Patents Issued in April 29, 2003
  • Patent number: 6553735
    Abstract: An improved assembly structure of a door leaf with glass, with a halving structure of two halving injected frames having the same structure with glass, includes, at the reverse side of the halving injected frames with glass having a male tenon reinforcing rib with a plurality of female tenons mutually in symmetrical arrangement. That is, both are disposed correspondingly with each other top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Therefore, two identical halving injected frames (having the same structure) are capably halved each other by correspondingly relative male tenons inserted into relative female respectively. The structure is without need of joint members to quickly assemble a door leaf with glass when the two identical halving injected frames are held on a door leaf to further fix a multiple-layer glass therein. This saves assembling time and decreases cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Nan Ya Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Kuei Yung Wang Chen
  • Patent number: 6553736
    Abstract: There is provided a metal chord member for use in a building system which chord member is formed of two or more interlocked generally U-shaped chord tubes. The chord tubes are interlocked by means of the provision of a plurality of equisized, equispaced, longitudinal ribs formed along the length of the depending side arms of the U-shaped chord tubes defining elongated recesses therebetween, the ribs on one of the chord tubes being adapted to interlock into and mate with the recesses defined between ribs on the adjacent chord tube and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Antonio Montanaro, Guiseppe Montanaro
  • Patent number: 6553737
    Abstract: A spacer is provided that includes at least one rail of plastic, steel, rebar, or the like that runs along a top surface of a modular construction material such as a brick or block. At least one transverse rail is connected to the length-running rail. The transverse rail is also constructed of plastic, steel, rebar, or the like and runs width-wise along the top surface of the brick/block. Connected to the rails is a number of spacing studs that define a desired mortar depth. The spacing studs may include removable clips that are configured to engage the rails. Accordingly, the clips have a height equal to the desired mortar depth. The present invention may alternatively include a kit comprising the rails, clips, and bricks/blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas J. Berg
  • Patent number: 6553738
    Abstract: A hollow profile bar, preferably of extruded metal, comprises a tubular wall that is equally thick all around and is provided with salient outer webs evenly distributed about the outer circumference, which in pairs form undercut casing grooves with side walls, a radial salience of the outer webs from the tubular wall being substantially equal to the thickness of the tubular wall. To achieve tight packing of profile bars that are to be connected in one sectional plane of a hollow profile bar, the hollow profile bar is configured in such a way that slope lines of the side walls of an outer web intersect between the outer web and the axis of the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rixen, Gerrit Pies
  • Patent number: 6553739
    Abstract: In a roof beam for a conservatory roof, an upper capping has two sides and has gasket material attached to inwards edges of inwards returns of the sides so as to be substantially hidden by those returns, for sealing on glazing panels supported on glazing bars. Those returns are connected to the sides by lines of weakness, whereby those returns can reflex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ultraframe (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Richardson
  • Patent number: 6553740
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching discrete lengths of zipper at spaced intervals across a web of bag making film has an endless belt supported between a pair of pulleys for moving zipper segments into position on the web. The zipper segments are cut from a zipper supply and fed into a nip between the endless belt and the web top surface. After a zipper segment is deposited into position on the web, the endless belt is raised. A vertically movable sealing bar below the web is raised into position to heat the web to seal the zipper to the web after which the sealing bar is lowered. The web then advances and the process is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Victor Delisle
  • Patent number: 6553741
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically wrapping a sheet about a bouquet of flowers. The sheet having spaced apart defined first and second portions is placed against a support member, such as a prepared table top, and the bouquet is positioned on the sheet with the first and second portions of the sheet extending on right and left sides, respectively, of the bouquet. The first sheet portion is then moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet, and the second sheet portion is moved in a path to at least partially encompass the bouquet and to extend over part of the first sheet portion. The two sheet portions may be secured together by a bonding material, or the first and second portions of the sheet of wrapping material can themselves act as a bonding material by application of appropriate heat sealing, sonic welding, vibratory welding, and similar methods. A stiff wrap ring form may be positioned suspended over the sheet, and the bouquet inserted in the wrap ring form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Fantz, Donald E. Weder, Franklin J. Craig
  • Patent number: 6553742
    Abstract: A method and machine for wrapping cigars provides for feeding the cigars continuously along a given path, along which a sheet of wrapping material is folded about each cigar, the sheet of wrapping material is closed about the cigar and at the opposite ends to form a closed wrapping, and the closed wrapping is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: G.D Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Patent number: 6553743
    Abstract: A pouch knife and transfer apparatus has two discharge points where severed pouches are discharged onto separate conveyors with one of the conveyors being a direct drop conveyor. Such direct drop conveyor operates initially in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the knife or to the axis of rotation of the transfer wheel feeding the conveyor. The other conveyor may be a direct drop conveyor or any other form of a conveyor. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: R.A. Jones & Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Boris E. Makutonin, Frank G. Oliverio, Matthew J. Zdinak
  • Patent number: 6553744
    Abstract: A packaging machine for making a variety of types and styles of bags and seals, durable, substantially air-tight bags at high speed, different size and make of bags, and different amounts and types of product in the bags. The machine includes a film drive and pinch roll pair, a pair of film pull belts, and a pair of zipper drive rollers for pulling plastic film and zipper strip through the machine. The machine is convertible from one for producing reclosable edge fin seal bags to another for producing nonreclosable midline seal pillow type bags. Conversion from one to another is facilitated by having the pinch seal assembly mounted so that it can be pulled out of the machine, indexed 90°, and pushed back into the machine. The film pull belts are part of a self-contained pull belt unit which can be adjusted or removed from the machine, inverted and placed back into the machine. Different formers, fill tubes, and/or vertical sealing units are used to produce different types and styles of bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Pacmac, Inc.
    Inventors: Emanuele Terminella, Frank Terminella, Joseph Terminella
  • Patent number: 6553745
    Abstract: The harness accommodating device (1) of the present invention is equipped with a transfer section (10) which is installed on the discharge side of the harness discharge groove (67) of the harness manufacturing apparatus (60) and which temporarily holds the harnesses (80), a chuck (20) which grips and conveys the harnesses (80) held by the transfer section (10), and a bundle receiver (30) which accommodates the harnesses (80) conveyed by the chuck (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Amp, K.K.
    Inventors: Hiromi Tanaka, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6553746
    Abstract: A device for changing reels of film on machines for wrapping products comprises a unit for substituting a finished reel with a new reel, the unit being mobile between a non-operating position in which it is distanced from an operating zone of a ring-shaped structure, and an operating position, in which it is close to the operating zone and to a wrapping unit; the unit comprises first means for detaching and picking up the finished reel from a support shaft, a magazine zone for at least one new or replacement reel which can be stably attached to the support shaft, second means for picking up the free end of film from the replacement reel and mobile along a path covering a preset film path, to allow film positioning close to a product to be wrapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Aetna Group, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mauro Cere′
  • Patent number: 6553747
    Abstract: A combined hackamore bridle and bit assembly for a horse has an improved arrangement of straps and pivoting hinge connections between various elements of the hackamore. Pivot pins are provided for pivotally securing the nose band to the rein levers. In addition, a chin engaging curb or chin chain is pivotally secured to the rein levers. A bit is provided which is attached to left and right bit rings. A cheek strap is attached to each bit ring and a cheek strap is attached to each pivot pin. Connecting straps are provided between the bit rings and the ends of the rein levers and a rein is attached to the connecting straps so that pulling the rein causes the connecting straps to simultaneously pull the bit rings and the rein levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Beverly Hills Equestrian Partners, LLC
    Inventor: Raymond Warren Texel
  • Patent number: 6553748
    Abstract: A baler pick-up includes a pair of support wheels, each of which is connected to the pick-up by a mounting arrangement permitting the wheel to be selectively moved from a working position outboard of the pick-up to an inboard, elevated transport or non-working position. Each mounting arrangement comprises a holder fixed to the pick-up and including a transverse pipe and a projection formed from a plate and spaced outwardly from and end of the pipe. The arrangement further comprises a wheel mounting bracket including a cylindrical tube pivotally and slidably received in the pipe and in a hole provided in the projection, the tube carrying a ring captured between the end of the pipe and the projection and containing a throughbore aligned with one of a pair of crossbores provided in the tube and receiving a linchpin bolt for retaining the wheel mounting bracket so as to dispose the wheel in a selected one of its positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Etienne Josset, Frederic Paillet, Raymond Uros
  • Patent number: 6553749
    Abstract: Provided is a fire resistant corespun yarn. The yarn includes a core of high temperature resistant continuous inorganic filaments; a first sheath of staple fibers surrounding the core, wherein the staple fibers comprise fibers of at least one fire resistant material selected from the group consisting of meta-aramids, para-aramids, fluoropolymers and copolymers, chloropolymers and copolymers, polybenzimidazole, polyimides, polyamideimides, partially oxidized polyacrylonitriles, novoloids, poly (p-phenylene benzobisoxazoles), poly (p-phenylene benzothiazoles), polyphenylene sulfides, flame retardant viscose rayons, polyvinyl chloride homopolymers and copolymers, polyetheretherketones, polyketones, polyetherimides, polylactides, and combinations thereof; and a second sheath of staple fibers surrounding the first corespun yarn. This yarn may be woven and knit in fine, non-plied or plied form and extends the range of fineness of fabrics below heretofore achievable limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: McKinnon-Land, LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Land, Alan C. Handermann
  • Patent number: 6553750
    Abstract: A spinning rotor of an open-end spinning device is slowed down for piecing to a low rotational piecing speed and is then accelerated to the operating speed. For this purpose, the spinning rotor or an element in driving connection with it is presented a drive transmission device from a service unit by means of which the spinning rotor can be switched from normal production speed to a reduced piecing speed and back. In this process, the drive transmission device can be driven either by a driving apparatus installed on the service unit or by a drive belt extending within spinning machine. The driving apparatus mounted on the service unit is connected to a control device for the control of the evolution of the rotational speed of the spinning rotor. The spinning rotor is driven according to a rotational speed course controlled by means of a program applied by the control device during the time when its rotational speed deviates from its operating speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Adalbert Stephan, Romeo Pohn, Lovas Kurt
  • Patent number: 6553751
    Abstract: A chain link for intertwining with other chain links to form a jewelry chain is machine formed by contouring the outer periphery of the link without any reduction in material volume while the link thickness is being compressed and reduced. The outer periphery is preferably machine contoured into an octagonal shape and the link is substantially flattened on all sides such that a cross-section taken through the contoured link is preferably substantially rectangular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Eitan Weinberg
  • Patent number: 6553752
    Abstract: Provided is a combustion chamber for producing a pressurized gas containing: a wall structure defining an interior chamber; a first reflecting surface for reflecting a pressure wave within said interior chamber; a second reflecting surface for reflecting said pressure wave within said interior chamber, wherein said first and second reflecting surfaces being constructed and arranged to resonate said pressure wave in said interior chamber; at least one first inlet for introducing a first gas into said interior chamber; and at least one outlet from said interior chamber for drawing off a pressurized gas from said interior chamber. Also provided is a turbine engine containing the combustion chamber, and an electrical generating power plant containing the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: J. Hilbert Anderson
  • Patent number: 6553753
    Abstract: Control systems and methods for controlling injection of water into a turbine engine are described. In an exemplary embodiment, the water injection system includes a plurality of nozzles for injecting water into a gas flow through the engine, a water source, a water manifold, a water supply line extending from the water source to the water manifold, a water metering valve for controlling flow through the water supply line, an air manifold, an air flow pipe coupled to the high pressure compressor and to the air manifold, a plurality of air feeder tubes extending from the air manifold to the nozzles, and a plurality of water feeder tubes extending from the water manifold to the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen R. Payling, Robert P. Coleman, Curtis L. Brown
  • Patent number: 6553754
    Abstract: A method of optimizing vehicle emissions during lean engine operation is disclosed wherein an emission control device receiving engine exhaust gases is filled with one or more constituent gases of the exhaust gas to a predetermined fraction of the device storage capacity, and is then completely emptied during a subsequent purge. As the device storage capacity is substantially reduced, as indicated by an actual fill time becoming equal to or less than a predetermined minimum fill time, a device regeneration cycle is performed to attempt to restore device capacity. A programmed computer controls the fill and purge times based on the amplitude of the voltage of a switching-type oxygen sensor and the time response of the sensor. The frequency of the purge, which ideally is directly related to the device capacity depletion rate, is controlled so that the device is not filled beyond its storage capacity limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Garth Michael Meyer, Joseph Richard Asik
  • Patent number: 6553755
    Abstract: A static mixer in the exhaust emission control system of an excess-air-operated combustion engine is formed of an expanded grid with a plurality of openings formed between crossbars. Using an expanded grid achieves both good mixing of the exhaust gas with a reducing agent in a short mixing path and properly aligns the exhaust flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lothar Hofmann, Wieland Mathes, Udo Klumpp
  • Patent number: 6553756
    Abstract: A method for selecting one of first and second cylinder groups of an internal combustion engine is provided. The first and second cylinder groups are coupled with first and second catalytic converters, respectively. The method includes identifying one of the first and second catalytic converters by comparing first and second catalyst parameters, associated with the first and second catalytic converters, respectively, to one another. The first and second catalyst parameters indicate which one of the catalytic converters is more capable of maintaining reduced emissions while adjusting an engine operational parameter. The method further includes selecting one of the first and second cylinder groups coupled to the identified catalytic converter for changing an engine operational parameter in the selected cylinder group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Edward Sealy, Kenneth John Behr, Richard Andrew Booth
  • Patent number: 6553757
    Abstract: A method for improving a purge conversion efficiency of a Lean NOx Trap coupled downstream of a lean-burn internal combustion engine is presented. This method proposes adjusting the purge air-fuel ratio of the device based on its temperature. According to the proposed method, a less rich air-fuel ratio is provided at lower operating temperatures to reduce hydrocarbon emissions since within this temperature range air-fuel ratio does not have a significant affect on NOx emissions. At mid-range operating temperatures, the air-fuel ratio is gradually decreased (made more rich) to reduce NOx emissions. And, finally, at high operating temperatures, HC and NOx emissions are reduced, and therefore, the purge air-fuel is kept at a constant more rich value. This method improves emission control and fuel economy during purge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Grant Alan Ingram
  • Patent number: 6553758
    Abstract: A freewheel unit intended especially for the stator of a hydrodynamic torque converter, allows first and second elements to rotate relative to each other around a rotational axis essentially in only one direction. A locking element carrier extends in the circumferential direction around the rotational axis and comes at least one first locking element which extends away from this carrier toward the first element in a first circumferential direction. At least one first locking element can come to rest against at least one blocking surface provided on the first element to prevent any relative rotation between the first element and the locking element carrier in one direction of relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Edgar Reinhart, Dietrich Bechmann, AndrƩ Meyer, Friedrich Schramm, Christoph Sasse, Erwin Wack
  • Patent number: 6553759
    Abstract: The present invention is so designed that a housing of a transmission which can drive front wheels and rear wheels and a power take-off shaft is constructed having a first chamber and a second chamber. A hydrostatic transmission is housed in the first chamber. A gear-type speed changing unit is housed in the second chamber. A hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor are separately disposed on the inner and outer surfaces of the front wall of the first chamber. A clutch mechanism for engaging or disengaging with or from the front wheels for supplying power thereto is also provided. On the housing is provided a restraint mechanism for restraining rearward acceleration more than a predetermined speed by a speed control lever of the hydrostatic transmission when the gear-type speed changing unit is switched to the high speed setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mizuya Matsufuji
  • Patent number: 6553760
    Abstract: The invention refers to control devices applied in a hydrostatic transmission, which includes a motor pump MP, a hydrostatic circuit HC 1 and HC 2 and an impelling pump IP, which is formed by a rotor 1, a stator 2 and a body 3; the fluid debit is infinitely variable and is obtained by the radial and variable decentralisation of the said stator 2, by means of the impulsion of the rods A and B. The devices are constituted by pistons 4 and 5, which impel the rods A and B, and are inserted in cylinders 6 and 7; by springs systems 9, 10 and 11, which regulate the position of the pistons and of the rods, and by a command formed by a valve 8, inserted in a vacuum circuit with ways V1 and V2, which communicate with the cylinder 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventors: Fernando Augusto Baptista, João Manuel Pereira Dias Baptista
  • Patent number: 6553761
    Abstract: A suspension system for motor vehicles includes level regulation for adjusting a predetermined height of the vehicle body. At least one piston-cylinder unit of the suspension system includes a work cylinder, a piston rod and a damping piston having damping valves. A pump is arranged between an oil reservoir and the piston-cylinder unit via corresponding inlet and outlet lines. The pump comprises a pump piston and a drive unit arranged so that a pressure of the piston-cylinder unit acts on a delivery side and on a driving side of the pump piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Patent number: 6553762
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas turbine and a compressor connected to the turbine so as to be operated thereby, the turbine includes a housing consisting of an inner and an outer shell formed from steel sheets and being arranged in spaced relationship so as to form therebetween an intermediate space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler A.G.
    Inventors: Paul Löffler, Wolfgang Erdmann, Peter Fledersbacher, Siegfried Sumser, Friedrich Wirbeleit, Jürgen Willand
  • Patent number: 6553763
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine is provided with a compressor having an inlet receiving combustion gas and an outlet; and a turbine drivingly coupled to the compressor. The turbine has a shaft and a turbine wheel disposed on the shaft. The turbine wheel has a plurality of turbine blades and an edge defining a plurality of scallops. Scallop fillers are disposed between the turbine blades. Advantages of a scalloped turbine wheel, resulting from reductions in mass, are achieved without reductions in efficiency normally experienced with scalloped turbine wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James J. Callas, Frank G. Gerke, Delbert L. Kramer, Mark D. Moeckel
  • Patent number: 6553764
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for use in an internal combustion engine, and particularly suitable for use in an on-road vehicle, is provided with a turbocharger including a turbine, a compressor and a turboshaft coupling the turbine and the compressor together; mechanically coupling a first motor/generator to the turboshaft; mechanically coupling a second motor/generator to a flywheel; electrically coupling the second motor/generator to the first motor/generator; storing power in the flywheel using the second motor/generator during periods of excess turbocharger boost; and rotating the turbocharger shaft using the first motor/generator during periods of insufficient turbocharger boost. The turbocharger system provides a compact and efficient method of storing energy in the flywheel during periods of excess turbocharger boost, and retrieving energy from the flywheel during periods of insufficient turbocharger boost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: John R. Gladden, Beth A. Hinchee
  • Patent number: 6553765
    Abstract: The present invention deals with a turboreactor comprising at least a precombustion chamber, a combustion chamber, means for directing combustion gases from the precombustion chamber into the combustion chamber, an air compressor, and means for dividing the air flow from the air compressor while guiding it in the combustion chamber. The turboreactor comprises advantageously a contrarotating stator. The invention relates also to a process in which the blades are heated and pushed in a thermoplastic layer of the body of the rotor and/or stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel Bregentzer
  • Patent number: 6553766
    Abstract: A cooling structure of a combustor tail tube is capable of avoiding the formation of cracks in the tail tube by lessening thermal stress and preventing thermal deformation, thus extending the service life. A multiplicity of cooling jackets (5) extend in the longitudinal direction of the tail tube of a gas turbine combustor along the entire circumference of the tail tube wall. The passage sectional area of the cooling jackets (5) is varied depending on the metal temperature of parts of the tail tube (4). For example, the passage sectional area of the cooling jackets (5) formed at the rotor side wall and the mutually opposite side walls of the adjacent tail tube is larger than the passage sectional area of the cooling jackets (5) formed at the casing side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Shimizu, Satoshi Hada, Kouichi Akagi, Katsunori Tanaka, Ryotaro Magoshi, Mitsuo Hasegawa, Shigemi Mandai, Mitsuru Kondo
  • Patent number: 6553767
    Abstract: An annular gas turbine engine combustor liner has a single piece annular shell circumscribed about a first axis of revolution. The shell has a hot side and a cold side, an annular dilution hole section, and a plurality of asymmetrical cylindrical dilution holes extending through the section. Pockets are circumferentially interdigitated between the dilution holes and extend into the shell from the cold side such that the pockets form dilution hole bosses between the pockets through which the dilution holes extend. Each of the dilution holes is circumscribed about a second axis of revolution which is not parallel to the first axis of revolution. The liner may further include forward and aft annular cooling nuggets located forward and aft of the dilution hole section and having annular film cooling slots which are open in the axially aftwardly direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gilbert Farmer, Daniel D. Brown, Myron E. Rutherford, Steven C. Vise, Jeffrey M. Martini
  • Patent number: 6553768
    Abstract: A combined water-wash and wet-compression system for a gas turbine includes a compressor having an inlet defining a flow direction; and a plurality of manifolds arranged in proximity to the inlet and arranged transversely of the flow direction; a plurality of dual-function nozzles connected to the manifolds. Each dual-function nozzle is adapted to supply, selectively, either relatively small droplets for introduction into the compressor for intercooling, or relatively large droplets for impingement on components of the compressor for cleaning the components. A method of introducing a liquid into a compressor inlet for providing water wash for cleaning components of the compressor, and for providing wet compression for intercooling is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Robert Trewin, William George Carberg
  • Patent number: 6553769
    Abstract: Concentric installation of a pilot fuel assembly in an opening in a gas turbine combustor casing is achieved by providing a boss having at least two flat surfaces which are perpendicular to each other on the combustor casing surrounding the opening and a mounting flange having at least two flat surfaces which are perpendicular to each other on the pilot fuel assembly. The pilot fuel assembly is concentrically installed to the combustor casing by inserting the assembly into the combustor casing opening, and moving the pilot fuel assembly as far as it will go in a first direction substantially parallel to one of the flat boss surfaces. The distance between the other flat boss surface and one of the flat flange surfaces is then taken. Next, the pilot fuel assembly is moved in the direction opposite the first direction, at which point, the distance between the same two flat surfaces is again measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ely E. Halila, Michael Anderson, James A. Martus
  • Patent number: 6553770
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a modular unit in which all of the components necessary for conditioning the intake air for a combustion gas turbine are contained. The compressors, evaporators condensers and related pumps and control equipment are contained within a weather proof enclosure having sound insulation installed in the walls. The intake air conditioning system includes three loops, a compressed refrigerant loop, a chilled water loop and a condenser cooling water loop with an optional heating loop. The modular unit provides a three loop cooling system for easy connection to both a combustion gas turbine air inlet and to a cooling water tower. The loops comprise a refrigerant loop, a cooling water loop and a chilled water loop and in one embodiment a heating loop to heat the air going to the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: HRT Power, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lloyd B. Tisdale, Robert L. Hauck, Paul T. Tisdale, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6553771
    Abstract: An electrochemical heat pump system comprising an electrochemical pump, refrigerant-based cooling system, and gas-driven compressor. The electrochemical pump is capable of reversibly producing and consuming hydrogen gas. The cooling system comprises a condenser, compressor, and evaporator in thermal communication with an object to be cooled. The compressor comprises a chamber having a fixed volume and a flexible separator that physically divides the chamber into a gas space and a refrigerant space containing vapor refrigerant. As hydrogen gas is produced in the gas space, the flexible separator extends into the refrigerant space thereby expanding the gas space and compressing the vapor refrigerant. As the vapor refrigerant is compressed, it is forced through the condenser where the refrigerant is liquefied. The liquid refrigerant then passes through the evaporator where the liquid refrigerant is evaporated by absorbing heat from the object to be cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Borst Inc.
    Inventor: Boris Tsenter
  • Patent number: 6553772
    Abstract: A refrigeration system having a partially decentralized operating control system wherein five defined separate controllers control either one or more than one defined variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul William Belanger, William R. Esposito, Thomas Edward Gajewski
  • Patent number: 6553773
    Abstract: A cooling fluid system is disclosed for providing cryogenic cooling fluid to a high temperature super-conducting rotor comprising: a cryogen storage tank storing a liquid cryogenic cooling fluid; an inlet transfer line connecting the storage tank to the rotor and forming a passage for liquid cooling fluid to pass from the tank to the rotor, wherein said storage tank is elevated above the rotor and the liquid cooling fluid is gravity fed to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Evangelos Trifon Laskaris
  • Patent number: 6553774
    Abstract: To provide a self-diagnosing apparatus for a refrigerator which self-diagnoses an operation condition and advises a user of an appropriate improvement action if there is an abnormal. First, a detector such as an internal temperature sensor detects a plurality of condition-indicative quantities with respect to the refrigerator, and the condition-indicative quantities are stored in a memory part for a predetermined period. A diagnostic device such as a diagnosis calculation value judging part compares the condition-indicative quantities or a diagnosis calculation value which is calculated based on the condition-indicative quantities with a predetermined threshold value, and judges whether the operation condition of the refrigerator is normal or abnormal based on a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Refrigeration Company
    Inventors: Haruyuki Ishio, Osamu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6553775
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system controls an engine and an air conditioner according to an air-conditioner load to thereby improve fuel economy and drivability of the vehicle. A higher compressor torque between a first estimated compressor torque, which is estimated according to the outside air temperature and the vehicle speed, and a second estimated compressor torque, which is estimated according to the refrigerant pressure, is adopted as an estimated compressor torque. When an air conditioner control switch is ON, an operational status of an engine and a compressor are controlled according to the adopted estimated compressor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Togaru, Hiroyuki Asada
  • Patent number: 6553776
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a dynamic type ice cold storage method and system capable of efficiently suppressing, by an appropriate replenishment of water, an increase in concentration of an aqueous solution with the progress of freezing of the aqueous solution, thereby preventing a lowering in the coefficient of performance of a refrigerator, and hence diminishing power required for the formation of ice crystals. The temperature of an aqueous solution contained in a freezer which includes a heat exchanger for cooling is measured with a thermometer, and as the liquid temperature drops with the progress of freezing, melted water is replenished into the freezer from a melted water tank by means of a pump to keep almost constant the temperature of freezing performed by the heat exchanger for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Isao Satoh
  • Patent number: 6553777
    Abstract: A user-programmable monitoring and dispensing system for controlling the dispensing of water vapor and various other media into an HVAC air stream in residential or commercial structures. The various media to be dispensed are preferably water-soluble, and mixed with the system water supply to be dispensed with the water vapor added to the HVAC air stream. These materials may be fragrances or aromas, intended to produce an aesthetic effect, or they can be agents capable of pesticidal, bacteriacidal, fungicidal or sporacidal effect for use as acute or prophylactic treatment for infestation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Scott J. Dillenback
  • Patent number: 6553778
    Abstract: A multi-stage cooling system is disclosed. The multi-stage cooling system is capable of providing a plurality of cooling capacities. The cooling system has a plurality of independently operable compressors. A control system operates the compressors to provide a cooling capacity corresponding to the heat load of a space to be cooled. A condenser structure of the cooling system has a plurality of individual condenser coils. Each condenser coil has an independent refrigerant path receiving compressed refrigerant from one of the compressors. An evaporator structure of the cooling system has a plurality of individual evaporator coils. Each evaporator coil has an independent refrigerant path receiving condensed refrigerant from a corresponding condenser coil via an expansion mechanism and returning refrigerant to an input of a corresponding compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Russ Tipton, Terry Bush, Mike Graham, Jack Saunders
  • Patent number: 6553779
    Abstract: A softserve product refrigeration and dispensing machine (1) having numerous novel features, including a novel door (80) and product dispensing apparatus (60) having features to inhibit condensation and to provide a product dispenser design which may be easily flushed with no retention of food stuffs and the like and configured to require minimal lubrication. The novel door assembly allows for sealing of the freezing chamber (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: George Boyer, Michael Meserole, Ronald J. Mrugala
  • Patent number: 6553781
    Abstract: Cryogenic tunnel for chilling products, especially food products, comprising a horizontal conveyor belt (1) for products and means for blowing a cold gas thereover and for limiting the escape of cold gas from the tunnel and/or the admission of external gas into the tunnel. The tunnel comprises at least one fan (2) placed above the conveyor belt, the blades of which extend transversely with respect to the belt over virtually the entire width thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Robert Taylor
  • Patent number: 6553782
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling at least one fluid includes separable cold plate and dispenser units. The cold plate unit includes a coolant system, a fluid system and a metallic unit. The coolant system defines a cold plate portion and a tower portion. The cold plate portion of the coolant system has a primary inlet manifold and a primary outlet manifold, and the tower portion has a secondary inlet manifold and a secondary outlet manifold. The coolant system further includes a first plurality of coolant line segments connecting the primary and secondary inlet manifolds and a second plurality of coolant line segments connecting the secondary and primary outlet manifolds. The fluid system also defines a cold plate portion and a tower portion, the portions being in heat exchange relationship with the coolant system. The metallic unit includes unitary cold plate and tower portions which respectively incorporate the cold plate and tower portions of the coolant system and fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin D Kyees
  • Patent number: 6553783
    Abstract: An integrated U-tube and adsorbent unit including a U-tube having first and second legs and a return bend, a space between the first and second legs and the return bend, adsorbent in the space, opposite sides on the first and second legs and the return bend, permeable covers bonded to the first and second opposite sides to contain the adsorbent within the space, a hole in the return bend, a frame connected to the U-bend and defining a space in communication with the hole, and filter material on the frame. An integrated U-tube and adsorbent unit including a plastic U-tube and a self-contained adsorbent unit having a plastic cover bonded to the U-tube with the body of the self-contained adsorbent unit positioned between the legs of the U-tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Multisorb Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney L. Dobson, Samuel A. Incorvia, Peter R. Millen
  • Patent number: 6553784
    Abstract: The present invention related to an apparatus for efficient and cost-effective comprehensive processing of natural gas, including the removal of moisture and the recovery of the higher hydrocarbons components (C2+). The said apparatus comprises the following major components: an integrated natural gas processor with a dehydration section and a higher hydrocarbons absorption section; a heat transport medium cooler; an absorbent cooler; a fractional distiller for separating the light oil from the heavy oil absorbent; an inhibitor regenerator; and a refrigeration unit. The present invention provides a low-cost natural gas comprehensive processor that is universally applicable to both terrestrial and off-shore natural gas exploitation. The said apparatus also provides an efficient and cost-effective natural gas dehydrator when the dehydration section is used independently without incorporating the absorption section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Yingzhong Lu
  • Patent number: 6553785
    Abstract: A jewelry piece that includes a chain or necklace with one or more decorative jewelry pieces removably mounted thereon by way of a narrow necked down minor length portion of the necklace adjacent the necklace clasp. The decorative jewelry pieces have an open ended channel in the rear face thereof slidably receiving therein the necklace. A gap in the channel is wider than the narrow necked down portion but narrower than the remainder of the necklace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Michael D. Mount