Patents Issued in March 13, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030046896
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an ocherous panel for use as an interior building material that has excellent insulating properties and that is superior to conventional building materials such as cement, concrete, rock wool and soundproofing boards in strength, fire resistance and soundproofing, and interior aesthetic appeal. The method according to the present invention is characterized in that it uses about 45 wt % of ocher, about 45 wt % of sawdust and about 10 wt % of sodium silicate liquid instead of the composition that was used in the prior art which caused contamination of the air and decomposition of the panel due to absorption of moisture in the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Jae Seon Chang, Myung Ja Chun
  • Publication number: 20030046897
    Abstract: A packaging machine adapted for a highly aseptic filling operation comprises a plug attaching device 16 for attaching a plug P to an edge portion defining a liquid outlet O in a top forming portion T of a tubular container C, and a container bottom forming device 21 for folding flat a bottom portion of the tubular container C having the plug P attached thereto to close the bottom portion. The plug attaching device 16 is connected to the bottom forming device 21 by a transport path of a container transport device 201, 202. A container sterilizing device 23 is disposed at an intermediate portion of the transport path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: SHIKOKU KAKOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kitajima, Kazuo Abe, Michio Ueda
  • Publication number: 20030046898
    Abstract: A tamale loading apparatus (10) includes a converging mechanism (61) and diverter wheels (83, 84) to position tamales (200) on a belt (24). The belt is run at a speed to fly the tamales (200) into a can (300) wherein the tamales are automatically loaded and it is no longer necessary to load the tamales (200) by hand into the cans (300).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Gary A. Handel, Jeffrey J. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20030046899
    Abstract: The invention provides a closure chuck usable with a capping machine for mounting an insertion closure on a possibly misaligned flange around an opening in a container. In the preferred embodiment, the closure chuck has an upper chuck portion attachable to the capping machine, a lower chuck portion for holding the insertion closure, a connecting assembly connecting the lower chuck portion to the upper chuck portion in a spaced apart relationship, and resilient means. The connecting assembly transmits axially directed force from the upper chuck portion to the lower chuck portion, and allows rocking movement of the lower chuck portion relative to the upper chuck portion to properly align the insertion closure with the flange. The resilient means biases the lower chuck portion to a neutral position in which the lower chuck portion is aligned with the upper chuck portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Walter Matthews, Deborah Karn
  • Publication number: 20030046900
    Abstract: A new and improved film wrapping or packaging machine has incorporated therein a new and improved mechanism or system for implementing the downward folding of outwardly projecting edge or tab portions of slip sheets interposed between successive tiers, levels, or layers of articles or goods forming a palletized load. The folding mechanism or system comprises a plurality of vertically oriented posts which are initially disposed above the outwardly projecting tab portions, subsequently independently aligned with outer edge portions of the outwardly projecting tab portions of the slip sheets, and thereafter lowered so as engage the tab portions of the slip sheets and fold the same vertically downwardly against the vertical sides of the palletized load such that the downwardly folded tab portions can now be enveloped within the wrapping or packaging film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Marco Zitella, Kenneth J. Noakes
  • Publication number: 20030046901
    Abstract: A machine for forming individual packages from a web of preopened and interconnected bags one at a time is disclosed. A web is fed along a path of travel from a supply to a load station. A pair of nip rolls are positioned along the path near the load station. A printer is positioned along the path between the supply and the nip rolls. A nip roll drive is provided for rotating the nip rolls selectively and one at a time at a printing rate for the feed of the web when the printer is operating and at a faster feed rate for positioning a bag at the load station when the printer is not operating. A supply station tensioner is provided for tensioning a web along the path such that the printer when operating prints a section of a tensioned web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: William M. Cronauer, Bernard Lerner
  • Publication number: 20030046902
    Abstract: A method for printing indicia on bags interconnected in a continuous web. A bagging machine has a printer and a plurality of tensioning rollers, at least one of which is driven by a roller motor. The web is moved from an initial bagging machine station through a print station and to a load station in which goods are placed in the bags. A perforation sensor featuring a spring biased hemispherical tip indicates to a bagging machine controller that a perforation is present. First roller motor control signals are received from a printer controller comprising a frequency modulated first motor speed signal and a first motor enable signal. The first roller motor control signals are transmitted to the roller motor to cause it to drive the roller to move bags through the print station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Cronauer, Bernard Lerner, Jeffrey Burke, Robert L. Ferrante
  • Publication number: 20030046903
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an arrangement of plates for receiving food is disclosed. The arrangement of plates comprises a plurality of nestable plates, wherein the plates within the plurality of nestable plates have an animal theme. Each of the plates having an animal theme include a main compartment depicting a primary attribute of an animal corresponding to the animal theme, and at least two independent wells adjacent to the main compartment. Each of the wells are shaped to depict a secondary attribute of the animal corresponding to the animal theme. The plurality of plates include a first plate depicting a first animal and a second plate depicting a second animal that is different from the first animal. The secondary attribute within the wells of said first plate is a first physical feature of the first animal and the secondary attribute within the wells of the second plate is a second physical feature of the second animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: David C. Schiltz, Christina M. Tranfaglia, Jeffrey L. Roberts, Edward J. Seeberger, Brad W. Dickason
  • Publication number: 20030046904
    Abstract: This machine can automatically load packages of various sizes and shapes into containers in a variety of pack patterns. The machine has a package infeed system that transfers the package to a package locating system that locates the package at a stationary package placement location. A package placement vertical drive picks up the package from the stationary package placement location and can rotate the package about a vertical axis as well as lowering the package into the container and releasing it at the proper location. The package placement vertical drive grips the package by vacuum. It includes a quick attach and detach vacuum head which enables the rapid change-over of the system. The machine includes a case conveyor that moves the container along the longitudinal axis of the machine as well as to the left or right in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: James A. Goodman
  • Publication number: 20030046905
    Abstract: In a sealing/parting means for the side weld (42) of a film semi-tube (13) of shrink film, in which items (16) are wrapped, the film web (19) consisting of two sandwiched films is fed to a transport and supporting system (18) comprising two opposing transport belts (21, 22) where it runs along an elongated, skid-shaped contact surface area (34) of a heated sealing/parting knife (20), resulting in the immediate welding zone of the film being preheated before it is fed at the end of this contact surface area to a sealing/parting blade (36) which parts and welds the film. The sealing/parting blade (36) has a constricting cutting gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Klaus Kaechele, Jens Kallfass
  • Publication number: 20030046906
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sealing apparatus is provided for transversely ultrasonically sealing a packing material comprised of a laminated body including at least a thermoplastic resin layer having a tubular form and containing a fluid. The apparatus includes a horn having an elongated and flat sealing face and an opposing jaw with an action face including a pressing portion for pressing the packing material in cooperation with the sealing face of the horn to a define at least one transverse sealing zone of the tubular packing material. At least one groove is disposed on the action face of the opposing jaw for forming a molten thermoplastic resin bulge in a vicinal area of the at least one sealing zone on a side in contact with the fluid in the tubular packing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: SHIKOKU KAKOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kume, Mitsuhiko Shinohara, Takeshi Iseki, Michio Ueda
  • Publication number: 20030046907
    Abstract: Accordingly in a first aspect the invention consists in a packaging apparatus for sealing products or case ready product in a package in vacuum-gas packaging or thermoforming machines, the apparatus includes a first chamber chamber for housing the product or packaged product and at least one second chamber, the first chamber has entry or exit elements, the second chamber is at least attachedly covering the entry or exit elements such that any leakage or change in pressure is detected in the second chamber during gas injection or before sealing. The apparatus is particularly useful for detecting leaks prior to sealing in vacuum packaging for modified or controlled atmosphere preservation systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony William Costello
  • Publication number: 20030046908
    Abstract: A portable plastic film wrapping system comprises a push-cart having a vertical mast member mounted thereon. A film roll carriage is vertically movable along the mast member, and the film roll carriage is operatively connected to a counterweight which is movably disposed within the mast member. The mast member is provided with a plurality of apertures, and a releasable stop pin is engageable within a particular one of the mast member apertures so as to lockingly retain the film roll carriage at a particular elevation when concentric reinforcing wrapping of an article is desired, and is disengageable from the apertures so as to permit the film roll carriage to continuously elevate for spiral wrapping of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Gale W. Huson, Hugh J. Zentmyer
  • Publication number: 20030046909
    Abstract: A powder paint reclamation collector includes an upper chamber for collecting powder paint particles from a paint booth and a lower chamber that receives the particles from the upper chamber. A vacuum line communicates with the lower chamber retrieving the particles from the collector and transferring the particles to a reclamation system. An air chamber receives pressurized air from an air supply and communicates with the lower chamber through a porous plate. Air bleeds through the porous plate into lower and upper chambers for fluidizing the paint particles. The porous plate and an air chamber floor angle downward from the lower chamber towards the vacuum line to improve the flow of fluidized paint particles into the vacuum line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: David John Cole, Charlotte E. Kelly, Richard D. Burke, David E. O'Ryan
  • Publication number: 20030046910
    Abstract: A cyclone dust collecting apparatus has: a cyclone body; a suction pipe extended to be protruded into the cyclone body by penetrating one side of the cyclone body in order to guide an air, which has been drawn into through a suction unit, into the cyclone body; a discharge pipe for guiding a clean air centrifugally separated in the cyclone body to an outside of the cyclone body; and a guide member for guiding the air, which whirls along a side wall of the cyclone body after being drawn into through the suction pipe, to a lower side of the suction pipe. According to the cyclone dust collecting apparatus of the present invention, a deterioration of suction force of the cyclone dust collecting apparatus is prevented, and thus a dust collection efficiency of the cyclone dust collecting apparatus will be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Byung-Jo Lee, Min-Jo Choi
  • Publication number: 20030046911
    Abstract: A baffle system for separating entrained liquid from a gas stream including columns of U-shaped baffles extending into a liquid trough and including flashing at the top of the baffles on opposed sides, wherein the wet side flashing is longer than the dry side flashing, and a trough baffle directing the air stream upwardly reducing re-entrainment of liquid. The flange portions of the columns of baffles are spaced to provide for cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph M. Klobucar, James L. Pakkala, Guang Yu, Gregory M. Still
  • Publication number: 20030046912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-phase separator (33) for separating off from a fluid gas and particles contained therein, comprising at least one pair of two gas collection caps (1, 2) extending in a horizontal longitudinal direction (L) and each having a plate section (3, 4). The plate sections converge in the downward direction. At the bottom ends the plate sections leave an inlet passage (7), elongated in the longitudinal direction, for the fluid containing particles and an outlet passage (8), elongated in the longitudinal direction, for settled particles. A discharge opening (9) for fluid, opening into the settling chamber, is provided at a level higher than the inlet and outlet passages. The inlet passage (7) and the outlet passage (8) are located in the extension of one another, viewed in the longitudinal direction. The surface area of the inlet passage is preferably greater than the surface area of the outlet passage. The discharge opening is provided level with or beyond the outlet passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: PAQUES WATER SYSTEMS B.V.
    Inventor: Sjoerd Hubertus Jozef Vellinga
  • Publication number: 20030046913
    Abstract: There is provided an air filter, which has a long lifetime and permits to capture effectively carbon particles and reduce costs. The air filter has the first filter layer 11 impregnated with oil and the second filter layer 12, which is provided on the downstream side of the first filter layer 11 and serves as a lipophobic layer having an oil-repellent property. The filter material of the first filter layer 11 has a higher density than the filter material of the second filter material 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Atsushi Suzuki, Toshinori Oba, Norihiko Matsushita, Katsumi Suzuki, Takeo Jo
  • Publication number: 20030046914
    Abstract: A fluid filter is provided with a snap-together housing for the filter media. The housing is designed with two main parts that are easily snapped together to encapsulate the filter media. The filter housing is substantially cylindrical, and contains an inlet on one end of the filter and an outlet on the opposing end. The filter can be designed so as to be opened for the replacement of the filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Majid Zia, Anthony J. Angelo, Craig M. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20030046915
    Abstract: A riding tractor in which engine output is transmitted to a running device through a hydrostatic stepless transmission. The tractor has a braking device for acting on the running device, a first brake operating device and a second brake operating device operable independently of each other for operating the braking device, and a brake control device for linking control displacements from the first brake operating device and the second the brake operating device to the brake device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Samejima, Akira Minoura, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Osami Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20030046916
    Abstract: The present invention provides a beater rod assembly for a harvester comprising a central shaft configured at one end for attachment to a harvester and a plurality of beater rods, each comprising an elongated shaft having a first end attached to the central shaft and extending radially outward from the central shaft, wherein the elongated shaft of at least one of the beater rods comprises a rigid portion extending from the first end of the elongated shaft to an intermediate location along the elongated shaft and a flexible portion extending from the intermediate location to a second end of said elongated shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Wilbert E. Rojewski
  • Publication number: 20030046917
    Abstract: A pine straw rake apparatus and system, and a square drive for the pine straw rake is disclosed. Typically, the square drive includes three sprockets, one larger than the other two in a triangular and planar arrangement, and a roller chain wrapped around the partial circumferences of the sprockets. A motor is typically connected to the large sprocket. An embodiment of the pine straw rake includes two square drives in an offset and parallel arrangement with a plurality of rake bars connected to corresponding points on the roller chain of each square drive. The rake bars include rake teeth. In the pine straw rake system, a pine straw rake is connected to a carrier that can be self-propelled or can be adapted to be pulled by a tractor or other vehicle. An elevation adjustment can be used to adjust the elevation of the raking action to compensate for uneven ground or other terrain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: James L. Meier
  • Publication number: 20030046918
    Abstract: A rock rake includes a succession of elongated strips. The strips may be arranged as nested bands. Each successive band has a perimeter which is larger than the previous band. The bands have an inner surface for pushing objects along the ground. A base member is attached to the nested bands. The base member includes a pole or handle or supports a pole or handle for guiding the rake. A picking member may also be attached to the base member to dislodge embedded rocks from the ground during use of the rake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Marc Roy
  • Publication number: 20030046919
    Abstract: Device for manufacturing metal cords to be used particularly for reinforcing composite elastomeric products, comprising: a supporting structure (100); a rotor (5) engaged with respect to said supporting structure (100) and rotatable according to a predefined axis; a cradle fastened to said supporting structure (100) according to an oscillation axis which coincides with the rotation axis of the rotor (5); feeding devices operatively fitted on said cradle to feed several elementary wires from the respective feeding spools (8), said elementary wires being driven onto said rotor (5) according to a stranding path with and sections (10A, 10C) coinciding with the rotation axis of the rotor (5) and with a central section (10B) distanced from said rotation axis; at least one preforming device (15) operatively engaged with the cradle and operating on one of said elementary wires in a section upstream with respect to the first end section (10A) of the stranding path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: PIRELLI PNEUMATICI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Omero Noferi
  • Publication number: 20030046920
    Abstract: A shaped charge engine includes an annular blast-forming chamber formed by joining inner and outer housings. A central through hole in the inner housing allows exhaust gases to exit. The outer housing comprises a generally round disk with an inner conical concave depression and through holes for the insertion of fuel and ignition. The blast chamber is preferably taper-conical in shape, wider at the base, and gradually decreasing in cross-sectional area as it rises to the apex. This construction forms a circular pinch point or throat toward the apex that produces a primary or first stage compression area. A secondary compression zone is created at the apex of the outer housing, just beyond the throat, producing hypersonic gases as generally opposing exhaust streams collide and are forced to exit the through hole in the inner housing. The collided streams propel a turbine rotor to turn a shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Direct Propulsion Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronnie J. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20030046921
    Abstract: An air/atmosphere breathing electrically powered Hall effect thruster including a thruster duct having an inlet, an exit, and a discharge zone between the inlet and the exit for receiving air from the inlet into the discharge zone, an electrical circuit having a cathode for emitting electrons and an anode in the discharge zone for attracting the electrons from the cathode through the exit, and a magnetic circuit for establishing a magnetic field in the discharge zone radially across the duct between the anode and exit which creates an impedance to the flow of electrons toward the anode and enables ionization of the air/atmosphere moving through the discharge zone and which creates an axial electric field in the duct for accelerating ionized air/atmosphere through the exit to create thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Vlad Hruby, Bruce Pote, Tom Brogan, Kurt Hohman, James Szabo, Peter Rostler
  • Publication number: 20030046922
    Abstract: A rocket nozzle assembly is provided for operatively coupling to a rocket motor. The assembly includes a nozzle insert structure having a converging-diverging passageway with a throat region. First and second thrust control cylinders are parallel to each other and rotatable about respective axes transverse to the passageway central axis. The first and second thrust control cylinders intersect the throat region and include respective grooves. A thrust control cylinder-rotating subassembly is operatively associated with the first and second thrust control cylinders to rotate the cylinders about their respective axes and move the grooves relative to the throat region. Movement of the grooves changes the effective cross-sectional throat area of the passageway at the throat region for controlling the thrust when the rocket nozzle assembly is operatively engaged with an operating rocket motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: David K. McGrath, Thomas J. Kirschner, Daniel C. Dombrowski
  • Publication number: 20030046923
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rocket engine (10) that is self-compensating on nozzle thrust coefficient for varying ambient backpressures. The rocket engine (10) includes a combustion chamber (12) having an injector end (14) and a nozzle end (16). A propellant injector (20) is in fluid communication between a propellant line and an inside periphery of the combustion chamber injector end (14). A nozzle throat (18) is formed at the nozzle end (14) of the combustion chamber (12). A nozzle exit cone (22) extends outwardly from the nozzle throat (18). A plug support (30) is coupled between a nozzle plug (28) and the propellant injector (20). The nozzle plug (28) aerodynamically self-compensates for changes in ambient backpressure at the nozzle exit cone (22) such that the nozzle thrust coefficient is maximized for any ambient backpressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Gordon A. Dressler, Thomas J. Mueller, Scott J. Rotenberger
  • Publication number: 20030046924
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine diagnosis apparatus comprising a cleanup catalyst arranged on an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine and an HC adsorption catalyst arranged downstream of and in parallel to the cleanup catalyst, degradation and failure of the HC adsorption catalyst is accurately diagnosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Iihoshi, Minoru Ohsuga, Yutaka Takaku
  • Publication number: 20030046925
    Abstract: A state determining apparatus for an exhaust gas purifier is provided for accurately determining the state of the exhaust gas purifier including an adsorbent for adsorbing hydrocarbons, including a deterioration of the adsorbent, in accordance with an ignition time of an internal combustion engine. The state determining apparatus for an exhaust gas purifier is arranged in an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine for determining the state of the exhaust gas purifier including the adsorbent capable of adsorbing hydrocarbons and moisture in exhaust gas. The state determining apparatus comprises a humidity sensor arranged at a location downstream of the adsorbent in the exhaust system for detecting the humidity of exhaust gases, and an ECU for determining the state of the adsorbent in accordance with the humidity of exhaust gases detected by the humidity sensor, and the ignition time of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Ueno, Yoshihisa Iwaki, Shiro Takakura, Yasuyuki Miyahara, Tadashi Sato
  • Publication number: 20030046926
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system of internal combustion engine having a branch pipe coupled to the exhaust pipe through a flange and having a first cylindrical case constituting a bypass exhaust gas passage and a second cylindrical case constituting a main exhaust gas passage, whose flow are switched by a switch-over valve by selectively connecting the exhaust pipe to the main exhaust gas passage or the bypass exhaust gas passage, and an adsorbent installed in the bypass exhaust gas passage for adsorbing unburned components of the exhaust gas. The unburned exhaust gas components are recirculated to the air intake system through an EGR pipe. In the system, an inlet of the EGR pipe is formed integrally with the branch pipe flange, thereby enabling to prevent increase in fabrication step and cost and further to facilitate maintenance. Moreover, the first cylindrical case is made displace relative to the second cylindrical case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Norihito Watanabe, Kenji Abe, Yasuyuki Miyahara, Masao Komine, Kenichi Ohmori, Tadashi Sato, Takashi Haga
  • Publication number: 20030046927
    Abstract: A catalytic emission control apparatus of an internal combustion engine that has an engine stop mode of stopping the internal combustion engine during a run of a vehicle utilizes an oxygen absorption-storage action of an emission control catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine. The emission control apparatus has a storage computing device that computes a storage of oxygen in the emission control catalyst, and air-fuel ratio controller performs an air-fuel ratio control of the internal combustion engine based on the storage of oxygen computed by the storage computing device. The storage computing device computes the storage of oxygen during the engine stop mode of the internal combustion engine. The air-fuel ratio controller performs the air-fuel ratio control when the internal combustion engine is restarted after the engine stop mode is discontinued, based on the storage of oxygen computed by the storage computing device during the engine stop mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshinari Nagai, Naoto Kato, Akihiro Katayama, Kentaro Matsumoto, Shinji Kojima, Naoki Baba
  • Publication number: 20030046928
    Abstract: A method wherein a reactant is added to a substance to react with such substance. The product of such reaction along with un-reacted portions of the substance and un-reacted portions of the reactant are directed to a sensor. The sensor produces an output signal in response to detection of both the un-reacted portions of the substance and the un-reacted portions of the reactant. The method includes changing the amount of reactant added to the substance. A measurement is made to determine whether the change in the amount of reactant and the change the output signal are in the same direction or in opposite directions. A processor is provided for controlling the addition of a reactant to a substance to react with such substance. The product of such reaction along with un-reacted portions of the substance and un-reacted portions of the reactant are directed to a sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Michiel Jacques van Nieuwstadt
  • Publication number: 20030046929
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control device comprises an oxidizing catalyst, a particulate filter on which soot is deposited, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of exhaust gas on the upper-stream side of the filter. An intake system of an engine is provided with an EGR valve for returning the exhaust gas to the intake system. If the temperature of the oxidizing catalyst is found to be lower than its active temperature as the particulate filter is regenerated, the catalyst is heated by delaying the injection timing for the main fuel injection of the engine and increasing the EGR gas reflux quantity. Thus, the oxidizing catalyst can be heated up without lowering the fuel-efficiency, and soot on the particulate filter can be efficiently subjected to re-combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Mikio Terada, Kazuya Oohashi, Hiroki Taniguchi, Kiyoshi Hatano
  • Publication number: 20030046930
    Abstract: An arrangement structure of a swash plate hydraulic pump which can be used in a wide range of construction equipment and industrial vehicles and is small in size, simple in structure, and inexpensive is provided. For this purpose, an arrangement structure of a swash plate hydraulic pump (1) comprises a driving source (3) and a plurality of swash plate hydraulic pumps (4, 8) which are connected to the driving source and discharge pressurized oil, and the plurality of swash plate hydraulic pumps include at least one swash plate hydraulic pump (8) of the second and subsequent swash plate hydraulic pumps which has a driving shaft (9) provided on a plane almost perpendicular to a driving shaft (6) of the first swash plate hydraulic pump (4) coupled to the driving source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Maruta, Katsuji Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20030046931
    Abstract: Applicant's preferred embodiment utilizes municipal wastewater effluent to replenish a depleted geothermal field. Condensate produced by expanding steam produced in the geothermal field through a steam turbine-generator may be pooled with cooked water collected from said field, and then directed through a penstock from a higher elevation to a lower elevation where further energy is extracted through a traditional hydroelectric turbine-generator The cooked water and condensate may be treated to produce potable water and/or distributed for public consumption either before or after being directed to the hydroelectric turbine-generator. The effluent is pumped up to the geothermal field during off-peak periods of electric consumption, and the hydroelectric generation is accomplished during periods of peak electric demand A fraction of the effluent may be used as cooling water for the steam turbine-generator and its associated condenser before injection into the geothermal field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Leonard L. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20030046932
    Abstract: A Stirling engine includes a grooved cam drive mechanism with followers having a pair of longitudinally displaced bearings. One roller bearing is adapted to ride along an upper surface of the cam groove, while the other roller bearing is adapted to ride along a lower surface of the cam groove. Each follower includes an outer shaft on which a first bearing is mounted, and an inner shaft extending through the outer shaft on which a second bearing is mounted. A preferably annular space is provided between the inner and outer shafts when the follower is in an unloaded state. Then, when the follower is engaged within the grooved cam, the inner shaft is cantilevered relative to outer shaft within the annular space and results in pre-loading the first bearing against one inner surface of the groove cam and the second bearing against an opposite inner surface of the grooved cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Donald Isaac, Alphonse Vassallo, Ronald J. Steele
  • Publication number: 20030046933
    Abstract: Cooling systems and methods for cooling heat-generating equipment, such as steam driven turbines, can operate in multiple modes including a closed loop mode, an open loop mode and a helper mode. During normal operation in the closed loop mode, cooling water may be circulated in a closed cooling system through an integrated cooling tower, without drawing from or discharging into a water source, thereby minimizing the effect of the cooling system on the water source. In open loop operation, water can be drawn from a water source to cool the equipment without the use of the cooling tower and can then be discharged. The open loop mode can be advantageous when the cooling tower may be out of service. In the helper mode, cooling water drawn from a source cools the equipment and may then be partially or fully circulated through the cooling tower prior to discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: PG&E National Energy Group Company
    Inventors: Thomas Ray Moss, Christopher J. Haynes
  • Publication number: 20030046934
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine comprising at least one combustor air intake chute wherein at least one of the air intake chutes is configured to enhance the heat transfer relationship between the chute material and the air flowing over it. The air intake chutes have at least one raised feature formed on their inner surface which extends into the airflow passing through the chute. The raised features may take the form of a circumferential rib, an axial rib or a pedestal, or any combination of the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: David J. Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20030046935
    Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine including a pilot fuel injection assembly that includes a replaceable heat shield is described. The pilot fuel injection assembly also includes a fuel stem and a mixer divider. The fuel stem includes a first end, a second end, and a body extending therebetween. An alignment slot is defined within a portion of the interface between the fuel stem body and the second end. The mixer divider is attached to the fuel stem second end and the heat shield is removably coupled to the mixer divider with a plurality of transfer tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Ely Eskenazi Halila, Michael Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030046936
    Abstract: A combustor module includes a pre-vaporizing chamber defined by an inner wall, and an outer wall, and a heat shield. The heat shield separates the pre-mixing zone from the reaction zone of the combustor. At least one fueling nozzle is disposed in the pre-vaporizing chamber for injecting fuel into the pre-vaporizing chamber. Fuel from the fueling nozzle is sprayed onto the surface of the heat shield, thereby simultaneously vaporizing the fuel and cooling the heat shield. The heat shield also includes a pilot fueling spray opening to allow fuel to pass directly into the reaction zone of the combustor to provide a piloting flame stability region therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Victor L. Oechsle, Timothy C. Roesler
  • Publication number: 20030046937
    Abstract: A system for controlling the flow of fuel to a gas turbine engine is operable in at least two modes. In a first mode, the flow rate of fuel supplied from a fuel source to the combustors of the turbine engine is controlled by modulating the position of a metering valve. A controller determines the controllability of the metering valve and, if it is determined to be non-controllable, then the system is operated in the second mode. In the second mode, the flow rate of fuel supplied to the combustors is controlled by modulating the position of a bypass valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy D. Mahoney, David D. Jones
  • Publication number: 20030046938
    Abstract: In turbomachinery, first and second flowpaths coupled to stages of the compressor flow cooling medium at different temperatures and pressures to components of the turbine. An ejector is provided in the first flowpath for suctioning flow from the second flowpath and combining the two flows for delivery to a component of the turbine at a temperature and pressure intermediate the temperature and pressure of the first and second flows. A flow sensor, flow controller and throttling valve are interposed in the motive flowpath, the exit flowpath or the suction flowpath relative to the ejector for controlling the flow through the ejector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Jason Paul Mortzheim, Ming Zhou, Paul Thomas Marks
  • Publication number: 20030046939
    Abstract: A steam temperature Ts and a casing air temperature Ta are measured by thermometers. The measurement results are taken into measuring devices and converted into electric signals. The electric signal is A/D converted by the measuring device and then, is sent to a control apparatus where a difference between both the temperature is calculated by a subtracter of a processor provided in the control apparatus. When an absolute value &Dgr;T=|Ta−Ts of this difference is contained within 10° C. continuously ten times, a control signal is sent from a computing unit to a controller which is the control section, a pressure adjusting valve and the like are controlled and a cooling medium is switched to steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Hyakutake, Yasuhiro Fujita
  • Publication number: 20030046940
    Abstract: A seal structure for sealing a gap between a combustor liner and a neighboring structure adjacent to the combustor liner, includes an annular sealing member mounted on the neighboring structure so as to be in contact with an annular outer surface of the combustor liner to seal the gap between the combustor liner and the neighboring structure. The annular sealing member includes a plurality of sealing segments which are arranged in an annular form as a whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Matsuda, Masayoshi Kobayashi, Takanobu Yoshimura, Hiroaki Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20030046941
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for delivering a liquefied compressed gas with a high rate of flow comprising passing a liquefied compressed high-purity semiconductor gas into a storage vessel; positioning a temperature measuring means onto the wall of the compressed gas storage vessel; positioning at least one heating means proximate to the storage vessel; monitoring the resulting temperature with the temperature measuring means; positioning a pressure measuring means at the outlet of the storage vessel and monitoring the vessel pressure; adjusting the heat output of the heating means to heat the liquefied compressed gas in the storage vessel to control the evaporation of the liquefied compressed gas in the storage vessel; and controlling the flow of the gas from the storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Atul Pant, Melvyn Richardson, Mike Leshner
  • Publication number: 20030046942
    Abstract: A method of making and harvesting ice cubes includes freezing water in an ice-forming mold having a back surface, an open front face and dividers mounted on the back surface forming pockets for the formation of individual ice cubes, the water also forming ice bridges between the ice formed in the pockets, thus forming a slab of ice cubes; heating the ice-forming mold to release the ice cubes from their individual pockets; and using pressurized fluid to push the frozen slab of ice cubes out of the ice-forming mold. An ice making machine for practicing the present invention preferably includes an air compressor to supply compressed air as the pressurized fluid. The compressed air is directed preferably through a plurality of holes in the back of the ice-forming mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott J. Shedivy, Timothy J. Kraus, Charles E. Schlosser, Mathew E. Kampert, Richard T. Miller
  • Publication number: 20030046943
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a refrigerant cycle system is constructed to switch a cooling refrigerant cycle where an interior heat exchanger is used as an evaporator, and a hot gas heater cycle where the interior heat exchanger is used as a radiator. Further, it is determined whether the interior heat exchanger has a quantity of retained water in a heating mode due to the hot gas heater cycle. When it is determined that the quantity of retained water is in the interior heat exchanger in the heating mode, operation of a compressor of the refrigerant cycle system is intermittently controlled so that temperature of air blown from the interior heat exchanger becomes lower than temperature of a vehicle windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Takano, Takahisa Suzuki, Satoshi Izawa, Keisuke Nagai, Shun Kurata
  • Publication number: 20030046944
    Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a cold accumulator is disposed at a downstream air side of an evaporator to be cooled by cold air after passing through the evaporator. A cold accumulating material is sealed within the cold accumulator to be solidified while being cooled by the cold air from the evaporator. The cold accumulating material is a mixture of plural kinds of paraffin materials having different melting points, equal to or more than two. The plural kinds of the paraffin materials are mixed, so that the cold accumulating material having a melting point in a range of 7-11° C. can be obtained. In this case, cooling function in the cold accumulator can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Keiichi Kitamura, Yuichi Shirota, Koji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20030046945
    Abstract: A heat exchanger module includes a glycol coolant circuit adapted to function as a heat pump for the heating of the interior passenger compartment of the motor vehicle with a glycol/water mixture as the heat carrier, a refrigerant circuit, and a glycol/refrigerant heat exchanger positioned between and interconnecting the cooling circuit and the refrigerant circuit, wherein the glycol/refrigerant heat exchanger has integrated connection lines for heat transfer from the coolant circuit to the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Heyl, Jorn Frohling