Patents Issued in February 4, 2003
  • Patent number: 6513284
    Abstract: The combination of a mounting post base, a first accessory that is removably mountable in an operative position to the mounting post base to perform a first function, and a second accessory that is removably mountable in an operative position to the mounting post base in place of the first accessory to perform a second function. The first and second accessories can be selectively mounted to the mounting post base, one in place of the other, to perform a desired function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Delbert E. Sandlin
  • Patent number: 6513285
    Abstract: A device for opening and closing a vehicle slide door window includes a window regulator mechanism having a lift arm supporting a pane and a driving mechanism for moving the pane in downward and upward directions when the driving mechanism rotates the lift arm in opposite directions to effect opening and closing of a window portion. A cam plate is arranged on the rotational axis of the lift arm and is operatively associated with the lift arm for rotating together with the lift arm and a detection lever is positioned adjacent to the cam plate and brought into contact with the cam plate at an end of the detection lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Isomura
  • Patent number: 6513286
    Abstract: A tool for hanging fascia board includes three parts. A first part consists of a t-bar having two pieces attached perpendicularly together and designed to be removably mounted on the end of a rafter board with the flat elongated member lying against a side wall of the rafter and with a portion of the second perpendicular member overlying the top of the rafter and removably affixed to it through the use of nails driven through openings in the second perpendicular member. A support hanger is pivotably mounted to the t-bar and has a slot sized and configured to slidably receive a fascia board. A depth adjuster is mounted on the support hanger and may be reciprocated and fixed in a desired position to adjust the depth of the slot of the support hanger. Thus, the depth of the slot may be adjusted to facilitate attachment of fascia boards of varying dimensions such as, for example, 2×4, 2×6, 2×8, 2×10, and 2×12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Brian J. Vierra
  • Patent number: 6513287
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an anchorage of a post-tension system in which a tendon is positioned within a cavity of an anchor such that an end of the tendon extends outwardly of the cavity, a plurality of wedges are mechanically inserted within the cavity between the tendon and a wall of the cavity, and pressure is applied to an end of the tendon such that the tendon and the wedges are in interference-fit relationship with the cavity. A compression mechanism is used having a cylindrical member and a plunger extending in a channel of the cylindrical member. The wedges are attached to the cylindrical member and the cylindrical member is moved toward the cavity such that the wedges enter a space between the tendon and the wall of the cavity. The plunger applies a compressive force to the end of the tendon when the end of the tendon is in the channel of the cylindrical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Felix L. Sorkin
  • Patent number: 6513288
    Abstract: A window assembly for installation across at least a portion of an opening through a partition frame. The window assembly includes a sheet of light-transmitting material defining opposite edges. Side members are disposed on the opposite side edges, and telescope relative to one another. At least one of the side members includes a connector for securing the window assembly to the partition frame. The connector engages the partition frame upon telescoping of the side members to secure the window to the partition frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas B. MacDonald, Theodore Q. Chau, Kevin J. Longhurst, Richard S. Hand, Mark D. Porter
  • Patent number: 6513289
    Abstract: A retaining clip for trunking includes a fixing base attached locally to a longitudinal wall of a base section of the trunking, such as an internal partition thereof, and a retaining flap which is articulated to the fixing base and can move from a standby position, in which it allows unrestricted access to the underlying interior volume of the base section, to a service position, in which it closes that interior volume at least partly, extending substantially transversely relative to it. The retaining clip includes, independently of any member or component of the base section or of the trunking, a releasable locking system for locking the retaining flap in its service position. Applications include trunking for electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNC
    Inventors: Bertrand Decore, Raphael Decore
  • Patent number: 6513290
    Abstract: A connector for attaching a first building structural member to a second building structural member in conjunction with fasteners and an anchor member to resist forces on buildings imposed by earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other similar cataclysmic forces is made with a strap and a standoff base. The standoff base receives the anchor member, and bears upon the strap. The strap is connected to the first building structural member by means of the fasteners. The first building structural member bears upon the standoff base while being lifted above the anchor member by the standoff base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Leek
  • Patent number: 6513291
    Abstract: A concrete slab construction in which a building ring is used to isolate the slab from a column which supports upper parts of a building. The ring is placed on a concrete pier beneath the column. Concrete may be poured to form a slab outside of the ring and also inside the cavity formed within the ring. The column maybe placed directly on the pier before the ring is filled with concrete or on the concrete which is poured inside the ring. The ring may be tapered from bottom to top to enhance isolation of the column and pier from the slab. The ring may be adjustable in diameter and height and may have a fastening foot for securing the ring in place on the pier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: David R. Gilsdorf
  • Patent number: 6513292
    Abstract: A building panel formed by extruding a mixture of wooden and/or bamboo powder and a binding agent. Its panel body comprises (i) a door panel extending in the direction of extrusion, (ii) a pair of longitudinal frame members formed in the direction of extrusion on the right and left sides of the door panel, and (iii) a panel strip formed in the direction of extrusion at the center of the door panel. The door panel, the paired longitudinal frame members, and the panel strip are formed as a single piece. The door panel and the panel strip are cut short at their upper and lower ends so that the upper and lower ends of the longitudinal frame members stand out beyond the cut ends of the door panel and the panel strip, the standing-out portions constituting tenons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kumon Building Constructor's Office, Inc.
    Inventor: Shigetomi Kumon
  • Patent number: 6513293
    Abstract: A building block for constructing masonry block walls includes a concrete block formed with first, second and third spaced parallel rectangular side walls, where the second side wall is intermediate the first and third side walls. First and second vertical end cross webs connect the first and second side walls; and a notch is formed in the upper surface of each of these vertical end cross webs. First and second spaced intermediate vertical cross webs are located in planes between the planes of the end cross webs and connect the second and third side walls. These intermediate cross webs each also have a notch extending downwardly from the top thereof. A first insulating core is dimensioned to fill the space between the first and second side walls and first and second end cross webs. Ears or protrusions extend outwardly from the insulating core to fit into the notches in the end cross webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis Miller
  • Patent number: 6513295
    Abstract: A suspension system for false ceiling panels easy to install and remove. The suspension system exhibits a high resistance to fire and low heat transmission following a fire, according to safety regulations currently in force for naval and civil furniture. The system comprises a reticular structure suspended to the floor, consisting of upturned-T structural members to which suitable tie rods fastened to the floor are coupled. The structural members being arranged with primary and secondary members orthogonally arranged with respect to one another forming bays within which ceiling panels are positioned. A series of metal panels are inserted snap-wise in the bays obtained in the reticular suspension structure. The snap wise insertion is effected by step-wise edges along each edge of the metal panels. Insulation material is inserted along a back side of the panels to provide the high resistance to fire and low heat transmission following a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Sadi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Bertella Bernardino
  • Patent number: 6513296
    Abstract: A wall anchor for reinforcing and/or securing walls, comprising an elongated anchor section, which is constructed to pass through an opening of one or more bricks and at which at least one abutment is provided, which can be pushed into the opening or over which a brick can be pushed and which is braced in the opening against movement of the wall anchor or of the brick in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Steffen Baden
  • Patent number: 6513297
    Abstract: The sidewalls of a truck/trailer box are constructed from a plurality of panels (10, 12, 14) which are welded together where their vertical edges meet (82, 88, 90). The panels (10, 12, 14) are each extrusions and each includes thin side skins (24, 26 and 48, 50 and 56, 58) and thin webs (28, 52, 60). The top panel (10) may be formed to include an integral top rail (34). The bottom panel (14) may be formed to include one or two side rails (18, 18′ and 120). The regions that need to be welded are made thick enough to be welded. Other regions are too thin to be welded. The overall construction is lightweight and quite strong and facilitates construction of the truck/trailer box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Kloepfer
  • Patent number: 6513298
    Abstract: A web connector, a building component connection and a method for connecting a first building component to a second building component. One embodiment of the web connector includes a rib member that is attachable to a web portion of the first building component and an attachment plate extending outward from the rib member. The rib member may be sized so that it is received on a leg portion that protrudes from the web portion of the first building component. The attachment plate is attachable to an attachment flange of the second building component. In another embodiment, the web connector includes two rib members and an attachment member that forms two plates for attaching two additional building components thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Aegis Metal Framing LLC
    Inventor: Douglas A. Rassel
  • Patent number: 6513299
    Abstract: An antenna support for a power transmission tower having a vertically disposed mast extending upwardly through the tower with the antenna support being mounted on the upper end of the mast. The weight of antenna support is transferred to the legs of the tower rather than to the mast through the use of support bracing extending between the elongated pipe and the tower. An antenna platform is mounted on the upper end of the mast with the weight thereof being supported by the elongated pipe. The platform is comprised of three triangular-shaped platform sections having mounting rings at the inner ends thereof which are slipped over the upper end of the mast with the lowermost mounting ring resting upon the upper end of the elongated pipe. The antenna support may be mounted on a cellular transmitting/receiving tower or on a guy-wired mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand A. Damiano
  • Patent number: 6513300
    Abstract: A wall cladding anchorage has a rod with ends loosely enveloped by fabric sleeves. The wall is drilled to receive one end and the cladding is drilled, or otherwise formed with a cavity, to receive the other end. Either the wall or the cladding may have the anchorage fixed first, by grout being injected to expand the sleeve and seep through it to bond to the drilling or cavity wall. Then the cladding is offered up and the other sleeve likewise expanded, the grout being injected via a duct leading between the cladding and the wall. Instead of a single part rod, there may be two elements, such as a tube and a rod that screws into it, each with a sleeve so that the cladding or wall need not have significantly projections until shortly before the cladding is fixed. It is also possible to have a single sleeve over the whole rod and inject grout into its central zone, between the wall and cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: International Intec Trading
    Inventor: Peter James
  • Patent number: 6513301
    Abstract: A thermal insulation sheet is maneuvered into position, especially in closely confined corners in an attic, by a tool having a prong which is inserted into the sheet, and a pusher surface which contacts the sheet to limit the depth of insertion of the prong, and which guides the sheet while an installer pushes the pusher surface against the sheet while maintaining the prong in the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Snyder, Nancy Snyder
  • Patent number: 6513302
    Abstract: A plant packaging method of providing a tubular sleeve having a lower portion and an upper portion detachable from the lower portion and disposing the tubular sleeve about a potted plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6513303
    Abstract: A stack of bank notes with substantially parallelepiped shape and a defined stacking axis is formed by a forming machine and fed by a gripper to a banding unit equipped with a part which receives and grips each stack, which operates in conjunction with a banding machine for the application of a pair of first retaining bands, each wrapped around the stack at its opposite ends and at least one second retaining band which is wrapped around the stack in such a way that it is in contact with two transversal surfaces and two lateral surfaces, so that portions of the first bands and second band overlap one another on each of the two opposite transversal surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Currency Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Armando Neri
  • Patent number: 6513304
    Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is constructed of a material capable of receiving a portion of a floral grouping and supporting the floral grouping. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material and a crimped portion is formed in the sheet of material with the crimped portion cooperating to hold the sheet of material about the floral holding material to provide a decorative covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Weder, William F. Straeter
  • Patent number: 6513305
    Abstract: Chocolates are wrapped individually by a method that involves feeding single wrapping sheets along a first path in a first direction spaced at a selected pitch, in such a way that the trailing edge of one wrapping sheet and the leading edge of the next are distanced one from another, and at the same time feeding a continuous ribbon in a second direction along a second path that merges with the first path at an assembling station where the ribbon is stably united with the sheets; ribbon and sheet then advance together in a third direction, along which the ribbon is divided into discrete slivers by repeated cuts, each made between the trailing edge of one sheet and the leading edge of the next and at a distance such that each sliver will present a portion projecting from the trailing edge of the wrapping sheet to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hershey Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6513306
    Abstract: The wrapper which surrounds the product is formed from two pieces, for example, of thin aluminium foil. The first piece is shaped to a generally cup-shaped configuration so as to house the product substantially completely also leaving a projecting edge in the region of the mouth portion of the cup-shaped configuration. The second piece, which retains a substantially flat configuration, is applied and welded to the projecting edge. The rim formed as a result of the connection of the two pieces is then subjected to a shaping operation against the product, conferring on the rim a generally case-like configuration. A case-like housing body with a flat base wall which can support the product is thus formed, the case-like housing body being constituted by an integral part of the wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Soremartec S.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Milano
  • Patent number: 6513307
    Abstract: A sheathing method includes the steps of depositing a bale on a sheathing carrier. The bale is pushed onto the carrier and slides on the carrier base plate against the preceding bale using a pusher-ejector device. A pushing motion of the pusher-ejector device causes a handling equipment to simultaneously move the tractor attached to the handling in a direction opposite to the direction of the pushing motion. The movement of the tractor is caused by a cross piece arranged beneath the frame of the pusher-ejector device. The carrier has a stop integral with the two rails that define the base plate. The cross piece contacts the stop to move the carrier by a step corresponding to a length of the bale in the same direction as the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Lucas G
    Inventor: Gerard Lucas
  • Patent number: 6513308
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing tubular bag packages has a forming tube with a rectangular cross section. In order to produce reinforcing seams in a projection of the broad side walls of the tubular bag package, the device has a forming and folding device. The forming and folding device has two forming plates attached to the forming tube and a folding frame with folding plates. The relatively simply embodied device according to the invention makes it possible to form the reinforcing seams with less stress on the packaging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Antonius Meeuwesen, Johannis Lambie, Adrianus Arie Vermaat, Barend Bastiaan Romijn
  • Patent number: 6513309
    Abstract: An accessory (10) for a stirrup iron (12) having a stirrup bottom (14) and a stirrup top (16), the stirrup top having an upper portion (18) to which a stirrup leather is attached, in use, and a pair of opposed side portions (22), the accessory dimensioned to be receivable within the stirrup opening (46) and including a receptacle (24) of a flexible material with a cover member (28) and a floor member (30) that defines a region (26) in which a boot or shoe of a rider is receivable, and at least one upper strap (32) and extends from the cover member to be engageable with the stirrup top, and at least one lower strap (34) or two side straps (52) that extend from the floor member for sides of the cover member respectively and engageable with the bottom or sides of the stirrup respectively, and a fastening arrangement (36) that is positioned on at least the straps to permit the straps and thus the receptacle to be releasably fastened to the stirrup iron, so that in use forward movement of the riders's boot, r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Adrian Anthony Morgante
  • Patent number: 6513310
    Abstract: A disabling feature used with a lawn mower, for disabling the drive wheels of a lawn mower when an obstacle is encountered. Braking, engine kill, blade stopping, and declutching is contemplated upon the tripping of a pivotable contact device which in one embodiment is configured to be tripped when contacting an object while in reverse. A directional extension flap is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Snapper, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Hancock, Stephen C. Price, James R. Powers, Steven D. Smyly, Lucius L. Cole
  • Patent number: 6513311
    Abstract: The cutter head of a windrower may carry a sickle bar or a disc as the cutting element. Each type of cutting element requires a different drive power to obtain a given set point speed. To determine the type of cutter being used, the magnitude of the signal required to bring the cutting element to a given set point speed is measured and compared to limits defining first and second, non-overlapping, ranges of signal magnitudes, one range being typical of sickle bar operation and the other range being typical of disc operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Berger, Philip J. Ehrhart
  • Patent number: 6513312
    Abstract: A mower with a grass catcher (10) for collecting grass clippings transmitted from a mower unit. The grass catcher has an inlet opening (12) in a front position thereof, and an outlet opening (13) and an openable lid (14) in a rear position. The grass catcher (10) is connected to the rear end of a vehicle body to be supported in a suspended state by a grass catcher support unit (100). The support unit includes mounting posts (9) attached to the rear end of the vehicle body and extending upward, and a support link mechanism (20) for interconnecting upper regions of the mounting posts and lower rearward regions of the grass catcher, and for switching the grass catcher between a grass clippings collecting posture with the inlet opening directed forwardly of the vehicle body, and a raised dumping posture with the outlet opening directed downward. The support link mechanism performs a switching process for switching the grass catcher from the grass clippings collecting posture to the raised dumping posture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Shoso Ishimori, Nobuyuki Yamashita, Takashi Fujii, Kazuaki Kurohara, Shinichiro Saji
  • Patent number: 6513313
    Abstract: A support structure for a divider of an agricultural corn head that includes a first tension member that is pivotally attached to a second tension member. A stop is provided which prevents the lines of tension of the first and second tension members from aligning. The tension assembly can therefore buckle upwards when an object underneath the support structure is struck. A lateral support for the divider is also provided with a clearance opening for the tension assembly. The divider can be rotated rearward into a transport or a service position and securely locked in place. A shipping position is provided in which the support structure can be rotated rearward by disconnecting the tension assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventor: Kelvin E. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6513314
    Abstract: The invention includes a first bobbin that supplies a first yarn, a second bobbin that supplies a second yarn, and a third bobbin that supplies a third yarn. Additionally, the invention includes a guide that guides the first and second yarns so that they are substantially parallel to each other, and a combining device the combines and twists the parallel disposed first and second yarns with the third yarn. The invention enables the manufacture of a two-ply cord having a filler yarn therein, in a single step, and also allows more cord to be manufactured within a specified time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Acordis Industrial Fibers, Inc.
    Inventor: Ricky A. Cook
  • Patent number: 6513315
    Abstract: The Apparatus for implementing the method of the invention comprises in succession, on the path of the thread (1): an air suction nozzle (3); at least one spray nozzle (4) for spraying a treatment bath; a removal chamber (5) for removing the air and excess treatment bath; and an air false-twist member (6); these four elements preferably forming a single-block assembly. In the spray nozzle (4) the treatment bath is sprayed at high pressure, e.g. of the order of 2×105 Pa to 6×105 Pa (2 bars to 6 bars) in the form of micro-droplets. After the apparatus, the installation includes finishing means (8) preferably consisting in two heater drums (10, 11) having offset axes, with the thread (1) being wound over the drums and moves over them in the form of substantially touching turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Verhaeghe Industries
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Alavoine, Michel Vanhelle
  • Patent number: 6513316
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making faceting hollow or solid jewelry chains involves subjecting the chain wrapped around the drum of an ice lathe to the rotary motion of a cutting wheel essentially perpendicular to the length of the drum. The cutting wheel has a plurality of teeth and is fitted at the end of an arbor held by two bearings clamped to a flat steel platform which is adapted to the advance mechanism arm of the ice lathe. An electric motor mounted on the flat platform turns a shaft that is fitted with pulleys to allow the rotary power of the shaft to be transmitted to the arbor. The direction of the turning of the cutting wheel determines whether the cutting wheel is used to flatten and facet a hollow chain link or to cut a solid chain link. The cutting wheel's diameter and quantity of teeth is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Jorge Rolando Passaro
  • Patent number: 6513317
    Abstract: A nitrogen compressor in an IGCC (integrated gasification, combined cycle) system provides gaseous nitrogen to be directly injected into the combustor of a gas turbine in the IGCC. The nitrogen is injected at substantially the same pressure as the output pressure from the nitrogen compressor. The compressor is controlled to adjust the output pressure of the nitrogen to match a nitrogen injection pressure for the combustor. By controlling the flow (pressure) of the nitrogen injected to a combustor of a gas turbine at the nitrogen compressor, the compressor is relieved of having to overcome the pressure loss through the nitrogen injection valves (which valves are run at or near full open throughout the operation of the nitrogen injection process), and does not need to provide nitrogen at a pressure substantially greater than the nitrogen pressure injected into the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Malath Ibrahim Arar, Jonathon Michael Hadley
  • Patent number: 6513318
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes, in flow series arrangement, a mixer, a compressor, a first flow path of a recuperator, a combustor, a turbine and a second flow path of said recuperator; and a bypass conduit between said turbine and said mixer. A valve is disposed in the conduit and is controlled by a temperature sensor mounted to sense compressor inlet air temperature. The sensor has a set point temperature that corresponds with optimum emissions from the engine. When the sensed temperature drops below the set point temperature the valve opens and hot air from the turbine flows to the mixer where it heats the air entering the compressor. A method for operating a gas turbine engine with preselected emissions over a range of ambient conditions is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hybrid Power Generation Systems LLC
    Inventor: E. Scott Wright
  • Patent number: 6513319
    Abstract: An engine has variable timing mechanisms, which are controlled in starting an engine to set valve opening overlap of an intake valve and an exhaust valve around 30° CA. In this case, internal EGR is actively conducted and fuel burning velocity within a cylinder becomes relatively slow and unburned fuel within the cylinder is emitted to an exhaust pipe to be post-burned by itself. Temperature of exhaust gas is maintained high and catalyst converters in the cold state may be activated quickly by actively implementing the post-burning within the exhaust pipe. Further, ignition timing is retarded, an air-fuel ratio is controlled at a slightly lean ratio and the exhaust valve is advanced. The effect of raising the temperature of exhaust gas by the post-burning may be realized more reliably by combining each of these controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masaei Nozawa, Sigenori Isomura, Yoshihiro Majima
  • Patent number: 6513320
    Abstract: An engine control system for a direct injection-spark ignition type of engine which is equipped with a fuel injector for spraying fuel directly into a combustion chamber and an exhaust system having a lean NOx conversion catalyst for lowering an emission level of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in exhaust gas at an air-fuel ratio of &lgr;>1 controls divides a given amount of fuel into two parts which are intermittently delivered through early and late split injection respectively in a intake stroke and controls a fuel injector such that a midpoint between points at which the early and late split injection are timed respectively to start is before a midpoint of a intake stroke while the engine is in a lean fuel charge zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nishimura, Youichi Kuji
  • Patent number: 6513321
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas purifying apparatus of the present invention, oxygen sensors 18 and 20 are respectively located upstream, a close coupled three-way catalyst 14 positioned at the upstream end of an exhaust system, and downstream, in a under floor three-way catalyst 17 positioned at the downstream end. When an output VO2 of the oxygen sensor 20 exceeds a predetermined voltage VO2H2, the first correction coefficient KCMDLS is calculated in accordance with the output VO2 (S12 and S13). And when VO2≦VO2H2 is established, in accordance with the engine operating state the second correction coefficient KVMDR is set to a predetermined value KVMDR0 that is slightly greater than 1.0 (S16 to S18), and the target air-fuel ratio coefficient KCMD is corrected by using the correction coefficients KCMDLS and KCMDR (S21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Suzuki, Toru Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6513322
    Abstract: A device for controlling the rise of the catalyst temperature in an internal combustion engine, capable of quickly raising the catalyst temperature at the start to satisfy the exhaust gas regulations to a sufficient degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ohuchi, Tadahiro Azuma
  • Patent number: 6513323
    Abstract: An uncontrolled heat pipe (20) is used in a valve seat device (19) for transferring the waste heat from the exhaust gas acting on the metering valve (15) to a condensation zone (21) which is situated in an environment which is at a lower temperature, whereby the metering valve is cooled sufficiently to prevent a chemical change of a reducing agent which otherwise can be caused by high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Weigl, Gerhard Wissler
  • Patent number: 6513324
    Abstract: A device for cleaning exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, especially a diesel engine, includes at least one catalyst carrier body through which an exhaust gas can flow. The catalyst carrier body is disposed in a casing tube and has a honeycomb-shaped structure. An electrical heating element has a supply terminal at each end and a twisted current path over an electrically insulating gap in the heating element. The heating element is a honeycomb body which is fixed to the catalyst carrier body by electrically insulating support elements and which is located downstream of the catalyst carrier body in exhaust gas flow direction. A honeycomb body, especially a particle filter, situated downstream, may be heated particularly effectively and a temperature required there may be reached and/or maintained, especially for igniting soot that has collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Rolf Brück, Friedrich-Wilhelm Kaiser, Hubertus Kotthoff
  • Patent number: 6513325
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission including a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor fluidly connected with each other, being immersed in an oil sump formed in a housing. A pair of oil passages for fluidly connecting the hydraulic pump with the hydraulic motor are formed in a center section on which the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor are mounted. The center section is provided on an outer surface thereof with a pair of openings of the respective oil passages. A control arm is disposed in the housing so as to interlock with a pump capacity changing member like a movable swash plate, thereby enabling the pump capacity changing member to be moved to various actuation positions including a neutral position in association with rotation of the control arm rotated to various actuation positions including a neutral position. A contact member having a surface abutting against the pair of openings of the center section is formed integrally with the control arm. A pair of oil passages are provided in the contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Shimizu, Ryota Ohashi, Masaru Iida
  • Patent number: 6513326
    Abstract: The present invention provides heat exchanging elements for use in Stirling engines. According to the present invention, the heat exchanging elements are made from muliple platelets that are stacked and joined together. The use of platelets to make heat exchanging elements permits Stirling engines to run more effiecient because the heat transfer and combustion processes are improved. In one embodiment, multi-stage combustion can be introduced with platlets, along with the flexibility to use different types of fuels. In another embodiment, a single component constructed from platelets can provide the heat transfer requirements between the combustion gas/working gas, working gas in the regenerator and the working gas/coolant fluid of a Stirling engine. In another embodiment, the platelet heat exchanging element can recieve solar energy to heat the Stirling engine's working gas. Also, this invention provides a heat exchanging method that allows for multiple fluids to flow in opposing or same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph P. Maceda, Randall L. Peeters, Felix F. Chen, Ross A. Hewitt, Jackson I. Ito, Kenneth P. Klaas, John L. Grimes, Svein Hestevik
  • Patent number: 6513327
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure assisting device includes a power piston slidably accommodated in a housing, an input member movable relative to the power piston in response to operation of a brake member, and an auxiliary hydraulic pressure source that increases brake fluid in a reservoir to a predetermined pressure and outputs power hydraulic pressure. A pressure modulator connected to the auxiliary hydraulic pressure source and the reservoir modulates power hydraulic pressure outputted from the auxiliary hydraulic pressure source to a predetermined pressure corresponding to movement of the input member relative to the power piston and supplies modulated power hydraulic pressure to a power chamber in the power piston. A cylindrical elastic member has one end portion connected to the input member or power piston and another end portion connected to the housing, with a space being defined in the elastic member connected to the pressure modulator and the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michiharu Nishii, Satoshi Ishida, Masaki Oishi
  • Patent number: 6513328
    Abstract: An internal combustion has an exhaust gas line, an exhaust gas heat exchanger through which exhaust gas withdrawn through the exhaust gas line passes so as to take heat energy, a heating heat exchanger to which the withdrawn heat energy is made available and which is connected to a cooling fluid circuit of the internal combustion engine, an exhaust gas turbocharger provided with a turbine housing and a turbine wheel rotatable in the latter, the exhaust gas turbocharger being arranged in the exhaust gas line, the exhaust gas heat exchanger being connected heat conductively with the turbine housing of the exhaust gas turbocharger for withdrawing of heat from the exhaust gas which passes through the turbine wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Baeuerle, Klaus Ries-Mueller
  • Patent number: 6513329
    Abstract: A tangential entry premixing fuel injector (10) for a gas turbine engine combustor includes a pair of offset scrolls (18) whose ends define a pair of entry slots (36) for admitting primary combustion air tangentially into a mixing chamber (28) bounded by the scrolls (18) and by longitudinally spaced endplates (14, 16). An array of fuel injection passages (42) extends along the length of the slots. The passage array is configured to inject a primary fuel nonuniformly along the length of the air entry slots and to control the fuel penetration depth d in proportion to slot height R. The injector also includes a flame disgorging centerbody (48) having a bluff tip (54) longitudinally aligned with the injector's discharge plane (22) and a secondary fuel conduit (80) extending through the centerbody for discharging a secondary combustible fluid, preferably gaseous fuel, through a series of fuel discharge openings (84) in the tip (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Snyder, William A. Sowa, Stephen A. Morford, Kevin J. Van Dyke
  • Patent number: 6513330
    Abstract: An annular diffuser for a gas turbine engine includes inner and outer walls spaced apart to define a diffuser flow path, and a support member coupling the inner wall to the outer wall while allowing independent radial displacement therebetween. The support member includes a first end portion rigidly connected to the inner wall, and a second end portion extending outside of the diffuser flowpath and coupled to the outer wall by a radially extending pin. An aerodynamically-shaped shroud member surrounds the support member to thermally isolate the support member from the diffuser flowpath, thereby shielding the support member from transient thermal loads. The shroud member is pinned to the support member at a single axial location. A combustor dome panel is attached to the downstream end portion of the shroud member and is adapted to independently support inner and outer combustor liners in spaced relation to define a combustion chamber therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Allison Advanced Development Company
    Inventors: Edward C. Rice, Kenneth W. Froemming
  • Patent number: 6513331
    Abstract: A multi-hole cooled combustor liner is provided which reduces hot streaks and associated material distress in the liner. Areas of increased cooling hole density are disposed upstream of the primary dilution holes and in circumferential alignment with fuel cup centers. Additional cooling holes are provided in between primary dilution holes are arranged in alternating pairs of circumferentially angled holes so as to provide a converging cooling air flow in the downstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Dale Brown, Gilbert Farmer, Myron Edward Rutherford
  • Patent number: 6513332
    Abstract: A breather outlet 10 for discharging a liquid dispersion therefrom comprising an outlet pipe 12 wherein the breather outlet 10 further comprises an electromagnetic wave generator 14 so that, in use, electromagnetic waves produced by the wave generator 14 impart sufficient electromagnetic energy to the liquid dispersion to evaporate at least a portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Ian C. D. Care, Ronald A Midgley, Michael J Mountney
  • Patent number: 6513333
    Abstract: A surge detection system for detecting a surge occurred at a compressor of a gas turbine aeroengine having a turbine connected to the compressor. In the system, the ratio between the compressor outlet pressure and its differential and the differential of the turbine inlet temperature (or the ratio between the turbine inlet temperature and its differential) are calculated. Then, the calculated value are multiplied together and the product is compared with a threshold value. When the product is less than the threshold value, it is determined that a surge occurred at the compressor. With this, a surge occurred at the compressor and a magnitude or degree of the surge occurred may be accurately detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukinobu Sugitani
  • Patent number: 6513334
    Abstract: A three stage lean burn combustion chamber (28) comprises a primary combustion zone (36), a secondary combustion zone (40) and a tertiary combustion zone (44). Each of the combustion zones (36, 40, 44) is supplied with premixed fuel and air by respective fuel and air mixing ducts (76, 78, 80, 92). Secondary fuel injectors (106) and two secondary fuel manifolds (105A, 105B) supply fuel into different circumferential sectors, halves, of the secondary fuel and air mixing duct (80). The secondary fuel manifolds (105A, 105B) have secondary fuel valves (107A, 107B) which supply a greater proportion of fuel to the secondary fuel manifold (105A) than the secondary fuel manifold (105B) so that there is circumferential biasing of fuel in the secondary combustion zone (40). This circumferential biasing of fuel in the secondary combustion zone (40) reduces the generation of harmful pressure oscillations in the combustion chamber (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Brian A. Varney