Patents Issued in August 7, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030145768
    Abstract: An Overfire Air (OFA) port design and method for use in a furnace system is disclosed. The OFA port design effectively reduces the amount of harmful pollutants emitted into the atmosphere upon discharge from an associated furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Joel Vatsky
  • Publication number: 20030145769
    Abstract: A furnace system for solid fuel includes a tower distributor for addressing flow imbalance in a heterogeneous stream. The tower distributor comprises four sections: an inlet section, a mixer section, a recovery section and an outlet section. Illustratively, the inlet section includes a first elongated passageway where one, or more, input streams pass into the tower distributor. The mixer section receives the one, or more, input streams and mixes them together thereby creating turbulence while providing a single mixed stream to the recovery section. The recovery section includes an elongated passageway having a length sufficient for turbulence in the mixed heterogeneous stream to substantially subside as the mixed stream flows through the recovery section and exits to the outlet section as a laminar mixed stream. The outlet section provides the laminar mixed stream to multiple outlet pipes for transport to burners of the furnace system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Joel Vatsky
  • Publication number: 20030145770
    Abstract: An apparatus for the sowing of seeds and/or planting of seedlings, comprising a spot scarification device (22) having rotatable cutters for mixing and chaffing a spot of a predeterminded sized at a desired seeding or planting place from the biomass, such as humus and mineral earth, in the ground, and a planting/seeding device (21) comprising a vertically movable planting/seedling part for the sowing of seeds and/or planting of seedlings. Using the apparatus of the invention, the seeds can be sown and the seedlings planted saving labor, time as well as seeds and seedlings and without stressing the soil in the area. In addition, the seeds can be sown and the seedlings planted in conjunction with felling and/or harvesting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Matti Reinikainen
  • Publication number: 20030145771
    Abstract: A looper thread take-up apparatus of a sewing machine, which is mounted near a side of the machine bed distal from an operator and is adjacent to the lower knotting hook. The looper thread take-up apparatus includes a rotary shaft. One end of the rotary shaft is driven by the lower driving shaft, while the other end of the rotary shaft is coupled with the thread take-up cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Shih-Fang Chen
  • Publication number: 20030145772
    Abstract: A looper thread take-up apparatus externally added to outer end of lower driving shaft of a sewing machine. A thread guide structure and a looper thread tension adjustment structure are mounted on outer face of the housing of the sewing machine and are adjacent to the outer end of the lower driving shaft of the sewing machine. The thread take-up cam is detachably disposed at the outer end of the lower driving shaft and rotatable along therewith. In case the looper thread breaks and tangles with the thread take-up cam, the thread take-up cam can be directly detached from the outer end of the lower driving shaft so that it is easy and convenient to clear up the tangling thread from outer side of the sewing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Shih-Fang Chen
  • Publication number: 20030145773
    Abstract: The conformal thermal insulating blanket may have generally rigid batting material covered by an outer insulating layer formed of a high temperature resistant woven ceramic material and an inner insulating layer formed of a woven ceramic fiber material. The batting and insulating layers may be fastened together by sewing or stitching using an outer mold layer thread fabricated of a high temperature resistant material and an inner mold layer thread of a ceramic fiber material. The batting may be formed to a composite structure that may have a firmness factor sufficient to inhibit a pillowing effect after the stitching to not more than 0.03 inch. The outer insulating layer and an upper portion of the batting adjacent the outer insulating layer may be impregnated with a ceramic coating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Andrea Barney, Charles J. Whittington, Bryan Eilertson, Zenon Siminski
  • Publication number: 20030145774
    Abstract: There is disclosed a hull for a sea-going vessel of displacement type having a flat bottomed midship section (100) of a constant cross-section which is substantially rectangular in cross section below the water line, and a converging bow portion (200) extending from said midship section, said bow portion having a curved transition (H) between the bottom (F) thereof and each hull side, the transition (C) between bottom and sides along the bilges in said midship section being relatively sharp, and in particular of radius less than 0.5 m, for example 0.025 m. The stern section (300) shape includes two propulsion arches each formed by an inclined, substantially part-cylindrical surface (S) extending from the flat bottom aft and upward to join the transom. The hull form provides a working vessel with extremely efficient roll-damping, yet sufficient transit speed for worldwide operation. The hull form can be constructed at relatively low cost, avoiding for the most part the need to form compound curves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Stolt Offshore Limited
    Inventors: John L. Coates, Richard Anzbock, Stewart K. Willis, Gerhard Strasser
  • Publication number: 20030145775
    Abstract: A flotation device for floating a watercraft is provided. The flotation device comprises a cover releasably secured to the watercraft. A first collapsible tubing is positioned between the cover and the watercraft for removing at least a portion of the cover. At least one inflatable flotation bladder is positioned between the cover and the watercraft wherein upon inflation of the first collapsible tubing, the first collapsible tubing releases at least a portion of the cover from the watercraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Tony W. Mears, Nicolae Toderica, Valerica Grigore, Richard S. Coate
  • Publication number: 20030145776
    Abstract: Presented is a high efficiency high-speed boat or ship that has multiple hulls. These multiple hulls can include recesses in their undersides that are supplied with pressurized air to form supporting air cushions. There is a support and stability adding hydrofoil disposed between two of the multi-hulls and one trimmable hydrofoil mounted to the transom in the preferred embodiment of the invention. There are water deflecting steps forward of recesses inset in one or more sides of the multi-hulls where such recesses are preferably above the sidehull chines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Donald E. Burg
  • Publication number: 20030145777
    Abstract: A flag for mounting on a vehicle radio antenna having a flat body which is uniformly tapered from a leading edge formed with a mounting rib towards a trailing edge which is thinner than the leading edge, the mounting rib having projections at either end which are encircled by resilient rings biasing the projections and the mounting rib against the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Vance A. Lorenzana, Moises B. Lorenzana
  • Publication number: 20030145778
    Abstract: A rolled product of contiguous separable sheets having at least one indicium to permit visual location of the end of the roll. The rolled product comprises at least a first and second contiguous separable sheet of product wound around an axis, forming a cylindrical roll, each sheet having an outer edge positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical roll. At least the first and second contiguous separable sheet of product has at least one indicium that bears a predetermined relationship when the first sheet is the outer most sheet of the rolled product. The predetermined relationship is such that a discontinuity of the indicium is likely to be formed between the outer edges of sheets marked with the indicium and the portion of the indicium which lies directly beneath the outer edge of the sheets. The rolled product can include sheets of contiguous separable product having multiple indicium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel M. Judge
  • Publication number: 20030145779
    Abstract: Shaped nanocrystal particles and methods for making shaped nanocrystal particles are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method for forming a branched, nanocrystal particle. It includes (a) forming a core having a first crystal structure in a solution, (b) forming a first arm extending from the core having a second crystal structure in the solution, and (c) forming a second arm extending from the core having the second crystal structure in the solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • Publication number: 20030145780
    Abstract: A silicon single crystal which has been produced using the Czochralski method has a <113 > orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: WACKER SILTRONIC AG
    Inventors: Dirk Dantz, Wilfried Von Ammon, Dirk Zemke, Franz Segieth
  • Publication number: 20030145781
    Abstract: A process for producing a single crystal of semiconductor material, in which fractions of a melt, are kept in liquid form by a pulling coil, solidify on a seed crystal to form the growing single crystal, and granules are melted in order to maintain the growth of the single crystal. The melting granules are passed to the melt after a delay. There is also an apparatus which is suitable for carrying out the process and has a device which delays mixing of the molten granules and of the melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: WACKER SILTRONIC AG
    Inventor: Wilfried Von Ammon
  • Publication number: 20030145782
    Abstract: A large semiconductor crystal is produced by charging a raw material into a crucible in a reactor tube, sealing the reactor tube with a flange on an open end of the tube, pressurizing the interior of the tube to an elevated pressure with an inert gas, heating the tube with an externally arranged heater to melt the raw material to form a raw material melt in the crucible, and solidifying the raw material melt to grow the semiconductor crystal. A second raw material such as a group V element can be introduced as a vapor from a reservoir into the melt in the crucible to form a compound semiconductor material. The flange is sealed to the tube by an elastic seal member, of which the temperature is maintained below 400° C. throughout the process, to protect its elastic sealing properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kawase, Katsushi Hashio, Shin-ichi Sawada, Masami Tatsumi
  • Publication number: 20030145783
    Abstract: A low dislocation density GaN single crystal substrate is made by forming a seed mask having parallel stripes regularly and periodically aligning on an undersubstrate, growing a GaN crystal on a facet-growth condition, forming repetitions of parallel facet hills and facet valleys rooted upon the mask stripes, maintaining the facet hills and facet valleys, producing voluminous defect accumulating regions (H) accompanying the valleys, yielding low dislocation single crystal regions (Z) following the facets, making C-plane growth regions (Y) following flat tops between the facets, gathering dislocations on the facets into the valleys by the action of the growing facets, reducing dislocations in the low dislocation single crystal regions (Z) and the C-plane growth regions (Y), and accumulating the dislocations in cores (S) or interfaces (K) of the voluminous defect accumulating regions (H).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensaku Motoki, Ryu Hirota, Takuji Okahisa, Seiji Nakahata
  • Publication number: 20030145784
    Abstract: Device quality, single crystal film of cubic zinc-blende aluminum nitride (AlN) is deposited on a cubic substrate, such as a silicon (100) wafer by plasma source molecular beam epitaxy (PSMBE). The metastable zinc-blende form of AlN is deposited on the substrate at a low temperature by a low energy plasma beam of high-energy activated aluminum ions and nitrogen ion species produced in a molecular beam epitaxy system by applying a pulsed d.c. power to a hollow cathode source. In this manner, films having a thickness of at least 800 Å were produced. The lattice parameter of as-deposited films was calculated to be approximately 4.373 Å which corresponds closely to the theoretical calculation (4.38 Å) for cubic zinc-blende AlN. An interfacial layer of silicon carbide, specifically the cubic 3C—SiC polytype, interposed between the epitaxial film of zinc-blende AlN and the Si(100) wafer provides a template for growth and a good lattice match.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Margarita P. Thompson, Gregory W. Auner
  • Publication number: 20030145785
    Abstract: A device (510) for the direct or indirect application of liquid or pasty application medium (516) by means of an applicator unit (512) to a material web (520), in particular of paper or board, comprises a device (570) upstream of the applicator unit (512) in the running direction (L) of the substrate (U) in order to attenuate the air boundary layer (G) carried along by the substrate (U). The attenuation device can in this case comprise a sealing element (570) which is pressed in a sealing manner against the substrate (U) and rolls on the latter substantially without slippage, and/or can comprise an electrode arrangement and/or can comprise an ultrasound source and/or can comprise a resilient diaphragm element acting without contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Bernert, Benjamin Mendez-Gallon, Manfred Ueberschar
  • Publication number: 20030145786
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the coating of granulates and seeds, pellets and dragees with one or several coatings, whereby the seeds for coating are placed in a driven rotating drum, into which baffles fixed to the housing, in particular, spray and cleaning arms extend. Air supplies are connected to the drum, by means of which the interior of the drum is subjected to an air stream. The air distribution in the drum is achieved by means of an air splitter-plate fixed to the front side of the drum, arranged opposite a non-rotating air splitter plate fixed to the housing, which is formed such that it may move in an axial direction towards and away from the drum and which may be connected to the drum by means of air. An improved cleaning of the housing and drumward air feed is thus guaranteed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Oliver Nohynek
  • Publication number: 20030145787
    Abstract: In a powder coating compartment having at least one manual coating station which is located outside the compartment in front of an aperture in an end wall for the entry and exit of workpieces to be coated, the aperture being designed to be closed by a door which is disposed for swinging movement at the wall of the compartment and, when fully open, forms a sidewall of the manual coating station, it is provided that the door comprises a door panel adapted to be mounted at either side of the aperture by pivot means designed for quick release of the door from the pivot means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Johannes Segner, Hanspeter Dietrich, Leopold Von Keudell
  • Publication number: 20030145788
    Abstract: A plasma CVD apparatus comprises a reaction container for allowing a reaction for forming a thin film on a semiconductor wafer to be performed, a bias electrode which applies a high frequency bias for sputtering to the semiconductor wafer, a nozzle which supplies SiH4 gas including at least hydrogen into the reaction container, and a control circuit which on/off-controls the high frequency bias through a switch and which on/off-controls the supply of SiH4 gas through a flow rate controller based on an opposite control logic to a high frequency bias control logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Shimazu, Masahiko Inoue
  • Publication number: 20030145789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas supply device for delivering precursors with a low vapor pressure to CVD coating systems. Said gas supply device has a supply container for the precursor which is at a first temperature T1, an intermediate storage device for intermediately storing the vaporous precursor at a second temperature T2 and at a constant pressure p2, a first gas line between the supply container and the intermediate storage device and a second gas line for removing gas from the intermediate storage device. According to the invention, the gas supply device is developed in such a way that the first temperature T1 is higher than the second temperature T2. The lower temperature T2 of the intermediate storage device facilitates maintenance work on the same, while the precursor evaporates at a greater rate at the higher temperature T1 in the supply container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Hartmut Bauch, Lars Bewig, Lutz Klippe, Thomas Kupper
  • Publication number: 20030145790
    Abstract: A metal film production apparatus and method supply a source gas containing chlorine, as a halogen, to the interior of a chamber such that the source gas is intermittently supplied, to form a Cu component of a precursor into a film on a substrate, while suppressing a relative increase in etching particles. Thus, the source gas is supplied in the full presence of plasma particles contributing to film formation. Moreover, the source gas is supplied in a state in which a Cu film formed is not etched with the etching particles. Consequently, the Cu film is reliably increased with respect to the film formation time to increase the film formation speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Hitoshi Sakamoto, Naoki Yahata, Yoshiyuki Ooba
  • Publication number: 20030145791
    Abstract: A thermal processing apparatus for applying thermal processing to a substrate having a processed film thereon has a discharger for discharging process gas from a processing chamber and a ceiling plate provided between the substrate and the discharger, having apertures at different aperture ratios in accordance with distances from the center of the ceiling plate. The apparatus may have dischargers, provided over concentric circles of the substrate, for discharging process gas from the processing chamber and discharging-amount adjusters each for adjusting a discharging amount of the corresponding discharger. The apparatus may have gas suppliers, provided over the concentric circles of the substrate, for supplying process gas into the processing chamber and supply-amount adjusters each for adjusting a supply amount of the corresponding supplier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shinya, Takahiro Kitano
  • Publication number: 20030145792
    Abstract: A method for forming a thin film includes the steps of: supplying a deposition material in the form of a liquid onto a heated surface; heating and vaporizing the deposition material on the heated surface while the deposition material is undergoing movement; and depositing the deposition material onto a deposition surface. The deposition material is supplied onto a position of the heated surface where the vaporized deposition material does not reach the deposition surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Honda, Masaru Odagiri, Kiyoshi Takahashi, Noriyasu Echigo, Nobuki Sunagare
  • Publication number: 20030145793
    Abstract: A clear plastic container holding a clear fluid that repels houseflies by refracting light. The container may be a hard or soft plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Jack Mathews, John Ronald White
  • Publication number: 20030145794
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method and a device for performing an animal related action on an animal. The device comprises a machine arranged to permit milking of the animal according to a process being determined by a number of adjustable parameters defining the nature of the process. The value of a variable related to one or more animals is determined for said animal by determining means. The animal related action is performed on the animal during a current animal related action by means of the machine, wherein at least one of said parameters is adjusted in response to said determined value by control means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: LELY ENTERPRISES AG
    Inventors: Alexander VAN DER LELY, Antoon Peter Andre THEELEN
  • Publication number: 20030145795
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for examining at least a first animal, milked in a milking machine, comprising an identification device for identifying said animal, a storing device for storing said identification in a data base, a locating device for finding the position of the teats of said animal, a cleaning device for cleaning the teats of the animal, an applying device for applying teat cups to the teats of said animal, and a capturing device for capturing at least one image of at least a part of said animal. The image captured in relation to identification of the animal is stored in the data base, and the captured image is presented for a user through a viewing device coupled to the data base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Mats Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20030145796
    Abstract: There is disclosed a device (1) for automatic feeding of animals, preferably pigs. The device comprises a dispensing unit (2) over feed plate (4) below a hopper (13). In order to achieve a simple feeding device enabling precise regulation of an amount of feed for adjusting the device to animals of different sizes, the dispensing unit (2) comprises a tubular duct (7) the upper end of which having an area which is greater than the area of the outlet (12) of the hopper (13). In the hopper, a disc-shaped element (8) enabling outflow of feed (33) from the disc-shaped element to the inner (31) of the duct (7). Thus there will be no risk of humidity absorption from feed on the feed plate (4) to the feed in the hopper (13). The feed outflow occurs at an intermediate space (34) between the disc-shaped element and the hopper and in an intermediate space (10) between the disc-shaped element and the inner wall (11) of the duct when the animals exert a lateral pressure (35) on the dispensing unit (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Henrik Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20030145797
    Abstract: A device for delivering liquid to livestock, said device comprising a container (1) for liquid, said container being suspendable within a livestock feeding area, and having a plurality of nipples (10), arranged on a lower surface of said container, such that livestock can drink liquid from within the container via the nipples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Graham Stuart Crocker
  • Publication number: 20030145798
    Abstract: A freeze resistant animal watering installation includes a trough and a substantially vertical flow tube which provides water under pressure to the trough upon a valve actuator being activated by an animal accessing the trough. Any excess water is drained to a storage reservoir installed underground below frost level. A venturi is positioned on the flow tube in fluid communication with the storage reservoir, such that the flow of water along the flow tube serves to draw water from the storage reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: James Harold Eugene Squire
  • Publication number: 20030145799
    Abstract: An animal enclosure system is disclosed utilizing a coated metal wire grid mounted within a frame formed of horizontal and vertical support members. The end of each wire on the wire grid has a captive termination that allows the wire grid to be installed into an opening, hole, or channel of the support members. The wire grid may also incorporate a hinge area formed by dividing the horizontal wires into two portions and wrapping the inner terminating points around a particular perpendicular vertical wire near the mid-point of the body of the wire grid. The hinge allows the wire grid to be folded, facilitating easier handling, storage and transport of the enclosure in its disassembled state. When the wire grid is assembled with the support members, along with corner pieces, it forms a single panel of the animal enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Rodger Hays, Elmer J. Chatin, Mark A. Zellefrow
  • Publication number: 20030145800
    Abstract: An atomization system for odor control in a livestock storage facility includes a reservoir capable of holding a sufficient quantity of an odor control product; a pump in communication with the reservoir; a circulation loop running throughout the livestock storage facility and communicating with the pump and the reservoir; and a plurality of atomization nozzles connected with the circulation loop for distribution of the odor control product onto surfaces of the storage facility and the livestock. The odor control product contains a mixture of vegetable oil, a natural acidic compound, alcohol, and water. Advantageously, the acidic compound in the odor control product is vinegar or concentrated citrus juice. A water supply line is also connected to the circulation loop through a water pump to provide a cooling mist throughout the facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Gary L. Rapp
  • Publication number: 20030145801
    Abstract: A retractable leash assembly structured to facilitate quick connection of an animal to a lead which is interconnected at a proximal end to an activation assembly and to a quick connect coupling assembly at a distal end. The leash assembly includes a release structure disposed in a communicative relation with the coupling assembly structured to removably connect a collar, harness, or similar attachment assembly to the distal end of the lead. The activation assembly, upon actuation, transmits a signal to the release structure to dispose the components of the coupling assembly into a release orientation such that the components may be easily disconnected from one another. The activation assembly may also include a drive mechanism, a release control mechanism, and/or a lead aligning mechanism to improve a handler's control of an animal attached to the retractable leash assembly of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Humberto DeBien
  • Publication number: 20030145802
    Abstract: A reversible reflective safety device in the form of a sleeve which is rectangular in shape and which possesses two strips of highly reflective material on one side with one half of a hook and loop fastening means and two strips of high-visibility fluorescent material on the opposite side with the remaining half of the hook and loop fastening means. The resulting device is easily transformed from a daylight fluorescent safety sleeve into a nighttime reflective safety sleeve. It allows for quick and easy attachment to an implement such as a dog leash, backpack strap, umbrella handle, baby stroller, animal collar, raincoat belt, purse strap, bicycle seat post or handlebars, or countless other applications needing illumination in situations involving low light or darkness. The sleeve's design allows maximum visibility from many angles and provides a large light reflective area dynamically presented on a moving leash or other implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Jacqueline Levesque Morgan
  • Publication number: 20030145803
    Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable leash for animals, having a housing containing a spring-biased reel in which the remaining length of leash can be taken up and which is stoppable by means of an actuating mechanism. A retractable leash of this kind is improved according to the invention by means of a device for adjusting the maximum extension length of the leash as required, and by providing for the slack section of the leash to be taken up automatically by the reel when this maximum extension length is not being used. This ensures that the leash is always taut without restricting the animal's freedom of movement unnecessarily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Roland Muller
  • Publication number: 20030145804
    Abstract: A lead (10) with ergonomic handgrip comprises a casing (11) containing a winding device for a cord or strap (12), a handgrip (14), as well as devices for the temporary blocking and rapid rewinding of said cord or strap (12); said handgrip (14) projects from the casing presenting an access space (14a) for the easy insertion of the user's fingers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Carlo Vaccari
  • Publication number: 20030145805
    Abstract: A pet toe nail cover is provided with a predetermined quantity of liquid adhesive that is stored at the tip end of the cover. The liquid adhesive is covered by a frangible seal which can be penetrated by the animal toe nail when the cover is fitted on the toe nail. The adhesive is released and cures in place, firmly attaching the cover to the toe nail. In alternative embodiments, the cover can be provided with a reservoir end covered by an airtight seal or the adhesive can be provided in a capsule or globule that is stored in the cover and penetrated when the cover is applied to a toe nail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Erann Gat
  • Publication number: 20030145806
    Abstract: A saturated steam generator which is provided with a heat source for heating water to generate saturated steam and which can be small-sized. A saturated steam generator for generating saturated steam by heating water with superheated steam resulting from being superheated in a heat transmission tube (16) inserted into a heat storage tank (10), characterized by the provision of a saturated steam generator tank (12), wherein in the heat storage tank (10), disposed in a heat storage section composed by having a solid heat storage material and a liquid heat storage material filled therein are a heat transmission tube (16) and a heater (44), which heats the solid heat storage material and the liquid heat storage material, it being arranged that superheated steam resulting from passing through the heat transmission tube (16) is used as a heat source to heat stored water (22) so as to generate saturated steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Kouichi Tokutake, Takami Miyasaka, Takashi Kugue
  • Publication number: 20030145807
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for cooling a motor vehicle engine which consists in regulating the volume and the flow rate of a coolant in a hydraulic circuit (2) provided with a first bypass hose (8) wherein is arranged a water/oil exchanger (13). The method comprises a first step which consists in regulating the liquid flow rate in the first bypass hose to increase the speed of the rise in the oil temperature. The invention is characterised in that it comprises a second step which consists in regulating the liquid flow rate in the first bypass hose to maintain the oil temperature at about a reference temperature. The invention also concerns a device for cooling a motor vehicle engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Ludovic Tomasseli, Armel Le Lievre
  • Publication number: 20030145808
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for controlling a drive unit (1) including an internal combustion engine (5). The method and arrangement function to provide a switchoff of the engine (5) with less vibration. In the internal combustion engine (5), the air or a mixture of air and fuel is compressed in a combustion chamber (10) while utilizing a compressing device (15) and especially a piston. A supply of fuel is reduced with a switchoff of the engine (5). When switching off the engine (5), a relief of load of the compressing device (15) is initiated in addition to the reduction of the metering of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Volkmar Foelsche
  • Publication number: 20030145809
    Abstract: The invention deals with a new type of combustion engine, Z4-engine. It has an insulated compressor part and a work part. The temperature of the compressed gas can be controlled, for example cool. The new gas shall be transferred over the piston during a small crank angle, when the piston closes the top gear centre. The fuel shall be injected to the hot air. After the gas exchange, before the top dead centre, occurs the secondary compression of the gas, the self ignition of the mixture or the ignition. The exhaust gases exit the cylinder through the exhaust valve. The delivery rate of the compressor can be different from the stroke volume of the working pistons together. The side force of the piston can be removed by means of a twin crank mechanism. Also a normal crank mechanism is possible, thus the insulated compressor part can be for example a screw compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Timo Tapani Janhunen
  • Publication number: 20030145810
    Abstract: An engine valve actuator providing Miller cycle benefits and a method of operating an engine valve actuator are disclosed. The valve actuator employs a first force to hold an exhaust valve of the engine open during an exhaust stroke and a second, stronger force to hold the exhaust valve open during a compression stroke. The valve actuator may be operated using pressurized fluid adapted to extend an actuator piston through a cylinder. The first force may be derived by a mechanically driven actuator, while the second force may be derived from a high pressure rail of the engine. A low pressure source of the engine may be used to fill the actuator cylinder, with the high pressure rail only being placed into fluid communication with the cylinder when desired. A control valve may be employed to direct either the low pressure or high pressure fluid to the valve actuator cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Scott A. Leman, David Andrew Pierpont
  • Publication number: 20030145811
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connection (24) between a shaft end (20) of a gas exchange valve (1) of an internal combustion engine and a sleeve-shaped actuating element (2) of a valve actuator (4), which is guided in an axially movable manner within a pressure region (58), which is able to be pressurized with a pressure medium, of the valve actuator (4) and at least partially surrounds the shaft end (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Georg Mallebrein, Hermann Gaessler, Udo Diehl, Karsten Mischker, Rainer Walter, Stefan Reimer, Simon Kieser, Andreas Baumann, Bernd Rosenau, Juergen Ulm, Sevan Tatiyosyan, Juergen Schiemann, Christian Grosse, Volker Beuche
  • Publication number: 20030145812
    Abstract: An engine with a lockable valve actuator and method of controlling an engine with such an actuator are disclosed. The actuator may include an actuator cylinder with an actuator piston reciprocatingly disposed therein. The actuator piston may be moved by directing pressurized fluid into the actuator cylinder, and locked into a given position by maintaining the pressurized fluid in the actuator cylinder. The actuator may be used in conjunction with a mechanically driven actuator used to move a valve, with the fluidically driven actuator being used to maintain the valve into a desired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Scott A. Leman
  • Publication number: 20030145813
    Abstract: In a method and system, the condition of a valve drive, particularly of valve clearance, and the position of at least one valve opening cam of a cam shaft of an internal combustion engine are recorded from processing signals which are generated by at least one impact sound sensor such as an electronic spark sensor. Preferably, at least one characteristic signal sequence is identified from signals generated by the impact sound sensor. The sequence occurs at a particular time during a cycle of the internal combustion engine, and is compared to a stored reference signal. As a result, the condition of a valve drive, e.g. the valve clearance, and/or the position of at least one valve opening cam of the cam shaft can be deduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Georg Buhl, Markus Mueller
  • Publication number: 20030145814
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided which comprises a variable valve timing mechanism provided at an end of a camshaft and actuated by oil pressure for varying a valve timing, an oil pressure control valve that controls the oil pressure, and an oil passage fluidly connecting between the oil pressure control valve and the variable valve timing mechanism, wherein the oil pressure control valve is installed on a head cover, and wherein the oil passage includes a first oil passage section formed in the camshaft and in communication with the variable valve timing mechanism, a second oil passage section formed in the head cover and in communication with the oil pressure control valve, and a third oil passage section formed in the cam bracket and provides communication between the first oil passage section and the second oil passage section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: Takahito Inoue
  • Publication number: 20030145815
    Abstract: In a variable valve timing mechanism that changes a rotation phase of a camshaft with respect to a crankshaft by an actuator to vary valve timing of engine valves, when a fixed condition of the rotation phase is detected, the actuator is forcibly driven, to generate a torque alternately in an advance direction and a retarded direction of the rotation phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: HITACHI UNISIA AUTOMOTIVE, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryo Miyakoshi
  • Publication number: 20030145816
    Abstract: In a device for controlling the relative rotary positions of a crankshaft and a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, a drive wheel is connected to the camshaft by way of an angular position control mechanism including a planetary gear arrangement with an annular gear connected to, or part of, the drive wheel, a sun gear mounted on the camshaft and at least one planetary gear disposed between, and in engagement with, the annular gear and the sun gear and rotatably supported on a planetary gear carrier, which is rotatable over a certain angular range by a stationary servomotor for controlling the angular positions of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Kai Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20030145817
    Abstract: A lash adjuster is provided which can keep a constant valve lifting amount. An adjust screw is brought into threaded engagement in a threaded hole formed in the bottom surface of an end plate of a lifter body. The adjust screw is biased in the axial direction by an elastic member. The threads of female threads of the threaded hole and the male threads on the adjust screw are serrated. The surface roughness of the pressure flanks of the serrated threads is set to 0.4 or over to prevent the adjust screw from retracting while turning when push-in loads are applied to the adjust screw from the valve stem, thereby stabilizing the valve lifting amount. Also, a slide member is mounted between the adjust screw and the valve stem and a retaining means is provided to prevent the slide member from turning relative to the nut member while supporting it so as to be movable in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Ken Yamamoto, Eiji Maeno