Patents Issued in October 21, 2003
  • Patent number: 6634134
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated movement of a fishing rod. A preferred embodiment comprises a quick-release receptacle for a fishing rod, a drive mechanism, means for connecting the receptacle to the drive mechanism, a programmable controller, an input/output device and a mounting bracket. Preferred methods support a wide range of fishing rod movements, including erratic movements that increase fishing success. Operational modes include fishing (both trolling and jigging), setting a hook and playing a fish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas P. Nyquist
  • Patent number: 6634135
    Abstract: The invention provides a soft bodied bifurcated frog-like lure. The lure is created by spreading the individual hooks of a double hook apart and threading soft bodied plastic baits over the points of the hooks and onto the shanks of the hooks. When the hooks are allowed to spring back together the parts of the soft bodied plastic baits that are threaded on the hook shanks are compressed between the shanks of the two hooks and locked in place. The baits can be replaced by reversing the procedure to remove the old baits and then threading the new baits onto the shanks of the hooks. The addition of weed guards to the hooks adds to the frog-like shape of the lure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Theodore Rydell
  • Patent number: 6634136
    Abstract: The invention described relates to a downrigger line clamp mechanism used in downrigger fishing and includes an adjustable clamping force for adjusting the overall release tension of a fishing line. The pre-stressed line clamp mechanism includes a pair of pivotally engaged, elongate arms which, when assembled, are resiliently flexed such that one portion of the arms, the proximal grip portions, are outward bowed, the tips of the proximal grip portions pinching together, thereby biassing another portion of the arms, the jaws, towards a closed clamp position. The line clamp mechanism uses an adjustable compression-force biassing device movably mounted between the tips of the proximal grip portions of the arms. The biassing device may include spacers of different spacing dimensions, each spacer being positionable into an active position between the tips of the proximal grip portions of the arms by moving the biassing device relative to the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Scott Plastics Ltd.
    Inventors: John Barrett, Siegfried Bulling, Kevin Anthony Davis Scott
  • Patent number: 6634137
    Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base portion and skirt portion. The sleeve may have an upper protective sleeve portion which can surround a plant disposed in a pot and which can be detached once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed thereby allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base portion. The sleeve has a plurality of folds comprising expansion for allowing portions of the base portion to expand, and portions of the skirt portion to extend angularly, when a pot is disposed within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6634138
    Abstract: A decorative fountain comprising a support member that can be disposed on a floor or a wall is disclosed. The decorative fountain is comprised of a decorative element which may be disposed on the support member and at least one reservoir. A liquid can flow from an upper position on the decorative element, down the front of the decorative element, where it is received by the reservoir. Optionally, a liquid pumping device coupled to the reservoir may pump the liquid to the upper position on the decorative element. The decorative fountain further comprises flowers in a growing medium, with a sunlight substitute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Jed Katzman
  • Patent number: 6634139
    Abstract: A dock light warning system includes an exterior unit adapted to be mounted adjacent a loading dock door. The exterior unit is provided with a red light assembly for providing a narrow beam of red light focused on a driver's side exterior rearview mirror when the loading dock door is in the open position to warn a driver against moving the truck. A corresponding interior unit is provided with a red light assembly and a green light assembly to indicate the condition of the red light assembly and the green light assembly of the exterior unit. A photocell assembly is provided for sensing the position of the overhead door to control the switching of the red light assembly to the green light assembly and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Donald Metz
  • Patent number: 6634140
    Abstract: An automatic door opener (10) for opening or closing a door (28) includes a motor (14) driving a drive shaft (50) and an opener arm (18) connected to the door (28) and being responsive to rotation of the drive shaft (50) for moving the door (28) to an open or closed position. A clutch (46) operable to disengage the drive shaft (50) from the opener arm (18) is provided in the event of the door (28) engaging an obstacle, electric power being unavailable, or the door being fully open or fully closed. The door opener (10) may also include a brake (48) for selectively preventing movement of the door (28). Various embodiments of the invention are provided, including an electromagnetic clutch (80) and an electromagnetic brake (114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Power Access Corporation
    Inventor: Nils D. Sellman
  • Patent number: 6634141
    Abstract: An operator for controlling the movement of a window sash relative to a frame with a raised surface along a frame sill thereof, wherein the operator includes a base having a first support surface, an aperture and a bottom exterior surface with a slot therein, the base attached to the frame with the raised surface fitting substantially within the slot. Also a method for manufacturing the operator includes the steps of passing the worm shaft through the hole with the worm shoulder engaging the internal shoulder and the worm disposed against the first support surface, fitting the arm to the central post, the arm in drivable engagement with the worm, placing the base and the cover together with the worm disposed between the first and second support surfaces and the central post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Truth Hardware
    Inventors: Todd A. Anderson, Douglas G. Johnson, James G. Seaser, Daniel G. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6634142
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a simple and compact mount for attaching a power or manual window drive mechanism within a door module. The drive mechanism can be removed from a door panel without having to remove the driven mechanism that lowers and raises the window. The drive mechanism is positioned on one side of the panel and the driven mechanism is positioned on an opposite side of the panel from the drive mechanism. A retaining assembly retains the driven and drive mechanisms to the panel such that the drive mechanism can be selectively detached from the panel without detaching the driven mechanism from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems-France
    Inventors: Simon Dobson, Arnd Herwig
  • Patent number: 6634143
    Abstract: Disclosed is an independently compartmental ash laying structure, comprising a plurality of ash laying rooms therewithin, which are individually divided and arranged in the form of cells to be collectively controlled, wherein each ash laying room has a door for controlling entrance and exit and a space for performing a ceremony in relation to a memorial service as well as storing ashes or articles left by the dead according to individuals, families, or specific groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Gwang-Jln Yoo
  • Patent number: 6634144
    Abstract: A waterproof system for draining water away from a building located in ground having a surface above which a portion of the building extends. The building has a footer and at least one wall extending vertically from the footer. The system includes a first drain member located in a first trench provided in the ground outside the building. A membrane including a first portion and a second portion is provided. The first portion forms a liner which lines the first trench to form a trough for capturing water. The second portion is affixed to an outer surface of the wall along at least a portion of a height of said wall and extending toward the footer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Everdry Marketing & Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Moore, Nick DiCello
  • Patent number: 6634145
    Abstract: A modular stone stair system using a plurality of modules in the form of stringers, risers, treads and landings in standardized thicknesses and widths. The risers, landings (if any) and treads have different widths dependent upon the width of the stairs desired, with the treads and landing (if any) being of the full width of the stair, and the risers being a modular width such that each tread or landing is underlain by a plurality of risers. Each level of the stair has a plurality of stringers, abutting the back of the tread and riser and running to the back of the stair. The stringers vary in depth depending upon how many steps are to be present, such that each level, except the bottom, overlaps the tread and riser of the next lower level by a fixed amount. The system can easily be assembled by two people, using a shovel, a level, and a ruler, giving the homeowner or contractor the option of choosing threshold heights, widths, and landings with varying depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Ormsby Dolph
  • Patent number: 6634146
    Abstract: A system and method for installing a construction component, such as a window unit, in proper position within a construction component opening, such as a framed opening, of a structure or building. The system employs a position securing means attached to the periphery of the construction component. The position securing means may be a strap of flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid material or combination thereof, or a self-locking device. The position securing means is adapted for attachment to a construction component opening when the construction component is in proper position. In the method of the invention, a construction component carrying a position securing means is placed in proper position within a construction component opening. Once in proper position, the position securing means is attached to the construction component opening, securing the component in proper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Martin G. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6634147
    Abstract: In order to install or tension a brace (1) having a false bearing, for example a stay cable for a cable-stayed bridge, an external tensioning member or similar comprising a bundle of plastic-sheathed individual elements (2) made of steel, for example, wires, strands of wires or similar, the individual elements (2) are exposed in the area of the anchoring in order that they may be anchored at this point in holes (6) in an anchoring plate (7) which is supported by the building structure (9) by means of wedges (5). In order to ensure that when the strand is anchored the remaining plastic jacket (4) ends as close as possible to the anchoring plate (7), it is suggested that the plastic jacket be prevented from making any longitudinal movement during the extension of each individual element (2) which occurs during tensioning by a stop in the form of an annular shoulder (6d) which surrounds the element (2) in the anchoring area, and thereby compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Walter Bau-Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oswald Nützel
  • Patent number: 6634148
    Abstract: An improved method of forming an insulated poured concrete wall, a system for forming an insulated poured concrete wall, and an insulated poured concrete wall are provided. The system includes spaced-apart wall forms defining a cavity, a plurality of insulating panels adjacent at least one of the opposing wall surfaces, and a plurality of the elongate retaining strips between adjacent insulating panels, wherein each of the elongate retaining strips includes a portion that projects into the cavity and/or each of the elongate retaining strips has at least one notch through which a wall tie passes. The system allows building materials such as drywall, siding, paneling, and the like, as well as heavier objects, such as cabinets to be more stably and durably secured to an insulated poured concrete wall, and facilitates construction of an insulated concrete wall using fewer components and less labor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Edward C. Shidler
  • Patent number: 6634149
    Abstract: Construction and remodeling of a cleanroom wall system is facilitated with a universal stud design. A variety of wall configurations may be assembled with the same stud. Also provided is a useful connector block for joining perpendicularly oriented studs, or for splicing together axially aligned studs. A corner stud is also provided, as well as a deflection track for connecting the top track of a wall panel to a conventional ceiling grid to allow deflection of the grid relative to the wall and to facilitate easy access to the portion of the ceiling immediately above the wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis O. Cates, Roger K. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6634150
    Abstract: A foundation for a manufactured home generally comprises a ground pan and a lateral brace assembly. Manufactured home has first and second elongate support beams with first beam supported by upright pier and second beam having a lateral flange having a free end. Ground pan, for disposition beneath pier includes a cleat for insertion in ground for preventing horizontal movement of pan. Lateral brace assembly includes an elongate, rigid, and adjustable-length lateral brace, having a bottom end pivotably supported by ground pan and a top end pivotably attached to a beam connector attached to second beam. Beam connector includes: a bracket including a traversing portion, traversing flange and a slot adapted for receiving flange; and a vertical retaining means for bearing on beam opposite slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: James Oliver, Evon L. Oliver
  • Patent number: 6634151
    Abstract: Support apparatus for supporting one or more objects from a concrete structure includes an insert for embedment in the concrete structure and a hanger rod connected to, extending downwardly from and supported by the insert. The hanger rod includes an end that extends over a top member of the insert and the insert and hanger rod include structure cooperating to maintain the hanger rod at a desired location relative to the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Steven A. Roth
  • Patent number: 6634152
    Abstract: Two embodiments of a collapsible metal roof truss are disclosed. Both embodiments are made up jackknife foldable left and right heel sections, a jackknife foldable peak section and a center bottom chord. In the flat ceiling embodiment the center bottom chord can be solid. In the second cathedral ceiling embodiment the center bottom chord is split into two pivotally interconnected sections and a vertical web leg is added. The truss can be assembled in a variety of shapes and sizes and configurations and is easily collapsed after partial prefabrication for convenient shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: David Pilkinton
  • Patent number: 6634153
    Abstract: A truss for use in building construction having a center portion adapted to “go plastic” during a seismic event, and two outer portions at opposite ends, which remain inelastic during such event. The center portion features spaced opposed upper and lower C-channels connected to interposed spaced gussets, which gussets are connected by both vertical angle members and crossed bars. The crossed bars are also connected at their midpoints to a connection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: JD2, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6634154
    Abstract: A post is formed from a pair of molded elongate half members having an interior surface. The pair of the elongate members are connectable to each other to form a column structure having a hollow interior. At least one support member is integrally molded to each half member and extending into the hollow interior so that a support member from one half member is disposed between two adjacent support members from the other half member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Atlas Post and Column
    Inventor: Joseph Palencar
  • Patent number: 6634155
    Abstract: A construction beam includes a pair of lateral members and a resilient web extending therebetween, so as to present a cross-sectional profile corresponding to commonly used construction beams (e.g., 2″×4″ or 2″×6″). The resilience of the web helps to attenuate sound transmission through the beam from one lateral member to the other. In particular, in a wall frame, the lateral members are mounted at opposite ends thereof to end plates consisting of other construction beams according to the present invention. When the wall frame is used in a building structure, the lateral members of the end plates on the same side are attached to the surrounding structure, leaving the other side of the frame resiliently free floating. A wall is mounted on the free floating side of the wall frame so as to provide a resiliently free floating wall that acts as a sound attenuating absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark H. Smith
  • Patent number: 6634156
    Abstract: A package and method of packaging dangerous goods for transport, and in particular infectious substances, is disclosed. The package includes an outer collapsible container, an inner collapsible container, and means for suspending the inner collapsible container within the outer collapsible container. In a preferred embodiment, the outer collapsible container may be made of fiberboard and dimensioned for receipt and retention of the inner collapsible container, which may also be made of fiberboard. The inner container receives and maintains primary receptacles containing an infectious substance. If desired, the inner container may also receive and maintain a secondary container that receives the primary receptacles. The suspension means may comprise flap panels formed integrally with the outer container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Arthur G. Rutledge
  • Patent number: 6634157
    Abstract: A head space inerting system is used in a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing packages. The inerting system directly introduces an inerting gas into the head space of the formed package subsequent to filling and prior to sealing. The inerting system includes an inerting gas source, an inerting gas heater to heat the inerting gas and an inerting gas nozzle. The inerting gas nozzle is disposed within the form, fill and seal packaging machine to introduce the inerting gas directly into the head space of the packages. The nozzle is further disposed between the top heating station and the sealing station. A method for inerting an atmosphere in the package head space is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, SA
    Inventors: Paul Anderson, Ronald Swank
  • Patent number: 6634158
    Abstract: A machine for forming reclosable packaging includes a removable forming neck which can be replaced with different forming necks of various diameters. The machine has a mechanism (40) for attaching closure strips (P) onto a film that have lengths up to half the circumference of the smallest forming neck (10), and a mechanism (60)″ that makes the transverse welds (61, 62) along a length equal to at least equal half the circumference of the largest forming neck (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Flexico-France
    Inventor: Henri Georges Bois
  • Patent number: 6634159
    Abstract: Electronic computers are brought to a position for a pickup by the movement of a X-Y table, then picked up by suction and held by a holding tool, and transported by the rotation of a rotating table. Then, after the completion of a posture-recognition procedure by a sensing device, the electronic components held by the holding tool are stored one by one in storage compartments within a tape while position of the holding tool with respect to the tape being adjusted by the movement of the X-Y table based on the result of the position recognition. Thus, the electronic components are securely stored in the tape without sacrificing the efficiency of production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Muto, Ryuichi Komatsu, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Akio Watanabe, Yasuhiro Oribe
  • Patent number: 6634160
    Abstract: A weighted training surcingle device comprising a belt simulating the spatial area of a person's legs and buttocks. Each half of the belt has a plurality of pouches providing means for holding weight adjacent the rib cage of a horse simulating weight distribution of a person. Rings interspaced between the pouches are supplied for attaching at least one line to the belt for the training of a horse. A pad distributes weight away from a spinal area of a horse when the belt is placed upon a horse. A centrally located pouch spanning the midpoint of the belt is provided for holding weight adjacent the spine of the horse simulating body weight of a person. A line is attached between one of the different rings of the belt and a guiding ring of a bridle to restrict movement of the horse's head within the bridle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Krista K. Brauckmann-Towns
  • Patent number: 6634161
    Abstract: A blade for a rotary cutting machine includes at least one polygonal shaped opening longitudinally spaced from a central portion of the blade. The polygonal shaped opening is adapted to receive a drive head of a conventional socket wrench, a standard Allen wrench, a Torx head type wrench or other similar tool. The polygonal shaped opening enables a user to generate sufficient torque to prevent the blade from being undesirably rotated while the blade is drivingly connected or disconnected from a driveshaft of the rotary cutting machine. In this fashion, the blade may be changed efficiently and effectively using standard tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Charles G. Williams
  • Patent number: 6634162
    Abstract: The simultaneous processing of multiple rows of plants, especially trellised rows. Apparatus is provided to process two adjacent rows, using a conventional tractor with narrow gauge front wheels, with rear wheels on opposite sides of the two rows with a larger gauge. The spacing apart of the rear wheels is adjustable. The two processing apparati can be used simultaneously or selectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Matt Andros
  • Patent number: 6634163
    Abstract: A device for picking up scattered leaves on a lawn by piercing them with an array of sharp tines extending from a support plate that is held by an extended handle so the user can press the tines into leaves from a standing position. A resiliently mounted discharge plate is carried below the support plates (upper and lower) with the tines extending through respective orifices in the discharge plate. A lever associated with the handle may be actuated to move the discharge plate downwardly and remove leaves from the tines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Michael J. Kill
  • Patent number: 6634164
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing stranded cables from strand elements with alternating twist directions (SZ stranding). One or more storage disks can be disposed between a guide that receives the strand elements and a stranding disk. The stranding disk and the storage disks can be driven in alternating directions. At least one torsion element drives the storage disks with a respective rotation speed that decreases with increasing distance between the storage disks and the stranding disk. The torsion element can be driven at several locations with a different rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: KMS Kabelmaschinen und Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Moser, Günther Kirchknopf, Josef Stiller
  • Patent number: 6634165
    Abstract: A water-injection control system is disclosed for a water supersaturation system installed in a gas turbine air intake system for augmenting gas turbine power output during operation at high ambient-air temperature, while maintaining the water content in the intake air within limits acceptable to the gas turbine as indicated by measured gas turbine operating parameters. The control system starts, stops, modulates, and limits water supplied to the supersaturating system based on the humidity or dew-point temperature of the ambient air, dry-bulb temperature of the ambient air, compressor inlet air flow, and gas turbine parameters indicating operation at or near maximum output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Leroy Omar Tomlinson, Richard Robert Trewin
  • Patent number: 6634166
    Abstract: In an in-cylinder injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine including a plurality of cylinders and a catalyst device disposed in an exhaust system of the engine, a fuel is injected to at least one selected cylinder selected from the plurality of cylinders to be operated, and subsequently the fuel is injected to all cylinders to be operated. At this time, a warm-up controlled variable for the at least one selected cylinder is smaller than the warm-up controlled variable used when all cylinders are operated. In the in-cylinder injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine, the all cylinder operation is started and the warm-up control is started for all cylinders to warm up the catalyst device disposed in the exhaust system of the engine preferably when a fuel injection pressure exceeds a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 6634167
    Abstract: An exhaust temperature raising apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust throttle valve that adjusts an amount of flow of an exhaust gas flowing in an exhaust passage, a valve control device for controlling the exhaust throttle valve to a substantially completely closed state at a time when an amount of an unburned fuel component contained in the exhaust gas is to be reduced, an engine air-fuel ratio control device for operating the internal combustion engine at a theoretical air-fuel ratio or a fuel-excess air-fuel ratio when the exhaust throttle valve is controlled to the substantially completely closed state by the valve control device, and a secondary air supply device for supplying a secondary air to an upstream portion of the exhaust passage when the exhaust throttle valve is controlled to the substantially completely closed state by the valve control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunsuke Toshioka, Shinya Hirota, Takamitsu Asanuma, Toshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6634168
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas purification system for removing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide from an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. This system includes an upstream catalyst containing at least one selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium and rhodium, and a downstream catalyst that is arranged downstream of the upstream catalyst. This downstream catalyst contains platinum in an amount greater than that of platinum of the upstream catalyst. In the system, a first oxygen excess ratio of an exhaust gas at an inlet of the upstream catalyst may be adjusted to at least 0.9, and a second oxygen excess ratio of an exhaust gas at an outlet of the upstream catalyst and at an inlet of the downstream catalyst may be adjusted to at least 0.1. Alternatively, a first air-fuel ratio of an exhaust gas at an inlet of the upstream catalyst may be adjusted to at least 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6634169
    Abstract: A catalyst system includes a three-way catalyst (TWC) mounted underfloor and an engine management system programmed to initiate an enrichment of the exhaust gases exiting the engine with at least one of CO and hydrocarbons and to add secondary air to the exhaust gases in the exhaust passage upstream of the TWC. This periodic enrichment and addition of secondary air causes catalytic oxidation of the at least one of CO and hydrocarbons over the TWC thereby raising the underfloor TWC temperature to at least 550° C., preferably higher, in order to reduce sulphur poisoning of the catalyst and maintain the desired catalytic activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Paul Joseph Andersen, Todd Howard Ballinger, David Scott Lafyatis, Raj Rao Rajaram, Andrew Peter Walker
  • Patent number: 6634170
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control system of an internal combustion engine is provided which controls the oxygen concentration of exhaust passing through the exhaust emission control device according to the flow rate of exhaust flowing through an exhaust passage when the exhaust emission control device is regenerated, so that the regeneration is completed within a short period of time while the filter is prevented from being damaged by melting during the regeneration. This improves the exhaust emission control performance and reliability of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Hiranuma, Kihoko Kaita, Shinichi Saito, Takeshi Hashizume, Junya Watanabe, Kenji Kawai, Toru Kawatani, Yoshinaka Takeda
  • Patent number: 6634171
    Abstract: An exhaust scavenging system for an internal combustion engine including exhaust passages extending from the engine and an exhaust outlet system. A collector extends from the bundled ends of the exhaust passages to the exhaust outlet system. A flow enhancement element extends into the collector from a central position among the bundled exhaust passage outlets. The flow enhancement element may be fixed, adjustable axially or modulated axially. When modulated, a controller controls the actuator based on engine parameters with a feedback loop either directly from the actuator or through further measurement of engine conditions. When adjustable, the flow enhancement element can range in position from a retracted position to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Gale C. Banks, III
  • Patent number: 6634172
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a load lifting device to move a load and hold the load steady is disclosed. In the conventional arts, a lifted or lowered suspended load had a tendency to move from its desired position, as hydraulic fluid in the lifting system cooled, e.g. a stick slip condition. The present invention monitors a fluid pressure in the lifting system and compensates the fluid pressure to accommodate any pressure drop due to fluid cooling. Thereby, the load can be effectively held steady at a desired position, and the stick slip condition can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Grove U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Stephen J. Schoonmaker, Jeffrey L. Addleman
  • Patent number: 6634173
    Abstract: A hydraulic rescue system comprises a fluid reservoir, a pump assembly having a plurality of pump modules, and a manifold assembly having a corresponding number of manifold modules. Each pump module includes an input port for drawing hydraulic fluid from the fluid reservoir and an output port for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to a hydraulic rescue tool. Each manifold module includes a fluid circuit that is adapted to fluidly connect the output port of one of the pump modules with a hydraulic rescue tool. A PTO adapter is connected to the pump assembly and is operably connectable to a PTO shaft of a vehicle transmission for operating the pump modules. In this manner, a number of different hydraulic rescue tools can be operated simultaneously with full pressure from the pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Linster, Frank Sclafani, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6634174
    Abstract: An exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas turbine in the exhaust gas system and a compressor in the intake system for producing compressed charge air. A compressor rotor is arranged in a compressor inlet channel. In order to achieve a greater range of utilization, an adjustable shutoff element is arranged in the compressor inlet channel, upstream from the compressor rotor, for variable adjustment of the effective cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Siegfried Sumser, Peter Fledersbacher, Friedrich Wirbeleit, Juergen Willand, Hans-Georg Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6634175
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor has homogenous air inflow by elimination of turbulence from the air, reducing combustion instability. A combustor 3 has, at its center, a pilot nozzle 8 and eight main nozzles 7 around the pilot nozzle 8. The air flows in around the individual nozzles 7 and 8 to the leading end of the combustor 3 so that it is used for combustion. An annular flow ring 20, having a semicirculat section, is disposed at the upstream end portion of a combustion cylinder 10, and a porous plate 50 and a surrounding rib 51 are disposed downstream of the flow ring 20. The air inflow is smoothly turned at first by the flow ring 20 and then straightened by the porous plate 50 so that the air flows without any disturbance around the individual nozzles 7 and 8 to the leading end, thereby reducing combustion instability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kawata, Shigemi Mandai, Yoshiaki Tsukuda, Eiji Akita, Hisato Arimura
  • Patent number: 6634176
    Abstract: In a turbine engine with an annular recuperator surrounding the turbine, exhaust gas is directed from the turbine to the recuperator by a generally curved exhaust dome. A vortex disrupter structure extends from the exhaust dome to a point distal of the turbine to evenly distribute the exhaust gas entering the recuperator and sustain diffusion of the exhaust gas to increase the expansion ratio across the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Capstone Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory C. Rouse, Octavio Solis, David Calta
  • Patent number: 6634177
    Abstract: An apparatus for the real-time monitoring and control of a wafer temperature in a semiconductor process chamber, such as a plasma assisted deposition chamber or etch chamber, is provided. The apparatus is constructed by a wafer platform, a heat exchanger for flowing a heat exchanging medium into the wafer platform, an optical sensor for sensing the temperature of a wafer positioned on the wafer platform, and a controller for receiving a signal from the optical sensor, comparing to a pre-stored value and sending a signal to the heat exchanger to increase or decrease a flow of the heat exchanging medium. In another embodiment, a plurality of thermoelectric cooling modules is utilized for enhancing the temperature control capability of the heat exchanger by embedding the modules in the wafer platform, such as an electrostatic chuck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-Tzu Lin, Jung-Huang Peng, Yu-Chih Huang, Chu-Song Shih
  • Patent number: 6634178
    Abstract: In a prior-art method to regulate the pressure inside a cryogenic tank containing cold gas when a main stream for a consumer is withdrawn, heated gas in the form of a heating gas secondary stream, which is regulated as a function of the tank pressure, is fed through the cryogenic tank via a pipe. In order to start on this basis and to provide a simple and safe operating method to regulate the main stream and the secondary stream while also providing a cost-efficient device for this purpose, it is proposed by the method according to the invention that the secondary stream and the main stream be fed to a pressure-control means equipped with a first adjustable throttle for the secondary stream and with a second adjustable throttle for the main stream, whereby the throttles are coupled to each other in such a way that they can be opened and closed in opposite directions as a function of the pressure in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Messer Griesheim GmbH
    Inventors: Friedel Michel, Heinz Koser, Rainer Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6634179
    Abstract: A wear-resistant surface is formed on a component formed of an AlSi alloy by using a thermal spraying or a laser beam treatment. A thermally conductive device is brought into a thermally conductive contact with the component so that the thermally conductive device touches the component during the step of forming the wear-resistant surface. The thermally conductive device is actively cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Rolf Heinemann, Klaus Färber, Thomas Heider
  • Patent number: 6634180
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, with a compressor, an outdoor fan, and a reversing valve all in the outdoor unit. A thermostat is added to the outdoor unit with one side of the thermostat connected to a high voltage line for either a compressor or a magnetic contactor and the other side connected to a high voltage line for either an outdoor fan or a reversing valve. A signal collection circuit in the indoor unit is connected to a high voltage line for the outdoor fan when the other side of the thermostat is connected to the outdoor fan and to a high voltage line for the reversing valve when the other side of the thermostat is connected to the reversing valve. The thermostat sends a signal to the electronic control board when the defrosting operation should be terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Dong-Joon Yim
  • Patent number: 6634181
    Abstract: A cooling air supply apparatus includes: a blowing fan attached at a rear wall face of a freezing chamber and forcefully circulating air cooled while passing an evaporator of a freezing cycle; a supply passage formed at a barrier partitioning the freezing chamber and a cooling chamber and supplying cooling air ventilated from the blowing fan to the cooling chamber; a rear guide passage branched from the cooling air passage and guiding cooling air backwardly of the cooling chamber; a right guide passage branched from the cooling air supply passage and guiding cooling air rightwardly of the cooling chamber; and a left guide passage branched from the cooling air supply passage, having the same diameter as that of the right guide passage and guiding cooling air leftwardly of the cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Bae Kim, Young Seok Choi, Byung Gyu Kang
  • Patent number: 6634182
    Abstract: A highly efficient and compact ammonia refrigerator, whose safety is further improved, is obtained. The ammonia refrigerator uses ammonia as refrigerant and has an ammonia refrigerating cycle in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator are connected through piping. The refrigerator comprises a casing in which the compressor and a motor for driving the compressor are accommodated and the refrigerant flows, a stator winding of the motor made of an aluminum wire, and a brine cooled by the refrigerant which is compressed in the casing and then evaporated in the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Trustee for the benefit of Hitachi Air Conditioning Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Ichikawa, Makoto Ohtahara
  • Patent number: 6634183
    Abstract: In a chemical heat pump a substance is used which within the temperature range for which the heat pump is intended has a transition between a solid phase and a solution phase. The substance can for a solar driven chemical heat pump comprise magnesium chloride hexahdrate. In an accumulator part of the heat pump a heat exchanger (21) is provided enclosed by a net (23). The solid phase is primary located inside the net in contact with the heat exchanger while the solution phase flow out of the net and is collected in space (24′) below the heat exchanger. From this space the solution phase is pumped and sprayed over the heat exchanger from a spray bar (25). Thereby, all the time equilibrium is maintained. The advantage including the constant temperature step and the relatively large energy content of solid substance is thereby combined with the high power of liquid substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Solsam Sunergy AB
    Inventors: Staffan Jonsson, Ray Olsson, Mona Karebring-Olsson