Patents Issued in October 28, 2003
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Patent number: 6637187Abstract: A rotary inlet flow controller, with one or more open ducts extending therethrough, aerodynamically controls the amount and velocity of the flow of air to combustion chambers of pulse detonation engines, or other engines, without imposing large cyclic airflow transients in the diffuser of the air intake. The ducted rotary inlet flow controller supplies airflow and sealing in synchronization with the cycles of the engine: airflow and fueling supply, sealing, combustion, and re-opening for additional airflow. This controller will supply near-uniform, continuous airflow to the engine. The preferred controller has one or more propeller-like blades that are designed to cyclically and sequentially duct incoming flow to the inlet ports of the combustion chambers, while also providing the capability of sealing the ports during combustion.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: TechLand Research, Inc.Inventors: Bobby W. Sanders, Lois J. Weir
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Patent number: 6637188Abstract: A combustion chamber for a rocket engine expels a hot stream of gas and has a cooling device. The inner wall of the combustion chamber adjoins the cooling device and contains depressions formed in such a way that the stable outer layer of the stream of gas that forms in the proximity of the inner wall of the combustion chamber during operation of the combustion chamber is destabilized in the area of the depressions.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Astrium GmbHInventors: Peter Bichler, Hans Immich, Joachim Kretschmer, Günther Schmidt
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Patent number: 6637189Abstract: In a method for the periodic desulphurization of a nitrogen-oxide or sulphur-oxide accumulator of an exhaust-gas cleaning system of an internal-combustion engine, during respective desulphurization periods, the accumulator is fed secondary air by secondary-air supply means, and is fed an engine exhaust gas which contains a reducing agent by setting a rich engine air ratio. At least during part of the desulphurization period, after a predeterminable desulphurization temperature has been reached, the accumulator air ratio is set, by suitably alternating the secondary air quantity supplied and/or the engine air ratio, between an oxidizing or stoichiometric atmosphere, and a reducing atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Walter Boegner, Guenter Karl, Bernd Krutzsch, Stefan Renfftlen, Christof Schoen, Dirk Voigtlaender, Guenter Wenninger
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Patent number: 6637190Abstract: A process for desulfurizing at least one NOx storage catalytic converter, which is arranged in an exhaust pipe of an internal-combustion engine, includes setting a minimum desulfurization temperature at the NOx storage catalytic converter and an operating mode of the internal-combustion engine with lambda≦1, and at least temporarily influencing one operating parameter of the internal-combustion engine. Desulfurization is initiated as a function of a ratio of the NOx concentration upstream and downstream of the NOx storage catalytic converter as a function of an NOx mass incorporated in the NOx storage catalytic converter (degree of sulfurization) and as a function of at least one of a current temperature of the NOx storage catalytic converter and a current lambda value.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventor: Ekkehard Pott
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Patent number: 6637191Abstract: A method for diagnosing operational performance of a secondary air system used in an internal combustion engine. The engine produces exhaust gases. The exhaust gases pass through a catalytic converter. The engine includes an exhaust gas oxygen sensor. The secondary air system introduces air into the exhaust gas after engine start-up. The oxygen sensor produces a feedback control signal during a feedback mode for adjusting engine operating air-fuel ratio, such feedback mode being initiated at a first time. The method determines from the signal produced by the exhaust gas oxygen sensor a second time relative to the first time when the oxygen sensor signal indicates that a predetermined exhaust gas air fuel ratio is produced. The operational performance of the secondary air system is diagnosed as a function of the determined second time.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gregory Ziemba, Daniel V. Orzel
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Patent number: 6637192Abstract: When an increase in a temperature of an exhaust-gas purifying catalyst device in an in-cylinder injection type internal combustion engine is demanded, a temperature-increase control section in an electronic control unit accomplishes stratified combustion by causing each fuel injection valve to inject fuel directly into the associated combustion chamber in a compression stroke in such a way that the air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine is in a vicinity of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. This allows the temperature of the exhaust-gas purifying catalyst device to be maintained or increased without increasing fuel consumption.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeo Yamamoto, Kazuyoshi Nakane, Hiroaki Miyamoto, Dai Tanaka, Jun Takemura, Hiromitsu Ando
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Patent number: 6637193Abstract: A natural gas engine capable of exhaust emission control over the entire temperature range and at low costs without requiring a complicated structure. An adsorbent (7) is disposed between a fuel tank (4) and a fuel supply port (5) on a suction air passage (2), and NMOG in the fuel gas supplied to the fuel tank (4) is adsorbed by the adsorbent (7) to purify the fuel gas in advance. When the temperature of a catalyst (11) disposed on an exhaust passage (3) reaches an activation temperature, the adsorbent (7) is heated by a heater (9) to a desorption temperature to desorb NMOG from the adsorbent (7) and purify the NMOG by the catalyst (11).Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Oku, Hiroshi Ogasa, Mari Kohno
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Patent number: 6637194Abstract: An engine exhaust emission control arrangement has a catalytic converter including a three-way catalyst. A first oxygen sensor detects an oxygen concentration of exhaust gas upstream of the catalyst and a second oxygen sensor detects an oxygen concentration of exhaust gas downstream of the catalyst. A microprocessor calculates a specific period oxygen storage amount of a catalyst while the upstream oxygen concentration is higher than the stoichiometric concentration and the downstream oxygen concentration is in a predetermined concentration range which has a value approximately equal to the stoichiometric oxygen concentration. The microprocessor also calculates a specific period oxygen release amount of a catalyst while the upstream oxygen concentration is lower than the stoichiometric concentration and the downstream oxygen concentration produces an indication of a predetermined concentration range.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masatomo Kakuyama, Shigeaki Kakizaki, Osamu Matsuno
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Patent number: 6637195Abstract: An oxygen storage amount of a catalyst is estimated by a controller in accordance with a sensed air-fuel ratio of an inflowing exhaust gas mixture flowing into the catalyst, and a sensed intake air amount of the engine, to control the air-fuel ratio of the engine. The estimated oxygen storage amount is corrected to reduce an error in computing the estimated oxygen storage amount when a downstream exhaust condition sensed by an exhaust sensor disposed on the downstream of the catalyst becomes equal to a predetermined threshold, which is modified in accordance with the intake air amount for better emission control performance.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Sakai, Hajime Oguma
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Patent number: 6637196Abstract: A device and a method for deNOxing exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine includes taking into account an amount of gaseous reducing agent (ammonia) that escapes while the internal combustion engine is at a stand-still as a result of temperature influences in a calculation of the amount of reducing-agent solution (urea) that is to be metered when the internal combustion engine is operating. The gaseous reducing agent is passed to the reduction catalytic converter through a pressure-relief line that includes a pressure-control valve, and, in the method, the amount is recorded by a flowmeter.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Rainer Tost
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Patent number: 6637197Abstract: A method for selective rich/lean control of a combustion mixture using an electrochemical gas sensor. The method makes possible the operation of an NOx adsorption catalyst, which stores excess NOx present in the exhaust gas in a storage phase, the exhaustion of the storage capacity of the catalyst being expressed as an increase in the NOx concentration in the exhaust-gas stream after the catalytic converter, and which converts the stored NOx in a subsequent regeneration phase using a rich exhaust-gas mixture, the end of this reaction being able to be seen in a reduction in the lambda value of the exhaust-gas stream after the catalytic converter. The electrochemical gas sensor underlying the method for operating the NOx adsorption catalyst is operated such that the NOx and the oxygen concentrations in the exhaust-gas stream can be alternately determined using one and the same gas sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Roland Stahl
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Patent number: 6637198Abstract: In a method for operating an emission control system having nitrogen oxide storage, for cleaning up a nitrogen oxide-containing, sulfur-contaminated exhaust gas from combustion equipment, from time to time desulfating phases are performed for releasing sulfur intercalated in the nitrogen oxide storage. Two desulfating modes are provided, namely, a main desulfating mode for substantially completely desulfating the nitrogen oxide storage and a partial desulfating mode for partially desulfating same, a lower nitrogen oxide storage minimum temperature and a shorter desulfating target duration being predefined for the partial desulfating processes than for the main desulfating processes. The method may be used, for example, in emission control systems of predominantly lean-combustion operated Otto engines of motor vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Andreas Hertzberg
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Patent number: 6637199Abstract: A switching system is described herein for an engine having redundant control components. The switching system generally includes an actuator, a control system, inlet and outlet lines, and a transfer valve. The actuator is operable to control an engine parameter. The control system includes a first electrohydraulic servo valve and a second electrohydraulic servo valve, the first and second servo valves being fluidically connected to the actuator for operating the actuator. The inlet line supplies pressurized fluid and the outlet line drains fluid. The transfer valve is positioned between the first and second servo valves and the inlet and outlet lines. The system may further include additional control systems with redundant EHSVs. This invention minimizes size and space requirements, and allows nearly simultaneous transfer of all control systems, while minimizing the transient disturbance to the control system(s).Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Woodward Governor Co.Inventor: Mark Allen Spickard
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Patent number: 6637200Abstract: A hydraulic actuator that is capable of substantial actuation but does not require a conventional pump, uses only deflectable membranes and passive valves, or, at most, a minimum of active valves, and, under certain circumstances, may be free to move when the actuator is de-energized, is provided. The actuator utilizes the deflectable membranes to move fluid throughout the actuator. The movement of the fluid actuates a shaft or other suitable device, as required.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Smiths Industries Aerospace Actuation Systems, Inc.Inventors: Valentin Barba, Khoi T. Vu
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Patent number: 6637201Abstract: A throttle valve mechanism having a throttle function of throttling the flow of working fluid from a pressure delivering chamber to a reservoir at the operation time of the piston of a master cylinder, a valve function of allowing the working fluid to flow from the reservoir to the pressure delivering chamber by opening the valve at the return time of the piston, and a relief valve function of allowing a large quantity of working fluid to flow from the pressure delivering chamber to the reservoir is disposed in a fluid passage for connecting the master cylinder to the reservoir. The master cylinder can decrease the quantity of working fluid flowing to the reservoir at the time of operation start of the master cylinder, and can respond to the fluctuations in fluid pressure quickly when a traction control unit, an automobile stability control unit, etc. are released.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Bosch Braking Systems Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Hirayama, Kunihiro Chiba, Shusaku Chiba
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Patent number: 6637202Abstract: An aircraft control system includes a propeller governor in which a stepper motor is used to apply a compression force on a speeder spring, and a turbocharger in which a stepper motor is used to actuate a needle valve associated with a diaphragm cell. An electronic control unit may be used to control the stepper motor in the propeller governor and the stepper motor in the turbocharger. The integration of the propeller governor and the turbocharger into a single control system decreases the number of individual adjustments that must be performed manually by the pilot.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Bombardier-Rotax GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Thomas Koch, Heinz Lippitsch, Johann Bayerl, Manfred Moseneder, Gerald Mayr
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Patent number: 6637203Abstract: Method and arrangement for regulating the rotational speed of a crankshaft included in an internal combustion engine during a gear changing process of a gearbox connected to the internal combustion engine. The arrangement includes a compressor mounted in connection with the air inlet of the internal combustion engine. A transmission having a variable gear ratio is located between the crankshaft and a driving shaft arranged in connection with the compressor, and a control unit is arranged to control the gear ratio between the crankshaft and the compressor. When changing from a higher to lower gear, the control unit is arranged to control the gear ratio between crankshaft and compressor so that the gear ratio between these components is reduced, and wherein moment of inertia is transferred from compressor to crankshaft resulting in an acceleration of the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Volvo Lastagnar ABInventor: Sixten Berglund
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Patent number: 6637204Abstract: In a two-stage concept for supercharging of internal combustion engines, in which the first stage is performed by an exhaust-gas turbocharger and the second stage by an electrically driven compressor, the compressor is also used to provide the secondary air used for the heating of a catalytic converter. In this manner, the catalytic converter quickly reaches an efficient operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Dietmar Ellmer, Jörg Neugärtner
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Patent number: 6637205Abstract: Methods, devices, and/or systems for controlling intake to and/or exhaust from an internal combustion engine. An exemplary method for controlling intake charge pressure to an internal combustion engine includes determining one or more control parameters based at least partially on an intake charge target pressure; and outputting the one or more control parameters to control an electric motor operatively coupled to a compressor capable of boosting intake charge pressure and to control a variable geometry actuator capable of adjusting exhaust flow to a turbine.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Samir S. Ahmad, Steven Don Arnold, Gary D. Vrbas
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Patent number: 6637206Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a steam boiler/combuster and gasifier that uses a primary dirty fuel, such as waste materials, or high-polluting fossil fuels, and a secondary low-polluting fuel, such as biomass fuels for co-generation of electricity while reducing harmful emissions. The primary fuel is burned in the combuster to create steam in the steam boiler. The steam turns a steam turbine thereby powering a first generator. The dirty exhaust from the combuster is scrubbed by a gasifier. The secondary fuel and oxygen are added to the dirty exhaust in the gasifier creating gas and ash. The gas powers an engine that turns a second generator and releases a cleaner exhaust.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Inventor: Randall J. Thiessen
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Patent number: 6637207Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas-storage power plant, comprising a gas reservoir (8) in which a gas can be stored under pressure, a turbogroup (2) which has at least one turbine (3, 5), a gas-supply line (9) which leads from the gas reservoir (8) to the turbogroup (2), and a valve arrangement (12) which is arranged in the gas-supply line (9) and throttles a storage pressure (PS) applied on the inlet side to a working pressure (PA) by closed-loop and/or open-loop control. In order to improve the reliability of the valve arrangement (12), it has at least two control valves (13, 14) arranged in series. A leading first control valve (13) throttles the storage pressure (PS) applied on the inlet side to an intermediate pressure (PZ) by closed-loop or open-loop control. A subsequent second control valve (14) throttles the pressure (PZ) applied on the inlet side to the working pressure (PA) by closed-loop control.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) LtdInventors: Stephan Konezciny, Franz Suter
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Patent number: 6637208Abstract: A gas turbine engine including in-line intercooling wherein compressor intercooling is achieved without removing the compressor main flow airstream from the compressor flowpath is described. In an exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine suitable for use in connection with in-line intercooling includes a low pressure compressor, a high pressure compressor, and a combustor. The engine also includes a high pressure turbine, a low pressure turbine, and a power turbine. For intercooling, fins are located in an exterior surface of the compressor struts in the compressor flowpath between the outlet of the low pressure compressor and the inlet of the high pressure compressor. Coolant flowpaths are provided in the compressor struts, and such flowpaths are in flow communication with a heat exchanger. In operation, air flows through the low pressure compressor, and compressed air is supplied from the low pressure compressor to the high pressure compressor.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Michael W. Horner
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Patent number: 6637209Abstract: An engine core structure for a gas turbine engine includes an outer annular shaft body, a turbine rotor body, turbine rotor blades radially connected between the outer annular shaft body and the turbine rotor body to hold the turbine rotor body in the rear section of the outer annular shaft body, the outer annular shaft body including slots through which compressed air passes in a radially inward direction, and a can type combustor mounted in a receiving clamber inside the outer annular shaft body to enlarge the diameter of the core shaft, to avoid vibration due to resonance, to save space, to eliminate dissipation of heat, and to improve the thermal efficiency of the gas turbine engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chii-Rong Kuo, Ta-Wei Wang, Jia-Ruey Wu, Ling-Chia Weng, Tao-Pang Hsiung, Chia-Yang Chang
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Patent number: 6637210Abstract: An improved efficiency thermoelectric system operates the thermoelectric elements in the system in a non-steady state manner. The thermoelectric elements are powered for predefined periods of time to obtain increased efficiency. This benefit can be improved by also altering the resistance of the thermoelectric elements during the power-on period such that resistive heating is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: BSST LLCInventor: Lon E. Bell
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Patent number: 6637211Abstract: An oscillating-wave engine or refrigerator having a regenerator or a stack in which oscillating flow of a working gas occurs in a direction defined by an axis of a trunk of the engine or refrigerator, incorporates an improved heat exchanger. First and second connections branch from the trunk at locations along the axis in selected proximity to one end of the regenerator or stack, where the trunk extends in two directions from the locations of the connections. A circulating heat exchanger loop is connected to the first and second connections. At least one fluidic diode within the circulating heat exchanger loop produces a superimposed steady flow component and oscillating flow component of the working gas within the circulating heat exchanger loop. A local process fluid is in thermal contact with an outside portion of the circulating heat exchanger loop.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Gregory W. Swift, Scott N. Backhaus
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Patent number: 6637212Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for the delivery of a vapor phase product having a substantially constant impurity level from a liquefied source of said gas to an endpoint. The delivery method includes withdrawing a liquefied gas having a level of impurities from a storage container and delivering the liquefied gas to a vaporization unit where the liquefied gas and the impurities dissolved therein are completely vaporized. The vapor phase product is then delivered to an endpoint. This invention affords the delivery of gases with substantially constant impurity levels throughout the delivery of the liquefied gas. In addition, this invention affords the delivery of the liquefied gas at high vapor phase flow rates for long periods of time and allows substantially complete usage of the contents of the storage container.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Matheson Tri-GasInventors: Robert Torres, Jr., Joseph V. Vininski, Joseph Giagnacova, Belgin Yucelen
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Patent number: 6637213Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to thoroughly cool an extrudate by directing a cooling fluid toward a surface of the extrudate (e.g., an interior surface that defines a hollow portion of an extrudate). Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight, and/or processing time. A cooling fluid is diverted toward the surface of the extrudate so as to cool the material and assist in solidification. A baffle may serve to divert the cooling fluid in the desired direction. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. In addition, the more efficient cooling may be achieved with a lesser amount of the cooling fluid, and the velocity and temperature of the cooling fluid may be reduced. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Crane Plastics Company LLCInventors: Herbert L. Hutchison, Jeffrey R. Brandt
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Patent number: 6637214Abstract: A method and machine for making frozen custard or similar products includes a freezing barrel, a pump for providing liquid mix to the freezing barrel, a dasher positioned in the freezing barrel for driving product through and dispensing the product from the freezing barrel, and a refrigeration system for chilling the freezing barrel. A user interface allows an operator to select from among a plurality of production rates. A system controller automatically controls the pumping rate, dasher motor speed, and chilling level to produce a product in the freezing barrel at the desired production rate and having the desired product quality and consistency. An ultrasonic sensor may be employed to monitor a level of liquid mix in a liquid mix container. A warning signal may be provided to the operator when the level of mix in the container runs low.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: V & L Tool, Inc.Inventors: Daniel W. Leitzke, Patrick J. Martello
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Patent number: 6637215Abstract: A system and method of supplying temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses a bypass valve in a bypass line to control the amount of cooling air flowing through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger removes heat from a flow of compressed air supplied to the air conditioning unit and supplies cooled compressed air at a desired temperature. The temperature of the cooled compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the bypass valve, which regulates cooling air flow through the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
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Patent number: 6637216Abstract: A rotary compressor having a housing with a motor and an internal accumulator located on the low pressure side and an oil sump located on the high pressure side. A sealing means positioned within the housing defines a first chamber and a second chamber. The sealing means substantially maintains the pressure differential between the chambers by segregating high pressure fluid in the second chamber from low pressure fluid in the first chamber. The fluid entering the housing is separated into a gas portion and a liquid portion, the liquid portion being directed downward toward the motor to provide cooling for the motor while the gas portion is directed to a compressor portion. The liquid portion collects about the motor above the sealing means. An orifice or aperture through the sealing means allows liquid collected above the sealing means to be reintroduced into the compressor suction inlet and metered into the refrigerant gas in a controlled fashion and resupply the sump with lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.Inventor: John Kenneth Narney, II
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Patent number: 6637217Abstract: An ice maker of a refrigerator includes: an ice making vessel having a plurality of cavities; an ejector for separating ice formed in the cavity from the ice making vessel and discharging the ice to a storage container; a driving unit for driving the ejector; a heater disposed at a lower side of the ice making vessel and heating the ice making vessel; a temperature sensor disposed at one side of the ice making vessel and sensing a temperature of the ice making vessel; a full ice detecting unit for generating an electric signal when the storage container is full of ice; and a control unit for receiving the electric signal outputted from the full ice detecting unit and the temperature sensor so as to control an operation of the driving unit and the heater, and turning on/off an input power supply according to the electric signal outputted from the full ice detecting unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Il Sin Kim, Si Yun An
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Patent number: 6637218Abstract: The present invention provides a gas heat pump-type air conditioner that can reliably notify a user that the time for changing the engine oil of the gas engine that drives the compressor has arrived without stopping the operation of the gas engine. In a gas heat pump-type air conditioner that forms a cooling cycle by circulating refrigerant using a compressor having a gas engine as a drive source, when the cumulative hours of operation t of the gas engine reaches a second predetermined time T2 (S3), a warning display A is displayed while the operation of the gas engine continues, and thereby the user is notified that the time for changing the engine oil has arrived (S4), and at the same time, after the initial stop procedure is carried out subsequent to reaching the predetermined time T2 (S5), a warning display B is displayed (S6), and the warning restoration operation procedure (S7) is carried out.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Hideaki Kasahara
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Patent number: 6637219Abstract: A fluid collector of a cooling device, which collects fluid carried along by the coolant in a reservoir, is arranged upstream of the compressor. The return of the fluid coolant, which can also contain oil, into the section leading to the compressor takes place via an inlet conduit. A control device regulates the reintroduction of the fluid via a regulating valve in such a way, that the vapor conveyed to the compressor does not contain any large fluid particles.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Eaton Fluid Power GmbHInventors: Bert Leisenheimer, Holger Ullrich
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Patent number: 6637220Abstract: A routine of controlling the dilution cycle of an absorption chiller to determine when to initiate a dilution cycle, continue the cycle and terminate the cycle. The concentration of solution leaving the chiller's low temperature generator is calculated and the crystallization temperature of the solution is then determined. The crystallization temperature is compared to the ambient temperature and the result is used to determine whether to institute a dilution cycle, continue the cycle or terminate the cycle.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventor: Darren S. Sheehan
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Patent number: 6637221Abstract: A method of controlling the capacity of an absorption chiller by regulating the heat input to a generator in response to a selected one of two system variables. The first variable involves the measured chilled water temperature leaving the system evaporator and the second involves the calculated solution concentration that is being returned to the absorber. Data relating to each variable is sent to a selector where it is processed so that the data can be used to control the heat input to the generator. The temperature data is used to control the heat input during normal chiller operation, however, the selector changes over control to the concentrate related data when the solution concentration level approaches the solution crystallization limit.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Neil D. Jenkins, Richard A. Kolk
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Patent number: 6637222Abstract: A system for controlling the starting of an air conditioner includes a compressor controlled in a pulse width modulation according to a duty cycle control signal, an electronic expansion valve for expanding refrigerant compressed in the compressor, a high pressure conduit connecting the exit side of the compressor and the inlet side of the electronic expansion valve, a low pressure conduit connecting the exit side of the electronic expansion valve and the inlet side of the compressor, a bypass conduit connected at its first end to the high pressure conduit and at its second end to the low pressure conduit, and a flow rate regulating valve mounted on the bypass conduit for regulating a flow rate of fluid flowing through the bypass conduit. A control unit controls the compressor during the starting of the compressor in such a way that the electronic expansion valve is open, the flow rate regulating valve is open and a duty control signal shorter than a duty control signal during a normal operation is generated.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Joong-Ki Moon, Young-Man Kim, Jae-Myoung Moon, Jung-Min Lee, Jong-Youb Kim, Il-Yong Cho
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Patent number: 6637223Abstract: A control apparatus that promptly increases the displacement of a compressor after the compressor is started while liquefied refrigerant is lingering in an external circuit. The control apparatus includes a restricting passage. The restricting passage is located in a first pressure introduction passage, through which the pressure of the first pressure monitoring point flows to the control valve. The restricting passage decreases the pressure of refrigerant that flows through the passage. When the compressor is started while liquefied refrigerant is lingering in the external circuit and the pressure of the first pressure monitoring point is abruptly increased, the restricting passage reduces the increase of the pressure that is detected by the control valve. Therefore, the displacement of the compressor is promptly increased.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota JidoshokkiInventors: Masaki Ota, Kazuya Kimura, Yoshinobu Ishigaki, Kazuhiro Nomura, Tomoji Tarutani, Masahiro Kawaguchi
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Patent number: 6637224Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cooling a carbonated beverage stored in a container and dispensing non-foamed carbonated beverage. A method of cooling and delivering non-foamed beverage with the apparatus is also provided. The beverage is preferably beer. The apparatus comprises a housing that has a number of chambers. A chamber can optionally be provided for receiving a number of beer kegs. A pressurizing device is attached to a beer keg for maintaining the beer under pressure in the keg. A conduit is received in one of the chambers and communicates between the beer keg and a tap located on the exterior of the apparatus. A water and ice cooling mixture is circulated over the conduit in the same chamber for cooling the conduit. A perforated vessel surrounds the conduit to protect the conduit and the agitators from being damaged by ice particles. At least two agitators for circulating the cooling fluid over the conduit are located in chamber where the conduit is received.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: IceFloe Technologies Inc.Inventor: Sam Chiusolo
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Patent number: 6637225Abstract: In a concentrated cooling apparatus and a refrigerator having the same capable of performing cooling operation instantly by discharging intensively cold air to a high-temperature load occurred region inside a chilling chamber, a concentrated cooling apparatus of a refrigerator includes housings respectively installed to at least one cold air guide path formed at the side wall of a chilling chamber in order to guide cold air to the side wall of the chilling chamber; a nozzle rotatively supported by the housings and jetting cold air intensively to a high-temperature load occurred region inside the chilling chamber when the high temperature load occurs at the certain region; a temperature sensor installed on the front of the nozzle, rotating with the nozzle and sensing the high-temperature load occurred region; and a nozzle driving unit installed at a certain side of the housings to rotate the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seong-Ho Cho, In-Seop Lee, In-Won Lee, Jae-Yong Sung, Jay-Ho Choi, Kwang-Hyup An, Jeong-Ho Lee, Young-Sok Nam
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Patent number: 6637226Abstract: A constant-temperature liquid circulating apparatus including a constant-temperature liquid circuit section, a refrigerating circuit section and a control section in which the refrigerating circuit section includes a main circuit section having a compressor whose revolution speed is controlled by an inverter power source. The main circuit section has a condenser, an electronic expansion valve and an evaporator, and the refrigerating circuit section also includes a hot gas circuit section which bypasses the condenser and which has an electronic expansion valve. The constant-temperature circuit section includes a heat exchanger, a temperature sensor and a circulating unit; and the control section controls the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve, and the revolution speed of the compressor according to a signal from the temperature sensor, thereby controlling the temperature of constant-temperature liquid supplied to a load to a predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: SMC CorporationInventors: Mitsuhiro Watanabe, Yoshiaki Sueoka
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Patent number: 6637227Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignees: Mile High Equipment Co., Scotsman Ice SystemsInventors: Gerald J. Stensrud, Daniel Leo Ziolkowski, Matthew W. Allison, David Brett Gist
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Patent number: 6637228Abstract: A control valve is used for a variable displacement compressor installed in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioner. The compressor has a control chamber and a control passage, which connects the control chamber to a pressure zone in which the pressure is different from the pressure of the control chamber. The control valve has a valve body, which is accommodated in the valve chamber for adjusting the opening size of the control passage. A pressure sensing member moves in accordance with the pressure difference between two pressure monitoring points located in the refrigerant circuit. The pressure sensing member moves the valve body such that the displacement of the compressor is varied to counter changes of the pressure difference. The force applied by an actuator corresponds to a target value of the pressure difference. The pressure sensing member moves the valve body such that the pressure difference seeks the target value. An urging member is accommodated in the valve chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota JidoshokkiInventors: Satoshi Umemura, Tatsuya Hirose, Kazuhiko Minami, Yuji Hashimoto, Masami Niwa, Masaki Ota
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Cooling fan control method for minimizing the power consumption of a vehicle air conditioning system
Patent number: 6637229Abstract: An improved control method for a vehicle air conditioning system including a refrigerant compressor and a condenser cooling fan adjusts the power consumption of the condenser cooling fan in a manner to minimize the combined power consumption of compressor and the condenser cooling fan while maintaining adequate cooling of the condensed refrigerant. When the air conditioning system is operating at less than full capacity, the combined power consumption of the compressor and the condenser cooling fan is determined for each of a series of operating intervals. The change in the combined power consumption from one operating interval to the next is computed to determine the effect of a prior cooling fan power adjustment, and the power level of the cooling fan is incrementally adjusted in the same direction as the prior adjustment so long as the prior adjustment resulted in at least a specified reduction of the combined power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Wayne Oliver Forrest, Lawrence Scherer, Nicholas Joseph Alonge, Jr., Frank A. Krueger, Lindsey Lee Leitzel, Paul J. Bruski -
Patent number: 6637230Abstract: An air-conditioner for use in an automotive vehicle, an engine of which is stopped every time the vehicle stops at an intersection, includes a usual refrigeration cycle having a main compressor driven by the engine and a sub-circuit having a sub-compressor driven by an electric motor. The sub-compressor is connected in parallel to the main compressor, and both compressors are alternately driven. Refrigerant mixed with lubricant circulating in the main refrigeration cycle is prevented from entering into the sub-circuit while the sub-compressor is not in operation by means of a piping structure of the sub-circuit. When the refrigerant enters into the sub-circuit, it is efficiently returned to the main refrigeration cycle by intermittently operating the sub-compressor while the main compressor is operating.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Yasushi Suzuki, Junzo Kawasumi
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Patent number: 6637231Abstract: A field and/or customer replaceable packaged refrigeration heat sink module is suitable for use in standard electronic component environments. The field replaceable packaged refrigeration heat sink module is self-contained and is specifically designed to have physical dimensions similar to those of a standard air-based cooling system, such as a fined heat sink or heat pipe. As a result, the field replaceable packaged refrigeration heat sink module can be utilized in existing electronic systems without the need for board or cabinet/rack modification or the “plumbing” associated with prior art liquid-based cooling systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventor: Ali Heydari Monfarad
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Patent number: 6637232Abstract: A unit ventilator is disclosed wherein, in order to facilitate service and repair of the ventilator and/or its component parts, such parts are mounted for ease of access and of detachment from, or assembly to, the system. Elemental system parts, such as the blower assembly, the heat transfer coil assembly, the condensate discharge pan and the air filters are designed and arranged so as to be assembled and/or disassembled from the system rapidly and with minimum use of tools.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: .PEF Industries, Inc.Inventors: Martin J. Harshberger, Steven G. Hicks, Timothy D. Welch
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Patent number: 6637233Abstract: A product merchandising display unit having selectable product capacity including a receptacle having an internal cavity adapted for receiving and holding a quantity of product, and a product support floor member positionable at any one of at least two different elevated locations within the internal cavity for varying the product holding capacity thereof. A plurality of shoulder portions are located at each of the at least two different elevated locations within the internal cavity, the shoulder portions located at each spaced location being engageable with at least some of the peripheral edge portions associated with the floor member when the floor member is oriented in one of at least two different orientations. The display unit also includes a lid member having spaced pairs of retaining projections associated therewith for displaying advertising indicia therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Paul Flum Ideas, Inc.Inventor: Paul L. Flum
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Patent number: 6637234Abstract: An air conditioning unit (1) for interiors is disclosed, carrying out a method comprising the following steps: carrying out a first thermal exchange between a first quantity of air drawn from an interior to be conditioned (A) and a second quantity of air drawn from the external ambient (E) in a first heat exchanger (7); after the first thermal exchange conveying the second quantity of air to a thermal exchange bank (12) connected to a thermal recovery bank (10) both belonging to a refrigerating circuit to carry out a second thermal exchange; after the second thermal exchange conveying the second quantity of air to the interior to be conditioned (A); after the first thermal exchange effecting a further thermal exchange between the first quantity of air and the recovery bank (10) before discharging the first quantity of air to the external ambient (E).Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Inventor: Federico Rossetto
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Patent number: 6637235Abstract: A refrigerator which may allow vegetables kept more fresh by minimizing temperature fluctuations in a vegetable compartment. The refrigerator minimizes dehydration in food stored in the vegetable compartment, so that vegetables are kept fresh longer. The vegetable compartment is arranged so as to be surrounded by freezing temperatures, and cooled through radiation cooling without receiving blowing cool air thereto to minimize temperature fluctuations, so that vegetables may be keep more fresh. At the same time, the vegetable compartment is sealed so that convection does not occur thereby minimizing dehydration in food, so that food is allowed to be kept fresh longer. Furthermore, the refrigerator is provided with compartments whose temperatures may be set to freezing temperatures. The vegetable compartment is arranged so as to be surrounded by compartments whose temperatures are freezing temperatures via partition parts.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsumasa Sakamoto, Toshie Hiraoka, Keiji Ohya, Naho Misumi
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Patent number: 6637236Abstract: A refrigerating device circulating R32 in a refrigerant circuit as a refrigerant to perform a refrigerating cycle, the refrigerating device comprising a compressor in the refrigerant circuit, a first heat exchanger serving as a condenser, an expansion means and a second heat exchanger serving as an evaporator, wherein a ratio m of an internal volume (Vout) of the first heat exchanger to an internal volume (Vin) of the second heat exchanger is set to be in a range of 0.7≦m≦1.5.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Shigeharu Taira