Patents Issued in November 11, 2003
  • Patent number: 6643978
    Abstract: The Plantwear™ fabric pot consists of a shell (12), an inner membrane (14), and a mesh liner (16). These are attached to a ring-band (22) which also encloses a compression-ring (20). These are supported by braided ropes (26) which are attached to the compression-ring in 3 places where the sections of the ring-band (22) expose the compression-ring (20). The ropes are collected at a center-knot (28) and form a tie-loop (30), and a tie (34) which has a tie-knot (32) near its end. The tie (34) can be passed over a support, such as a rod or hook, and the tie-knot (32) passed through the tie-loop to securely hold the Plantwear™ fabric pot to the support. A wick (41) is placed through the liner (16) via a grommet (42) and into a chamber area (18) to help transfer, through capillary action, any water which might have drained into and remain in the chamber, back up into the root-pouch (36). The fabric pot is packaged folded flat in an envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy Key Price
  • Patent number: 6643979
    Abstract: A window regulator assembly is provided that includes a guide defining a path. A window bar assembly having a window mounted thereon is supported on the guide and is movable along the path. A manual or automatic actuator is interconnected with a drum for rotationally driving the drum. A pair of cables each include an end connected to the drum with the opposing end connected to the guide. The cables are arranged in a pull-pull relationship between the drum and guide. A portion of the cables is wrapped about the circumference of the drum. A drum biasing assembly, which may include a mandrel urged into bore of the drum by a spring, expands the circumference of the drum to take up the slack in the cables. The drum includes radial grooves that divides the drum into sectors that are movable relative to one another by the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Meriton Light Vehicle Technology, LLC.
    Inventor: Stanley Schlatter
  • Patent number: 6643980
    Abstract: A door jamb safety device for inhibiting insertion of fingers between a door and a door jamb. The door jamb safety device includes a frame member for coupling to the door jamb and a door member for coupling to the door. The door member is hingably coupled to the frame member whereby the door member may pivot with respect to the frame member when the door is opened and closed. The door member has a blocking portion with proximal and distal portions being angled at approximately 90 degrees to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Alvin O. Dorder, Kyungwon Kang
  • Patent number: 6643981
    Abstract: A form assembly for forming a roof slab, an eave, and a peripheral beam in a monolithic structure is provided. The form assembly is detachably attached to upright columns of a housing frame structure and includes an eave formwork and a peripheral formwork. The eave formwork is mounted on the upright columns while the peripheral formwork is disposed between columns to be coupled to the eave formwork. The peripheral beam is formed between the eave and the roof slab and encloses a portion of top beams of the housing frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Evelio Pina, Nestor Hernandez
  • Patent number: 6643982
    Abstract: An elongated, light weight, maintenance free, hollow structural support post or column for supporting an overhanging roof segment in spaced relationship to a porch floor, for example. The post comprises a thin walled, generally rectangular plastic member containing a circular, metal tubular member therewithin, and spaced from the inner wall of the plastic member by plural elongated, plastic inserts press fit between the metal tubular member and inner wall of the rectangular plastic member. Additionally, the invention includes a pair of uniquely designed end base plates for anchoring the post to the overhanging structure and to the porch floor, where the base plates cooperate with the metal tubular member to prevent twisting of the post when maintained in a compressive or supporting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: John K. Lapp, Jr., Reuben B. Lapp
  • Patent number: 6643983
    Abstract: A cladding device for the pond of a swimming pool or the like includes a slab as well as side walls made of concrete or the like. This device is characterized in that it is formed of tightly juxtaposed glass plates applied, through mounting mechanisms, against the slab and the side walls of the pond, on the inner side of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Enterprise Mazure Patrick, Societe en nom personnel
    Inventor: Patrick Mazure
  • Patent number: 6643984
    Abstract: A frame-attached window panel wherein a frame member comprises a base portion attached firmly to a peripheral portion of a window panel and a primary molding molded integrally with the base portion, and the primary molding is made of a material different from the material for the base portion. The generation of noises can be suppressed by the presence of the frame member which can be formed at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignees: Asahi Glass Company, Limited, Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Kato, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Takanobu Kondo, Nobuyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6643985
    Abstract: A tubular lead-in fixture including an attachment element (3) for a temporary attachment of the lead-in fixture, and an axially extending, radially widening region (8) provided within an embeddable length (L) of the lead-in fixture (1) and limited by spaced from each other, radial shoulders, and in which an intumescent mass (7) is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Herbert Münzenberger
  • Patent number: 6643986
    Abstract: The present invention relates to horizontal, vertical or angularly disposed diaphragms which resist structural forces. Specifically, the present invention relates to an improved mechanical connection between a structural panel and the framing members that support the structural panel forming a diaphragm. The connection includes: a structural panel having a distal side, a proximal side, and a plurality of edge faces; a frame consisting of a plurality of framing members disposed in registration with the proximal side of the structural panel near the edge faces; a plurality of perimeter fasteners connecting the structural panel to the framing members; and clips or perimeter edging members for reducing bending of the perimeter fasteners attached to a substantial number of the perimeter fasteners. The clips or perimeter edging members for reducing bending of the perimeter fasteners act when lateral forces are imposed on the building structure of which the diaphragm is a part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred D. Commins, Robert C. Gregg
  • Patent number: 6643987
    Abstract: Supporting element of spring steel or plastic for separable fastening of cover strips (2) in the transition region between wall and floor panel (4). The supporting element is constructed as a one-piece clip which is clipped onto the floor panel from the front face, whereby the supporting element has a wall plate (5) and a clamping plate (6) projecting generally at right angles from the wall plate which, in the installed state of the supporting element, lies on the underside of the floor panel (4). Whereby the wall plate (1) has at least one first support section (7, 8) which in the installed state of the supporting element is braced on the upper side of the floor panels such that the upper and central part of the wall plate is acted upon in the direction of the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ernst Rüsch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Rusch, Norbert Rusch
  • Patent number: 6643988
    Abstract: A frame assembly for creating a flush corner appearance is disclosed. The frame assembly includes first and a second members. The first member has a plurality of sides that extend between a first and second end such that one side defines an opening extending thereinto from the first end. The opening defines a pair of lateral flanges for engaging the second member. The second member includes a plurality of sides that extend between a first and second end. The second member also includes a first connector extending from a first side and a second connector extending from a second side. A first tab extends from the first connector and is moveable between a straight position and a bent position such that the first tab guides the first member into engagement with the second member when the first tab is in the bent position. A second tab extends from the second connector and is flush with the first end of the first member when the members are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: AMSCO Engineered Products
    Inventors: Laurence P. Armstrong, Steve K. Laumann
  • Patent number: 6643989
    Abstract: A flush mounted installation unit in which an operating portion of the installation unit such as the supporting plate, the covering or switch unit is designed as an antenna so that the unit can perform the dual function of housing and mounting the components for use in a control system and providing an antenna for a radio link between the central control unit and the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Renke Bienert, Fritz Jauss
  • Patent number: 6643990
    Abstract: The modular molding system of the present invention comprises a plurality of modular molding sections for covering the joint formed between a vertical wall and a ceiling to create a crown molding. The sections, preferably formed of a thin plastic vacuum-molded material, include an angled faced portion and a horizontal alignment portion interconnected with the angled face portion. The molding sections include a first straight end and a second angled end. The angled ends are used for forming coped corner moldings, the angled end of one section contacting the face of another section at a right angle. A desired length of linear molding is formed by overlapping the straight end of a first section over the angled end of a second section. This process can be repeated to form a molding of desired length. The molding sections are flexible to abut to an uneven surface of a vertical wall. The horizontal alignment portion carries an adhesive which allows the molding to be adhered to a ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: James Jensen
  • Patent number: 6643991
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a fire door having a core, stiles, and rails formed of resin bonded exfoliated vermiculite, wherein the core has a density which exceeds that of the stiles and rails. The invention is also directed to such a fire door additionally having an intumescent material placed on some or all of the exposed edges of the stiles and rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Premdor International, Inc.
    Inventor: Hartley Moyes
  • Patent number: 6643992
    Abstract: Process for the fastening of objects into a box made of a bottom and of at least four lateral sides including introducing, into this box, a sheet of a flexible material, for example, made of cardboard, this sheet consisting of a central part having dimensions that are approximately the same as the bottom of the box, in a manner so as to be able to be displaced in a direction to the bottom of the box and, on at least two opposing sides of this central part, at least one flexible folding panel. The flexible folding panels are folded up to the top. The fastening sheet is shaped, prepared, inserted and pushed into the box until the sheet contacts the upper surface of the objects housed in the box. The folding panels are pushed back, applied and fixed, for example, by gluing, against the internal side of the lateral walls of this box, in a manner so as to create solid fixation of the fastening sheet onto the lateral walls of the box, and, as a result, the fastening of the objects housed in it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: B Plus Development (S.A.)
    Inventors: Christian Esnault, Claude Durand
  • Patent number: 6643993
    Abstract: A package of a strip of material has a plurality of parallel side by side stacks each containing a length of the strip which is folded back and forth such that each folded portion of the stack is folded relative to the next portion about a line transverse to the strip. Preferably, the side edges of the strip portions are aligned. The strip can be continuous through each stack and connected by a splice from the end of one stack to beginning of the next stack. To reduce the height of the stacks, the package is compressed and maintained in the compressed condition by, for example, an evacuated sealed bag. The strip of each stack is formed to have a varying width, for example to form diaper inserts when the strip is cut into individual strip elements. The length of each strip portion of the stack is arranged to equal a whole number of strip elements so that the cut lines can be arranged at the fold lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: BKI Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence J. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 6643994
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting a continuous structure into discrete, spaced apart elements by means of an expandable support web. First, the continuous structure is combined with a support web comprising longitudinal expansion means. Then, after separation of the continuous structure into discrete elements, the discrete elements are spaced apart by expanding the support web. The process of the present invention is particularly well suited for the industrial manufacture of articles comprising fragile discrete elements supplied to the production process in continuous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael Divo, Ludwig Busam, Christofer Fuchs
  • Patent number: 6643995
    Abstract: A box body (11) having a bottom face portion (12), side face portions (13, 14) and corner sealing portions (15) is formed of a packaging material of a soft sheet, and flange portions (16, 17) and flange jointing portions (18) are formed by folding the upper portions of the side face portions (13, 14). After this box body (11) is charged with a content, a cover member (30) is jointed to the flange portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Koyama, Takeshi Bando, Yukiko Iida, Ikuya Saitou
  • Patent number: 6643996
    Abstract: A method of overwrapping packets in the form of a rectangular prism, whereby a packet, as it is fed continuously along a wrapping path, is first centered with respect to a relative conveying seat, and is then paired with a relative sheet of wrapping material, which is folded about the packet to form a tubular wrapping projecting axially from the packet in the form of two tubular appendixes, which are folded to form a closed overwrapping; each tubular appendix being at least partly folded onto the relative packet before the relative tubular wrapping is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: G.D. Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Fabrizio Tale
  • Patent number: 6643997
    Abstract: A method for adapting the volume of a collar bag (1) that is partially filled with bulk material, whereby the collar (3) of said bag is formed by two opposite-lying outwardly bent edge strips (5) and two opposite-lying inwardly bent second edge strips (7), to the volume of the bulk material contained in said bag (1). The invention is characterized in that the first edge strips (5) are pulled apart, whereby the wall of the bag is drawn out of the upper unfilled part of the bag over the folded edges (6) and into the collar (3) or the cross-section of the bag is reduced by pressing the opposite-lying larger parts of the wall. The invention also relates to the collar bag (1) and the device to carry out the above-mentioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Chronos Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Dieter Schwenke, Robert Oster, Jurgen Tegtmeyer
  • Patent number: 6643998
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus for enclosing a head portion of a stethoscope in a barrier material. The packaging apparatus includes a housing having an interior with an opening for allowing the insertion of a head portion of a stethoscope into the interior. A sensor assembly detects the insertion of the head portion of the stethoscope. A door assembly selectively closes the opening. The door assembly comprises a door member and a door actuator. The door member is movable between an open position and a closed position. A vacuum assembly evacuates air from the interior. A table member supports a section of a roll of barrier material comprising individual plastic sleeves. A feed assembly positions the barrier material. A handling assembly manipulates an open end of the sleeves. The handling assembly includes an upper attachment member and a lower attachment member for releasably attaching to top and bottom sides of the open end of the sleeve respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Fred P. Curtis, Howard E. Green, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6643999
    Abstract: A training headstall combines headgear with a suspended rigid noseband hanging loosely encircling the horse's muzzle, being relatively free to deliver attention-getting taps. The noseband is oblong along a major axis that defines left and right halves, and has left and right eyes on opposed sides of the major axis for attachment of corresponding lines from the headgear. The headgear also has a third line that hangs down from under the horse's chin-to-throat area and attaches to a rearward portion on the noseband for imposing a measure of damping on the noseband's motion. The noseband is produced with various asymmetries such as line-eyes that are offset as referenced along the major axis in order to enhance quicker settling of the motion with the noseband so that the horse may more surely learn that this annoying if not frightening motion can be settled by stopping to a standstill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Rickie A. Wheat
  • Patent number: 6644000
    Abstract: A protective device 104 for hoofed and shod animals fabricated of a durable and flexible material is presented. The protective device 104 includes a base 106 and a wall 108, with the wall designed to enclose a hoof 100 of a bare or shod animal such as a horse or cow. The protective device 104 includes a means for size adjustment 216 such as a sizing opening 214 in combination with a plurality of tread grooves 304, which assists in the adjustment of the size and shape of the hoof to fit a variety of hoofs. The protective device 104 preferably includes a shear-relief portion 302 formed such that the front of a hoof has minimal contact with the device 104. Ease of installation, decreased impact, and improved traction are all benefits provided by the protective device 104 disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: James Clark, James B. Hart, William Hart
  • Patent number: 6644001
    Abstract: An implement combination has a self-propelled support vehicle moveable in a travel and working direction. At least one front-mounted implement is connected to a front end of the self-propelled support vehicle in the travel and working direction. At least one side-mounted implement is connected to a lateral side of the self-propelled support vehicle. A raising device transfers the front-mounted and side-mounted implements from a working and operating position near the ground into a partially raised head land position or into a completely raised transport position. The self-propelled support vehicle has a control and switching device. The front-mounted and side-mounted implements are coupled to the control and switching device such that a command for reverse travel of the control and switching device causes a mandatory raising of the front-mounted and side-mounted implements at least into the partially raised head land position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Bernard Krone GmbH
    Inventors: Bernard Krone, Martin Egbers
  • Patent number: 6644002
    Abstract: A self-propelled power equipment unit having a frame with a handle having a general U-shaped rear end; a drive located on the frame and connected to a drive wheel by a transmission; and a user actuated control connected to the transmission. The user actuated control comprises a speed control lever pivotably connected to the handle proximate the U-shaped rear end and an operator presence lever pivotably connected to the speed control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Harlin J. Trefz
  • Patent number: 6644003
    Abstract: A leaf vacuum and mulching implement for attachment by three-point-hitch to a farm tractor and driven by mechanical connection to the tractor's power tack-off unit (PTO). The implement utilizes a broad vacuum deck having polymeric skirts in near proximity with the ground and a floating three-point-hitch system for lifting the vacuum deck and allowing it to follow the ground contour. High velocity fans blow debris collected by the vacuum deck to a unique, rotating, multifaceted, conical shredding rotor prior to directional dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel C. Bass
  • Patent number: 6644004
    Abstract: The mower includes a frame which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a motor generator set, an internal combustion motor and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. The motor generator set provides electrical energy for electric motors that drive the reel type lawn mowers. A housing encloses the internal combustion motor and motor generator set and utilizes a combination of passive noise abatement and active noise abatement to reduce noise generated within the interior of the housing. The passive noise abatement is provided at plurality of locations around the motor generator set within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk W Reimers, Dammika Weeratunga
  • Patent number: 6644005
    Abstract: An overload and overfill protection system for a round baler includes a selectively engageable drive mechanism located between a rotary input member of the baler and an input driven member, such as a sprocket, which drives a pickup mechanism forming a part of the round baler. The selectively engageable drive mechanism includes a fixed drive member mounted to the rotary input member, and a shiftable engagement member mounted to the sprocket for movement between an engaged position for transferring power to the pickup mechanism, and a disengaged position in which power from the rotary input member is not transferred to the sprocket. The fixed drive member is in the form of a shear bolt, which is sheared by an overload force applied to the engagement member when the pickup mechanism is overloaded so as to disable the pickup mechanism. The overfill protection system is in the form of a clutching mechanism interconnected between a movable member of the baler, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Gehl Company
    Inventors: Scott V. Grahl, Kim P. Viesselmann
  • Patent number: 6644006
    Abstract: A baler having a baler frame, a main drive assembly that includes a starter roll drive shaft mounted to rotate on the baler frame, and a pick-up assembly connected to the baler frame is disclosed. The pick-up assembly has a reverse control apparatus for reversing the direction of rotation of a conveying rotor to disimpact any impacted plug of cut crop material from the rotor. The reverse control apparatus can be operated remotely from a tractor connected to the baler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Merritt, Lee S. Curley, Randall D. Kern, David M. Malloy
  • Patent number: 6644007
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a braiding yarn made of expanded graphite for a gland packing which is to be used in a shaft seal part of a fluid apparatus or the like. In the braiding yarn made of expanded graphite of the invention, an expanded graphite tape of a predetermined width is folded into a valley fold in the longitudinal direction, both end portions in the width direction of the expanded graphite tape are bent so as to be directed toward the inner side of the width direction of the expanded graphite tape, and the outer periphery of the tape is covered by a reinforcing member configured by a braided body of stainless steel wires. The expanded graphite tape may be twisted. Reinforcing fibers may be embedded in the expanded graphite tape. Part of expanded graphite particles on the side of the surface of the expanded graphite tape may be removed away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Pillar Packing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Fujiwara, Takahisa Ueda
  • Patent number: 6644008
    Abstract: A chain link of hollow construction and substantially uniform thickness, for intertwining with other chain links to form a jewelry chain, has a non-annular cross-section throughout the link with the cross-section being symmetric along a centerline plane through said cross-section. The cross-sectional shape of the link preferably has on each side of the centerline plane, at least two sides that meet at a point of inflection. On each side of the centerline plane, at least one side preferably converges toward said centerline plane. A reduction in manufacturing costs and precious metal used to form the links and therefore the chain is realized by using a non-annular cross-section having such constructional qualities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: David Rosenwasser, Avraham Moshe Rosenwasser
  • Patent number: 6644009
    Abstract: A method for controlling an aircraft engine using a control system enables an engine to be operated at low power while hail is ingested. The control system includes a processor coupled to the aircraft engine. The method comprises receiving a plurality of sensed inputs from the aircraft engine, receiving current engine environmental operating conditions, determining a reference value for a controlled variable from a fuel flow schedule, generating a fuel-air-ratio for the reference value based on current engine environmental operating conditions, and enriching combustor fuel staging in response to the fuel-air-ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: William J. Myers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6644011
    Abstract: An Advanced Cheng Combined Cycle engine is a combination of the Cheng Cycle or the Advanced Cheng Cycle and a combined cycle, and serves to further enhance the power generation capability of either the Cheng Cycle, the Advanced Cheng Cycle, or the combined cycle alone. A gas turbine is provided, having a turbine generating power, a compressor receiving power from the turbine, and a combustion chamber to which is input compressed air from the compressor along with fuel and combustion products for producing energy to drive the turbine, the gas turbine producing a hot stream gas. A heat recovery steam generator receives hot stream gas produced by the gas turbine and generates high-pressure steam therefrom. A steam turbine receives and is driven by high-pressure steam generated by the heat recovery steam generator. The steam turbine bleeds intermediate-pressure steam for cooling the turbine and for injection back into the combustion chamber of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Cheng Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dah Yu Cheng
  • Patent number: 6644012
    Abstract: For supporting the cooling of an air-cooled gas turbine set, it is proposed to arrange, in the cooling air ducts of the cooling system, means for increasing the pressure of the flowing cooling air. In an embodiment, the cooling system (17) is supplied with high pressure compressor air from the end stages of the compressor (1) of a gas turbine set (1, 2, 3, 4). This cooling system branches into a first branch (18), by means of which the combustor (2) and the first stages, particularly the first guide blade row of the turbine (3), are cooled. A second branch (19) conducts cooling air to the further turbine stages. An ejector (20) is provided for increasing, as needed, the pressure drop available by means of the first branch (18) of the cooling system. Its ejector nozzle (22) is supplied with live steam (9) taken from a waste heat steam generator (51), the live steam supply being adjustable by means of an adjusting member (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alston (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Juergen Hoffmann, Stefan Rofka, René Waelchli, Rolf Dittmann
  • Patent number: 6644013
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air humidifier for adding moisture to a working medium of a gas turbine for humidification, and gas turbine electric power generation equipment for driving the gas turbine by the working medium of high moisture to generate electricity. An object of the present invention is to reduce pressure loss of burned exhaust gas of the gas turbine to improve output or efficiency of electric power generation. The invention comprises a humidifier (3), a combustor (5), a turbine (6), a generator (7), and a water recovery unit (10), and further comprises an exhaust gas reheater (11) for heating burned exhaust gas discharged from the water recovery unit by surplus water discharged from the humidifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Hatamiya, Masahiko Yamagishi, Osamu Yokomizo
  • Patent number: 6644014
    Abstract: An electric thruster and thrust augmenter is disclosed in which intaken or compressed atmospheric gas or reaction thruster exhaust is passed through a gap space between electrodes so that the atmospheric or reaction thrust exhaust gases are subjected to an electric current of sufficient intensity to rapidly heat and expand such gasses through an exhaust nozzle to produce reaction thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony Italo Provitola
  • Patent number: 6644015
    Abstract: A turbojet engine with improved thrust and high-altitude capabilities. Arrangements are provided for injecting liquid oxygen or other oxidizer into the turbojet engine before the compressor section. Cooling the incoming air by the liquid oxygen reduces the air volume, which allows a fixed inlet to be matched to varying flow conditions, allowing a greater mass of air to be ingested by the compressor section and results in a lower compressor outlet temperature. Increased mass flow, combined with more fuel results in higher exhaust gas temperatures and greater thrust. The addition of oxygen to the inlet air flow allows the engine to operate at higher altitudes by preventing flameout due to rarefied air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: HMX, Inc.
    Inventor: Bevin C. McKinney
  • Patent number: 6644016
    Abstract: A process for collecting oxygen-enriched air during a phase of aerobic flight of a space launch for combustion inside at least one cryotechnic rocket engine is provided. The launch rocket comprises at least one turbofan. The turbofan comprises a high-pressure spool comprising a high pressure compressor, a combustion chamber, turbines, and a low-pressure spool surrounding the high-pressure spool. The spools comprise a blower for collecting the external fluid in the form of a main flow and a derived flow. The main flow follows compression, combustion and depressurization in the turbofan engine. The derived flow is separated into oxygen-enriched air and oxygen-depleted air. The oxygen-enriched air is stored for combustion in a rocket engine, while the oxygen-depleted air is ejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventors: Frans Breugelmans, Patrick Hendrick, Benoît Marquet, Marc Strengnart
  • Patent number: 6644017
    Abstract: In a system in which an oxygen quantity stored in a catalytic converter is estimated to feedback control a fuel injection quantity based on the estimated oxygen quantity, when a predetermined period of time has not yet passed from an occurrence of misfire and from the end of misfire, the update of the oxygen quantity is suspended, and also, when the predetermined period of time has not yet passed from the end of misfire, the fuel injection quantity is decreasingly corrected and the oxygen quantity is reset after the predetermined period of time has passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Takahashi, Shigeo Ohkuma
  • Patent number: 6644018
    Abstract: An engine control unit performs homogeneous charge combustion with a rich air-fuel ratio when a NOx absorption material has absorbed a specified amount of NOx absorption so as to purge NOx and to reduce the NOx with HC and CO in an exhaust gas, thereby purifying the exhaust gas. During execution of the homogeneous charge combustion, a pressure of fuel with which a fuel injector sprays fuel is held at a pressure level for stratified charge combustion immediately before an alteration to the homogeneous charge combustion so as thereby to eliminate an occurrence of a time delay in changing the pressure of fuel upon resumption of the stratified charge combustion from the homogeneous charge combustion executed for NOx purge with an effect of preventing a fuel mixture from falling into the difficulty that the fuel mixture is hard to concentrate locally around a spark plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Taga
  • Patent number: 6644019
    Abstract: When an engine operates in a low and medium load area and in a low and medium speed area, the combustion mode is established to a compression ignition combustion and when the engine operates in other load and speed areas, the combustion mode is established to a spark ignition combustion. Further, when the compression ignition combustion is performed, the mixture is stratified in the combustion chamber and an ultra lean combustion is realized. As a result, both NOx reduction in an ultra lean condition and HC/CO reduction in an oxidation atmosphere can be obtained. On the other hand, when the spark ignition combustion is performed, a normal feedback control of air-fuel ratio activates a three-way catalyst to reduce HC, CO and NOx simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Morikawa, Makoto Kaneko, Jin Itoh, Youhei Saishu
  • Patent number: 6644020
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regenerating a particulate filter in the exhaust system of a diesel engine, an increase in the temperature of the exhaust gases being brought about by post-injection of fuel. The intake pressure (MAP) and/or the air mass flow rate (MAF) are reduced as a function of the ambient temperature of the engine and preferably also when the engine load is low by throttling the engine. In this way, the proportions of burned or unburned post-injected fuel can be stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Kuenstler, Paul Eduard Moraal, Urs Christen, Yasser M. Yacoub
  • Patent number: 6644021
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas purifying apparatus of an internal combustion engine, the temperature of occlusion-type NOx catalyst is increased to emit SOx when the temperature of occlusion-type NOx catalyst is not less than a set temperature. This prevents the deterioration of fuel consumption and enables the regeneration of a catalyst device by efficiently desorbing a sulfur component from the catalyst device. In this case, the temperature of the occlusion-type NOx catalyst is preferably set according to the frequency of the SOx desorption, and the temperature of the occlusion-type NOx catalyst can be increased by, for example, retarding an ignition timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kojiro Okada, Yasuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 6644022
    Abstract: A particulate filter (22) is arranged in an exhaust passage of an engine, while an exhaust throttle valve (45) is arranged in the exhaust passage downstream of the particulate filter (22). The exhaust throttle valve (45) is fully closed once, then fully opened cyclically. At that time, the flow velocity of the exhaust gas is increased for just an instant in a pulse-like manner, whereby masses of particulate are separated from the particulate filter 22 and discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Hirota, Toshiaki Tanaka, Kazuhiro Itoh, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichiro Nakatani, Koichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 6644023
    Abstract: The present device for purifying the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine comprises a particulate filter 70 on which the trapped particulates are oxidized and reversing means 74 for reversing the exhaust gas upstream side and the exhaust gas downstream side of the particulate filter. The particulate filter has a trapping wall for trapping the particulates. The reversing means reverses the exhaust gas upstream side and the exhaust gas downstream side of the particulate filter so that the first trapping surface and the second trapping surface are used alternately to trap the particulates. The particulate filter has a first opening portion and a second opening portion through which the exhaust gas flows in and out from the particulate filter and is arranged in the exhaust pipe 71 upstream of the muffler. At least part of the circumferential portion of the particulate filter between the first opening portion and the second opening portion is in contact with the flow of the exhaust gas in the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Hirota, Toshiaki Tanaka, Kazuhiro Itoh, Takamitsu Asanuma, Koichiro Nakatani, Koichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 6644024
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a marine engine provides individual exhaust gas conduits that are maintained separately from water conduits until the individual exhaust gas conduits can be combined within a common exhaust gas conduit. This combination of exhaust gas streams allows the amplitude of negative pressure pulses to be damped, by combination with each other, prior to the mixing of cooling water with the exhaust gas streams. Later, the combined exhaust gas stream can be mixed with a combined water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Loren T. Powers, James M. Horak
  • Patent number: 6644025
    Abstract: A control arrangement to supply-pressure medium to at least two hydraulic consumers having a variable-displacement pump controlled according to required flow and the setting of which can be changed by a, pump controller as a function of highest load pressure of the actuated hydraulic consumers; two adjustable meter-in variable restrictors, a first of which is arranged between a feed line, which leads from the variable-displacement pump, and a first hydraulic consumer, and the second of which is arranged between the feed line and a second hydraulic consumer; and two pressure compensators, a first of which is connected downstream of the first meter-in variable restrictor and the second of which is connected downstream of the second meter-in variable restrictor, and the control piston of which can be acted on in opening direction by the pressure downstream of the associated meter-in variable restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Martin Oberhäusser, Thomas Weickert
  • Patent number: 6644026
    Abstract: There is provided, an embodiment, a machine and a method for utilizing the roll of on imbalanced seesaw-like system to obtain useable power. A buoy 11 filled with air is immersed in water inside a container 13, at each end of rolling seesaw. One buoy 11 displaces water outwards, by the force of its buoyancy, in one container 13, while another buoy 11 displaces water inward, by derivative force acting on it in an outwards direction, in the other container 13. The buoys 11 are connected by a pipe 10, which moves the buoys, back and forth, in the containers 13. During the roll, one container 13 becomes heavier than the other and always on the same side of the rolling path, which keeps the seesaw rolling in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Ezra Shimshi
  • Patent number: 6644027
    Abstract: Apparatus for converting the motion of sea waves to electrical energy comprises at least one vertically oriented linear generator, relatively reciprocating motion of the armature and stator of which is driven by a float immersed in the sea directly below the motor armature. To protect the generator against unfavourable sea conditions, on the onset or occurrence of same, the float is moved to and held in a position in which it is clear of, or submerged, in the sea. This movement may be achieved in whole or in part by operating the linear generator as a linear motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Hugh-Peter Granville Kelly
  • Patent number: 6644028
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic engine-driven system with a hot heat exchanger, a regenerator or stack, and an ambient heat exchanger includes a side branch load for rapid stopping and starting, the side branch load being attached to a location in the thermoacoustic system having a nonzero oscillating pressure and comprising a valve, a flow resistor, and a tank connected in series. The system is rapidly stopped simply by opening the valve and rapidly started by closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Gregory W. Swift, Scott N. Backhaus, David L. Gardner