Patents Issued in March 18, 2003
  • Patent number: 6532982
    Abstract: A faucet assembly is mounted to a mounting surface and is coupled to a filter assembly that is replaceable both above and below the mounting surface. The faucet assembly includes a faucet including a valve to control the flow rate of water and a base attached to the mounting surface. The filter assembly is disposed beneath the mounting surface and includes a filter and a flexible water line connected to a water source. The filter assembly is sized to fit through an opening in the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Stephen M. Downer
  • Patent number: 6532983
    Abstract: Combination of a float valve for venting a fuel tank allowing venting in the inclined position, preventing the ejection of liquid, fulfilling the OPD and ROV functions and the function of degassing during filling, and of a capacity equipped with a draining system capable of trapping small quantities of liquid fuel entrained with the gases and of returning them to the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Management
    Inventor: Patrick Ganachaud
  • Patent number: 6532984
    Abstract: A constant flow liquid supplier includes a body having a cavity defined to contain liquid. An inlet assembly floats on the liquid surface and selectively opens the inlet of the constant flow liquid supplier. An outlet assembly floats on the liquid surface and has an inverted U-shaped siphon. The siphon has an inlet in the cavity and an outlet out of the body. The outlet is lower than the inlet. According to the principles of operation of a siphon and the structure of the present invention, the liquid in the body will flow out of the outlet of the siphon at a constant rate until the siphon shuts off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Chung-Kun Liu
  • Patent number: 6532985
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining the temperature of material contained in fluid conveying devices. The apparatus may include an enclosure having an improved door, mounting bracket, locking mechanism, heating device and a secure structure for accessing the upper portion of the enclosure. An alignment guide and integral tabs are also disclosed which facilitate assembly of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Griffin & Cantrell Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Herman W. Griffin, Edgar L. Cantrell
  • Patent number: 6532986
    Abstract: A freezeless wall hydrant has a fluid inlet end connected to a source of pressurized water, and a fluid outlet end. A check valve is placed in the bore of the valve body and is spring loaded to open only when extreme water pressure within the inlet valve lifts a spring loaded piston element to permit the highly pressurized water to move through the bore in the valve body and be relieved as it escapes rearwardly into the original source of pressurized water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred F. Dickey, Cody W. Jackson, William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 6532987
    Abstract: A relief valve having a cylindrical case with one side thereof communicated with a fluid-pressure source, a relief piston accommodated in the cylindrical case and slidable therein, a return spring for pressing the relief piston against the fluid-pressure source, a damper chamber provided on a rear-surface side of the relief piston, said damper chamber communicated with the fluid-pressure source through an orifice of the relief piston and used for displaying a buffer action against an operation of the relief piston, and a relief hole bored through a wall of the cylindrical case, the relief hole communicated with the fluid-pressure source when the relief piston retreats due to an increase in pressure generated by the fluid-pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Itoh, Mitsuru Saito, Masataka Eguchi, Hideyuki Tawara
  • Patent number: 6532988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve for admitting atmospheric air into the waste pipe system in response to pressure reduction in the system for protecting the water traps in the system and to prevent atmospheric discharge of contaminated air from the waste pipe system. The valve consists of a valve body having at least two air inlet openings in communication with the atmospheric air, each of the openings alternating with a passage towards the waste pipe system, the openings and passages being equally distributed within the valve housing viewed in horizontal cross-section about the valve seat level. The valve member resting, in a normal closed position, on the valve seat separating the openings from the passages and having a substantially butterfly shaped sealing surface for a valve embodiment having two diametrically opposed openings situated perpendicular respectively to two diametrically opposed passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Kurt Sture Birger Ericson
  • Patent number: 6532989
    Abstract: A hydraulic distributor that has a regulating balance including a housing hollowed in the distributor body and containing coaxially a fixed central core. A tubular plunger is interposed sliding freely, coaxially, between the core and the housing and co-operates with a lateral orifice connected to a working orifice. The core and the plunger define between them an annular chamber. The plunger has a first radial annular surface subjected to the highest charge pressure (LS) and a second annular surface subjected to the pressure of the intake fluid. A central passage in the core constitutes a first orifice emerging at one end of the housing exposed to the highest charge pressure (LS). A second orifice emerges in the annular chamber and a third orifice is located opposite the other end of the housing and remains closed by the plunger as long as the charge pressure of the distributor is below the highest charge pressure (LS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth S.A.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kauss
  • Patent number: 6532990
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air compressor assembly including a lifting handle. An air compressor assembly suitable for lifting includes an air reservoir suitable for storing compressed air under pressure, the reservoir having a front-end portion, a rearward portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion. A lift handle assembly suitable for use in lifting the air compressor assembly is at least partially disposed on at least one of the first and second side portions. In an additional aspect of the present invention, an air compressor assembly suitable for lifting includes an air reservoir suitable for storing compressed air having a first end portion and a second end portion. A wheel assembly suitable for transporting the air compressor assembly is disposed on the second end portion of the air reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: DeVilbiss Air Power Company
    Inventors: Mark W. Wood, Robert F. Burkholder, Crandall B. Barbour, Mike L. Davis, Fred M. Morgan, David W. Robenalt, Dave C. Smith
  • Patent number: 6532991
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an air compressor assembly including a handle assembly capable of assuming a plurality of positions. In a first aspect of the present invention, an air compressor assembly includes an air reservoir suitable for storing compressed air, the reservoir having a first side portion and a second side portion. A handle assembly is disposed on the air reservoir, the handle assembly capable of attaining a first position and a second position, wherein the second position generally aligns the handle assembly at least partially along at least one of the first and second side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: DeVilbiss Air Power Company
    Inventors: Mark W. Wood, Crandall B. Barbour, David W. Robenalt
  • Patent number: 6532992
    Abstract: A pipe flange cover for temporarily covering a pipe opening and a pipe flange at an end of a pipe, the cover having a front face and a rear face, the rear face having a center portion surrounded by a peripheral portion of the rear face, the peripheral portion formed with a plurality of axially projecting spring lugs; the center portion adapted to engage a front side of the pipe flange and to seal the pipe opening, the spring lugs adapted for insertion into bolt holes on the pipe flange. The center portion is axially offset from the peripheral portion, and connected thereto by an integral bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: James Elliott Holden
  • Patent number: 6532993
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a kit for installing an underground piping system. The kit includes a protective conduit having flexible piping contained therein and a plurality of sealing members. The installer positions the protective conduit and flexible piping as a single unit thereby facilitating installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Omega Flex, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Albino
  • Patent number: 6532994
    Abstract: A flexible cord-like hollow object for the transportation of media is provided with an inner zone enclosed by a casing having an inner layer, a middle layer and an outer layer. A barrier layer, which is impermeable to volatile molecules in the medium to be transported, is integrated into the casing on the outer surface of the inner layer between the inner layer and the middle layer. The barrier layer comprises sub-elements that are arranged in a scale-like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Aeroquip-Vickers International GmbH
    Inventors: Silvia Enders, Holger Ullrich, Thomas Fritz
  • Patent number: 6532995
    Abstract: To provide a super-high strength line pipe that is excellent in low temperature toughness, can be field welded easily, and has a tensile strength of at least 900 MPa (exceeding ×100 of the API standard), and a production method thereof. The present invention relates to a super-high strength line pipe produced by shaping a steel plate into a pipe shape and arc welding seam portions, the strength of a base steel portion is 900 to 1,100 MPa and the strength of the weld metal is higher than the base steel strength −100 MPa. In the steel pipe, the Ni content of the weld metal is higher by at least 1% than that of the base steel. The combination of the chemical components of the steel plate with those of the weld metal, for accomplishing these steel pipes by a U&O step is shown concretely. A production method of the steel plate and the welding method for achieving the steel pipe are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Asahi, Hiroshi Tamehiro, Takuya Hara, Yoshio Terada, Shigeru Ohkita, Kunio Koyama
  • Patent number: 6532996
    Abstract: A method of driving a loom is characterized by driving devices of a loom according to instructions for works and stopping a drive actuator on the basis of stop position information. The stop information used to stop the drive actuator is set relative to the devices of the loom, and is set prior to adjusting, maintaining, or initializing the devices of the loom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Tsudakoma Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Zenji Tamura
  • Patent number: 6532997
    Abstract: Sample processing devices with electrophoresis channels and methods of loading the electrophoresis channels with electrophoresis sieving polymer while rotating the sample processing device are disclosed. In some instances, the electrophoresis channels may be arranged radially relative to the axis of rotation of the sample processing device. In other sample processing devices, the electrophoresis channels may be arranged in curved arcs that are concentric about the center of the sample processing device (which preferably corresponds to the axis of rotation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Bedingham, Raj Rajagopal, Kannan Seshadri
  • Patent number: 6532998
    Abstract: A modular container filling apparatus includes a simple pilot valve which can be operated by a push button, a bottle-engaging yoke, or a manual valve at the distal end of a bucket filling hose. The modular construction of the apparatus allows a plurality of units to be mounted side by side on a modular water manifold by bayonet-type sealing connections. An anti-foam venturi and spout mixes chemicals with the water and minimizes foaming when filling a bottle. A plurality of chemicals can be selected by a rotational selector without intermixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Knight, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Beldham, Donald W. Smeller, Christopher W. Nesselroad
  • Patent number: 6532999
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a pair of inputs for determining the pressure within a vapor recovery path. The inputs are positioned about a flow restrictor within the vapor recovery path. The vapor recovery path may include a mounting platform for attaching the pressure sensor and positioning the inputs relative to the flow restrictor. In one embodiment, a vapor sensor may also be positioned within the vapor recovery path. An inlet port and an outlet port direct vapor from the vapor recovery path to a sensor. The inlet and outlet ports are positioned relative to the flow restrictor for forcing the vapor through the sensor. In this embodiment, a common flow restrictor within the vapor recovery path may accommodate both the vapor sensor and the pressure sensor. If vapor is not being returned in the vapor return path properly, the fuel dispenser may set an alarm condition and/or shut down the fuel dispenser operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Pope, William P. Shermer
  • Patent number: 6533000
    Abstract: A hermetic substrate transportation container permitting storage of an electronic substrate is provided, keeping a rise of internal moisture concentration low, thus preventing generation of natural oxidation film on the surface of the electronic substrate and allowing detection of the contents inside the substrate transportation container, from outside. A container body having an aperture for loading and unloading an electronic substrate, the substrate transportation container comprising a lid for sealing such aperture, in which the container body and the lid are made of a material having an amorphous polyolefin as its main constituent. By constituting the container body and the lid using the amorphous polyolefin with low hygroscopic characteristic as a main constituent, it is possible to keep discharge of moisture from the internal wall thereof low and also to prevent an increase of moisture concentration in the sealed compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Saga
  • Patent number: 6533001
    Abstract: A filling machine including at least one filling tube (22), whereby a product flows through said filling tube and said filling tube is placed opposite the opening of a receptacle that is to be filled. The feed for the filling tube is controlled by a valve (30) which is arranged in a downward skewed position in relation to the tube and the valve is joined to the tube by a feed pipe (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventors: Eric Adriansens, Eric Meunier, Rodolphe Saint-Martin
  • Patent number: 6533002
    Abstract: A cooling unit is mounted to an upper wall of a fuel tank so as to cool fuel. A control valve and a vent valve are disposed in a vapor line extending from a float valve to a canister. The control valve and the vent valve are disposed in parallel with one another and constitute a valve member. A cooling unit is mounted to an evaporation passage between a float valve and the valve member. Operation of the cooling units serves to cool fuel and inhibit generation of vapor. If the pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a control pressure, a control circuit opens the control valve and performs control such that the pressure in the fuel tank becomes lower than a running-state relief pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahide Kobayashi, Takashi Ishikawa, Katsuyuki Kido
  • Patent number: 6533003
    Abstract: A method of controlling a dispenser duct door, including positioning an upper side of the door, in a closed position, in a door-opening direction, and rotating a bottom end of the door to a partially open position vertically under the upper side of the door in response to an opening signal. The bottom end of the door is rotated further in the door-opening direction in response to ice hitting a rear of the door and is returned to the partially open position. After a predetermined delay, the bottom end of the door is returned to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dwight William Jacobus, Wilbur C. Bewley, Bob D. Merryman, Diane M. Dehli
  • Patent number: 6533004
    Abstract: A wood-splitting impact tool with an enhanced wood-splitting function by virtue of its improved penetration and its reduced recoil. Improving the penetration of the wedge is achieved by fabricating the wedge of aluminum, titanium, graphite composite or alloys thereof, or any lightweight material that has rare energy transfer capability. Penetration into wood is further enhanced by using a frictionless or smooth surface coating on the penetrating surfaces of the wedge, such coating being PTFE, Teflon®, or anodized aluminum. The wedge and its cutting edge surfaces can be anodized to toughen as well as smooth all surfaces subject to deformation. The surface of the wedge is structurally decreased in recoil by interrupting the metal surface with small, periodic, directional or stepped abutments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Harris G. Thor
  • Patent number: 6533005
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a hybrid wood product that includes a void-free contact surface for abutment to another surface, for example a glass sheet. First, composite wood products are laminated to, and encompass, a solid-sawn lumber key. After cutting through the key and composite wood products, the resulting segments are milled to produce a hybrid wood product with a residual key contributing the void-free surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: David A. Hill
  • Patent number: 6533006
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a traction winter tire with rows (A-F) of tread pattern blocks (11) and circumferential (a-e) grooves and transverse grooves (j-o) separating pattern blocks from each other, the tread pattern blocks comprising sipes (7, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) opening to the tread surface and extending into the tire for enhancing the grip of the tread with a road surface, said sipes being discontinued at support areas (13) operable to attach anti-skid studs (12). The winter tire is characterized in that the tread pattern blocks are displaced relative to one another such that overlapping and axially adjacent tread pattern blocks are connected in pairs into double tread pattern blocks (2) by a bridge part (3), and tread pattern blocks in the shoulder area of the tire are, alternatingly, a tread block of a double tread block and an unbound single tread block (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nokian Tyres Plc.
    Inventor: Teppo Siltanen
  • Patent number: 6533007
    Abstract: An off-road tire has sidewall tread element extensions with steps that provide gripping action and support around the sidewall, and enable the tire to climb the sides of rocks and ruts. The steps are located at different distances from the tire rotational axis and from the tire tread centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Lee A. McMannis
  • Patent number: 6533008
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having a rubber component comprised of (a) 100 parts by weight of at least one elastomer containing olefinic unsaturation; and (b) 1 to 20 phr of a liquid organic polysulfide polymer having a molecular weight of from 500 to 10,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Lickes, Tom Dominique Linster, Marc Jules Alexis Henoumont
  • Patent number: 6533009
    Abstract: A tire noise damper to be disposed in an annular tire cavity formed between a wheel rim and a pneumatic tire mounted thereon. The damper comprises an annular band-like body which is made of an elastomeric material and provided with at least one generally U-shaped cut oriented in a circumferential direction. The cutout formed by the at least one U-shaped cut forms a flap risen by a centrifugal force during running, and the remainder forms a base band to be put around a bottom of the wheel rim in an elongated condition. In order to reduce resonance of the air in the tire cavity in not only the fundamental mode but also the higher harmonic modes, the flap may have a relatively long length such that, when risen, a radially outer end portion thereof comes into contact with the radially inside of a tread portion of the tire. Further, the flap may be made of nonwoven fabric at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chieko Aoki
  • Patent number: 6533010
    Abstract: An air pressure regulating system mounted within a wheel and tire assembly. It primarily includes a temperature sensor and a compressor assembly having a compression chamber and valves. Utilizing centrifugal forces from the rotation of a wheel and tire assembly, air may flow into and out of a tire to automatically maintain the pressure inside a tire relatively constant over a given temperature range. When the pressurized air in the compression chamber is greater than the pressurized air in the tire, the pressurized air in compression chamber flows into the tire. When the pressurized air in the tire is greater than the pressurized air in the compression chamber, the pressurized air in the tire flows into the compression chamber. When the pressurized air in the compression chamber is equal to the pressurized air in the tire, it is in equilibrium, and no air flow occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventors: Nelson Alonso, Norberto Granda
  • Patent number: 6533011
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire, includes at least one carcass ply folded turned up around a bead cord, a belt layer arranged on an outer side of a crown portion of the carcass ply to have an overlapping portion with the folded portion of the carcass, a first reinforcing rubber layer arranged between body portion of the carcass ply and the folded portion of the carcass ply, and a second reinforcing rubber layer arranged inside the body portion of the carcass ply, wherein overlapping width W2 from an upper end position RF of the second reinforcing rubber layer to an end BE of the belt layer is 7% to 33% of the width BW of the belt layer; and cross sectional widths G1W, G2W, and G3W satisfy the following relations: G3W/G1W=0.85 to 0.95, and G2W/G1W=1.0 to 1.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Ohtsu Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Tobino, Takehiko Murata
  • Patent number: 6533012
    Abstract: A tire whose crown has a ply of bimodulus reinforcements circumferentially oriented and spiral-wound, the ply being so arranged that, in the new tire, its reinforcements have a high-temperature contraction potential identical to that of the adhesive yarn before it is introduction in the tire. The tire has an appreciably diminished running noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: David Jardine, Pedro Costa Pereira, Philippe Esnault, Jean-Claude Goutte, Francois Vizet
  • Patent number: 6533013
    Abstract: An electric strapping tools and methods therefor having an electric motor with an output shaft coupled to a feed wheel, a modulator circuit coupled to a power input of the motor for controlling strap tension. A magnet is disposed on an end of the motor armature and offset from the rotation axis thereof, and a magnetic field detector is disposed near magnet to detect rotation of the armature. The motor rotates the feed wheel and vibrates a welding jaw when the shaft rotates in the same direction, and tool parameter adjustment potentiometers are isolated from abuse by the tool user by corresponding control knobs coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Nix
  • Patent number: 6533014
    Abstract: A nozzle for directing discrete streams of air along separated and parallel first and second paths includes a chamber for receiving air of a selected temperature, a first outlet arm extending from the chamber and having a first outlet at a distal end thereof and in a first outlet plane, and a second outlet arm extending from the chamber and having a second outlet at a distal end thereof and in a second outlet plane, an axis of the second outlet arm being generally parallel with an axis of the first outlet arm, the second outlet plane being offset from the first outlet plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sarnafil, Inc.
    Inventors: James Rubenacker, Brian Whelan, Paul Peterson, Claus Pfotenhauer
  • Patent number: 6533015
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying pressure-sensitive adhesive labels to articles, especially containers such as bottles, jars and cans. A pair of rollers define a cradle in which an article to be labeled rests. The rollers are adjustably mounted in a frame which also has a feeder reel thereon from which a roll of labels are paid out on a strip of substrate. The label-bearing substrate strip is wrapped around an edge of a plate mounted on the frame. Waste substrate is pinched between one of the cradle rollers and the article and then re-wound back to the roll on the feeder reel, so that the manual rolling of the article in the cradle pulls the label-bearing substrate from the roll to the edge of the plate. At the point where the substrate wraps around the edge of the plate, the label detaches from the substrate and is applied to the article. This action is repeated to serially apply labels to many articles. The apparatus is adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of article and container types and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Marc Moore
  • Patent number: 6533016
    Abstract: The apparatus, which serves to join flat supplementary products provided with an adhesive to printed products, has n holding elements which are driven on a circulating path about a first axis, by means of which supplementary products are gripped individually at at least one pick-up point and, after an appropriate rotation about the first axis, can be joined to a printed product at a discharge point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Egon Hansch
  • Patent number: 6533017
    Abstract: Window cover systems include window cover material in the form of pleated panels or slats. The window cover material is suspended from a traverse track and is traversed along the track for opening and closing the window system. Arrangements for maintaining spacing and alignment of pleats or slats are provided. The alignment maintaining arrangements include traverse tapes which are substantially rigid in longitudinal and lateral directions in the plane of the tape, and are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the tape. The arrangements also include attaching the window cover material to vertical edge members and providing foldable spacer-members between adjacent edge-members. In one arrangement, a box-pleated panel of window cover fabric is suspended from a traverse track on slide-members. The slide-members are each attached to a spacer-tape at regular intervals along the spacer-tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Andrew J. Toti
  • Patent number: 6533018
    Abstract: A system for holding batteries in a headrail comprises a battery carrier that cooperates with a battery carrier housing through an opening in the bottom of a headrail housing. The battery carrier accommodates a plurality of batteries and slidingly engages the battery carrier housing, which is mounted within the interior of the headrail housing. Since the battery carrier is slidably and removably engaged with the battery carrier housing, it is possible to remove and replace batteries without disassembling the headrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: Richard N. Anderson, Donald E. Fraser
  • Patent number: 6533019
    Abstract: A partition panel for office systems includes a rigid panel frame having a generally rectangular perimeter and a generally rectangular opening therethrough. The panel frame has a base configured to abuttingly support the panel frame freestanding on a floor surface. The panel frame includes a row of openings configured to support hang-on accessories. The partition panel also includes at least four H-shaped connectors, each of which is secured to said panel frame adjacent each side of the rectangular opening. A rigid sheet is secured to the frame by the connectors, and spans at least a substantial portion of the rectangular opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan J. King, Alan E. Rheault, John S. Malnor, Joel T. Ruiter
  • Patent number: 6533020
    Abstract: An engine block mold package is assembled from resin-bonded sand cores in a manner that reduces contamination of the engine block cast in the mold package by loose sand abraded off the cores during assembly. An assembly of multiple cores (core package) of the engine block mold package is formed apart from a base core. The core package is cleaned to remove loose sand therefrom. The cleaned core package then is positioned on the base core followed by assembly of a cover core to complete the engine block mold package for casting of an engine block therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Larry R. Shade
  • Patent number: 6533021
    Abstract: A mold for a metal hot-runner injection molding machine includes a movable mold plate, a fixed mold plate having a nozzle for injecting molten metal into said cavity, and a heating device disposed outside the nozzle for heating metal. A gate cut portion is situated in the nozzle between the heating device and the tip. A temperature measurement device is arranged adjacent to the gate cut portion for measuring the temperature of the metal in the gate cut portion. A heating control device is connected to the heating device for controlling a temperature of the nozzle on a basis of the temperature measurement device. A heat insulation device is arranged on the nozzle to cover at least an area where the gate cut portion is formed. By controlling the temperature of the nozzle, metal injection molding without runner can be made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignees: Ju-Oh Inc., The Japan Steel Works Ltd.
    Inventors: Itsuo Shibata, Takashi Mizushima, Ryoichi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 6533022
    Abstract: A conveyor for a molding machine and a molding machine incorporating the conveyor in which the portion of the conveyor and its driven rollers that run through the pouring station have been shortened such that the pallets extend over the conveyor to shield the conveyor and rollers from molten metal, and in which the rollers are slanted at an oblique angle relative to the intended path of the molds such that the driven rollers bias the pallets away from the pouring line to ensure that pallets carrying molds do not fall off the conveyor onto the pouring line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hunter Automated Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: William A. Hunter
  • Patent number: 6533023
    Abstract: A pinch roll assembly that may be used for feeding hot metal strip comprises a pair of parallel pinch rolls. At least one of the rolls comprises a copper or copper alloy tube providing the external peripheral roll surface and internal water cooling passages to cool the cylindrical tube by flowing water through the passages. The copper or copper alloy tube is fitted to a cylindrical arbor formed with end shafts for mounting the roll in journal bearings. Shaft is provided with a rotary drive coupling and shaft is fitted with a rotary water coupling for flow of cooling water to the water flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Castrip LLC
    Inventors: Hisahiko Fukase, Hiroaki Kuwano, Heiji Kato
  • Patent number: 6533024
    Abstract: In a method for changing a billet section of a continuous billet casting device from an initial section to a final section, the opposed billet sides interact with oppositely positioned roll supports of a billet guide arranged below a continuous casting die. The roll supports have segments with rolls, and each segment is individually adjustable with respect to its angular position relative to the billet. A controlled sequence of adjusting steps of the segments successively arranged in a direction of continuous casting is carried out, wherein, for reducing the section of the billet, the segments are advanced successively toward the billet in the continuous casting direction and, and for increasing the section of the billet, the segments are moved successively away from the billet in the continuous casting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Hans Streubel, Günter Kneppe, Olaf Norman Jepsen, Holger Beyer-Steinhauer
  • Patent number: 6533025
    Abstract: An instrument panel support, positioned between A columns of a motor vehicle, has a profiled support member with an integrated air guide system. The profiled support member has at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet connected to the air guide system. The air guide system forms at least a portion of a heat exchanger of an air conditioner of the motor vehicle. Preferably, at least one heat exchanger conduit is integrated into the air guide system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Benteler AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Krogmeier, Andreas Hitz, Rafael Carcia, Wulf Härtel
  • Patent number: 6533026
    Abstract: This is a heating and cooling system, and method that utilizes the roof of a home or building as a solar collector. A heat barrier material is secured to the inside free edges of the roof rafters to reflect radiant heat into air flow passage ways formed between the rafters, the attic side of the roof and the heat barrier materials. A loft or upper attic floor is built in the upper portion of the attic and is also covered with the heat barrier material. The attic is divided into separate areas that are connected by a ducting system that includes a filter, an evaporator and a blower. The blower produces airflow through the filter and over the evaporator coil and into a separated portion of the attic. Airflow moves through selected formed channels between rafters, barrier material and inside roof to the blower for re-circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Norman C. Noah
  • Patent number: 6533027
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assembling at least one item of equipment, such as a secondary heat exchanger, onto a primary heat exchanger, the said primary heat exchanger including a tube manifold (8) and a manifold chamber (9) crimped onto the tube manifold, the periphery of the said tube manifold forming a groove (12) for accommodating a sealing gasket (13) between the tube manifold and the manifold chamber. This device comprises, on the one hand, first means (19, 21, 23) for clipping onto the outside of the said groove, and, on the other hand, means (20) for accommodating and locking the said item of equipment. Application to motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Thermique Moteur
    Inventors: Gérard Gille, Carlos Martins
  • Patent number: 6533028
    Abstract: A small and light heat sink having high radiation performance for radiating heat generated from an electronic component, a method of manufacturing the heat sink, and a cooling apparatus employing the heat sink are provided. The heat sink includes a heat conducting plate contacting a heating element to be cooled, and plural columnar fins disposed on the upper surface of the plate. The heat conducting plate has a thickness, in a direction perpendicular to a heat receiving surface, that gradually increases from one end to the other end of the plate. Thermal diffusion from the heating element is thus increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Sato
  • Patent number: 6533029
    Abstract: The invention introduces a two part wick for use in the evaporator of a two phase loop (LHP/CPL). The primary wick controls evaporation from the primary heat input area. The secondary or “distribution” wick separates the liquid and vapor volumes of the evaporator and feeds liquid to the primary wick. The secondary wick allows the primary wick to be configured so heat enters from the liquid side of the wick, this constitutes a non-inverted meniscus evaporator which can tolerate high heat fluxes without restricting vapor flow. The secondary wick is removed from the primary heat flow path lends itself to fabrication in small dimensions compatible with direct cooling of electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Thermal Corp.
    Inventor: Fred A. L. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6533030
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pipe (1) having several internal ribs (2, 3, 4) having a spiral twist, where the ribs run with rotational symmetry with the longitudinal axis (5) of symmetry of the pipe (1). This invention creates a heat transfer pipe that will be characterized by a much better heat transfer in comparison with the previously known pipes having internal ribs, and to this end it guarantees not only an increase in the internal heat transfer surface area but also an effective cross-flow between the inside wall surface of the pipe and the core flow near the longitudinal axis of symmetry. To that end, the free ends (2c, 3c, 4c) of the internal ribs (2, 3, 4) are a distance (a) from the longitudinal axis (5) of symmetry of the pipe (1), which is in the range of 1:12 to 1:3 in relation to the inside diameter (d) of the pipe; and all the internal ribs (2, 3, 4) run in the same direction (arrow 6) and with the same spiral length (L) with a spiral twist to the longitudinal axis (5) of symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: F.W. Brokelmann Aluminiumwerk GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jovan Mitrovic, Steffen Dittmann, Michael Schönherr
  • Patent number: 6533031
    Abstract: A method which extends the useful life of a lead-acid type battery by applying conductive cooling or heating directly to the bottom surface of the battery to maintain the battery at a constant temperature of about 25° C. regardless of the ambient temperature surrounding the battery. The method for thermally managing the battery comprises the steps of providing an equipment cabinet having an equipment chamber, providing the cabinet with a battery compartment exposed to ambient temperature changes, providing the battery, placing the battery in the battery compartment, providing a cold plate having a surface substantially coextensive with the surface of the battery, placing the surface of the cold plate in direct contact with the surface of the battery, providing a heating pad, placing the heating pad in direct contact with the cold plate, providing an insulation pad, and placing the insulation pad between the heating pad and a mounting for the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Marconi Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin P. Garcia, Michael R. Cosley