Patents Issued in September 16, 2003
  • Patent number: 6619209
    Abstract: A process and printing machine for determining registration errors and correcting therefore. At least one first registration mark is applied onto a conveyor belt for transporting a sheet, and at least one second registration mark is applied onto the sheet adjacent to the first registration mark. The first registration mark and the second registration mark are detected, the distance between the first registration mark and the second registration mark is calculated, and the difference between the calculated distance and a distance without different speeds of the conveyor belt and the sheet (a target value) is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ingo Klaus Michael Dreher, Heiko Hunold, Patrick Metzler, Stefan Schrader
  • Patent number: 6619210
    Abstract: A warhead casing defines a geometry that is a portion of a ring having an outer radial wall and an inner radial wall spaced radially apart from one another. The outer radial wall and inner radial wall are joined radially by side walls, while the casing is enclosed at either axial end thereof by end walls. An explosive material fills the casing. At least one initiator is positioned in the explosive material along a radial plane that bisects the portion of the ring. Detonation of the explosive material causes the inner radial wall to form an EFP while the outer radial wall fragments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Timothy L. Spivak, Maurice E. Grudza, William J. Clark
  • Patent number: 6619211
    Abstract: A practice ammunition projectile comprises a head which bursts when the projectile strikes a target and contains a marking agent which optically indicates the point of impact after the head has burst. The marking agent consists of several chemical components (7, 8) which are each contained in separately breakable compartments (4, 5) within a burstable hood at the head of the projectile. When the compartments (4, 5) break open the components combine and undergo a chemical reaction which creates an optical mark. The hood is formed of an optically transparent material to enable the trajectory of the projectile to be tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nico-Pyrotechnik Hanns-Juergen Diederichs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ted Haeselich
  • Patent number: 6619212
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling operation of a vehicle on a guideway system, wherein the vehicle includes a first element of a linear induction motor and an alternate power source, and the guideway system has an acceleration section including a second element of the linear induction motor, and a computer control system. The method includes utilizing the second element in cooperation with the first element so as to accelerate the vehicle on the acceleration section of the guideway system, and providing speed instructions to the vehicle using the computer control system so as to cause the vehicle to use the alternate power source to maintain a desired cruising speed on a main section of the guideway system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Craig Hammann Stephan, John Michael Miller, Lloyd Craig Davis, Richard David Anderson
  • Patent number: 6619213
    Abstract: The loading troughs 11, 12, 13 of the coil transporter are formed by transverse supports 17, 18, 19 connected to the longitudinal supports 3, 4 of the undercarriage 1. The trough-forming transverse supports are U-shaped supports which are covered by a trough sheet 20 for bearing the coils 14, 15, 16. Together with the covering sheet, they form hollow bodies, which are preferably stiffened with transverse ribs 24. With these trough-forming transverse supports, it is possible for the admissible bearing load of the transporter, with the unloaded weight being the same or reduced, to be increased. Furthermore, the production is simplified on account of a smaller number of connection locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Greenbrier Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Dan Militaru, Allan Maltby, Mariusz Kubik
  • Patent number: 6619214
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste material that comprises four major cooperating subsystems, namely a pyrolytic converter, a two-stage thermal oxidizer, a steam generator and a steam turbine driven by steam generated by the steam generator. In operation, the pyrolytic converter is uniquely heated without any flame impinging on the reactor component and the waste material to be pyrolyzed is transported through the reaction chamber of the pyrolytic converter by a pair of longitudinally extending, side-by-side material transfer mechanisms. Each of the transfer mechanisms includes a first screw conveyor section made up of a plurality of helical flights for conveying the heavier waste and a second paddle conveyor section interconnected with the first section for conveying the partially pyrolyzed waste, the second section comprising a plurality of paddle flights. Once operating, the apparatus is substantially self-sustaining and requires a minimum use of outside energy sources for pyrolyzing the waste materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: William C. Walker
  • Patent number: 6619215
    Abstract: An incinerator includes a furnace, a heat-insulating shield, an air conduit, an air blower, and a dryer. The heat-insulating shield has a top wall, a vertically extending peripheral wall that extends downwardly from the top wall and that surrounds and that is spaced apart from the furnace by a gap, and an open bottom end. The peripheral wall of the heat-insulating shield has an air outlet that is disposed adjacent to the top wall and that is in fluid communication with the gap. Atmospheric air is introduced via the open bottom end through the gap and the air conduit and into the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Dai-You Lin
  • Patent number: 6619216
    Abstract: An incinerator includes a furnace, a heat-insulating shield, an air conduit, an air blower, and a dryer. The heat-insulating shield has a top wall, a vertically extending peripheral wall that extends downwardly from the top wall and that surrounds and that is spaced apart from the furnace by a gap, and an open bottom end. The peripheral wall of the heat-insulating shield has an air outlet that is disposed adjacent to the top wall and that is in fluid communication with the gap. Atmospheric air is introduced via the open bottom end through the gap and the air conduit and into the dryer. A feed motor is used to deliver solid waste into the furnace. A control unit controls rotating speed of the feed motor based on temperature in the dryer so as to adjust the temperature in the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Dai-You Lin
  • Patent number: 6619217
    Abstract: A decomposition processing apparatus for PCBs prolongs the staying time of the PCBs in a vertical furnace. The apparatus heats and decomposes the PCBs and includes porous staying plates through which the falling PCBs pass, to delay the progress of the PCBs through the apparatus and thus subject the PCBs to sufficient thermolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Kanji Kokubu, Yutaka Hayano, Masamitsu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 6619218
    Abstract: A method for making harmless a material to be treated containing a pollutant, including the steps of arranging a pair of ejecting nozzles such that nozzle openings thereof are opposed to each other inside a pressure-proof furnace, thermally treating that material, ejecting the thermally treated material through each of the nozzle openings of the nozzles, respectively, and colliding the material ejected through one of the nozzles with that ejected through the other in a space inside the pressure-proof furnace and between a pair of the nozzle openings such that a portion of the pollutant of the material remaining non-decomposed by the thermal treatment may be decomposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignees: San Iku Co., Ltd., International Preserve Environment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 6619219
    Abstract: A garlic upright-positioning and planting device has a simple structure by which a garlic clove can be planted while the garlic clove is kept at its upright posture with its blunt root portion directed toward the ground. There is provided a garlic planting device for planting garlic cloves while maintaining an upright state, which comprises at least one guiding hopper for guiding a garlic clove with a root portion directed in a downward direction, and a planter for planting the garlic clove supplied from each of the guiding hoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Rural Development Administration
    Inventors: Duck-Kyu Choi, Won-Kyu Park, Tea-Gyoung Kang, Seok-Ho Park, Hak-Jin Kim, Tae-Yong Kwak, Young-Keun Kim
  • Patent number: 6619220
    Abstract: A hybrid craft can operate as a high speed SES in open water and deploy a retracted flexible skirt to operate as a hovercraft across beaches and overland. A downwardly extending boundary structure on a hull periphery reaches through the surface of water. The boundary structure has thin rigid side-walls extending downward from lateral sides, a forward seal wall extending downward from a forward portion, and an aft seal wall extending downward from an aft portion. Machinery creates a pressurized air cushion under the hull inside of the boundary structure to support and transport the hull. A flexible skirt system on said hull inwardly of and adjacent to the boundary structure can be retracted to a first position above the boundary structure and the water and extended to a second position below the boundary structure and the surface of the water to transit beaches and overland on the air cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John E. Ducote
  • Patent number: 6619221
    Abstract: An oscillation suppression device comprises a base body to be secured to a ship body, a gimbals secured to the base body, a damper, a flywheel provided in the gimbals, and a motor for rotating the flywheel, etc. The gimbals is supported by bearings built into a pair of side walls of the base body, respectively, such that it can rotate around a first axis. The flywheel can rotate around a second axis. A rotor member of the motor is attached to the flywheel, and a stator member is attached to the gimbals. The rotor member and stator member are located inside the locus-of-rotation of the gimbals. The base body includes a cover portion covering the outer surface of the gimbals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuya Umemura, Youhei Ando
  • Patent number: 6619222
    Abstract: A reversible boat bumper for attachment to dock poles to allow accommodation for a high water position and a low water position. The bumper has an elongated bumper support plate and attached to it a bumper cushion. A pair of spaced apart releasable gripping dock brackets are attached to the side of the support plate opposite the bumper cushion, with a bracket being positioned adjacent one end and another approximately at mid-point along the elongated support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas W. Clary
  • Patent number: 6619223
    Abstract: A hawser system for connecting a semisubmersible tender to a deep draft caisson vessel comprising: a first winch and a second winch disposed on the first end of the tender; a first hawser connected to the first winch and a second hawser connected to the second winch; a first sheave and a second sheave disposed on a second end of the tender opposite the first end of the tender, the first sheave for engaging the first hawser and the second sheave for engaging the second hawser; a first hawser fairlead disposed on a first side of the tender for receiving the first hawser and a second hawser fairlead disposed on the second side of the tender for receiving the second hawser and wherein the first hawser crosses the second hawser three times as each is reaved to each fairlead and wherein the first and second hawsers pass beneath the deck of the tender to the deep draft caisson vessel; at least one connector or joining the first and second hawsers at a position n the deep draft caisson vessel, after the hawsers pass
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Drillmar, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Louis Beato
  • Patent number: 6619224
    Abstract: A modular marine vessel has a variable hull and a plurality of boat forming modules including a bow section module, a load section module having a bow end and an aft end, and a bulkhead forming module is detachably connected to each bow and aft end of the load section module. The bulkhead forming module that is connected at the bow end of the load section module is detachably connected to the bow section module. Each boat forming and bulkhead forming module includes a topside section and a hull bottom side section. The topside section of each boat forming module has a shell gunnel portion, and the hull bottom side section of each boat forming module has a pivotally mounted bottom shell hull portion. The gunnel and hull portions of the load and bow section modules are detachably connected end-to-end, and sealingly juxtaposed the detachably connected bulkhead forming module to prevent water from entering the boat when the boat engages water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Harold A. Syfritt
  • Patent number: 6619225
    Abstract: A whistle attachment is shown for a multi-implement tool which may be of the folding knife type. The whistle is attached and located in a manner to provide quick and easy access to the whistle in an emergency situation such as an attack or potential attack by a miscreant. The whistle is made for attachment to the existing structure of the tool to provide economy and ease of manufacture. In a preferred embodiment the whistle is made for use by blowing by mouth into an opening in the whistle. This avoids the potential for failure of a power source if battery or other power means were used to sound the whistle. The whistle also serves as a decorative cover for a multi-implement tool and does not depend on any structure of the tool to complete the whistle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Alexander Presniakov, George M. Davison, III
  • Patent number: 6619226
    Abstract: The seasoning applicator applies seasoning onto snack food products such as potato chips, corn chips, tortilla chips, and the like in a two-dimensional seasoning pattern. A two compartment sifting assembly has a first top layer having a screen where seasoning is initially deposited. Upon vibration, the seasoning is passed through the top layer screen into a lower compartment. Therein, the seasoning is further distributed across the surface of the lower layer screen, which generally has a screen with smaller openings than the top layer screen. This promotes the even distribution of seasoning through the lower screen. Thereby, a two-dimensional seasoning pattern is created for depositing on a moving bed of snack food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert James Rooke
  • Patent number: 6619227
    Abstract: A milking equipment wash monitoring system and method that determine whether a wash cycle, in which washing occurs with a wash solution temperature above a set point for a preset wash duration, occurs within a wash-required timeframe. An indicator is provided to indicate whether the wash cycle has occurred within the wash-required timeframe. The system and method provide a mechanism by which adequate cleansing of milking equipment can be achieved on a regular basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Danaher Controls
    Inventors: Dennis Berger, John F. Grau, Dominick A. Caracas
  • Patent number: 6619228
    Abstract: A device for automatically supplying a predetermined amount of at least one sort of feed to an animal in a period having a predetermined length. The device is provided with a feeding parlour, with an animal identification system for identifying an animal present at the feeding parlour, and with a computer for controlling the device for automatically supplying the at least one sort of feed to the feeding parlour. The computer is suitable for determining the sub-period between the last supply of feed to an animal and the momentary point of time when the animal is identified by the animal identification system at the feeding parlour. The computer controls the device in such a way that, during the momentary visit of the animal to the feeding parlour, there is supplied to the animal a feed balance, the size of the feed balance depending on the determined sub-period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Lely Enterprises AG
    Inventors: Lucien Eliza Niels Voogd, Karel van den Berg
  • Patent number: 6619229
    Abstract: A squirrel teasing hanger assembly for a bird feeder emits sounds or illuminates lights when a squirrel or large bird alights on the bird feeder attached a lower support of the hanger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Raymon W. Lush
  • Patent number: 6619230
    Abstract: An integrated scoop apparatus and method, in a container with a circumferential upper edge and a base, includes an integrated raised portion connected to the circumferential upper edge above the circumferential upper edge. An access port is provided in the integrated raised portion and conformed to accommodate a user's hand. In a further aspect of the invention, a support device is connected to the base of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Mark S. Kimbrough, Pearce R. Jones
  • Patent number: 6619231
    Abstract: A watering insert [18] for chick transport trays [1A, 1B] utilizes a plurality of watering nipples [17] connected to, and communicating with, a central water tank [27]. The insert utilizes a support surface [44] along the periphery [50] of the insert for supporting the insert in the open top of the tray at a height sufficient to allow chicks to activate the watering nipples. The water tank comprises an upper removable portion [28] and a lower portion [30] containing the nipples. A vented fill cap [21] allows convenient filling of the insert tank and provides a vacuum break when the nipples are activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Mark D. Darby, Marshall B. Cole
  • Patent number: 6619232
    Abstract: A livestock watering system, designed with the user in mind, is disclosed. The present invention is comprised of an insulated removable water reservoir whereby said reservoir provides easy access to all parts of the invention. This facilitates the ease of cleaning and maintenance. Moreover, this insulated design is heated by a heating element that heats the air below the removable reservoir, to prevent freezing. The reservoir automatically refills by the use of a water level control device and is easily drained by pulling a plug, through which a stainless steel eyebolt has been placed. The use of wing nuts and bolts allows for replacement or service of individual components of the invention without the need for tools. Most all parts are preferably made of plastic or stainless steel to prevent rust and corrosion. The main objective of this design is to promote the ease of use and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Hube Johnston, Mindy M. Cook
  • Patent number: 6619233
    Abstract: To make development of a discharged urine absorbent portion of a granulated-type discharged urine processing material for animals correctly so that before-use and after-use can be discriminated properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Peparlet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shotaro Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6619234
    Abstract: An absorbent compacted composition is disclosed. The absorbent compacted composition of the present invention consists essentially of clay, a finely divided cellulosic material, such as fir, and finely divided pine. The amount of finely divided cellulosic material and finely divided pine is enough to bind the composition into a compacted form without additional binders or water addition. Also, the amount of pine is sufficient to reduce the friction heat during compaction to no greater than about 200° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Sourek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6619235
    Abstract: A group of connecting homes, commercial and/or not-for-profit buildings that serve to enclose a self-sustaining wildlife habitat sanctuary, specifically targeting the natural environment of endangered species, where appropriate. The homes serve as an impenetrable cage wall, much like the walls of a mountain valley, preventing animals from entering or exiting the habitat, with the possible exception of migrating birds and fish. On one side of the homes there is a self-sustaining habitat and on the other side of the homes there is modern civilization. The walls of the homes facing the habitat may have shatterproof glass windows or a caged terrace, allowing inhabitants of the building to safely observe the enclosed habitat, and human access to the habitat may be restricted to observation through windows, observation from the caged terrace, or hikes through caged walking paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph L. Woytowitz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6619236
    Abstract: Provided is an elongated bird safety pedicure perch. The perch is a combination safety excerise perch and nail trimming device. The perch offers two safe smooth sides for the bird to stand on to protect the tender pads of the bird's feet from harsh abbrasive surfaces; along with smooth ridges and rounded radiuses to exercise the birds leg and feet muscles. The other two sides have the coarse texture, needed to keep the birds nails in a naturally healthy state of trim. A connection assembly, which acceptably includes a threaded rod, two fender washers and a nut, are used to mount the entire bird safety pedicure perch apparatus to a bird cage or similar structure. The perch is preferably made of a solid, abrasive material, such as concrete or resin with a gritty aggregate material embedded therein, so that the abrasive properties of the material preferably stay constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Just Selling, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Kimble Johnakin, III
  • Patent number: 6619237
    Abstract: A cat scratching apparatus includes a base and post and utilizes removable, cat scratching covers. A base anchor attaches to the base and supports the vertically extending post. A plug fits in a top of the post. A post cover wraps around sides of the post and has interfitting teeth and grooves for folding over the top of the post and covering the plug. A base cover folds over sides of the base and attaches to an underside of the base. The base cover also has a hole allowing the post to pass through. The covers are made of a cat-scratchable material, substantially cover the entire base and post, and are removed, discarded, and replaced at the end of their useful lives. The base and post are not discarded and are continually reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Nita J. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6619238
    Abstract: An animal leash system includes at least two ropes which can serve as leads. One of the ropes is relatively short and is used as a heeling lead. A plurality of rope clamps are adapted for friction fit about the ropes to facilitate binding of end portions of the rope allowing for various leash configurations. The clamps also facilitate coupling of the ropes to produce a double lead arrangement. A slip ring allows for use without a collar in one configuration of the leash system, while a clip secured to an end portion of the leash allows for attachment to a typical collar in another configuration. The proximal end of the leash may be formed into a handle to allow a user to hold the leash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony T. Amato
  • Patent number: 6619239
    Abstract: A weighted pet leash assembly including a housing for containing the leash in a retracted condition. The housing includes a handle which is integrally formed with a handle of a hand weight such as a dumbbell such that gripping the dumbbell handle places the finger of a user proximate the leash assembly trigger for selectively activating a stop mechanism to terminate travel of the leash through an opening in the leash housing. The weighted pet leash assembly can be used in combination with a conventional dumbbell or other hand weight such that each arm of the user is being exercised simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Paula K. Benson, Nick F. Benson
  • Patent number: 6619240
    Abstract: A novel and superior lariat and lariat rope body for calf and steer roping having a core of monofilaments in the center around which three or more strands of twisted monofilament yarns are wound tightly to form the rope. A novel method of making lariat rope bodies and apparatus used are also disclosed. The rope body has a core in at least about 68 percent of the length of the rope body beginning with the honda end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Equibrand Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Ormon Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6619241
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine and a method for operating the multi-stroke combustion engine is disclosed. The engine is provided with individual variably controlled inlet and outlet valves in each cylinder. Operation of the engine involves controlling the inlet and outlet valves so that the opening and closing of the valves are adapted to a second stroke mode that is different from a first stroke mode in which the engine is presently running. Fuel injected into the cylinders is controlled so that it is injected prior to an expansion stroke. The transition from the first stroke mode to the second stroke mode occurs independent of the operating condition of the engine throughout the entire operating range of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Rob Otterspeer, Jan Olof Carlsson
  • Patent number: 6619242
    Abstract: A combustion control apparatus for an engine having a variable valve timing mechanism capable of varying valve timings of an exhaust valve and an intake valve establishes a combustion mode to either of following three modes, a four-cycle compression ignition combustion mode at a low and medium load area, a two-cycle spark ignition combustion mode at a high load area, and a four-cycle spark ignition combustion mode at a high speed area. When the combustion mode is established to the compression ignition combustion mode, the apparatus establishes the valve timings of the exhaust and intake valves so as to form a negative overlap period in which both exhaust and intake valves concurrently close in the neighborhood of the exhaust top dead center (TDC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6619243
    Abstract: A rotary power device of the swinging piston type comprises a cylindrical rotor mounted between internal and external portions of a stator. The internal portion of the stator provides intake and exhaust channels and may hold an igniter. The external portion of the stator includes a middle portion with an oval cam track. The rotor includes a multiplicity of sector-shaped compartments arranged at equal angular intervals around the inner stator. Each compartment is open at the periphery of the rotor and has an inner opening to the central bore in alignment with ports in the central internal stator. A sector-shaped piston is mounted in each compartment for pivotal motion about a pivot axis at one vertex of the compartment. Each piston includes a roller follower for engaging the oval-shaped cam track as the rotor rotates, which causes angular reciprocation of the pistons within the compartments while performing intake and exhaust cycles through inner openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Osama M. Al-Hawaj
  • Patent number: 6619244
    Abstract: This engine 1 relies on a flywheel having a flywheel axis and an undulating cam surface. A piston with a roller at its base is positioned in a cylinder such that the roller abuts the undulating cam surface at some radial distance from the flywheel axis. Thus, as the piston is pushed downward by an explosion in the cylinder, it pushes against the cam surface causing the flywheel to rotate. As the flywheel continues to rotate its undulating surface pushes the piston back into position for a repetition of the cycle. More complex embodiments include one in which undulating surfaces are located on opposite faces of the same flywheel with separate pistons interacting with each face and one in which undulating surfaces are located on the facing surfaces of two separate flywheels with pistons positioned between the flywheels. In the latter embodiment, pistons can share the same cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick C. Ho
  • Patent number: 6619245
    Abstract: A failsafe control system for a valve electromagnetically driven for opening and closing an intake port or exhaust port of an internal combustion engine is provided. The valve is of the type which is held in a neural position, i.e., in a partly open position when an electromagnetic actuator is not energized. When the valve fails in opening, the supply current is increased than that at normal times to drive the valve to close, whereby to prevent misfire, backfire and a bad influence to intake conditions of other cylinders and thereby attain an elongated service life of engine parts. A failsafe control method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Fujiwara, Hatsuo Nagaishi
  • Patent number: 6619246
    Abstract: A device for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine or gas generator comprises an armature which is operatively connected to the valve stem of a valve member and which is disposed in a chamber between opposed pole faces of a valve closing electromagnet and a valve opening electromagnet. A gas pressure source is connected by a supply line to the chamber. When the electromagnet is energized, it is effective to act on the armature to move the valve member to the closed position. The arrangement is such that reduction of the electromagnetic force exerted on the armature by the electromagnet is effective to enable the gas pressure from the source to move the valve member to the open position. This opening movement of the valve member may be assisted by energizing the opening electromagnet. Movement of the valve member from the open to the closed position may be assisted by a return spring. The valve actuator minimizes the electric power consumption for the electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Keith Gordon Hall
  • Patent number: 6619247
    Abstract: First and second valve-operating characteristic changing mechanisms for changing the valve lift and the valve timing of an intake valve respectively are provided on an intake side of an engine. A hydraulic pressure control valve for the first valve-operating characteristic changing mechanism is mounted on one side of a cylinder head, and an oil filter for the second valve-operating characteristic changing mechanism is mounted on the other side of the cylinder head. The hydraulic pressure control valve and the oil filter are mounted outside a chain cover covering a timing chain. Therefore, the control valve and the oil filter do not interfere with the timing chain, and the maintenance of the control valve and the oil filter is carried out without removal of the chain cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6619248
    Abstract: A device (1) for hydraulic rotational angle adjustment of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine including a drive unit (4) connected with the crankshaft and an output unit (5) non-rotatably connected with the camshaft. The drive unit (4) stands in power transmitting connection with the output unit (5) through at least two pressure chambers (6, 7) formed inside the device (1) which bring about, under action by pressure under continuous compensation for external pressure leakages, a relative rotation or a hydraulic clamping of the output unit (5) in relation to the drive unit (4). In addition, the device (1) has a coil spring (8) arranged outside the device which is provided for adaptation of its adjustment speeds in both adjustment directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Thomas Bertelshofer, Gerd Wiessner, Jurgen Schwab, Thomas Kleiber
  • Patent number: 6619249
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which comprises a first hydraulic operating mechanism and a second hydraulic operating mechanism, the first hydraulic operating mechanism and the second hydraulic operating mechanism being operated independently by oil pressure of a common oil press source, and a circulation line that supplies pressure oil discharged from the first hydraulic operating mechanism to the second hydraulic operating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Sakuragi, Masaki Toriumi, Kazuto Tomogane, Shigeki Shindou
  • Patent number: 6619250
    Abstract: A desmodromic valve actuation system for opening and closing at least one valve of an engine having a cam assemblage and a driving mechanism for reciprocal movement operably connected to said cam assemblage. The cam assemblage includes a cam mechanism for rotational movement and the driving mechanism also being operably connected to the at least one valve of the engine to move the at least one valve between a valve closed position and a valve open position and between the open position and the closed position in a manner directly related to the rotational movement of the cam mechanism. In addition, a mechanism is provided for adjustably controlling the movement of the at least one valve in order to provide a variable amount of opening of the at least one valve in the open position. The opening and closing of the at least one valve takes place without the intervention of a spring action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Frank A. Folino
  • Patent number: 6619251
    Abstract: A tappet is used in a valve-operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine. The tappet has a top wall and the upper surface of the top wall is engaged with a cam. The lower surface is engaged on a poppet valve which moves up and down. A downward projection which has a recess for storing lubricating oil is formed in the middle of the lower surface of the top wall of the tappet, thereby lubricating interfaces with the cam or valve to improve frictional or wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Oozx Inc.
    Inventors: Haruki Kobayashi, Junichi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6619252
    Abstract: What is proposed is a switchable tappet (1) for the direct transmission of a cam lift to a tappet push rod. The tappet (1) comprises a hydraulic clearance compensation element (31) and has an excellent hydraulic rigidity compared to the prior art. This is achieved by a leak gap positioned radially very far outwards. This leak gap is situated directly between a housing (2) and a pressure piston (4) which, in its turn, encloses an inner element (11) that acts on a tappet push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Michael Haas, Henning Karbstein, Martin Rauch, Dieter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6619253
    Abstract: In a case member mounting structure for mounting a chain case to an engine body, the chain case is fastened to the engine body by a number of bolts applied along the outer edges thereof and by bolts applied to portions in a central region thereof. The chain case has a plurality of central fastening boss portions in a central region of the inner wall surface, and bolt fastening holes are formed in the respective central fastening boss portions. An annular connection wall is formed in a projecting fashion to connect the central fastening boss portions such that the chain case is affixed to the engine body by putting the connection wall and the central fastening boss portions in abutment with the engine body. As a result, it is possible to fasten the chain case with fewer fastening bolts, enhance the rigidity of the central region of the chain case and prevent its vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiki Kobayashi, Keiko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6619254
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine operated with a self-ignitable fuel, with an approximately homogeneous fuel-air mixture being produced in the combustion chamber in the self-ignition ranges (CI), a high compression ratio suitable for a self-ignition of the fuel being provided and the combustion occurring in the self-ignition ranges (CI) predominantly by self-ignition. In order to control the start of combustion in the self-ignition range (CI) in the easiest possible way it is provided that in the self-ignition range (CI) the pressure and/or temperature of the homogeneous fuel-air mixture are set in such a way, preferably depending on the charge composition and/or charge temperature, that the self-ignition would be achieved only after the actually desired start of combustion in the zone of the upper dead center and the combustion of the homogeneous fuel-air mixture is initiated locally in the self-ignition range (CI) by an external energy impulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Chmela, Janos Csato, Michael Glensvig
  • Patent number: 6619255
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine employs a split injection to create stratified air/fuel mixture charge. The stratified charge includes an ignitable air/fuel mixture portion around a spark plug within the surrounding lean air/fuel mixture and experiences a two-stage combustion. The first stage is combustion of the ignitable air/fuel mixture portion initiated by a spark produced by the spark plug, providing an additional increase of cylinder pressure. The second stage is auto-ignited combustion of the surrounding lean air/fuel mixture induced by such additional cylinder pressure increase. The system and method also employ generating a combustion event indicative (CEI) parameter related with combustion speed or ignition timing point of auto-ignition of auto-ignited combustion of the surrounding mixture, and determining control parameters of a spark timing controller and a fuel supply controller in response to the CEI parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Urushihara, Koudai Yoshizawa, Tsuyoshi Taniyama, Koichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6619256
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston engine comprising an engine block that contains several cylinders. The inventive piston engine also comprises a fresh-gas supply device that is provided with several supply pipes (1) which are arranged on the cylinders and are fixed to the engine block. Said piston engine further comprises a fuel injection system that is provided with a high-pressure supply line (5) which is allocated to the cylinders. The aim of the invention is to fix the supply pipes (1) and the high-pressure supply line (5) to the engine block in a simpler manner. Holding-down clamps (7) for the supply pipes (1) are configured on the high-pressure supply line (5) in such a way that the high-pressure supply line (5) fixes the supply pipes (1) to the engine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mahle Filtersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Ivano Morgillo, Jürgen Müller, Jochen Roos, Martin Rosenbecker, Günter Kachler, Hans Gebert, Hans-Peter Drespling, Jürgen Stehlig
  • Patent number: 6619257
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing and evaluating the rotation of the auxiliary drive of a utility vehicle is provided. The utility vehicle includes a main drive engine, a gearbox for the propulsion drive and at least one auxiliary drive to which an implement can be selectively connected. The power output of the main drive engine is branched to a first part to a propulsion drive and to a second part to the auxiliary drives. A rotation speed sensor senses rotation speed of the auxiliary drive and provides a speed signal to a control unit. The control unit determines the magnitude or amplitude of the second harmonic of the speed signal and transmits corresponding control signals when a predetermined threshold value is exceeded and/or is not reached. When the control unit determines that the second harmonic of the sensor signals exceeds the threshold value, it permits an increased power output of the main drive engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Nicolai Tarasinski
  • Patent number: 6619258
    Abstract: A system (10) for controllably disabling cylinders in an internal combustion engine (12) includes a throttle (18) controlling air flow to an intake manifold (14), a number of cylinder deactivation devices (1001-100K) and an engine controller (28) controlling fueling (90), ignition timing (94) and throttle position (86). The controller (28) is operable to activate only the minimum number of cylinders required to achieve a desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value, open the throttle (18) to a computed throttle position, control ignition timing sufficiently to drive the current value of the engine/vehicle operating parameter to the desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value, and to then control the flow area of the throttle (18) while also controlling ignition timing to maintain the current value of the engine/vehicle operating parameter near the desired engine/vehicle operating parameter value. The engine/vehicle operating parameter may be engine output torque, engine speed or vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Lee McKay, Gary Arthur Nichols