, it can be beaten and loosened, or cut by the foreign matter-beating piece rotated along with the cooling fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita Ito, Takao Nishida, Takeshi Maeda, Kenji Higashi
  • Publication number: 20020033149
    Abstract: An oil groove is formed on a top deck of a cylinder block to surround a cylinder liner such that the groove does not substantially extend deeper beyond cylindrical load plane of a seal ring on a head gasket, which prevents a clamp-down load of the gasket from acting as a bending load on an upper wall of the groove. The cylinder liner, which receives a great amount of heat transmitted from a top ring on a piston when the latter is near and at its top dead center position, can be effectively cooled without deformation of the cylinder block and/or the cylinder liner even if the top ring is positioned at an elevated position for the purpose of attaining a high compression ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: HINO MOTORS LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Negishi, Shinichi Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20020033150
    Abstract: A method of controlling an internal combustion engine having an electromagnetically actuated intake valve for a cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Yano
  • Publication number: 20020033151
    Abstract: A process and a device for controlling selective cylinder filling in combustion engines with a variable valve drive, where the valve stroke and/or the valve opening and closing times of the cylinder intake valves are controllable. In order to ensure satisfactory idling quality also in direct fuel-injection engines in spite of the occurring production tolerances, at least one input magnitude is determined on whose basis conclusions can be drawn as to the filling level or filling level differences of each cylinder. From this input magnitude, a control signal for the variable valve operation is determined such that differing filling levels of the cylinder can be balanced out by adjusting the valve drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michael Bayer
  • Publication number: 20020033152
    Abstract: A valve operating device for an internal combustion engine enabling both valve timing and valve lift characteristic to be varied depending on engine operating conditions includes intake and exhaust camshafts, an eccentric cam fixed to a first one of the intake and exhaust camshafts so that an axis of the eccentric cam is eccentric to an axis of the first camshaft. A rockable cam is supported on the first camshaft so that the rockable cam rotates or oscillates about the axis of the first camshaft. A rocker arm is oscillatingly supported on an outer periphery of the eccentric cam so that a center of an oscillating motion of the rocker arm revolves around the axis of the first camshaft. Also provided is a control shaft variably controlling the center of the oscillating motion of the rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: UNISIA JECS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seinosuke Hara, Keisuke Takeda, Yoshihiko Yamado, Yoshiaki Miyazato
  • Publication number: 20020033153
    Abstract: In a valve-operating mechanism in a 4-cycle engine, a timing transmitting device is disposed on one side of an engine body. A cam device includes a cam coupled to a driven pulley of the timing transmitting device on one side of a cylinder head, intake and exhaust rocker shafts rotatably carried in the cylinder head, intake and exhaust cam followers secured to one ends of the rocker shafts with their tip ends in sliding contact with the cam, and intake and exhaust rocker arms secured to the other ends of the intake and exhaust rocker shafts with their tip ends abutting against the intake and exhaust valves. Thus, the cam of the cam device can be disposed on one side of the cylinder head to effectively reduce the entire height of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Keita Ito, Takao Nishida, Takeshi Maeda, Yasuhiro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20020033154
    Abstract: A rocker arm support mechanism includes a holding member (3), a rocker arm shaft (6) and a nut (31). The holding member (3) has a base wall fastened to an end surface of a cylinder head, and a pair of support walls (3a) each provided with a hole (28). The rocker arm shaft (6) includes an eccentric sleeve (15) having a bore (20) and a circumference (15a) eccentric to the bore (20), and a support shaft (14) passed through the hole (28) of one of the side walls (3a), the bore (20) of the eccentric sleeve (15) and the hole (28) of the other side wall (3a). The support shaft (14) is inserted in the bore (20) of the eccentric sleeve (15) and the eccentric sleeve (15) is restrained from turning relative to the support shaft (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Michio Hirano, Tetsuaki Shirai
  • Publication number: 20020033155
    Abstract: For the purpose of precisely controlling a power supply to the glow plug and thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption, and stopping a control logic for a time when a battery voltage is low and thereby preventing a engine stall, the present invention provides a method for dividing an engine starting step into a cranking step and an idling step, controlling power supplied to the glow plug, and operating the glow plug even after successfully entering into a running state in the case of entering into an abnormal engine state based on an amount of injected fuel, an engine speed and a coolant temperature, and thereby controlling the glow plug from before the engine starts through after it is running.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Jae-Yoon Jung
  • Publication number: 20020033156
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the creation, placement and control of an area of electrical ionization within an internal combustion engine combustion chamber. This area of electrical ionization is positioned so that all of the fuel being injected into the combustion chamber must pass next to or through the area of electrical ionization to ensure that combustion has been initiated for all of the fuel as it is injected. This area of electrical ionization can be kept on as long as it is necessary to insure that the all of the fuel that is injected into the combustion chamber can be completely combusted. An engine equipped with this electrical ionization device has its fuel economy enhanced by timely, controlled, and complete combustion of all of the fuel injected into its combustion chamber. Furthermore, the pollutant emissions of both oxides of nitrogen and unburned hydrocarbons are reduced dramatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Michael E. Jayne
  • Publication number: 20020033157
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a compression ignition internal combustion engine having an electronic control module with an idle shutdown feature to automatically stop the engine after idling for a period of time include determining whether the engine is being loaded and overriding the idle shutdown feature to keep the engine running when the engine is being loaded. In one embodiment, the present invention includes monitoring operating conditions to determine that the vehicle is stationary, monitoring the engine to determine the engine is idling, initiating a timer/counter to provide an indication of idling time, determining that the engine is operating in an auxiliary power mode, determining engine load, and automatically stopping the engine when the idling time exceeds a first threshold and the engine load is less than a second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Marleen Frances Thompson, Ian Daniel McKenzie, Richard M. Avery
  • Publication number: 20020033158
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a vacuum release mechanism that includes a centrifugally actuated member movably attached to the camshaft and having a vacuum release cam extending therefrom. The vacuum release cam is in lifting engagement with the exhaust valve assembly at crankshaft cranking speeds during a portion of the power stroke to relieve vacuum forces opposing motion of the piston. The vacuum release cam centrifugally pivots out of engagement with the exhaust valve assembly in response to the crankshaft attaining running speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Keith A. Novak, James R. Dietz, Michael A. Mahy
  • Publication number: 20020033159
    Abstract: An air guiding system is provided for an internal-combustion engine of a piston-type construction and includes an air filter and a feeding device for a suction system connected with cylinders of the internal-combustion engine. A receptacle, through which air flows, is arranged in a pipe between the air filter and the feeding device for influencing resonances. For optimizing the sound characteristics of the internal-combustion engine, the pipe is interrupted in the area of the receptacle, and a cross-section of the receptacle is larger than the cross-section of pipe sections of the pipe extending to the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Juergen Schorn
  • Publication number: 20020033160
    Abstract: The present invention includes a light metal cylinder block comprising a cylinder running face which is coated with silicon. The invention also includes a method by which the silicon is applied to the running face comprising melting powdered metal silicon, which is fired at the face in a powdered metal beam, under heat of a laser which is fired at the running face at the point of impact of the powdered beam. Furthermore, the invention includes a device with which the cylinder block may be manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: VAW Aluminium AG
    Inventor: Franz Josef Feikus
  • Publication number: 20020033161
    Abstract: A light metal cylinder crankcase for combustion engines has cylinder bushings with a running layer that forms the running surface and a rough, external bonding layer for bonding the cylinder bushings to the cylinder crankcase while pouring the cylinder crankcase. At least 60% of the bonding layer relative to the jacket surface of the bonding layer is connected with the casting material of the cylinder crankcase in a material tight manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Dietmar Hoffmann, Josef Steibl, Frank Dornenburg, Markus Nolte, Achim Sach
  • Publication number: 20020033162
    Abstract: An engine unit for a vehicle comprises an engine case in which a crankshaft and a counter shaft are rotatably supported and an oil pump is provided so that rotation of the crankshaft is transmitted to the counter shaft. The counter shaft serves as a driving shaft of the oil pump arranged to be coaxial with the counter shaft. The oil pump has a pump case, which is provided with a tubular engaging member concentrically surrounding the counter shaft to extend in an axial direction thereof and with a discharge passage extending so as to be apart from the counter shaft in the axial direction thereof. The tubular engaging member is fitted into a fitting hole for a counter shaft bearing and the discharge passage having an end portion fitted into an oil supply port formed in the engine case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: SUZUKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinobu Tsutsumikoshi
  • Publication number: 20020033163
    Abstract: In a gasoline direct injection engine, the sloping surface formed on the top of the piston and the opposing roof surface of the cylinder head form mutually different angles with respect to a plane perpendicular to a cylinder axial line so that the intake air caught between the sloping surfaces of the piston and the opposing roof surface is gradually squeezed out of the gap between them, and is prevented from directly flowing into the recess at high speed. As a result, the mixture in the recess is kept at a favorable air/fuel ratio and the engine is enabled to operate in a stratified charge lean burn mode over a wide operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takashiba, Naoaki Takeda, Yutaka Kohda
  • Publication number: 20020033164
    Abstract: An ignition time controller for an internal combustion engine is provided for setting an ignition time such that it can rapidly converge to an appropriate value in accordance with a change in intake characteristics associated with a change in cam phase in either of a uniform combustion mode and a stratified combustion mode in a direct injection type internal combustion engine having a cam phase changing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Ogawa, Kazuhiro Ueda, Hiroshi Tagami
  • Publication number: 20020033165
    Abstract: Fuel injection control apparatus for direct injection type internal combustion engine controls timing of end of fuel injection so as to be capable of controlling fuel injection volume precisely without raising fuel pressure. The apparatus comprises crank angle sensor 16 detecting rotational angle of internal combustion engine, fuel injection valve 4 directly injecting fuel to combustion chamber, fuel pump 19 supplying fuel to said fuel injection valve 4 whereby supply pressure of fuel is set equal to or less than the maximum cylinder pressure during motoring of internal combustion engine 1, and control means 22 for controlling open or close timing of said fuel injection valve 4 to control fuel injection amount and fuel injection duration and judging timing of closing of the intake valve 9 of inner combustion engine 1 from the rotational angle output of crank angle sensor 16 and controlling fuel injection timing to close fuel injection valve 4 not later than the closing of intake valve 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Keiichi Enoki, Hirofumi Ohuchi, Takahiko Ono
  • Publication number: 20020033166
    Abstract: To achieve an integration of components and the rationalization of the default opening mechanism of the throttle valve, a reduction of the load of the motor drive and a stabilization of the throttle control operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Shimura, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito, Toshifumi Usui, Eisuke Wayama, Yoshinori Fukasaku
  • Publication number: 20020033167
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for a direct injection engine which has a variable capacity single cylinder plunger pump and two fuel rails. There are disposed orifices at the upstream side inlets of the both fuel rails, respectively. At the opposite sides to the inlet sides, the fuel rails are interconnected with each other by a connecting pipe. By the fuel supply system, it is capable of increasing a characteristic frequency of the fuel columns, and of stabilizing, suppressing, and smoothing out pressure pulsation in the fuel rails, thereby reducing uneven fuel injections into the cylinders. The system may have a cam which drives a plunger of a high pressure fuel pump to reciprocate once for every two combustion in two engine cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Kenji Hiraku, Kenichiro Tokuo, Tadahiko Nogami, Kunihiko Takao, Hiroyuki Yamada, Yukio Takahashi, Atsuji Saito
  • Publication number: 20020033168
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel pump disposed in a fuel tank. The fuel tank is supported by a tubular bracket secured to a mounting plate installed in an opening of a fuel tank and extending into the fuel tank. The bracket surrounds the fuel pump and restrains the fuel pump along its outer periphery. The bracket may include inwardly projecting portions for restraining the fuel pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Noda
  • Publication number: 20020033169
    Abstract: A fuel meter (21) of a fuel injection pump is made movable for fuel metering through a governor lever (14). A swing lever (31) has a power input point (J) which engages with a boost actuator (26). If the boost actuator (26) operates in response to a delayed rise of a supercharged pressure (P), a power output point (K) of the swing lever (31) inhibits the fuel meter (21) from moving for fuel increase. A governor lever (14) is connectably and separably opposed to the fuel meter (21) from a fuel increase side and a start spring (18) urges the fuel meter (21) toward a starting fuel increase side. The swing lever (31) has a pivot axis (Q) displaceable by an actuator (40). When making a cold start, the actuator (40) does not operate to thereby confine the fuel meter (21) to a starting fuel increase position by the power output point (K) positioned on a fuel increase side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshii, Hidemasa Tsuji, Tomoyoshi Sakano
  • Publication number: 20020033170
    Abstract: An EGR system includes an intake and an exhaust valve arranged in a cylinder head of an engine, a first link pivotally supported by the cylinder head using a first pivot member for actuating the intake valve, a second link pivotally supported by the cylinder using a second pivot member for actuating the exhaust valve, an EGR adjuster connected to a proximal end of the first link and contacted a lower surface of the second link for adjusting exhaust valve opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Min-Seon Choi