Patents Issued in December 9, 2003
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Patent number: 6658819Abstract: According to a method for packaging one stack of multiply articles made of paper, a presser receives and compacts the stack of articles to be packaged and a pusher moves longitudinally the stack so as to make the stack hit a wrapping foil, previously placed vertically. The stack, partially wrapped within the wrapping foil, is introduced between a pair of belt conveyors. The presser and the pusher are carried by a slide moving longitudinally between a backward position with respect to the wrapping foil, where the stack is received and compacted, and a forward position, in which the presser hit the wrapping foil and move close to the belt conveyors, so as to transfer and introduce the stack between the belt conveyors.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Techmatic S.r.l.Inventor: Gianluigi Gamberini
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Patent number: 6658820Abstract: The invention provides an improved package wrapping machine which produces a wrapped product having a good seal and a favorable appearance for packages of varying sizes and shapes. More particularly, these improvements are obtained by utilizing a novel film gripper having sections that are separately disengageable to release tension on lateral sections of the film web during the wrapping of smaller than average packages, thereby preventing unwanted stretching of the film so as to promote a good seal for the packaged goods and avoid the formation of unsightly film tails. Also in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a novel package pusher is utilized to convey the package to be wrapped from a package infeed location to a registration position on the package wrapping elevator.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.Inventors: Michael A. Whitby, Philip Anthony Ratermann
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Patent number: 6658821Abstract: A bag loading method and assembly including a bag tray for holding a stack of bags and a conveyor assembly positioned above the bag tray. The conveyor assembly is movable between a first position, where the conveyor assembly engages a bag, and a second position, where the conveyor assembly is inclined with respect to the bag tray. Preferably, the conveyor assembly includes first and second rollers, a body portion between the first and second rollers, at least one vacuum generator communicating with the body portion for providing vacuum to the conveyor assembly, and an endless belt encircling portions of the rollers and the body portion. The endless belt engages the bag from the bag tray when the conveyor assembly is in the first position, and moves the bag to a position where the bag can be opened and filled when the conveyor assembly is in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Optima Machinery CorporationInventor: Gerald L. Townsend
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Patent number: 6658822Abstract: A method of packaging smoking articles, such as cigarettes, includes applying a volatile flavourant to the surface of a pack or an insert for the pack immediately prior to the pack being assembled about a smoking article bundle. The volatile flavourant can migrate within the fully assembled pack from the surface to which it was applied to the smoking articles.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: British American Tobacco (Investments) LimitedInventor: David John Dittrich
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Patent number: 6658823Abstract: A method of opening and closing a bag having a front and a rear and an opening at the top includes feeding the bag to a machine which holds an upper end of the front of the bag, moves the upper end of the rear of the bag rearwardly to partially open the bag clamps each opposite side of the bag while the bag is in the partially open configuration, and moves the clamped opposite sides of the bag and the rear of the bag rearwardly to a fully open position.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Johnsen Machine Company LimitedInventors: Ole Johnsen, Denis Trottier
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Patent number: 6658824Abstract: The transfer device has a means of securing the grip of the lifting device on the lid (14), in the form of an elastic suction pad (11) with narrowing and widening aperture and a suction line (21). The closer (8) can grip the lid and exert suction on it. There is a monitoring device, possibly with a sensor, to monitor the seating of the lid on the lifting device.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1999Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: AT Anlagetechnik AGInventors: Arthur Nussbaumer, Markus Schneuwly
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Patent number: 6658825Abstract: At least one base plate, at least one fill tube, at least one bag liner tube slidably coupled to the fill tube and capable of receiving a bag thereon, at least one ram that slides within the fill tube, at least one feed tube attached to the fill tube, at least one distribution bin attached to the feed tube, and at least one rotating pin assembly within the distribution bin. With the bag liner tube being inside the bag it may be filled with fibers and the fibers compacted therein without the bag bursting from the resulting forces thereon. A method of mounting a bag over a slidable bag liner tube, lowering the bag and bag liner tube to a base plate, and compacting fibers therein. An article produced by the method comprising a bag of compacted fibers.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2000Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventors: David E. Bliek, Grant Beasley
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Patent number: 6658826Abstract: An assembly for packaging a discontinuously supplied stream of products, comprising a packaging apparatus provided with folding means for folding the longitudinal edges of the continuous packaging web around the products in longitudinal direction to form a tubular packaging sleeve, connecting means and separating means for breaking the tubular packaging sleeve between the products in a transverse direction for forming separated packaged products, wherein the assembly comprises a conveyor chain which is provided with grippers for clamping therein the products to be conveyed, the assembly further comprising an intermediate conveyor built up from a number of mutually aligning conveying sections drivable independently of each other and with variable speed, the intermediate conveyor being provided with a control adapted to drive the various conveying sections of the intermediate conveyor such that the mutual distances between discontinuously supplied products are reduced to a standard distance.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Buhrs-Zaandam B.V.Inventors: Johannes Gerardus M. Hendriks van de Weem, Ronald Timmerman
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Patent number: 6658827Abstract: These interface pads have a right and a left inflatable member with the volume of air in each of these inflatable members being independently adjustable. Each member is adapted to provide an interface between one side of a load-bearing animal and a load-supporting structure such as a saddle. Connecting means span the spinal area of the animal and link the members to one another in a manner that avoids the placement of any substantial compression on the animal's supraspinous ligament. Moreover, a gullet channel is maintained so as to allow appropriate ventilation in this area. The inflatable members are constructed of a foam core wholly surrounded by and bonded to a pair of thin skins or panels, forming a fluid tight envelope. A valve is disposed between the chamber formed by the envelope and the ambient environment. After allowing inflation of an air pad of this type and placing a load (such as the saddle and/or rider) thereon, the valve can be opened.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventor: Alan W. Brownlie
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Patent number: 6658828Abstract: A mowing arrangement includes a tractor carrying a front-mounted mower unit and towing a mobile carrier frame having left and right mower units mounted to opposite sides of the carrier frame. In a first embodiment, the carrier frame is box-shaped in plan view. A pair of mower unit support arms are respectively mounted to forward outer locations of the carrier frame for pivoting vertically between horizontal first positions, wherein they dispose the mower units in respective operating positions, and vertical second positions, wherein they dispose the mower units in raised transport positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2000Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Roger Franet
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Patent number: 6658829Abstract: Switch operation mechanism includes a handling lever pivotally connected to a portion of a handle, a generally-fan-shaped actuating member pivotally connected at its pivot portion to the handle in such a manner that the actuating member is pivotable in response to operation, by a human operator, of the handling lever, and a noncontact reed switch for turning on or off a cutter-driving electric motor in accordance with an ON/OFF state of the noncontact reed switch. The ON/OFF state of the noncontact reed switch is determined in accordance with pivoting movement, toward or away from the switch, of the actuating member responsive to the operation of the handling lever. With such arrangements, the switching operations of the operation mechanism can be performed accurately in a stable manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takao Kobayashi, Tetsuo Iida, Kenzou Shimada, Norikazu Shimizu
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Patent number: 6658830Abstract: A self-propelled mower and vacuum has a front-mounted flail blade mower assembly. After being cut, the grass clippings are propelled through a discharge chute into a cuttings basket by air pressure created by the flail blades and vanes attached to the blade rotor. Additional suction may be provided by a blower system which blows air into the discharge chute. The width of the flale blade mower assembly and the large volume of cuttings which may be held in the cuttings basket make the disclosed device particularly beneficial for mowing large areas of grass and turf, including athletic fields, belt ways and airstrips.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventor: William Norman Wetzel
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Patent number: 6658831Abstract: A self-propelled power lawn mower is provided with a deck lifting system. The operator can lift the cutter deck or the engine deck by pulling upward/backward on a deck-lifting lever. Moreover, a latch system for enabling the deck to be lowered and/or adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Wright Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: James D. Velke, William R. Wright
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Patent number: 6658832Abstract: The invention pertains to a machine including several transversely spaced feed and mowing devices for mowing stalk-type crops. A transverse conveyor channel, through which the harvested crop can be conveyed at least approximately transverse to the forward driving direction, is provided on the rear side of the aforementioned feed and mowing devices, and a feed channel, through which the harvested crop can be fed to a chopping device, is arranged on the downstream end of the transverse conveyor channel. Provided and an intersection of the transverse conveyor channel and the feed channel is a deflector element that is mounted for deflecting downwardly and/or rearwardly plants that protrude out of the transverse conveyor channel such as to prevent them from becoming jammed in front of the feed channel.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Kemper GmbH & Company KGInventors: Richard Wübbels, Norbert Wolters
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Patent number: 6658833Abstract: An apparatus for collection and reduction of yard debris combining a frontally facing rotor-assisted vacuum pick up with a chipper-shredder-blower unit to induce airflow for entraining debris collected at the vacuum pick up; reduce the entrained debris to a more manageable volume; and impel the reduced debris to a free-flow-separator device for removing the debris from the air in which it is entrained.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: BestRake, LLCInventors: Charles E. Dunning, Richard B. Saathoff
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Patent number: 6658834Abstract: A tree harvester including an automated tree sensing and shaking control system. The control system includes a tree sensing device, such as an ultrasonic sensor that is mounted upon the harvester. Predetermined tree distance values and other shaker head control parameters are input into a programmable logic control (PLC) device of the control system. When the harvester is located next to a tree, the operator initiates an automated tree shaking cycle in which the tree sensor provides distance values to the tree as input signals to the controller. The shaker head automatically moves outward towards the tree until the inputted distance values to the tree are equal to or less than the predetermined tree distance values. The control system then causes the shaker head to clamp the tree, to shake the tree, to unclamp the tree and to move the shaker head back to the harvester.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Orchard Machinery CorporationInventor: Donald P. Mayo
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Patent number: 6658835Abstract: The yarns of the invention include untwisted wrapped singles yarns having a core strand and a wrapper yarn. The wrapper yarn is a base synthetic fiber and a heat-activated binder fiber with a melting point substantially below that of the base synthetic fiber. The Saxony carpets of the invention are made from untwisted singles yarn tufts and are possessed of surface appearance, individual tip retention, pile density, resilient hand and wear resistance comparable or superior to conventional Saxony carpets made from multiple plied twist set yarns.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Charles Edward Bowers
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Patent number: 6658836Abstract: A hybrid cord is presented for use in the reinforcement of elastomers. The hybrid cord is characterized by having a core steel filament, a first layer of one or more nonmetallic filaments which are wrapped about the steel filament in the core, and a second layer of from 4 to 12 steel filaments which are wrapped about the first layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Gia Van Nguyen, Florence de Boisfleury, Mustafa Goksoy, Robert Edward Lionetti
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Patent number: 6658837Abstract: The invention relates to a chain that consists of chain members with respective two inner flat links (1) that are parallel with respect to each other and two bushes (2) that are rigidly located between the inner flat links and that link two ends of said links each. The chain further comprises outer flat links (5) that interlink the chain members. Said outer flat links are parallel with respect to each other and hinge the ends of two adjacent chain members that face each other by rigidly linking each of the opposing ends with one respective end of the pin. Said opposing ends link two ends of two outer flat links which in turn link two chain members. Said pin is guided through a bush and is rotatably received therein. The bushes protrude at their two ends from the outer faces of the inner flat links that face the respective outer flat links and said protrusion is provided with at least one lubricant passage (6) that extends from the outer diameter to the inner diameter of the bush.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Arnold & StolzenbergInventor: Erhard Vogt
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Patent number: 6658838Abstract: A shaped charge engine includes an annular blast-forming chamber formed by joining inner and outer housings. A central through hole in the inner housing allows exhaust gases to exit. The outer housing comprises a generally round disk with an inner conical concave depression and through holes for the insertion of fuel and ignition. The blast chamber is preferably taper-conical in shape, wider at the base, and gradually decreasing in cross-sectional area as it rises to the apex. This construction forms a circular pinch point or throat toward the apex that produces a primary or first stage compression area. A secondary compression zone is created at the apex of the outer housing, just beyond the throat, producing hypersonic gases as generally opposing exhaust streams collide and are forced to exit the through hole in the inner housing. The collided streams propel a turbine rotor to turn a shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Saddle Rock Technologies, LLCInventor: Ronnie J. Duncan
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Patent number: 6658839Abstract: A segmented exhaust nozzle for attenuating noise from a jet engine without adversely impacting the operability or operability limit related performance of the engine. The exhaust nozzle includes spaced apart fan nozzle inner and outer walls which form an annular exhaust gas flow path therebetween. The fan nozzle outer wall is segmented at the downstream end. The outer wall curves inwardly towards the inner wall and then turns back away from the inner wall to form an arcuate protrusion that extends into the exhaust gas flow path forming an aerodynamic throat. Through the segmented portion of the nozzle, the outer wall then continues to curve away from the inner wall before again curving back towards the inner wall at a nozzle exit station. The nozzle exit effective area is approximately equal in cross sectional area to a conventional exhaust nozzle exit area.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Leonard J. Hebert
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Patent number: 6658840Abstract: Controlling of an engine provided with a catalytic converter in an exhaust passage is executed during an idling operation of the engine to heat catalyst in the catalytic converter while permitting the self-ignition combustion mode to be performed in the engine when the catalyst is in a non-active condition, and when the temperature Te of the engine cooling water is higher than a predetermined threshold value Te1, and to allow execution of the self-ignition combustion mode as well as the idling-stop function when the catalyst is in an active condition, and when the temperature Te of the engine cooling water is higher than a predetermined threshold value Te2 that is larger than the predetermined threshold value Te1.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akihiro Iiyama, Koudai Yoshizawa, Teruyuki Itoh
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Patent number: 6658841Abstract: To check a three-way catalytic converter, a NOx sensor is used to determine the NOx concentration downstream of the catalytic converter that is to be diagnosed. On account of the close relationship between a NOx conversion and a HC conversion, the measured NOx concentration can be used to determine the HC conversion properties of the three-way catalytic converter.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Johannes Beer, Hong Zhang
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Patent number: 6658842Abstract: A hydraulic system includes an air sucking hydraulic circuit 8, an air sucking control valve 5, and a check valve 6 provided in or before and after the air sucking hydraulic circuit 8, hereby allowing a hydraulic fluid from the air sucking control valve 5 to flow to the hydraulic actuator 4 and preventing a flow of a hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic actuator 4 to the air sucking control valve 5.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Yamasaki, Kenichiro Tokuo, Hiroshi Kuroiwa, Naoyuki Ozaki
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Patent number: 6658843Abstract: A hydraulic control arrangement which is provided for the demand-feed-regulated supply of pressure medium to preferably a plurality of hydraulic consumers by proportionally adjustable directional valves. There are hydraulic pumps by which pressure medium can be conveyed in a quantity corresponding to the demand into a common inflow line leading to the directional valves. A first demand-feed regulator is assigned to the first hydraulic pump and a second demand-feed regulator to the second hydraulic pump. The two demand-feed regulators are capable of being acted upon, with the effect of increasing the pressure medium quantity discharged into the inflow line by the corresponding hydraulic pump, by a spring and, on a first active surface, by the pressure in a load-signaling line and, with the effect of reducing the pressure medium quantity discharged into the inflow line by the corresponding hydraulic pump, on a second active surface, by a pump pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AGInventor: Wolfgang Kauss
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Patent number: 6658844Abstract: A master cylinder having a reservoir and a cylinder formed from a single piece of molded plastic. A sight gauge is molded into a sidewall of the reservoir to permit the level of hydraulic fluid to be checked without removing the reservoir's cap. A vent hole and a replenishing hole permit hydraulic fluid to flow between the reservoir and the cylinder. A baffle is provided to deflect “geysers” that can occur during brake bleeding when hydraulic fluid is forced up through the replenishing port. In the preferred embodiment, the baffle includes an upright portion that is used to retain a float in alignment with the sight gauge.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Dethmers Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Tim E. Lammers
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Patent number: 6658845Abstract: An internal combustion engine (10) has an intake system (12) that includes a turbocharger (32). An engine control (30) processes data for controlling the opening of the exhaust valves (24) and for controlling fueling of the engine in relation to the engine operating cycle. In response to initiation of engine acceleration, the control increasingly retards exhaust valve opening in relation to the engine operating cycle to cause the turbocharger to increase pressure in the intake manifold (14) and increases engine fueling in relation to the increased pressure in the intake manifold.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: Jinhui Sun, Xinqun Gui
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Patent number: 6658846Abstract: An actuator rod (17) for a turbocharger pressure control assembly comprises a first elongate portion (17a) defining a first rod end and a second portion (17b) defining a second rod end. The first and second portions are pivotally joined to one another to allow a degree of relative pivotal motion therebetween in at least one plane perpendicular to the axis of said elongate first portion (17a).Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1999Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Holset Engineering Co. Ltd.Inventor: James A. McEwan
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Patent number: 6658847Abstract: An engine is provided with a turbocharger which varies a supercharging pressure by an actuator. A controller calculates a first compensation value of a response delay from operation of the actuator to variation of an intake air amount of the engine, and a second compensation value of an operating delay of the actuator with respect to an input of a command signal to the actuator. The command signal to the actuator is calculated by performing a processing based on the first compensation and the second compensation value on an operational target value that was determined based on the running state of the engine, and the response of intake air amount control is thereby enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Shirakawa
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Patent number: 6658848Abstract: An airflow system for an engine includes a first turbine coupled with a first compressor and a second turbine coupled with a second compressor. The first turbine receives exhaust from the engine, and the first compressor supplies compressed air to the engine. The second compressor compresses air from atmosphere. A first conduit fluidly couples the first and second turbines, and a second conduit fluidly couples the first and second compressors. A wastegate valve is fluidly coupled with the exhaust manifold and movable between a first position in which exhaust fluid is allowed to bypass the first turbine and a second position in which fluid is restricted from bypassing. The airflow system includes a third conduit fluidly coupling the second compressor and the wastegate valve. The wastegate valve moves to the first position when compressed air in the third conduit has at least a predetermined pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: David Andrew Pierpont
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Patent number: 6658849Abstract: This invention provides a manual boost control valve for an automotive turbocharger. The valve communicates between the intake side and exhaust side of the turbocharger system and particularly communicates with a wastegate actuator that operates a wastegate at the exhaust side. The wastegate actuator operates the wastegate in accordance with the degree of airflow received through the valve, and the valve may be manually manipulated from within the interior of the automobile by a knob interconnected through a cable to a restriction coupling.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventors: Marc B. Hallman, Duane L. Hallman
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Patent number: 6658850Abstract: A system and method for establishing communications in a power plant comprises a power generation system having an interface for establishing wireless communication, at least one power plant auxiliary system having an interface for enabling wireless communication, and a wireless communications link, having at least two redundant wireless communications channels, established between the power generation system and the power plant auxiliary system. The two redundant wireless communications channels may be two redundant wireless radio frequency channels. The communications link may be established utilizing a network communications controller which wirelessly communicates with the power generation system and the power plant auxiliary system. One or more of the power plant auxiliary systems may communicate with the network communications controller through a repeater.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael B. House, Andrew J. Travaly, Anthony S. Arrao, Harold W. Tomlinson, Jr., Daniel W. Sexton
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Patent number: 6658851Abstract: An apparatus for subliming or condensing a water-containing fluid, which apparatus is provided with a tubular holder (1) having a longitudinal direction and at east one tube (2) extending in that longitudinal direction at least within the holder (1), wherein the holder is provided with at least one inlet (5) and at least one outlet (6), there being further provided at least one supply (3) and at least one discharge (4), which are in communication with the interior of the at least one tube (2), which on one side extends through a wall of the holder an is sealingly secured therein an don the other side within the holder terminates with a free end, closed with respect to the interior of the holder, which free end is guided so as to be slidable in longitudinal direction, by guide means which are located at a distance from the wall in which the tube is scalingly secured.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Solutherm B.V.Inventors: Pieter Jellema, Jelle Luutzen Nijdam
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Patent number: 6658852Abstract: A motor vehicle drive includes an internal-combustion engine, at least one electric machine, and a clutch device by which the electric machine can be connected in a drive relationship with the internal-combustion engine. At least one auxiliary device (34, 36) can be connected in a drive relationship with the electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventor: Juergen Frey
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Patent number: 6658853Abstract: A seal structure for sealing a gap between a combustor liner and a neighboring structure adjacent to the combustor liner, includes an annular sealing member mounted on the neighboring structure so as to be in contact with an annular outer surface of the combustor liner to seal the gap between the combustor liner and the neighboring structure. The annular sealing member includes a plurality of sealing segments which are arranged in an annular form as a whole.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiro Matsuda, Masayoshi Kobayashi, Takanobu Yoshimura, Hiroaki Miyamoto
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Patent number: 6658854Abstract: A method for assembling a flap and seal system for a gas turbine engine exhaust nozzle including a plurality of backbone assemblies facilitates attaching a basesheet to a backbone. The method includes attaching an attachment system including at least one strap to a basesheet, and coupling the basesheet to a backbone using the attachment system strap.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: General Electric Co.Inventors: Darrell Senile, Bernard J. Renggli
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Patent number: 6658855Abstract: A plurality of vessels contains pressurized gas. Each vessel fluidly communicates with an adjacent vessel through a line. A heat exchanger is positioned in a heat conducting relationship with each line. The system includes an exhaust valve communicating with lower pressure. In one embodiment, the vessels communicate in series and only one of the vessels communicates with the exhaust valve. Alternatively, the vessels are arranged in a loop configuration with two of the vessels communicating with the exhaust valve through respective lines each containing a shutoff valve. The two shutoff valves are opened and closed in concert to cause the flow in the system to alternate directions as it is being exhausted. In a third configuration, two vessels communicate through a singular line in accordance with the most basic embodiment, but the vessel communicating with the exhaust valve encloses the other vessel. Heat transfer fins are located in the enclosed vessel, and extend into the enclosing vessel.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2000Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Thomas L. Iles, Michael S. Koerner
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Patent number: 6658856Abstract: A system and method of combusting a hydrocarbon fuel is disclosed. The system combines the accuracy and controllability of an air staging system with the ultra-low emissions achieved by catalytic combustion systems without the need for a pre-heater. The result is a system and method that is mechanically simple and offers ultra-low emissions over a wide range of power levels, fuel properties and ambient operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Vericor Power Systems LLCInventor: Ian L. Critchley
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Patent number: 6658857Abstract: A portable thermoelectric cooling and heating appliance device and associated method of using the device are disclosed. The device comprises: a generally rectangular box, a hinge, a generally rectangular lid, a locking means, and a power cord. The box has a divider wall which defines a partition between a left and a right chamber within the box. The box further includes: an outer shell; an insulation layer; a inner shell; a power input plug; a first heat transfer unit; a first network of cooling/heating coils; a first control knob having a first voltage regulator and a first thermostat operationally connected to each other; a first spigot having a first button and a first drain; a second heat transfer unit; a second network of cooling/heating coils; a second control knob having a second voltage regulator and a second thermostat operationally connected to each other; and a second spigot having a second button and a second drain. The hinge is attached to the outer shell of the box.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventor: Hatho M. George
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Patent number: 6658858Abstract: A fruit chiller includes a bowl-like fruit container and a removable cover, each of which has a two layer wall defining therebetween annular cooling air flow passages. Cool air is delivered from a lower base and, when the cover is on the container, cool air flows upwardly through the interconnected annular passages and into the container at the top of the cover. The air flows downwardly and exits the container at the bottom, thereby maximizing the distance between the cool air inlet and outlet to maximize the time the cool air remains within the container.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Delta T, LLCInventors: Mark S. Thompson, George A. Clark
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Patent number: 6658859Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for cooling at least one wine or champagne container in a wine or champagne preservation and dispensing apparatus. The cooling system includes a housing; a container support mounted in the housing; a cool air generating unit mounted in the housing; and a circulator mounted in the housing. In one embodiment, the cool air generating unit generates cooled air. The cooled air is circulated in the housing by the circulator to cool the wine or champagne container on the container support. In another embodiment, the container support includes a removable divider which separates the container support into two areas where at least one wine or champagne container is included in each of the areas and at least one of the areas is adjacent to the circulator. The divider includes at least one air baffle to control the amount of generated cooled air circulated in each of the areas by the circulator.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Vin Valet, Inc.Inventors: Johne Phelps, Daniel N. O'Connor, Robert R. Deller, Justin R. Lydon, Timothy C. McGuire
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Patent number: 6658860Abstract: Counter-current heat flow systems are disclosed, where heat containing medium flows in adjacent conduits arranged anti-parallel to one another so that the medium flowing from a warm zone to a cool zone flows adjacent to the medium flowing from the cool to the warm zone in the opposite direction. A plurality of heat pumps are distributed along the conduits to actively pump heat between adjacent points of the conduits. Little energy is required to pump heat between the adjacent points yet a large temperature difference can be maintained between the warm and the cool zones. The heat containing medium can be a fluid or an electric current. The medium in one conduit may have a different heat capacity than the medium in the other conduit. A controller may be included to regulate the plurality of heat pumps and/or the flow of the media to maintain a desired temperature at the warm zone or the cool zone.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventor: Stephen P. McGrew
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Patent number: 6658861Abstract: A system to extract heat from a high power density device and dissipate heat at a convenient distance. The system circulates liquid metal in a closed conduit using one or more electromagnetic pumps for carrying away the heat from high power density device and rejecting the heat at a heat sink located at a distance. The system may make use of a thermoelectric generator to power the electromagnetic pumps by utilizing the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet pipes of the heat sink. The system also provides networks of primary and secondary closed conduits having series and parallel arrangements of electromagnetic pumps for dissipating heat from multiple devices at a remotely located heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Nanocoolers, Inc.Inventors: Uttam Ghoshal, Andrew Carl Miner
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Patent number: 6658862Abstract: A thermoacoustic device is formed with a resonator system defining at least one region of high specific acoustic impedance in an acoustic wave within the resonator system. A plurality of thermoacoustic units are cascaded together within the region of high specific acoustic impedance, where at least one of the thermoacoustic units is a regenerator unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Gregory W. Swift, Scott N. Backhaus, David L. Gardner
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Patent number: 6658863Abstract: A system and method provide for storage and supply of a pressurized gas aboard a launch vehicle such as a rocket-powered craft. Certain rocket powered vehicles, require that one or more propellant tanks be pressurized for a continuous supply of propellant to the rocket engines and to maintain tank structural integrity. According to the system described herein, certain heating elements may be employed for controlling the pressure in a gas supply bottle during the outflow of gas from the bottle so as to provide a continuous supply of pressurized gas and to make available of a large percentage of the gas stored in the bottle. Further, the system described herein provides for the storage of helium under densities above that of liquid helium and through use of a heat source, such as rocket engine supplied hot gas, provides a supply of gas such that it can be used for tank pressurization.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Philip Beck, Bernard Kutter, Frank Zegler
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Patent number: 6658864Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a cryogen for cooling articles, particularly having applications for chilling extrusions, food, and similar articles, utilizing dispersion of liquid cryogen into a feed chamber wherein it is substantially vaporized and then circulated through a cooling chamber containing the article to be cooled. A circulation device can circulate the vaporized cryogen through the cooling chamber, or through the article, at a variably controllable velocity to enhance the cooling efficiency using the principle of forced air convection and to provide improved temperature control in the system.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Inventors: Michael Thomas, Lonnie Randolph, Greg Brandt, Chris Gieseking, Dave Winship
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Patent number: 6658865Abstract: A method for cooling components of installations charged with flowable media, in particular molding units for glass melts, and for direct cooling of molded glass parts. A stable cooling range between 60° C. and 280° C., such as is required in glass production, can be governed with the cooling medium, which is of a mixture of compressed and/or blower air and a water aerosol fog.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Schott GlasInventors: Christian Schenk, Siegbert Schell
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Patent number: 6658866Abstract: A scroll expresser of a refrigerant system includes a non-orbiting expander scroll plate and an orbiting expander scroll plate which form a plurality of expansion chambers and a non-orbiting compressor scroll plate and a orbiting compressor scroll plate which form a plurality of compression chambers. The scroll expresser expands high pressure refrigerant in the expansion chambers to low pressure vapor refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant exits the scroll expresser for evaporation. The vapor refrigerant is compressed in the compression chambers and mixes with the refrigerant exiting the compressor. Alternatively, the orbiting scroll plates are integrated into one component.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Yan Tang, James W. Bush
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Patent number: 6658867Abstract: In an air conditioning system including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, a process includes the steps of feeding discharged refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser so as to provide a condensed refrigerant flow; splitting the condensed refrigerant flow into a main flow and an auxiliary flow wherein the auxiliary flow includes between about 8 and about 12% wt. of total mass flow rate of the condensed refrigerant flow; reducing temperature and pressure of the auxiliary flow so as to provide an economizer flow; passing the economizer flow and the main flow through a heat exchanger so as to provide a sub-cooled main flow and an economizer discharge flow; feeding the economizer discharge flow to the compressor; and feeding the sub-cooled main flow through the evaporator to the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Michael F. Taras, Alexander Lifson, Thomas J. Dobmeier, Howard Fraser
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Patent number: 6658868Abstract: An operator control panel for an electrical appliance, in particular, a refrigerator, includes a base panel for fastening on the electrical appliance, a control circuit for the electrical appliance, an insert for attachment to a visible side of the base panel, and an adapter for fastening the control circuit behind the base panel in a number of different positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbHInventors: Alfred Raab, Claudia Rupp, Manfred Strobel