Patents Issued in April 8, 2003
  • Patent number: 6543542
    Abstract: A crude oil recovery system includes a downhole pump and an extension that extends below the downhole pump. The extension has an extension inlet positioned below the lowest drawdown level achievable by the pump. All of the fluid pumped by the downhole pump enters the extension via the extension inlet, and by positioning the extension inlet sufficiently below the lowest drawdown level achievable by the pump, pressurized gas is prevented from entering the extension, the pump, or the pump column above the pump. In this way, gas is prevented from displacing oil in the pump column, thereby maintaining excellent cooling for the polish rod, and gas is confined to the borehole annulus, where it can readily be recovered or vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: My-D Han-D Co.
    Inventor: James B. Tieben
  • Patent number: 6543543
    Abstract: A pumping system comprises a pump barrel that is adapted to be placed into a well casing. A plunger is reciprocatably positioned within the pump barrel and has an open top end, a bottom end, and a traveling valve at the bottom end. A connector is coupled to the plunger below the top end. A rod is coupled to the connector and is translatable to reciprocate the plunger within the pump barrel using an upstroke and a downstroke. Further, the top end of the plunger is adapted to direct particulate into the plunger and away from the pump barrel upon each upstroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Muth Pump LLC
    Inventor: Garold M. Muth
  • Patent number: 6543544
    Abstract: Electrohydraulic actuators and associated methods are utilized to control the operation of downhole well tool assemblies, representatively flow control devices. In a described embodiment thereof, each actuator is positioned downhole and comprises a self-contained, closed circuit hydraulic system including an electrically operable double action primary pump drivingly coupled to an associated well tool assembly via a first hydraulic circuit, and an electrically operable switching pump coupled to the first hydraulic circuit via a second hydraulic circuit interposed therein and operative to selectively alter the control flow of hydraulic fluid to the well tool assembly in a manner reversing its operation. To provide for selective, more rapid control of the well tool assembly, a chargeable accumulator is connected to the hydraulic circuitry and is selectively and drivably communicatable with the well tool assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Robert K. Michael, James E. Masino
  • Patent number: 6543545
    Abstract: In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production. The filter media is typically a particulate material and can be deposited as a slurry comprising liquid material and particulate material, or as a cement slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jr., Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal
  • Patent number: 6543546
    Abstract: A pair of ram blocks are provided such that when they are actuated hydraulically to move together, they present an opening which has a series of gripping members downwardly biased. Removal of tubulars or tools from the well bore works against the bias to retract the grippers so that removal can be accomplished. However, if there is an accidental release, the bias pushes the grippers toward the tubular or tool to grip it to prevent loss into the well bore. The ram blocks can be retracted for run-in to the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Garry R. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6543547
    Abstract: In a portable foam fire extinguisher with pressurized foam stabilization, including a container for the fire extinguishing medium, a pressurized gas bottle in communication with the container and a fire extinguisher gun connected to the container by a hose for supplying the fire extinguishing medium to the fire extinguisher gun, a mixing device is connected, by way of a pressure hose, to the pressurized gas bottle for admixing pressurized gas to the flow of the fire extinguishing medium to the fire extinguisher gun to provide therein pressurized gas bubbles, which expand when the mixture is discharged from the gun thereby accelerating the flow from the gun while forming a foam which adheres to the surfaces covered thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Anton Neumeir, Reinhard Effenberger
  • Patent number: 6543548
    Abstract: A working vehicle 1 includes front wheels Wf steered by a steering wheel 8, and rear wheels Wr driven through a transmission system T incorporating static hydraulic pressure type continuously variable transmissions. A speed change operating device M for controlling speed change of the transmission system T accelerates or decelerates right and left rear wheels Wr at same rotating speed by operation of a change lever 10, and also generates a difference in rotating speed between the right and left rear wheels Wr by operation of the steering wheel 8. The steering characteristic on the basis of operation of the steering wheel 8 varies depending on the vehicle speed set by the change lever 10, so that an appropriate steering characteristic may be obtained if the vehicle speed is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Ichikawa, Masakatsu Kono, Kazunari Iriki, Tsuyoshi Kawabata, Kenji Kuroiwa, Tsutomu Inui
  • Patent number: 6543549
    Abstract: An electrically driven hand-held tool including a housing (2; 12; 22; 32), an electromotor (20; 30; 40), a gear set for transmitting rotation of an output shaft of the electromotor to a drive spindle, and a fan-wheel all arranged in the housing (2; 12; 22; 32), with the fan-wheel providing, during operation of the tool, for aspiration of air through the suction openings (6; 16; 26; 36) formed in the housing for directing the aspirated air past the electromotor and the gear set for cooling same, and for expelling warm air, which was heated as a result of absorbing heat generated by the electromotor and the gear set during the operation of the tool, out of the housing (2; 12; 22; 32), and a warm air channel (7; 17; 27; 37) arranged downstream of the electromotor and the gear set and spaced from a tool handle (3; 13; 23; 33) and having a plurality of blow-out openings (8; 18; 28; 38) arranged in such a way that during use of the hand-held tool, the expelled warm air flows in a direction away from the tool operat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Reinhard Riedl, Manfred Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6543550
    Abstract: A guidance system for a drill tool (1) comprising a primary guidance package and a magnetic solenoid transmitter (9). The primary guidance package contains signal generator. The signal generator produces a signal indicative of the location of the drill tool 1. The magnetic solenoid transmitter both transmits the primary guidance data to a signal processor and emits an electromagnetic field. Using a locator (35), an operator can periodically determine the actual drill tool position by detecting the electromagnetic field. The actual position of the drill tool as determined by the electromagnetic field is used to correct for an integration error that is introduced into the drill tool position by the guidance technique used by the primary guidance package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Utilx Corporation
    Inventor: Nelson Hall
  • Patent number: 6543551
    Abstract: An automatic pipe handling device (10) is disclosed which includes a support frame (12) mounted on a boring device (14). Removable pipe racks (16, 80, 130, 140) can be placed in position on the support frame (12) to deliver pipe to the spindle axis or to remove pipe therefrom as required. The pipe sections are removed from the pipe rack and positioned on the spindle axis by pipe grippers (32) mounted on hydraulic cylinders (28, 30) mounted on a rotating longitudinal shaft (20). The grippers and shaft similarly return the used pipe sections for storage to the pipe rack. In one pipe rack (16) an S-shaped guide path (72) is used. In another pipe rack (80) a plurality of rows (88, 90, 92) of pipe sections are used. In another embodiment, pipe is stored in an arcuate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrel W. Sparks, Richard W. McEwen, Arthur D. Deken, Cody L. Sewell, Ronald A. Frazier, James E. Franklin, Kevin L. Smith, David R. Payne
  • Patent number: 6543552
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for drilling and lining a wellbore in one downhole trip. The method comprises mounting a drill bit on a drill string including a section of expandable tubing and providing a tubing expander in the string, then rotating the drill bit and advancing the drill string through a bore, then passing the expander through the expandable tubing to expand the tubing, wherein the expandable tubing is deformed by compressive plastic deformation of the tubing with a localised reduction in wall thickness, resulting in a subsequent increase in tubing diameter, and then retrieving the drill bit from the bore through the expanded tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David Metcalfe, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 6543553
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for drilling two separate and independent wellbores through a single surface casing. According to one aspect of the invention, a drilling assembly guides a drill bit into one of two different directions through the use of a removable guide. In order to change wellbores, the removable guide is rotated which can be performed in a one step operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Chevron Nigeria Limited
    Inventor: Henry Anthony Bergeron
  • Patent number: 6543554
    Abstract: There is provided an adjustable housing for use with a drill string for controlled directional drilling of a well hole. The housing includes an upper sub and a lower sub each having a first portion extending along a primary axis and a second portion extending along a secondary axis offset from the primary axis by a predetermined angle. The second portions are rotatably mounted together such that the secondary axes of the respective upper and lower subs are coincident. The upper sub is thus rotatable in relation to the lower sub between a bent position wherein the primary axes of the upper and lower subs are misaligned and a parallel position wherein the primary axes of the upper and lower subs are parallel to each other. A locking member is slidably mounted on splines extending radially from the second portion of the upper sub such that the locking member is slidable between an engaged position and disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Continental Directional Corp.
    Inventor: Winston Smith
  • Patent number: 6543555
    Abstract: An automatic loader (10) for drill rods (11) adapted to be associated with a boring machine having a guide and drive assembly (12) for the drill rods (11) includes at least a store (13) containing a plurality of drill rods (11) and a movement assembly (14) that is able to selectively remove, one at a time, the drill rods (11) from the store (13) to position them on the guide and drive assembly (12). The movement assembly (14) is arranged in an intermediate position between the store (13) and the guide and drive assembly (12), so as to not interfere with the latter during the removal of the drill rods (11) from the store (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Casagrande SpA
    Inventor: Mauro Casagrande
  • Patent number: 6543556
    Abstract: A torque shock absorber apparatus (39) comprised of a mandrel (2) and cylinder (8) with torque absorbing mechanism (8-12, 27) to absorb excessive torque while permitting the transmission of rotational energy to the drill string is connected in the drill string or as the drive mechanism in a jar or accelerator (40) to prevent excessive torque loading of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6543557
    Abstract: The invention concerns a down the hole drill hammer assembly providing a full piston area exposure to driving fluid pressure by the omission of the usual finger valve from the upper piston area and providing the piston with blind bores at each end and passages through the piston wall enabling predetermined communication between the blind bores for exhausting pressure fluid through the drill bit assembly. Fluid transfer passages are also provided in the inner wall of an outer wear sleeve of the drill hammer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Bernard Lionel Gien
  • Patent number: 6543558
    Abstract: A drilling and/or chiseling tool (1) comprises a shaft (2) and a cylindrical insertion end (4) connected with the shaft (2) with at least one elongated recess (5 to 8), open toward the outer surface of and toward the free end of the insertion end (9) and forming a rotationally locking groove. A collar (3) is disposed between the shaft (2) and the insertion end (4) and extends at least partially around the tool (1) and projects at least radially outwardly of the shaft (2) and of the insertion end (4). The cylindrical insertion end (4)has a diameter not less than 18 mm and preferably larger than 22 mm. The at least one recess (5 to 8) has a cross-sectional area, extending perpendicularly to the axis of the tool (1), and expands toward the outer surface and is provided essentially in the form of an arc of a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Udo Hauptmann, Martin Richter, Konrad Artmann
  • Patent number: 6543559
    Abstract: A propulsion system for a vehicle comprised of two wheels, both of which are in the shape of hemispheres. Each of the hemisphere wheels is mounted through a bearing on a fork with two pivots attached to the inner race of the bearing, allowing the wheel to rotate around two perpendicular accesses. The center of each wheel is attached to the shaft through a double universal joint or a flexible shaft. By rotating the hemisphere wheel around the fork pivots the diameter of the wheel engaged with the ground is increased or decreased allowing the vehicle speed and/or direction to very.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Gregory Kaplun
  • Patent number: 6543560
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission with an integral actuator for a vehicle having an engine and a frame. The assembly includes a transmission housing for connection to a vehicle frame, a shaft for coupling the hydrostatic transmission to an output of a vehicle engine, a pump driven by the shaft and an actuator operatively coupled to the pump that is attached to the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlin J. Trefz, Ted Wetzel
  • Patent number: 6543561
    Abstract: The invention relates to drive systems for a motor vehicle, with an internal combustion engine (1) and at least one electric machine (6, 6′), each of which can be used independently as a drive motor for the vehicle, the drive systems being constructed in such a way that the vehicle drive-away phase proceeds as follows: i) the vehicle is initially accelerated by the electric machine (6, 6′) alone, ii) during this process, the internal combustion engine (1) is started, iii) the internal combustion engine (1) then takes over the driving of the vehicle, jerky coupling of the internal combustion engine (1) in the course of steps i) to iii) being avoided either by a) entraining the internal combustion engine (1) while the electric machine (6, 6′) is accelerating the vehicle, or b) the internal combustion engine (1) being accelerated for the purpose of starting while decoupled from the drive and being coupled to the drive at the synchronous speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Continental ISAD Electronic Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Pels, Klaus Revermann
  • Patent number: 6543562
    Abstract: An earth moving machine having a frame that supports an engine and a radiator that is located proximate a rear end of the frame. A service center module is positioned between the engine and the radiator. The service center module has a support member, a support plate on an upper surface of the support member, a back plate that is perpendicular to the support plate, and at least one mounting location on the back plate for mounting one or more components that may require routine maintenance such as an air tank, an ether aid, an air dryer, or a transmission filter. The central service center module increases maintenance efficiency by locating components, which may require routine maintenance, in a single easily accessible location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Thomas A. Repko, Viresh B. Shah, Kevin J. Wilkening
  • Patent number: 6543563
    Abstract: A cab for earth-moving machines is constituted by a support structure within which a control station for an operator is obtained. A hinging element and a locking element permit the fastening of the support structure to a frame of an earth-moving machine. Control levers are positioned within the support structure in correspondence with the control station for controlling operative organs of the earth-moving machine. A plurality of hydraulic conduits are connected to the control levers and a plurality of semi-couplings are connected to at least a portion of the plurality of hydraulic conduits and are able to be coupled to a corresponding plurality of semi-couplings connected to a hydraulic system of the earth-moving machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Utility Europe S.p.A.
    Inventor: Umberto Muraro
  • Patent number: 6543564
    Abstract: A transportation vehicle for transporting an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. The vehicle has a support platform for supporting the subject and the support platform is coupled to a ground-contacting module at a pivot. While the ground-contacting module may be statically stable, balance of the support platform with respect to the ground-contacting module is maintained by motion of the ground-contacting module in response to leaning of the support platform. A motorized drive coupled to the ground-contacting module causes locomotion of the vehicle and the subject therewith over the surface, while a control loop, in which the motorized drive is included, dynamically enhances stability in the fore-aft plane by operation of the motorized drive in connection with the ground-contacting module. In the event of failure of the control loop, the pivot connection of the support platform to the ground-contacting module may be locked, thereby ensuring stability of the static assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean L. Kamen, Douglas Field, Richard Kurt Heinzmann
  • Patent number: 6543565
    Abstract: A regenerative brake control method and system for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) with a disconnect clutch separating the engine from the motor. When the engine is disconnected from the HEV powertrain, more regenerative braking energy is possible because the negative powertrain torque of the engine's friction and pumping is eliminated. The control can determine when to disconnect and reconnect the engine to the powertrain using, for example, driver demand, vehicle speed, accelerator position, brake pedal position, engine state, motor state, and motor fault status. The control also minimizes powertrain disturbance to improve vehicle drivability by continuously adjusting the amount of regenerative braking to correspond to the changing torque of the engine on the powertrain during disconnect or reconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Anthony Mark Phillips, Miroslava Jankovic
  • Patent number: 6543566
    Abstract: A tractor-mounted forklift comprising a first frame having its rearward end secured to the underside of the tractor and having its forward end secured to the forward end of the tractor about a longitudinally extending pivot axis. A second frame is pivotally secured, about a transverse axis, to the forward end of the first frame and has a pair of ground-engaging wheels mounted at the opposite sides thereof. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to and extends between the first and second frames to pivot the second frame upwardly and downwardly with respect to the first frame. A materials handling attachment, such as a bale grapple, is mounted on a vertically movable lift which is secured to the forward end of the second frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Milford K. Mason
  • Patent number: 6543567
    Abstract: The braking system of a vehicle is securely engaged in response to the operator of the vehicle causing the vehicle to stop. The braking system remains securely engaged upon detection of a fault such as a vehicle collision, a vehicle malfunction or a problem with the operator or operation of the vehicle, thereby improving vehicle safety. In the event of a collision, securely engaged brakes can significantly reduce resulting vehicle acceleration, potentially avoiding a secondary collision and reducing injuries experienced by the vehicle operator and passengers. In the event that no fault is detected, the braking system is disengaged in response to the operator accelerating the vehicle, either by pressing the gas pedal or releasing the brake pedal, thereby making the securely engaged brakes virtually unperceivable under normal operating circumstances. The rate of release of the braking system is responsive to the gas pedal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Michael DeLuca, Joan DeLuca
  • Patent number: 6543568
    Abstract: A dual variable-tooth rack and single pinion steering system includes a first elongated rack having an inner end, an outer end, and a set of teeth with a predetermined variable tooth profile located between its ends, a second elongated rack having an inner end, an outer end, and a set of teeth with a predetermined variable tooth profile located between its ends; and a pinion disposed to engage the inner end of the first rack and the inner end of the second rack to thereby define a set of rack displacements between the outer end of the first rack and the outer end of the second rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael James Cole
  • Patent number: 6543569
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus comprising a rack shaft having two racks, a first rack-and-pinion mechanism for transferring a steering torque to the rack shaft, and a second rack-and-pinion mechanism for transferring an assist torque to the rack shaft. The second rack-and-pinion mechanism includes a pinion and a rack both being helical gears so that a large torque can be transmitted to the rack shaft. Teeth of the pinion and rack are arc profiled. The arc profiled teeth mesh with each other through a large contact area of concave and convex surfaces thereof and hence with a reduced contact pressure compared to involute profiled teeth. The arc profiled teeth thus have increased surface fatigue strength, bending strength and bending fatigue strength and can transmit an assist torque sufficiently to the rack shaft. Moreover, they have durability sufficient to withstand a torque load of a motor inertia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Shimizu, Yasuharu Ohyama, Katsuji Watanabe, Shigeru Yamawaki, Atsuhiko Yoneda, Yasuhiro Terada
  • Patent number: 6543570
    Abstract: A steering gear (12) has a rack bar (36) and a housing (22). The rack bar (36) is movable linearly relative to the housing (22) for turning steerable wheels (68) of the vehicle. Movement of the rack bar (36) relative to the housing (22) is resisted by friction. An electric motor (14) is connected with the rack bar (36) and causes linear movement of the rack bar (36) relative to the housing (22). A controller (16), in response to a vehicle speed signal and a torsion signal, generates a motor control signal for controlling the electric motor (14). The controller (16) stores data indicative of the friction resisting movement of the rack bar (36) relative to the housing (22) of the steering gear (12). The controller (16) modifies the motor control signal to compensate for the friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart W. Parker
  • Patent number: 6543571
    Abstract: A torque detecting apparatus which can detect steering torque applied on a steering shaft which connects a steering wheel and a steering mechanism from the steering wheel side and inverse input torque applied on the same from the steering mechanism side, and an electric power steering apparatus which can prevent deterioration of steering feeling when the inverse input torque acts, by driving and controlling the steering force assisting motor to cancel the inverse input torque. The torque detecting apparatus and the electric power steering apparatus judge that the inverse input torque is applied when a predetermined interrelation exists among a vehicle speed and angular velocities which are calculated at two positions distant in the axial direction of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Tokumoto
  • Patent number: 6543572
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a control unit 12 for outputting an electric motor control signal VO to control an electric motor 8 for adding an auxiliary steering torque, in response to at least the manual steering torque signal T from a torque sensor TS. The control unit 12 carries out a control to limit a maximum value of the electric motor control signal V0 in response to an electric motor current signal IMO sent from an electric motor current detecting unit 14. The control unit 12 includes a maximum value limitation indicating unit 26 for measuring the number of times of a maximum value limitation of the electric motor control signal VO and has such a structure that conditions for starting the maximum value limitation of the control signal VO are set to be more strict at a first time than those at a second time and thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Mukai, Osamu Tsurumiya, Kazuhisa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6543573
    Abstract: The present invention provides a speaker unit comprising a diaphragm of 0.5 to 10 mm thick aromatic polycarbonate with a density of 0.03 to 0.6 g/cm3, and a mechanism for driving the diaphragm. The aromatic polycarbonate used for the diaphragm is preferably derived from bisphenol with a viscosity average molecular weight of 25,000 to 70,000. The invention further provides a speaker system comprising such a speaker unit attached to a cabinet and a method for manufacturing the speaker diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: JSP Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Ishihara, Takeshi Aoki, Satoshi Iwasaki, Hirotoshi Kakuta
  • Patent number: 6543574
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a speaker edge which is high in strength, less in scattering of f0, high in waterproofness, small in amplitude at the time of resonance, easy to mold, and easy to be integrated with a cone body. That is, the present invention provides a speaker edge constituted by a molding which is molded in a manner so that a speaker edge raw material composition containing isocyanate and polyol is injected into a cavity of a mold by an agitating/mixing apparatus and subjected to reaction, foaming and curing in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: Inoac Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sinya Mizone, Shinya Kaneko, Kiyosi Ikeda, Hiroko Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6543575
    Abstract: There is provided a double-walled structure for coupling to another double-walled structure. The coupling connects one female end portion of the one structure and one male end portion of the other structure together. The connecting requires only connecting of the outer walls of the structures together, providing an overlapping connection. The inner walls of the structures have a gap between their ends, when connected. Thereby the coupling of the structures is facilitated. The space between the inner wall and outer wall of the structure is occupied by an insulating material, such as a sound absorbing fibrous batting. The space between the male/female end portions for connection to a female/male end of another structure is filled by a seal, preventing loss of insulating material and providing insulation of the joint coupling the double-walled structures together. The structure can be used, especially, as a segment in a sound-absorbing ductworks system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Lindab AB
    Inventor: Dwight A. Marcellus
  • Patent number: 6543576
    Abstract: A multiple layer fiber filled sound absorber and method of manufacturing the absorber are disclosed. The sound absorber includes an outer housing, a porous or perforated inner tube or housing defining a passageway through which a gas may flow, and two layers of sound absorbing material, such as fiberglass wool, is positioned between the housings. The sound absorbing material adjacent the inner housing is selected to be more heat resistant than the material farther away from the inner housing. The sound absorber is filled with the sound absorbing materials using a direct fill process in which continuous fibers are injected into the sound absorber. In preparation for filling, a partition is positioned between the housings to define two chambers. Each chamber is filled with one of the sound absorbing materials. The partition may then be removed from the sound absorber, or may be left in place (in which case the partition is preferably porous or perforated).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc., Owens-Corning Sweden AB, Futaba Industrial Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Cameron Gorrell Cofer, Goran Knut Knutsson, Kunio Komori, Yukihito Sakai
  • Patent number: 6543577
    Abstract: A silencer (10) includes a polymeric casing (12) spaced from at least one inlet pipe and at least one outlet pipe by polymeric spacers (52). The polymeric spacers are made from a different material to that of the polymeric casing. The polymeric spacers are heat-resistant and have a higher melting point than the polymeric casing. The polymeric spacers are made of a softer material than the polymeric casing, and the polymeric spacers are capable of being deformed to accommodate irregularities in the shape of the inlet and outlet pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Stephanus Ferreira, Bevan John Davis
  • Patent number: 6543578
    Abstract: A control system for three mechanisms of a machine may include a pair of pivotable or rotatable structures and a telescoping or longitudinally urgeable structure that are coupled to a single handgrip and contained within a single structure. The control structures may simulate corresponding structures of an aerial platform on which they may be mounted, and provide motions in the same directions of the corresponding structures. Switches are activated upon urging of a handgrip, and springs may be provided to return the control to its neutral position. An aerial platform, a crane, or any other mobile machine may employ the control device and include corresponding structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Safety Dynamicon, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest J. Merz
  • Patent number: 6543579
    Abstract: A length-adjustable ladder functioning as a telescopic lean-to ladder, a free-standing stepladder, and as a platform is described. The ladder includes stringers, ladder rungs fastened between the stringers, and supports connected to the stringers. The supports can be length-adjusted in a stepless manner. The supports can be swung in and arrested on the outer longitudinal sides of the stringers. A floor board assembly formed of two panel halves corresponding to a length of the ladder and has hinges is disposed on the two panel halves. The two panel halves each have a longitudinal side fastened, in an articulated manner on the ladder rungs by the hinges. Arresting elements are provided. Each of the arresting elements run through one of the two panel halves. The two panel halves are movable into a swung-up panel position wherein the two panel halves are arrested by the arresting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Horst Laug
  • Patent number: 6543580
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a lubricant to an advancing yarn, to facilitate the further processing of the yarn, and wherein the lubricant is composed of a plurality of components such as an emulsion of water and oil. The apparatus includes separate containers for the components of the lubricant, and a feed device for combining and mixing the components in a mixing chamber. The feed device also includes a pump for delivering the resulting lubricant to a wetting device which applies a metered quantity of the lubricant to the yarn. Provision is also made for maintaining a desired mixing ratio of the components of the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Barmag AG
    Inventors: Egon Gathmann, Helmut Weigend
  • Patent number: 6543581
    Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator cab having doors that are movable between open and closed positions. A rail is mounted to the cab. At least one roller defines an axis of rotation and is mounted for movement along the rail. The roller is operably connected to the doors to move the doors between open and closed positions. A motor assembly is mounted for movement with the roller along the rail and has an output for providing a rotational driving force to the roller. In one embodiment, the motor drives a planetary drive assembly which drives the roller along the rail and in another embodiment the motor drives a worm gear assembly which drives the roller. Alternatively, a tree-axis torque motor generates a magnetic field that is non-perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller, which causes the roller to be driven along the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Christophe Durand, Pascal Rebillard, Thierry Bongibault
  • Patent number: 6543582
    Abstract: The invention features a system for displaying video information to passengers of an elevator in accordance with a play list defining a sequence of messages. The video information messages can include combinations of digital advertising, “real-time” general information, as well as, building-related information. The system includes an elevator display unit having a display monitor for displaying video information to the passengers, and a local server which, receives scheduling information associated with the video information over a data communication path and, in accordance with the scheduling information, generates a play list used to display at the elevator display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Captivative Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. DiFranza, Todd A. Newville
  • Patent number: 6543583
    Abstract: Information including normal and abnormal operating conditions and events, resulting from operation of elevator car and landing doors, is monitored and recorded (FIGS. 1-28), compared and combined with other information and with thresholds to detect notable events and conditions and generate corresponding messages including a reason for the message, severity of the related event or condition, and optionally, a general maintenance recommendation. The maintenance messages include adjusting or cleaning: car door vane (A-D), landing door lock at a given floor (E-L), car door closed switch (M-R), car door track or sill (S-Y), landing door track or sill (Z-EE), door drive belt (FF, GG), elevator car door motor or door controller mechanism (HH-MM), and car guide rails (FFF); and include adjusting or replacing: door position encoder (NN, OO), between-door safety device (PP-SS), door open/close buttons (TT-XX), landing and car call buttons (YY-AAA) and lights (BBB, CCC), and car rail guides (DDD, EEE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Juan A. Lence Barreiro, Chouhwan Moon
  • Patent number: 6543584
    Abstract: An elevator including a cage configured to ascend and descend in an elevator shaft, and at least one railing member disposed along at top edge of the cage and configured to be adjustable in height so that during performance of maintenance by a maintenance person, the railing is adjusted to be in an upright position, and is otherwise maintained in a position lower than a highest protruding object existing on the top of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuaki Miyakoshi, Kosei Kamimura
  • Patent number: 6543585
    Abstract: The present automatic clearance adjuster mechanism maintains a predetermined maximum brake clearance regardless of the wear condition of the brake. The brake includes a longitudinally extending rod mounted to the brake housing external to the piston element. The present automatic clearance adjuster mechanism includes a sleeve element disposed about the rod, and a biasing element disposed for releasably holding the sleeve element against the rod for preventing movement thereof along the rod to limit the retraction of the piston element to a predetermined distance relative to the sleeve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Stinson
  • Patent number: 6543586
    Abstract: A scraper assembly for use with a disc brake including a scraper blade which continually engages with the braking surface of the disc brake to remove dirt, oil and other extraneous materials from the braking surface to increase the coefficient of friction of the braking surface. A weight is provided for biasing the scraper blade with a substantially constant force into engagement with the braking surface. The scraper blade and weight are disposed in a channel which guides and supports the scraper blade into a position in which the blade is engaged with the braking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Jesse Willetts
  • Patent number: 6543587
    Abstract: A vehicle brake assembly has a rotor that mounts to a shaft of the vehicle for rotation with it. The rotor has an annular braking surface. A hydraulic piston is non-rotatably mounted to the vehicle. The piston is movable axially relative to the rotor and has a braking surface for frictional engagement with the braking surface of the rotor when hydraulic fluid pressure is supplied to the piston. A coil body having an electromagnetic coil is axially movable relative to the rotor. A coil plate is mounted adjacent the coil body and is attracted to the coil body when electrical power is supplied to the coil. A coil spring is mounted between the coil plate and the coil body. The coil spring moves the coil plate away from the coil body causing braking action when the electrical power is removed from the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Stromag, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 6543588
    Abstract: The invention comprises a retarder system for use with road vehicles. The retarder system can combine an electromagnetic retarder with up to four functions: 1) a brushless DC alternator; 2) a brushless DC starter; 3) an active damper that replaces the vehicle's flywheel and smooths out residual torque pulsations; and, 4) a transmission-synchronizing inertia brake; and, 5) a transient engine booster to offset the lag associated with turbo-charged engines. The device may be integrated within the engine or within the transmission, preferably using the vehicle heat exchanger for its cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Pacific Scientific-Electro Kinetics Division
    Inventor: Bernard A. Raad
  • Patent number: 6543589
    Abstract: A method for controlling the damping force of a damper containing a movable object in a magneto-rheological fluid, in which a positive magnetic field is applied to the fluid to achieve an increase in viscosity (and an increase in damping force) and the polarity of the magnetic field is reversed by negative electrical energy to remove residual magnetism before reestablishing the magnetic field at a lower level to achieve a predictable decrease in viscosity (and a decrease in damping force).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Richard D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6543590
    Abstract: A circular cylindrical container having sealed ends provides a device for dissipating mechanical forces. The container is filled with particulate material and has circular wheel-like structures having rims and spokes located in the interior of the container in which the rim circumferences of the wheel-like structures increase as they are located further and further away from the centroid of the container along the elongated axis of the container toward one of the sealed ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Monson
  • Patent number: 6543591
    Abstract: An automated guided vehicle system can make a conveyor vehicle 13 traveled from a feeder line 5 disposed along a track 12 by supplying the power in a physically non-contact state, wherein the feeder lines are disposed in the both sides of a part of the track, at least one pair of the pick-up units 9, 9 is disposed so as to supply the power from any one of the feeder lines laid in both sides of the track in the conveyor vehicle, and the power is supplied from the pick-up unit whose the power to supply is bigger to the load 19 in the place that the feeder lines are disposed in the both sides of the track. According to the above system, the power can be supplied continuously even in the diverging part, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Motohiko Kuzuya