Patents Issued in February 11, 2003
  • Patent number: 6516752
    Abstract: A veterinary bathing station for washing animals is shown which includes a stall having a bottom wall and enclosing sidewalls. One of the sidewalls has a door opening for ingress and egress of an animal to be bathed or groomed. A ramp is connected to the stall bottom wall by a rotatable coupling and can be rotated between a retracted and extended positions which allow the ramp to easily rotate in and out of the open space created under the bottom wall of the washing stall to thereby allow the animal ingress and egress through the wall opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Batterton
  • Patent number: 6516753
    Abstract: An animal grooming station wherein a bracket having an animal retaining loop depending therefrom is coupled to a moveable arm attached to a table by a rotational bearing. The axis of rotation of the bearing is in vertical alignment with the retaining loop. Movement of the bracket about the table does not change the position of the retaining loop. The table is contoured to aid in movement of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Farnam Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ted D. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6516754
    Abstract: A heating system for heating liquids, stored in a tank at low ambient temperature, has a heating chamber with an inlet and an outlet for convectively flowing liquid past a flameless heater. Cold liquid is drawn through an inlet line, from the tank near its base and into a heating chamber, absorbs radiant energy from the heater as it travels therethrough. Heated liquid is circulated into the tank through an upper outlet from the heating chamber and back into the tank. Preferably, the heated liquid reenters the tank through a floating discharge flexibly connected to the upper outlet so as to remain dynamically in contact with the liquid at all times, thus avoiding airlocks which would interrupt the convective flow of liquid through the heating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas Chadwick
  • Patent number: 6516755
    Abstract: In a cooling circuit for an internal combustion engine including a cylinder block with a cylinder head wherein the cooling circuit includes a coolant pump with a coolant duct extending from the pump to the engine for supplying coolant thereto, the coolant duct includes a valve arranged between the coolant pump and the engine for controlling the flow of coolant through the coolant duct to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Jens von Gregory
  • Patent number: 6516756
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for a marine engine includes an improved construction that, by the introduction of lubricant into the fuel, inhibits components of the system from rusting in the event that water, particularly salt water, is mixed with the fuel. The engine includes a lubricant delivery system to deliver lubricant to at least one portion of the engine that needs lubrication. A premix lubricant pump is provided for supplying lubricant with the fuel injection device from the lubricant delivery system so as to mix the part of the lubricant to the fuel. An ECU controls an amount of the part of the lubricant so as to be in a proper and extremely small range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Kato, Hiroaki Takase
  • Patent number: 6516757
    Abstract: A supercharged internal combustion engine is provided with a double-link type piston crank mechanism connecting between a piston and a crankshaft. The piston crank mechanism causes the piston to move at a speed which is smaller around a top dead center (TDC) and larger around a bottom dead center (BDC) as compared with respective corresponding piston speeds attained by a comparable single-link type piston crank mechanism. The double-link type piston crank mechanism variably controls a compression ratio by varying an angular position of one of links constituting the piston crank mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Aoyama, Takayuki Arai, Katsuya Moteki
  • Patent number: 6516758
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electromagnetic drive, comprising and armature that can move electromagnetically back and forth. The movement of the armature drives a valve of an internal combustion engine. The ratio of the depth of the yoke in relation to the width of the yoke of the electromagnets and the length of the armature in relation to the width of the armature is greater than 1.5 in order to reduce the power consumption of the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Heinz Leiber
  • Patent number: 6516759
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is capable of ensuring good response within a control range, stability outside the control range, and durability without increasing the capacity of electric power for a drive circuit and an OCV coil. The valve timing control apparatus includes an intake vale 31, an exhaust valve 32, an engine operating condition detecting section (3, 11, 14), a target valve timing calculating section 21, variable valve timing mechanisms 15, 16, an actual valve timing detecting section (14, 17, 18), a control amount calculating section 21 for calculating a control amount based on target valve timing, actual valve timing and engine operating conditions, and an actual valve timing control section (19, 20) for outputting the control amount as an output control amount to the variable valve timing mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Takahashi, Morio Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 6516760
    Abstract: A variable timing system for i.c. engines, especially for motor vehicles, with suction and/or exhaust valves provided with hydraulic tappets in which the position of the oil inlet passages within the chamber of the hydraulic tappet can be selectively regulated in such a manner as to appropriately vary the moment at which they become closed by the cup member of the tappet, thus either retarding or advancing the opening of the valve i.e. diminishing or increasing its lift continuously from zero to a maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Gianluigi Buglioni
  • Patent number: 6516761
    Abstract: Disclosed is an overhead rocker cam valve operating device for an internal combustion engine and which is particularly useful for race cars or high performance automobiles. The device includes a rocker cam and connecting fixed plate, the rocker cam arm being adjustable within a slot in the fixed plate to provide for more or less power. Hence, the rocker cam arm can be positioned closest to the cam lobe to provide for performance or speed, or can be positioned farther from the cam lobe to provide for less power or economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: William P. Curtis
  • Patent number: 6516762
    Abstract: A seal member of a seal unit of a valve timing adjusting device has foot portions and protrusive guides protruding from a seal reverse plane along internal surfaces of the foot portions. A plate spring of the seal unit has foot portions and fork portions arranged on top ends of the foot portions. A slit is formed in each fork portion to allow the insertion of the protrusive guide when the plate spring is fitted to the seal member. The positional relationship between the slit and the protrusive guide is determined on condition that the plate spring fitted to the seal member does not detach from the seal member and the plate spring does not collide with the protrusive guide when the plate spring is bent to arrange the seal unit in the valve timing adjusting device. When the plate spring is fitted to the seal member, the slits of the fork portions are positioned just above the protrusive guides, and the plate spring is dropped according to the gravitational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kinugawa, Minoru Hikita
  • Patent number: 6516763
    Abstract: A method of actuating a device for varying the valve timing of an internal combustion engine without jamming of the locking element during starting of the internal combustion engine, the solenoid of the hydraulic valve is at first energized through a number of high frequency cycles of high and low energization that are broken off after a defined period of time or after a defined number of cycles, followed by a renewed energization of the solenoid with a high energization with a simultaneous check by the microprocessor to determine whether the element fixed to the camshaft has been angularly displaced relative to the element fixed to the crankshaft out of its basic position whereby if the microprocessor determines that the element fixed to the crankshaft is still in the basic position, the first two phases of energization are repeated and the microprocessor has determined an angular displacement of the element fixed to the camshaft, the solenoid is energized with a current defined by the microprocessor which i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventor: Andreas Strauss
  • Patent number: 6516764
    Abstract: An improved compact engine construction that facilitates positioning in close quarters while still affording ease of assembly and servicing. This is accomplished by mounting the camshafts at different heights and by providing a two-piece spark plug tube in the cylinder head that facilitates removal in sections rather than all at once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 6516765
    Abstract: A valve arrangement includes a valve member that rotates within a valve guide such that a frictional wear area is unlikely to occur on a discrete location of the valve stem and/or the valve guide. The valve guide includes a bore, the bore defining a longitudinal axis and a helical bore groove. The valve member includes a valve head and a stem, the stem being guided for reciprocal movement within the valve guide. The valve stem reciprocates within the valve bore and includes a helical stem groove. As the valve stem reciprocates within the valve bore, the helical bore groove and the helical stem groove interact to impart an axial rotation to the valve member about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Theodore H. Becker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6516766
    Abstract: A rocker arm is tilted by a cam so as to open and close a valve provided on a cylinder head. This arm comprises a pair of opposing wall portions which are made by folding a flat plate so that they oppose substantially in parallel and cylindrical expanding portions which are formed at tilting fulcrum shaft mounting portions located in a center of the opposing wall portions in the length direction thereof, the expanding portions being expanded in the direction of the tilting fulcrum shaft. The cylindrical expanding portions which are thicker than the opposing wall portions receive a load accompanied by the tilting motion so as to decrease bearing stress applied to the opposing wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kotani, Kazuo Uchida
  • Patent number: 6516767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for energising a coil for driving a moving contactor core of an electric starter for a motor vehicle, in which the effective current is varied in the coil during displacement of the core to its contact position, and in which, in the course of this displacement, there take place: a first driving phase with an effective current which is high enough to set the core in motion, and then a second driving phase with a smaller effective current, in which, after a determined or predetermined time, the effective current is continuously increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventors: Régis Maillet, Gérard Vilou
  • Patent number: 6516768
    Abstract: A four-cycle engine includes an improved construction that is provided with an air induction system, which is suitable for low speed engine operations and which can provide an easy assembling and/or maintenance work. The engine has multiple cylinders arranged in a V-configuration. An air induction system supplies air to combustion chambers of the cylinders and includes a pair of plenum chamber members. The plenum chamber members are generally disposed on an opposite side of a crankcase relative to a crankshaft. Both the plenum chamber members are positioned in close vicinity to each other. Each one of the plenum chamber members defines a plenum. A balance pipe is affixed to both the plenum chamber members to couple together the plenum chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6516769
    Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly incorporates a cylindrical valve stem seal retainer having an axis and an upper end about which symmetrically and circumferentially arranged, alternating upper and lower fingers have depending ends which lie in two distinct planes in one preferred embodiment. The lower fingers depend radially inwardly toward the axis from the cylindrical body of the retainer to provide for axial securement of an elastomeric seal body to the top of a valve guide. The upper fingers extend axially upward from the same end, in the form of a gooseneck, and are adapted to apply a circumferential, radially inwardly directed spring force to the elastomeric seal body. The upper fingers are thus effective to eliminate the garter retainer springs used with conventional seal bodies of traditional valve stem seal assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Troy Daniel McArthy
  • Patent number: 6516770
    Abstract: An engine block 10 of an engine 11 has an imbalance therein. The engine 11 is balanced by a balance shaft alternator assembly 20 having a balance shaft 24 that rotates synchronously with the crankshaft. The balance shaft 24 is located at an exterior portion 22 of engine block 10. The balance shaft 24 has a rotor 36 that rotates relative to a stator 42 held in a fixed position relative to engine block 10 and balance shaft 24. Weights 50 may be applied to the balance shaft alternator assembly on balance shaft 24 or on rotor 36 or a combination of the two. The weights 50 balance an imbalance in the engine to smooth out the operating feel of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Henry Berger, James Ryland Clarke
  • Patent number: 6516771
    Abstract: A method and system for introduction of nitrogen enriched air into the crankcase of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The introduction of the nitrogen-enriched air operates to extend the oil life of the oil present in the engine crankcase due to decreased oxidation of the engine oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: William L. Brown
  • Patent number: 6516772
    Abstract: In a direct injection spark ignition engine which is operable in lean-burn operation modes including a pre-mixture combustion mode and a stratified combustion operation mode and a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio operation mode, which are different in the desired air/fuel ratio. The degradation of combustion state is detected through misfire detection and if it is determined to be degraded, the desired air/fuel ratio, the EGR flow rate and the ignition timing are changed when the engine is operated in the stratified combustion operation mode, while the desired air/fuel ratio, the EGR flow rate and the purge flow rate are changed when the engine is operated in the pre-mixture combustion operation mode, thereby ensuring to suppress the combustion state degradation effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Ueno, Yasunori Ehara, Masahiro Sato, Ken Ogawa, Isao Komoriya
  • Patent number: 6516773
    Abstract: A fuel injection control system and method for controlling multiple fuel injections to a cylinder of an engine during a fuel injection event based upon engine operating conditions, the control system including an electronic controller coupled to an electronically controlled fuel injector, the controller being operable to determine and deliver a fuel injection current signal to the fuel injector to adjust the duration of each fuel shot associated with a particular fuel injection event to compensate for the inherent delay of the fuel injector in responding to the injection current signal, that is, the delay between the start of the injection current signal and the actual start of the fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Charles H. Dutart, Brian G. Mcgee
  • Patent number: 6516774
    Abstract: A novel and improved engine and method are provided which includes a premixed charge compression ignition engine capable of operating over a wide load range without the need to vary the IMT beyond easily achievable or desirable temperature levels. The engine and method adjust the start of combustion by adjusting the engine speed and torque while delivering a targeted engine horsepower output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Tim R. Frazier
  • Patent number: 6516775
    Abstract: Compression brake systems using “back-fill” between combustion cylinders or requiring an exhaust valve to be opened twice during a braking cycle require brake actuation systems able to maintain control over the exhaust valve during different loading conditions. In a first opening event where a piston is at or near bottom dead center, pressures in the combustion cylinder are low. During a second opening event near top dead center pressures are higher. Movement of the exhaust valve may be slowed during the first opening event by controlling fluid leaving a second actuator volume opposite a first actuator volume providing opening force on an exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Sean O. Cornell, Steven J. Funke, Scott A. Leman
  • Patent number: 6516776
    Abstract: In a throttle valve device for driving a throttle valve to open/close by an electric motor, wherein a circuit case for accommodating a motor drive circuit is integrally formed to a throttle body, said throttle body is further equipped with a cooling water passage for cooling said motor drive circuit with the engine cooling water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Kai, Masato Kumagai
  • Patent number: 6516777
    Abstract: A method of controlling an internal combustion engine having an electromagnetically actuated intake valve for a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Yano
  • Patent number: 6516778
    Abstract: A method for controlling a powertrain of a vehicle adjusts a minimum allowed airflow based on operating conditions. Specifically, when conditions of engine speed and/or vehicle speed area away from idle conditions, no increasing of the minimum allowed airflow is carried out. However, when conditions of engine speed and/or vehicle speed area approaching idle conditions, the minimum allowed airflow is increased to the required airflow for those idle conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Allen Light, Michael John Cullen, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Thomas M. Luther
  • Patent number: 6516779
    Abstract: A throttle adjusting apparatus for use with a machinery for soil management includes a throttle cable. The throttle cable has one end portion to which a throttle valve, a choke valve, and a fuel cock are connected. The apparatus further includes a throttle lever. The throttle lever is disposed to pivot in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of a central axis of a grip mounted to a handle of the machinery. The throttle lever is connected to another end portion of the throttle cable. The throttle valve, the choke valve, and the fuel cock are operated simultaneously by means of the throttle lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6516780
    Abstract: An engine control system and method include determining which engine cylinder is performing at a level differently than a majority of the other cylinders. Whenever a cylinder output is below that of the other cylinders, an engine performance variable, such as the spark angle, preferably is adjusted to bring the cylinder indicated mean effective pressure into conformance with that of the other cylinders. By adjusting the individual cylinder performance variable, engine performance is brought to a desired level of smoothness, especially under conditions such as engine idle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Ching-Po Liu
  • Patent number: 6516781
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having a cylinder includes sensing cylinder pressure; comparing the cylinder pressure to a pressure threshold; and adjusting an engine control parameter when the cylinder pressure exceeds the pressure threshold. A system for controlling engine operation is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Steven M. Weisman
  • Patent number: 6516782
    Abstract: A method for controlling fuel delivery from a fuel injector includes determining a first desired engine torque output; determining engine speed; determining a first quantity of fuel to be delivered by the fuel injector based on the first desired engine torque output and the engine speed; determining an injection pressure; and determining a first amount of time for energizing the fuel injector in order to deliver the first quantity of fuel based on the injection pressure. For a system capable of split injection, the method further includes determining a second desired engine torque output; determining a second quantity of fuel to be delivered by the fuel injector based on the second desired engine torque output and the engine speed; and determining a second amount of time for energizing the fuel injector in order to deliver the second quantity of fuel. The method and system of the invention provide more precise control of fuel delivery compared with prior systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Eric D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6516783
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for causing a fuel injector to overcome its inherent fuel injection pressure threshold long enough to completely inject a predetermined volume of fuel during each fuel shot associated with a particular fuel injection event. The fuel injector is in electrical communication with an electronic controller for receiving control signals of pre-calculated timing and duration therefrom. Furthermore, the fuel injector is in mechanical communication with a cam follower. A camshaft has a cam profile in mechanical communication with the cam follower, the cam profile including at least one lobe operable to generate pressure within the fuel injector sufficient to overcome the fuel injection pressure threshold in predetermined intervals in conjunction with the control signal of the electronic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Charles H. Dutart, Eric C. Fluga
  • Patent number: 6516784
    Abstract: There is disclosed a pressure accumulating distribution type fuel injection pump of a low pollution diesel engine which provides a low fuel economy and which can correspond to the regulation of exhaust emission. The pressure accumulating distribution type fuel injection pump (1) is provided for supplying respective cylinders with fuel that is high-pressured and accumulated in pressure accumulation chambers (31) through a distribution shaft (9). In the fuel injection pump, function members constituting a high-pressure path, such as a plunger (7), an injection control valve (26) for fuel injection control, the pressure accumulation chambers (31), the distribution shaft (9) or the like are arranged in a hydraulic base Hb. One plunger portion is provided for pressure-supplying fuel to the pressure accumulation chambers (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Shingu
  • Patent number: 6516785
    Abstract: In a thermal air flow sensor, an air flow measuring element and an intake air temperature sensing element of an intake air temperature sensor are mounted on a single support member so as to be positioned within an intake passage. The support member is made of a glass-ceramic material for example and is held by a holder secured to the wall of an intake pipe. The support member has a structure whereby both sides of a portion of the support member located on the side away from the intake pipe wall are easy to be taken away their heat by an air flow moving through the intake pipe. The air flow measuring element and the intake air temperature sensing element are disposed on such a heat-removed surface of the support member and are electrically connected respectively to conductors disposed on the support member, with their electric connections being sealed with resin, whereby the intake air temperature sensor and the air flow sensor can be rendered integral with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Nakada, Izumi Watanabe, Hiroshi Yoneda, Kei Ueyama, Masamichi Yamada
  • Patent number: 6516786
    Abstract: A control unit (50) makes a single control signal available for driving the through-flow control valves (TEV1, TEV2) (51, 52). Through-flow valve (TEV2) has a larger maximum through flow than through-flow control valve (TEV1). A delay circuit is indicated by the phantom outline (52′) and is mounted at the valve stage TEV2 (52). The delay circuit includes an electric delay element (53) with the aid of which the original control signal is delayed in time by an amount &Dgr;t1 relative to the control signal of control valve (TEV1). The resulting delayed signal is supplied to an AND-gate (54) together with the original control signal. Accordingly, a control signal is present at the output of the AND-gate for the control valve (TEV2). The time delay makes possible the exclusive activation of the through-flow control valve (TEV1) (51) at low pulse duty factors. In this way, a high small quantity meterability is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Krimmer, Wolfgang Schulz, Helmut Schwegler, Georg Mallebrein
  • Patent number: 6516787
    Abstract: An intake air separation system for an internal combustion engine is provided with purge gas or sweep flow on the permeate side of separation membranes in the air separation device. Exhaust gas from the engine is used as a purge gas flow, to increase oxygen flux in the separation device without increasing the nitrogen flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Charles H. Dutart, Cathy Y. Choi
  • Patent number: 6516788
    Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger includes a gear-type transmission for drivingly connecting the impeller to the engine. The transmission includes an impeller shaft supporting the impeller and being fixed relative to one of the gears of the transmission. The preferred impeller shaft and gear fixed thereto are integrally formed of cast iron so as to dampen propagation of sound waves to the impeller, thereby reducing the amplification of transmission noise by the impeller. Depending upon the desired horsepower gains provided by the supercharger, the impeller shaft preferably has a minimum shaft diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Accessible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Glennon J. Roderique
  • Patent number: 6516789
    Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger includes a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber. An impeller in the compressor chamber is mounted to a shaft that extends into the transmission chamber. The impeller shaft is drivingly connected to a power input shaft by intermeshing gears provided on the shafts. A portion of the transmission chamber defines a fluid reservoir in which lubrication fluid is held. The intermeshing gears, as well as the bearing assemblies supporting the shafts, are located outside the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber. A rotatable fluid-propelling element partly submerged in the lubrication fluid contained within the reservoir portion ensures that sufficient but not excessive lubrication fluid is supplied to the intermeshing gears and the bearing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Accessible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel W. Jones
  • Patent number: 6516790
    Abstract: A single-cam compound archery bow that includes a bow handle having projecting limbs, a control wheel rotatably mounted on an end of one of the limbs, and a power cam rotatably mounted on the end of the other limb. The power cam includes a cam base and a draw length adjustment module that is adjustably positioned on or adjustably replaceable on the cam base. A power cable segment is anchored at one end to the one limb and at a second end to the power cam at a position to wrap into and unwrap from a power cable groove on the draw length adjustment module. The sidewalls of the power cable groove are eliminated adjacent to the axis of the power cam to eliminate the undesirable feel of the power cable rubbing against the groove sidewalls at the limit of bow draw. A bowstring cable segment is anchored to the control wheel and to the power cam at positions to wrap into and unwrap from first and second bowstring let-out grooves on the control wheel and the power cam respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Rex F. Darlington
  • Patent number: 6516791
    Abstract: An electrically operated paintball gun operable to shoot paintballs including a barrel, a trigger, and a breech connected to a rear end of the barrel, as well as a bolt movable in the breech between a rearward position and a forward shooting position. A spring biases the bolt towards the rearward position. A pneumatic circuit is provided to drive the bolt towards the forward position and includes a control valve in the form of a solenoid valve to receive gas under pressure and direct it into a chamber at the rear of the bolt when the gun is shot. An electronic circuit controls the pneumatic circuit and is operated by an electrical switch operated by the trigger. A gas valve mechanism is opened by engagement by the bolt, when the latter is driven forwardly to the shooting position, to permit the passage of relatively high pressure propellant gas into the barrel to propel a paintball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Zap Paintball Inc.
    Inventor: Aldo Perrone
  • Patent number: 6516792
    Abstract: A compact multipurpose, multi-component cooking apparatus adaptable for use in an outdoor environment, the cooking apparatus comprising an annular ring, a basin having a flange to mate and engage with the annular ring, a cooking surface suspended from within the basin, a grate suspended in the lower portion of the basin for supporting wood, charcoal and the like; at least three adjustable legs threadly attached to the annular ring; a dome-shaped cover having a rim extending outwardly therefrom to mate with the flange extending from the basin; a turbine to rotate a cooking surface about a heat source to uniformly heat and cook foods and the like residing atop of the cooking surface; and a common linear support having a first end engaged to an elongate handle fixedly attached to the dome-shaped cover and a second end to serve as a common point for connecting at least three linear members which serve to suspend the cooking surface, grate or turbine above the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Warren Dean McDonald
  • Patent number: 6516793
    Abstract: There is provided a low carbon monoxide gas log assembly having a main gas burner and a neat gas burner. The main gas burner includes a plurality of exit ports. A batting containing rock wool is located above the exit ports and is not in contact with the exit ports. The batting is tilted at an angle greater than 0° but less than 90° with respect to the main gas burner. Heat from combustion at the exit ports causes portions of the batting to glow so that glowing embers are simulated while maintaining low carbon monoxide levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Appalachian Stove & Fabrications, Inc.
    Inventor: James S. Rice
  • Patent number: 6516794
    Abstract: A central solar receiver comprises an axisymmetric housing having front and rear ends and having an aperture at the front end, an elongated tubular window mounted in the aperture co-axially with the housing, a volumetric solar absorber disposed within the housing and extending around and along the elongated window for absorbing solar radiation that has passed therethrough; and working fluid ingress and egress formed in the housing so as to, respectively, inject thereto, and withdraw therefrom, a pressurized working fluid in a manner enabling the working fluid interaction with the volumetric absorber. The window has an open front end which is secured to the housing at the front end thereof, and a closed rear end which is disposed adjacent the rear end of the housing and is free of any securing thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignees: Yeda Research and Development Co., Ltd., E.D.I.G. Industries and Assemblies Ltd., Rotem Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacob Karni, Pinchas Doron, Moshe Danino
  • Patent number: 6516795
    Abstract: A nasal spray device for dispensing a liquid from a pressurized container (R). The nasal spray device includes two juxtaposed applicators (1a, 1b), each being provided with at least one expulsion duct (10a, 10b) opening at an outer end in a spay nozzle (B) and communicating at an inner end with the container (R) with a pressurizing device (P). The applicators are fixed to a base (2) which couples them to the container (R). The nasal spray device includes a first part (I) supporting the applicators (1a, 1b) and an outer bottom skirt (11) radially clamping onto a cylindrical inner bearing surface (21) provided along a surface of a second part (II) carrying the base (2). The first and second parts (II) define bottom portions of the expulsion ducts (10a, 10b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Rexam Sofab
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Bougamont, Jean-Pierre Alleard, David Leuliet
  • Patent number: 6516796
    Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet, a heater arranged relative to the flow passage for heating the flow passage, a source of material to be volatilized in communication with the inlet of the flow passage, a valve to open and close communication between the source of material and the inlet of the flow passage, and a pressurization arrangement for causing material in the source of material to be introduced into the flow passage when the valve is in an open position. The aerosol generator further includes a source of power for operating the heater and the valve, and a control device for controlling supply of power from the source of power to the heater and the valve. A metering device in an inhaler includes a pressurized source of medicated fluid and a metering chamber configured to deliver a predetermined volume of fluid to a heated flow passage in the inhaler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy Paul Beane, William R. Sweeney, Walter A. Nichols, F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6516797
    Abstract: A breathing structure of snorkeling apparatus of present invention is characterized in that a ventilating valve is provided between a space formed by tube body under main tube with main body under mouthpiece and above exhaust valve, the ventilating valve includes a valve seat and a valve plate, a through hole connecting with main tube is provided on the valve seat, the valve plate which can cover the through hole and its specific body; the structure of the valve plate is designed to form movement by means of closing as blowing and opening as sucking, which can make snorkelers breathe fully. A recess provided on the main body, which is a stagnant position as the valve plate being floated off. The specific gravity of the valve plate for ventilating valve is between 0.95-0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: QDS Injection Molding LLC
    Inventor: Pan Chen-Lieh
  • Patent number: 6516798
    Abstract: A tracheal humidification system (20) includes a filter (26) for humidifying the air being breathed by the patient. The filter (26) is disposed in an uppermost portion (24) of a breathing path (22). At least one secretion path (28) including a drain tube (30) is provided for collecting secretions (512) from the patient. Filter (26) is disposed above the secretion path (28), so that the secretions (512) are prevented from contacting and clogging filter (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy A. Davies
  • Patent number: 6516799
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an inhalation device for dispensing a medicament. The device includes a housing defining a lumen, and level indicator and dose indicator devices both of which are operably associated with the housing. The level indicator device linearly indicates a remaining amount of medicament, while the dose indicator device indicates a number of doses dispensed for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Sapphire Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Greenwood, Mariann C. Straub, Gabriel Rodriguez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6516800
    Abstract: A disposable neonatal patient ventilator circuit for an automatic ventilator. All components that are exposed to contamination from the patient are packaged together in a disposable unit external to the automatic ventilator. The automatic ventilator has a receptacle with a pressurized breathable gas supply port, a breathing control circuit port, and preferably a patient monitoring port. The disposable neonatal resuscitator unit matches the ports on the automatic ventilator with a removable plug having a pressurized breathable gas supply connector mating the gas supply port of the receptacle; a breathing control circuit connector mating the control circuit port of the receptacle and a monitoring connector mating the monitoring port of the receptacle. A patient interface such as a tracheal insertion tube or mouth insertion manifold has an inlet and an outlet each in flow communication with the neonatal patient's airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: O-Two Systems International Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin D. J. Bowden
  • Patent number: 6516801
    Abstract: A device for respiratory assistance which comprises a tube (4) having at least one auxiliary channel (8) connected to a source of respirable gas (25). The conduit (28) connects the source of respirable gas (25) to the auxiliary channel (8). The device further includes: toward the source (25), a device for loss of head (30) which is able to impose on the jet of respirable gas a predetermined flow rate value and a predetermined pressure value; and toward said auxiliary channel (8), a calibrated exhaust valve (32) which is able to bring the conduit (28) into communication with the atmosphere when the pressure in the conduit (28) exceeds said predetermined pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Georges Boussignac