Patents Issued in August 12, 2003
  • Patent number: 6604477
    Abstract: A method of manufacture for a boot for providing improved accessibility in the wearing of boots for the physically impaired. The method of manufacture includes providing a quantity of leather for making individual portions of a boot; providing a quantity of thread for stitching portions together; providing a plurality of patterns; positioning each one of the plurality of pattern on a surface of the quantity of leather such that each pattern covers a unique area of the quantity of leather; tracing an outline of each one of the plurality of patterns onto the surface of the quantity of leather; cutting along each outline; coupling each individual portion to adjacent portions to form the boot; attaching a closing device to the boot for coupling the boot to a foot of a user; and finishing the boot to improve durability of the boot as well as aesthetic appearance of the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Oltea Hozan
  • Patent number: 6604478
    Abstract: A hull configuration for a vessel that utilizes multiple effects to reduce friction between the vessel and the water's surface is provided by the present invention. In various embodiments, a surface effect is employed such that a supporting cushion of air is provided underneath the hull to substantially isolate portions of the hull from coming into contact with the water's surface. A blower is used to provide pressurized air to the air cushions. The inlet of the blower is positioned in the direction of the vessel's movement such that a ram air effect decreases the power required by the blower. An amount of thrust is also generated by the forward placement of the blower inlet. The vessel has a superstructure that is shaped to create a low pressure zone above the vessel. This low pressure zone creates a lifting body effect such that the friction between the hull and the water's surface is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Bruce R. Barsumian
  • Patent number: 6604479
    Abstract: A boat featuring an autopilot-based steering and maneuvering system. The steering system uses a specially integrated autopilot that remains engaged unless the operator is actively commanding the boat to change course. For example, in a boat in which steering is performed using a joystick, course changes can be effected simply by moving (e.g., twisting) the joystick. That movement automatically disengages the autopilot, allowing the operator to achieve the course change. When the operator has completed the course change and released the joystick, a centering spring returns it to a neutral position and the autopilot automatically reengages. In the improved maneuvering system, the autopilot is used for controlling the direction of a waterjet boat during very low speed (e.g., less than 4 knots) maneuvers, such as docking. The autopilot controls the steering system, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: The Talaria Company, LLC
    Inventors: Shepard W. McKenney, Kenton D. Fadeley
  • Patent number: 6604480
    Abstract: A remotely controlled rescue craft for use in fast moving water to rescue victims. A line is strung and secured across the moving water and the craft is tethered to the line. The craft has a water passage port that runs through the length of the craft. Within the passage port are a remotely controlled rudder for steering the craft, and at least one remotely controlled stabilization plate for controlling the pitch of the craft. Pressure relief channels run from the passage port to each side of the craft to keep the craft from rocking from side to side. A sealing ball is in each pressure relief channel and is pressed against a seal in an opening in the channel when the channel fills with water. A remotely deployed life preserver can also be onboard the craft. A control box controls all the onboard systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Alfred T. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 6604481
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for permitting the passage of conduits through the hull of a boat without the creation of additional holes. A conduit-accommodating passageway is defined through the boat's scupper which bypasses the check valve that is associated with the scupper to prevent backflow. An annular body having a radially-extending conduit-accommodating passage communicating between its O.D. and its I.D. is positioned with respect to the scupper so that the fluid passing through the scupper and check valve passes through the generally annular body's I.D. while conduit passing through the radially-extending passage passes through the scupper but bypasses the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Charles E. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6604482
    Abstract: A hanger for attaching an end of a line into a cleat having an opening, the hanger having a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the thickness and width are such that they may pass through the opening defined by the cleat and the length is greater than that of the opening, and a receiver formed on a hanger for securing the end of the line to the hanger, whereby upon passing the hanger lengthwise through the opening, the hanger is rotated to bring the length to bear on the walls of the opening preventing the hanger from passing back through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Gilbert A. Martello
  • Patent number: 6604483
    Abstract: Streamer handling apparatus for use on a seismic survey vessel (10) comprises one or more trolleys (40) movable along a guide rail (50) over the width of stern (18) and of the streamer deck (20) of the vessel. The or each trolley (40) is provided with a clamping device (70) which can be used to grip the inboard end of part of a multi-section streamer (28) deployed over the stern end of the streamer deck (20), so facilitating the transfer of parts of streamers from one streamer (28) station to another across the width of the streamer deck (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Baard Johnsen, Carel Willem Jan Hooykaas
  • Patent number: 6604484
    Abstract: A high efficiency extremely stable marine vehicle that is connected to and supported by submerged supporting structure(s) is presented. The submerged structure(s) are normally airfoil shaped to insure maximum efficiency and are, in the preferred embodiments, air lubricated on their undersides by pressurized air to reduce wetted area frictional effects. Propulsor(s) take in water from the boundary layer adjacent the upper surfaces of the submerged supporting structure(s) which provides boundary layer control and also enhances the efficiency of the propulsor(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Donald E. Burg
  • Patent number: 6604485
    Abstract: An anchor system for flexible marker posts comprises an anchor that receives a post before the anchor is driven into the ground. In a first embodiment, a flat, rectangular plate of mild steel is folded into a U-shape with parallel upper and lower plates. The lower end of a post is placed within the anchor, and the anchor is driven into the earth with a bladed driver, the anchor bending into a V-shape along an axis defined by the blade of the driver. The anchor retains the post with friction, and the anchor is retained in the earth by mechanical interference and friction. Additional embodiments include plates that are pre-bent into a V-shape, tabs for maintaining separation of the plates, and a one-piece anchor having a V-shaped lower portion and coplanar, horizontal, upper surfaces connected to the upper edges of the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Flexstake, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Hughes, Sr., Robert K. Hughes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6604486
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a restriction indicator for an air cleaner system of an internal combustion engine. The restriction indicator includes a housing divided into first and second chambers by a diaphragm. A signal member is connected to the diaphragm. The signal member is moveable along an axis between a reset position and a first indicator position, and defines an axial opening within which a first retaining shoulder is located. A guide member is provided for guiding the signal member as the signal member is moved between the reset position and the first axial position. A retaining member is provided for retaining the signal member in the first indicator position. The retaining member extends within the axial opening of the signal member and includes at least two fingers that project radially outward from the axis. The fingers are configured to engage the first retaining shoulder to retain the signal member in the first indicator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Krisko, William E. Couillard, Robert W. Diver, Wayne A. Kaul, Bernard A. Matthys, Larry R. Nepsund
  • Patent number: 6604487
    Abstract: A rodent repelling bird feeder having an elongated vertical hanging support, a motor and a rotatable dish coupled to the motor. The motor is reciprocatively mounted in a motor sleeve so when a rodent of excessive weight alights upon the dish the motor is pushed against a resistive spring and a switch is closed, thereby engaging the motor which rotates the dish to dislodge the rodent therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Raymon W. Lush
  • Patent number: 6604488
    Abstract: A wildlife feeder is provided comprising a housing for holding wildlife feed and a separable mounting subassembly for releasable attachment of the housing to a support structure. The housing comprises a base from which extend upstanding walls. The base has a peripheral skirt and an underside with anchor structures for placement of the free ends of a wire form wildlife perch structure. The wire form extends a predetermined distance out from the base outer periphery and is constrained from downward tilt with retention notches in the peripheral skirt. The mounting subassembly comprises a bracket having engagement elements for insertion into slots in the back wall of the housing. The engagement elements include releasable retention tabs so that the housing can easily be removed from the bracket for food resupplying, cleaning and repair. The bracket includes a hinged roof structure. When the housing is attached to the bracket, the roof rotatably encloses the housing open top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Century Tool and Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry E. Heinzeroth, Ronald L. Lundstrom
  • Patent number: 6604489
    Abstract: An animal training device is disclosed. The training device includes a target section and a base section coupled together. The base section includes a top portion and a rounded bottom portion. An annular flange is located between the top portion and the bottom portion and extends outward from the top portion and bottom portion. The annular flange is operable to ensure that excessive exterior forces do not knock over the training device. The training device is portable as well as self-righting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Gary M. Wilkes, Michele C. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 6604490
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the barking of a dog through application of a spray deterrent, or spray control bark collar. The spray control bark collar administers a dose of a pressurized substance in response to the barking of the dog. The spray control bark collar detects the barking of the dog through the measuring of vibrations produced by the dog. In addition, the spray control bark collar delivers successively larger doses of the spray deterrent to the dog to deter the dog from further barking should the dog fail to respond to previous deterrent attempts. Finally, the spray control bark collar monitors the usage of the spray deterrents to gauge the amount of the deterrent substance remaining in the deterrent substance reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Albert L. Lee, IV, William S. Groh
  • Patent number: 6604491
    Abstract: Disclosed is a boiler apparatus useful for the heating of living and working spaces. The disclosed boiler apparatus incorporates a burner element and controller element that cooperate to provide a modulated firing rate. The modulated firing rate serves to increase the efficiency of the disclosed boiler apparatus. The boiler apparatus of the invention incorporates a heat exchanger and a combustion system. In operation, the control element collects and analyzes information from a multiplicity of sensors in order to modulate the firing rate of the burner element so as to maintain a selected output temperature for the water being heated. This monitoring activity by the control element also avoids short cycling of the boiler apparatus of the invention. The boiler apparatus of the invention also includes an indicator light that provides a visual indication the invention's operational status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: David Davis
  • Patent number: 6604492
    Abstract: A vaporizer is provided for delivering vapor streams such as high purity streams to a processing destination, such as a wafer processing chamber. The vaporizer includes a heated base having one or more seamless slots formed in one of its faces for carrying a liquid which is vaporized by heat from the heated plate. In one embodiment, the vaporizer includes an atomizer for atomizing the liquid prior to vaporization to reduce the temperature of vaporization. In one embodiment, the vaporizer includes a heat exchanger having cross-slots intersecting a plurality of seamless slots to reduce unvaporized liquid from exiting the vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Porter Instrument Company, Inc.
    Inventors: George K. Porter, Seth B. Wolf, Charles W. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 6604493
    Abstract: A liquid vaporizing and feeding apparatus, having high heat transfer efficiency and capable of producing a large flow of vaporized gas from a small amount of liquid, utilizes an inclined vaporization plate which is held at a set temperature by a heater. Liquid, discharged by a nozzle in the vicinity of the upper end of the vaporization plate, is vaporized as it flows down an inclined upper face of the vaporization plate. When the volume of the liquid collected on the vaporization plate 20 reaches a designated amount, a level sensor 40 stops the inflow of liquid through the nozzle. Then, as vaporization continues, and the liquid level falls, the sensor causes inflow of liquid to resume. The cycle of stopping and resuming flow of liquid is repeated to maintain a constant liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Aera Japan Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Toki
  • Patent number: 6604494
    Abstract: An electronic control unit for a combustion engine having a water coolant passageway in heat transfer adjacency to the unit and adapted to remove heat from the unit. An ECU for combustion engine, comprising: electrical input circuits, electrical control circuits, electrical fuel injection output drive circuits, electrical oil pump output drive circuits and electrical ignition circuits. An ECU is disclosed which is adapted to verify firing of the ignition coils of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
    Inventors: Mark J. Skrzypchak, Michael J. French, Gregry M. Remmers, Scott A. Koerner, Philip J. Bylsma, Mike A. Tanner, Dale A. Wiegele
  • Patent number: 6604495
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio mechanism for a reciprocating engine includes upper and lower links linking a piston pin to a crankpin, an eccentric cam equipped control shaft and a control link cooperating with each other to vary the attitude of the upper and lower links. A control-shaft actuator is provided to vary a compression ratio. The actuator includes a reciprocating block slider linked at a front end to the control shaft, and a rotary member being in meshed-engagement with the rear end of the slider by a meshing pair of screw-threaded portions. A hydraulic modulator has a hydraulic pressure chamber facing the rear end face of the slider, so that working-fluid pressure in the pressure chamber forces the slider in the same axial direction as the direction of action of reciprocating load acting on the slider owing to combustion load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuya Moteki
  • Patent number: 6604496
    Abstract: The invention relates to a longitudinally adjustable connecting rod (1), in which a piston part (2) and a shaft part (9) are telescopically inserted one inside the other. Piston part and shaft part can be locked together at certain lengths by pins (5a, 5a′, 5b, 5b′) supported in the piston part skirt (8), which engage in associated recesses (4a, 4a′, 4b, 4b′) on the shaft part skirt (3). Every two pins (5a, 5a′; 5b, 5b′) are pushed apart by springs (11a, 11b) situated between them. Through corresponding feed ducts (7a) a hydraulic medium can be purposely delivered to the recesses in the piston part skirt (3), in order to push pins situated therein back into the shaft part skirt (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guenter Bartsch, Jens Linsel
  • Patent number: 6604497
    Abstract: The reciprocating valve actuation and control system includes a poppet valve moveable between a first and second position; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic actuator including an actuator piston coupled to the poppet valve and reciprocating between a first and second position responsive to flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator; an electrically operated valve controlling flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuator; and an engine computer that generates electrical pulses to control the electrically operated valve. The electrically operated valve includes a linear latching motor, which includes a solenoid coil associated with a permanent magnet, wherein the coil is energized to create a central axial repelling magnetic field relative to the permanent magnet field, and to generate concentric repelling and attractive fields to produce secondary repelling and tertiary attractive forces on the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Harry W. Buehrle, II, Raymond C. Clark, Jarrid Gross, Ron Long, Lance E. Nist
  • Patent number: 6604498
    Abstract: A system for selectively switching the action of a valve in an internal combustion engine includes a roller finger follower having a frame and a disengageable roller. A two-part axial pin for the roller axle is spring-loaded to urge the pin axially of the roller axle to disengage the first part of the pin from the follower frame and simultaneously disengage the second part of the pin from the roller axle. Thus the roller becomes detached from the frame and the follower cannot actuate its designated valve. The roller and pins are retained within the frame by at least one torsion spring. The pins may be controllably reinserted into the sides of the roller and frame to reconnect the roller to the frame by any of various electromechanical and/or hydraulic means. When used in conjunction with a camshaft having high lift and low lift cam lobes, the deactivated follower will then actuate its designated valve according to the profile of the low lift lobes, which may be a no lift profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hermes A. Fernandez, Ryan D. Fogarty, Jongmin Lee, Wayne S. Harris, Michael E. McCarroll, Nick J. Hendriksma
  • Patent number: 6604499
    Abstract: An oil-through type push rod for, for instance, internal combustion engines including a metal pipe and a metal end fitting which has an oil hole formed therein and is welded to the end of the metal pipe, the metal pipe being provided with a covering layer of a low-melting-point metal for fixing a welding spatter generated during welding, and such a low-melting-point metal covering layer being disposed on at least an inside wall surface of the metal pipe so as to be near an area where the metal end fitting is welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuo Suzuki, Iyoshi Watanabe, Teruhisa Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6604500
    Abstract: A resin intake manifold includes a chamber section 12 having an intake air inlet pipe 11, and a plurality of outlet pipes 13 which connect cylinders 32 of an internal combustion engine to the chamber section 12. The resin intake manifold is made by coupling half-parts 21A and 21B of divided halves of the chamber section 12 and the outlet pipes 13 divided along a direction of the pipe axis. The outlet pipes 13 are connected to the chamber section 12 so that the external wall of the outlet pipes 13 on the side of an end 13b is integral with the external wall of the chamber section 12. Further, the outlet pipes 12 extend from the chamber section 12 along a direction of the pipe axis, and are curved to extend in a direction away from the chamber section 12 with a curve angle in a range of not smaller than 90° and not larger than 180°, and continuously extend away from the chamber section 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: G P Daikyo Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Miyahara, Hiromitsu Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 6604501
    Abstract: The invention concerns a piston of finest grain carbon, having a bending strength of at least 100 MPa, a bending elongation >0.8%, an average interlayer distance c/2<0.35 nm, an average crystallite size in the c direction >5 nm and a heat conductivity of at least 10 W/mK, and a method for its production comprising: a) compacting of a polyaromatic mesophase powder to almost its final shape; b) heating of the green product at ambient pressure under a non-oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of between 900 to 1300° C. and maintenance at this temperature; c) high-temperature treatment, thereby heating up to a temperature between 1400 and 2400° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Sintec Keramik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Goetz, Rainer Hegermann
  • Patent number: 6604502
    Abstract: A method of controlling an engine 12 during engine shutdown to reduce evaporative emissions is provided. The method includes a step 50 of shutting off a fuel pump 28 of the engine 12. The method also includes a step 52 of burning off the fuel from a fuel rail 24 in a cylinder 18 of the engine 12 after the fuel pump 28 is shut off. During the burning off of the fuel, a duty cycle of each fuel injector 22of engine 12 is controlled to allow the engine 12 to operate generally cyclically about a predetermined air/fuel ratio. The predetermined air/fuel ratio is preferably stoichiometric. By burning off the fuel in the fuel rail 24 after the fuel pump 28 is shut off, the fuel pressure in the fuel rail 24 is reduced. The reduced fuel pressure in the fuel rail 24results in reduced evaporative emissions from the engine 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Bisaro, David Lee Boggs, Mark William Peters, Stephen Richard Burke, Stephen John Kotre
  • Patent number: 6604503
    Abstract: A rotary machine in which plural, non-cylindrical rotors are provided for rotation within partially overlapping cylindrical bores, formed within a machine housing. Each rotor each said rotor has a curved outer surface formed of a plurality of contiguous mutually tangential curved portions.* The rotors are eccentrically mounted for synchronized, same directional rotation, within their respective bores, and each is arranged to alternately provide intake and exhaustion of working gaseous fluids, such that each rotor is continually either admitting or exhausting a working gas. The machine is constructed such that the rotors are cylindrical, each being of internally balanced form. The rotors do not touch each other or any portion of the machine casing at any time, while being positioned so as to define minimal gaps therebetween. A high rotational speed may be developed, thereby obviating the need for seals entirely, and thus further increasing the available speed, and thus the work efficiency of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: M.R. Engines Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Mekler
  • Patent number: 6604504
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment system for an internal combustion engine includes a catalytic emission control device. When transitioning the engine between a lean operating condition and a stoichiometric operating condition, as when scheduling a purge of the downstream device to thereby release an amount of a selected exhaust gas constituent, such as NOx, that has been stored in the downstream device during the lean operating condition, the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied to each cylinder is sequentially stepped from an air-fuel ratio of at least about 18 to the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. The purge event is preferably commenced when all but one cylinders has been stepped to stoichiometric operation, with the air-fuel mixture supplied to the last cylinder being stepped immediately to an air-fuel ratio rich of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, David George Farmer
  • Patent number: 6604505
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the ignition in an internal combustion engine with a device for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine is provided, in which a control signal for the injection process and a control signal for the ignition process are used. The control signal for the injection process is used to start the measurement of a predetermined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
    Inventor: Wolfram Hellmich
  • Patent number: 6604506
    Abstract: To improve the efficiency of assembling multiple on-off valves into a manifold body and reduce resistance to rotation of a shaft after assembly, frame members (3) are fitted in downstream end portions of individual intake passage sections (12) of a manifold body (2), on-off valves (4) are placed inside the individual frame members (3) and a shaft (5) is passed through the on-off valves (4) in such a way that the frame members (3) constitute parts of inside walls of intake passages where the on-off valves (4) are located, the frame members (3) rotatably supporting the on-off valves (4) and the shaft (5). A cutout (23) is formed in a surrounding wall of each frame member (3), thereby making each frame member (3) expandable and compressible by elastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Tanaka, Fusatoshi Tanaka, Kenya Ishii, Hiroshi Sumimoto, Yoshihiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6604507
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a spool control valve, a plunger which moves in a fuel pressure chamber between retracted and full stroke positions. The fuel injector may include a spill port for spilling fuel from the fuel pressure chamber, the spill port being open at the start and closed by the translating motion of the plunger to delay the start of injection. The fuel injector chamber may further include a control port which is closed at the start of plunger motion and is opened by the plunger to connect the pressure chamber to a needle back chamber to bias the needle valve closed. The needle back chamber becomes isolated from the pressure chamber by further movement of the plunger and includes a pressure control passage to allow the pressure therein to decay upon control port closure, thereby effecting split injection or rate shaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ning Lei, Xilin Yang, Steven C. Arnold
  • Patent number: 6604508
    Abstract: A hydraulically activated fuel injection system uses a common rail that is maintained at relatively high pressure by a pump when the engine is running. During start-up, a volume reducer is used to pressurize the common rail until the pump can take over. A member of the volume reducer protrudes through one end of the common rail and is movable into and out of the common rail. When the ignition is activated, the member advances into the common rail causing the fluid volume to decrease and the pressure within the hydraulic system to increase, thereby allowing activation of the fuel injectors and starting the engine before the system pump is able to supply high pressure fluid to the common rail. Once the pump is able to sustain system pressure to the desired level, the member can retract to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Darrel H. Meffert
  • Patent number: 6604509
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine. The inventive fuel injection system comprises a high-pressure pump (1) for delivering the fuel from a fuel reservoir (2) and a number of fuel injectors (5) for injecting the fuel into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. The system is further provided with a high-pressure fuel line (4) that links the high-pressure pump (1) with the fuel injectors (5) and that contains a high-pressure reservoir (3). A fuel return line (11) returns the fuel that was not injected by the fuel injectors (5) and a leakage line (12) returns the leakage amounts that occur at the fuel injectors (5). According to the invention the high-pressure fuel line (4), the fuel return line (11) and the leakage line (12) are combined in a common fuel line (13) which is characterized by cross-sections of flow that are separated from one another by walls and that correspond to the individual lines (4, 11, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventor: Ronald Hegner
  • Patent number: 6604510
    Abstract: A fuel system has a fuel injector directly mounted with a fuel rail. The fuel rail has a body with interior and exterior surfaces. The interior surface defines a volume. The exterior surface surrounds the interior surface. An aperture extends between the interior and exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the volume. The fuel injector has an inlet tube with an inside surface that defines a flow path through a portion of the fuel injector, and an outside surface that surrounds the inside surface. The fuel injector is disposed so that the flow path is in fluid communication with the volume. A rigid connection is disposed between at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces of the fuel rail and the outside surface of the inlet tube, the rigid connection securing and hermetically sealing the fuel rail with the fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph E. Scollard, James R. Morris, Mehran K. Rahbar
  • Patent number: 6604511
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus in which, even if a column support receiving region of a supporting member is broken, the breakage is prevented from reaching both surfaces of the supporting member. A flange member includes a circular plate-shaped flange body attached to a fuel tank, an inner sleeve into which a column support is inserted, and an outer sleeve located at an outer periphery of the inner sleeve that is integrally formed. A bottom portion of the inner sleeve extends farther on the opposite side of a sub tank than the flange body, and the column support for providing a connection between the sub tank and the flange member has one end press-inserted into the inner sleeve beyond the flange body to a point opposite the sub tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Hazama
  • Patent number: 6604512
    Abstract: An improved fuel supply arrangement for a direct fuel injected engine. In one feature, the fuel supply arrangement comprises a high pressure fuel pump for developing high pressure in fuel, a fuel injector for directly injecting the fuel into combustion chamber of the engine and a flexible conduit for connecting the high pressure fuel pump and the fuel injector. In another feature that is for a multi-cylinder engine, the fuel supply arrangement comprises a high pressure fuel pump for developing high pressure in fuel, a plurality of fuel injectors for directly injecting the fuel into respective combustion chambers of the engine, a fuel supply rail for supplying the fuel from the high pressure fuel pump to the fuel injectors and a flexible conduit for connecting the high pressure fuel pump and the fuel supply rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Kato
  • Patent number: 6604513
    Abstract: An oil-saving accelerating control device of eliminating the black smoke mainly comprising a power-increasing means and a pressure increasing auxiliary device in cooperative the inlet branch of the gas-combustion engine, by means of the high-voltage output produced by the power increasing means, after the air within the metal inside is being purified, it produces more oxygen to increase the efficiency of the gas-combustion engine and thus it saves the fuel as well as increasing the power; besides, by cooperative with the pressure-increasing device, when the power-increasing means is acting, it collects more oxygen on the same time on acting the power-increasing means, whereas the operator could provide more oxygen to the effect of gas-combustion engine for usage through controlling a initiation switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Jui-Yang Lo
  • Patent number: 6604514
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement pertaining to internal combustion engines (1) that include a supercharger (6) and an intermediate cooler (13) mounted in a casing (4). The intermediate cooler includes tubular elements (14, 15) through which coolant flows for cooling the combustion air compressed by the supercharger (6). Conventional arrangements of this kind take up a significant amount of space, which is difficult to find in a typically crowded engine space, and also result in undesirable heating of the engine space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Lysholm Technologies AB
    Inventors: Arnold Englund, Benny Lindbrandt
  • Patent number: 6604515
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus (10) and method for a turbocharged internal combustion engine (12). The combustion air (16) exiting a turbocharger (18) is passed over an air-to-water intercooler (40) then over an air-to-air intercooler (42) for heat exchange with liquid coolant and with ambient air (32) respectively. During periods of low ambient air temperature, the combustion air may be directed through a bypass duct (80) around the air-to-air intercooler, and further, may be heated by the coolant in the air-to-water intercooler. A multi-speed fan (44) and/or shutters (48) may be used to control the flow of ambient air across the air-to-air intercooler. A cooling duct (68) provides a flow of ambient air to the fan motor (46) during periods of operation when the flow of ambient air over the air-to-air heat exchanger is restricted by the shutters. Coolant exiting a subcooler (28) has the lowest temperature in the system and is directed to a lube oil cooler (34) for engine lubricant cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Brian L. Walter, Peter L. Valentine, Mahesh C. Aggarwal, Robert A. Armbruster, Jr., Vinh K. Do
  • Patent number: 6604516
    Abstract: In a flap valve for controlling a gas stream, having a valve tube that carries the gas stream and having a valve flap, disposed in the valve tube, that is pivotable between a closing position and an open position and is seated in a manner fixed against relative rotation on an adjustable flap shaft, to avoid openings of the shaft in the valve tube inside the sealing region between the valve flap and the valve tube, the flap shaft is oriented such that its axis forms an acute angle (&agr;) with the axis of the valve tube. The valve flap seated on the flap shaft in a manner fixed against relative rotation is oriented such that in its closing position, its surface normal is aligned with the axis of the valve tube or extends at an acute angle to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Krimmer, Ralph Krause
  • Patent number: 6604517
    Abstract: A table tennis service machine is simple in construction and is formed of mechanical devices, such as a ball feeding device, a driving member, a deceleration gear set, and a ball ejecting device. The deceleration gear set is driven by the driving member such that the ball ejecting device is driven by the deceleration gear set in an intermittent manner, thereby resulting in a periodic ejection of the ball by the service machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Tsung-Chih Chao, Teng-Lu Tsai, Thomas Donald Hugar
  • Patent number: 6604518
    Abstract: A self-contained non-lethal munition system is provided for use with a shoulder launcher. A barrel is coupled to a breech end of the launcher and is coaxially aligned therewith. A solid sphere having a hardness in the range of approximately 50 durometer is pressure sealed in the barrel. Launch pressure is supplied aft of the sphere. The launch pressure must overcome the sphere's pressure seal with the barrel and propel the sphere with a kinetic energy of between approximately 135-220 Joules/cm2 for distances up to approximately 30 meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Matthew J. Sanford, Gregory D. DuChane
  • Patent number: 6604519
    Abstract: A gas apparatus for heating and/or cooking food. The apparatus includes a housing having a lower body where a gas/air mixture to burnt is received and a top part in the form of a plate designed to be urged to rest on the body. Orifices are provided in the housing for the outflow and combustion of the gas/air mixture. The plate's upper surface forms a surface for receiving food to be heated and/or cooked, and the housing has a sinuous outline with radial branches arranged such that the outflow and combustion of the gas/air mixture take place in the central, peripheral and radial zones of the surface beneath the top part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Krampouz
    Inventor: Michel Bosser
  • Patent number: 6604520
    Abstract: The vapor extraction device is disposed, for example, in a kitchen counter top next to the cooking or other hot-food area, specifically so as to be retracted in the position of rest. To operate as a suction device, the intake the vapor extraction device is moved out upward and pivoted over and above food preparation carriers disposed on the hot-food areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Maximilian Grimm, Armin Zibold, Ulrich Gremmelmaier, Martin Wetzel, Martin Kornberger, Michael Wendt
  • Patent number: 6604521
    Abstract: An improved solar collector pipe that directly conveys fluid to be heated and collects and transfers solar energy efficiently and directly to the internal fluid, thereby maximizing both the amount of energy transmitted to the internal fluid and the peak temperature attainable by that fluid. The solar collector pipe includes a transparent portion for admitting solar energy into the solar collector pipe. Internal to the solar collector pipe is an absorbing portion for absorbing solar energy. A conduit portion is also included and comprises a reflecting surface thereon for reflecting solar energy received through the transparent portion onto the absorbing portion. The transparent portion, the conduit portion, and the absorbing portion together define at least one fluid passageway for conveying the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventors: Travis Smith, Manu Ghela
  • Patent number: 6604522
    Abstract: An inhalation device for administering a powdered medicament by inhalation including a suction tube through which the medicament is drawn on inhalation by a user, a blister pack, a housing which carries the blister pack and has housing surfaces, the suction tube being removably connected to the housing and having a distal end which can interact with the blister pack and a proximal end through which the user inhales, and a resilient member that resiliently biases the suction tube into a position where it is spaced from the housing surfaces to facilitate grasping of the suction tube by the user when the inhalation device is ready for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Astrazeneca AB
    Inventors: Lars Arvidsson, Jan Jönsson, Patrik Månsson, Stefan Strandberg, Björn Ullbrand
  • Patent number: 6604523
    Abstract: According to the invention, methods and devices for increasing cardiopulmonary circulation induced by chest compression and decompression when performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation are provided. According to one method, a pressure responsive inflow valve is coupled to a patient's airway. Chest compressions and chest decompressions are performed. During chest decompression the inflow valve prevents respiratory gases from entering the lungs until a certain negative intrathoracic pressure level is exceeded at which time the one inflow valve opens. In this way, the inflow valve assists in increasing the magnitude and duration of negative intrathoracic pressure during decompression to enhance the amount of blood flow into the heart and lungs. Further, the patient is supplied with a pressurized respiratory gas through the inflow valve when the inflow valve opens to ventilate the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: CPRX LLC
    Inventors: Keith G. Lurie, Todd M. Zielinski
  • Patent number: 6604524
    Abstract: A component is attached to filtration material by providing the component with a deformable extension member that is preferably integral with the component and that extends from a base portion of the component. The extension member is inserted through an opening provided through the filtration material and is then deformed to provide a mechanical clamp that is utilized in attaching the component in position. In certain embodiments, the component is an attachment such as an exhalation valve of a respiratory mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Desmond T. Curran, Elfed I. Williams
  • Patent number: 6604525
    Abstract: The mask of a laryngeal mask assembly has a mount and an integral cuff at the patient end of a tube. The mount is of a thermoplastic material and the cuff is made by blow moulding from the material of the mount. A separate retaining plate seals an edge of the cuff with the mount and traps an inflation tube extending from the cuff to the inflation line of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
    Inventor: Eric Pagan
  • Patent number: 6604526
    Abstract: A sexual harness is disclosed which provides increased stimulation, comfort and support for both participants involved in tandem coitus, and which is of a construction utilizing a plurality of layers, one of which is of an elastically yieldingly compressible material having good deformation memory properties. The device further includes a pair of shoulder straps and leg stirrups for additional attachment to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Donnell King Coward