Patents Issued in February 3, 2004
  • Patent number: 6684801
    Abstract: A supercavitation ventilation control system is disclosed and includes a vehicle body having a fore end and an aft end. A cavitator is fit to the fore end of the vehicle body, the cavitator generating a gas cavity around the vehicle body. A cavity control ring is slidably positioned at the aft end of the vehicle body, the cavity control ring selectively adjusting a terminal end of the cavity formed by the cavitator. A stop ring is adjustably positioned on the vehicle body forward of the cavity control ring for managing a reentrant jet generated by the cavity control ring. Each of the stop ring and cavity control ring are moveable by separate actuators and a single control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Robert Kuklinski
  • Patent number: 6684802
    Abstract: In an improved sail for a sailboat, the trailing edges of a pair of serrated flaps of sailcloth are attached to the trailing edge of the sail, one on each side; the leading portions of corresponding members making up the serrated flaps are not fixed to the sail, but are connected to one another by short sections of line extending through holes in the sail. When the boat is tacked from one tack to the other, the leading portions of the members on the new windward side are pulled away from the surface of the sail by the wind, so that a serrated flow-impeding lip is provided on the windward side of the leech. At the same time, the lines pull the leeward members against the main body of the sail, so that drag is not increased substantially. Substantial improvements in sailing performance are realized, while no control action is required to cause the flaps to be suitably reconfigured upon tacking, and while ordinary sailing manuevers and all normal sail handling operations may be carried out without complication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Paul B. Keenan
  • Patent number: 6684803
    Abstract: A steering apparatus for a motor-driven watercraft includes: (a) a movable, two-directional joystick including a steering arm (b) a depressible throttle trigger affixed to an upper end portion of the joystick; and (c) a pulley system including a steering cable attached to a lower end of the steering arm, the steering cable extending around pulleys affixed to the starboard or port side of the watercraft in matching pairs; a front, matching pair of the pulleys being pivotably affixed to a hull of the watercraft on either side of the joystick, a rear pair of the pulleys being affixed to the hull of the watercraft on either side of the motor; wherein depression of the throttle trigger and relatively simultaneous movement of the joystick in a first direction, or in a second, opposite direction causes the watercraft to turn in the direction of the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ceevee North America, LLC
    Inventor: Trevor Alan Dickson
  • Patent number: 6684804
    Abstract: A rudder construction for use particularly in light vessels, for example, in kayaks, and including a rudder blade (1) attached permanently to the hull (11) of the vessel and equipped with a thinned zone (9) to allow the main part of the rudder blade to turn, as well as with at least one flexible zone (17) to create flexibility in at least part of the rudder construction in a collision. The rudder construction is manufactured essentially entirely from an elastomeric material. The flexible zone (17) is formed from a weakening in the material thickness of the rudder construction and permits at least part of the rudder blade (1) to bend to the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kajak-Sport Oy
    Inventors: Esa Gustafsson, Erkki Karvinen, Juba Karvinen, Jorma Salonen
  • Patent number: 6684805
    Abstract: A connection system for Yachts comprising a lightweight rope loop (2) and a body part for connecting sheets, sails and blocks. A tensile connecting device comprises a high strength fiber rope with a first enlarged terminated end that is held captive in a second body part having a shoulder (59a) such that said elongated loop is slipped over said shoulder to form a quickly connected and disconnected tensile joining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Donald B. Curchod
  • Patent number: 6684806
    Abstract: The invention relates to hulls for planing or semi-planing water craft. The hull (4) has an abruptly down-swept trailing edge portion (18) which, in the preferred embodiment, is in the form of a flap extending across the full width of the transom of the hull and which projects beyond the level of an upswept portion of the underside (14) of the hull by only a small fraction of the length (L) of the hull. According to another aspect of the invention, a hull (4) having a lightly cambered nose portion (5, 10, 12) is also described and claimed. The claimed hulls offer higher lift coefficients and lift/drag ratios than conventional planing hulls, and can operate at zero angle of attack at design speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Futuretech Technologies
    Inventor: Ian James Duncan
  • Patent number: 6684807
    Abstract: The flaps (101) are fastened to the bottom of the boat, with hinges (122) and are extended under the moving boat to generate lift or cause drag. The area of the flaps (101) can be increased with extensions (102). Slots (104) are present on the flaps (101) to relieve vortexes and some drag. Lift amount can be regulated by the amount of flap presentation and by use of the extensions (102). Flaps are individually controllable or can be moved in unison. Increased drag will result from extreme extension of the flaps. The number of flaps, fastened to the boat forward of the stern, can be two, four or more if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Alan Smith
  • Patent number: 6684808
    Abstract: A device for providing stability and directional control to a boat. The device includes a flexible water container for being deployed from one quadrant of the boat and including opposing sides, a top and a bottom, a relatively large forwardly-directed mouth opening for capturing a predetermined large quantity of water at a predetermined rate, a relatively small aft-directed drain in the opposite end of the container for discharging aft a quantity of water at a rate substantially lower than the rate at which water is captured by the mouth, and forward attachment lines carried by the container proximate a bottom side of the mouth for securing the device in close proximity to the boat by attachment to at least one forward attachment point carried by the boat amidship with the mouth in an open condition for capturing water therein, and additional attachment lines carried by the container proximate a top side of the mouth for securing the container to the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Steven Callahan
  • Patent number: 6684809
    Abstract: The invention regards an apparatus for performing an animal related operation like milking or grooming, where the animal (9) is confined in a stall (8). In order to protect animals and equipment, it is so arranged that any breaking of the functions activates an activable state, which retracts devices (21; 10) from the region of confinement before the apparatus is allowed to finally stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Hans Martin Sjolund
  • Patent number: 6684810
    Abstract: A method and an installation for identifying animals and managing data concerning animals so as to control the traceability of the animals and of the data. The installation includes an identifier (1) borne by the animal; a system for reading (2) the identifier; a self-contained system (3) for communicating with the user, processing and storing in a storage unit (7) data concerning at least an animal, a link between the self-contained system (3) and the reading system (2); a centralised database (4) assembling data concerning the animals; databases concerning data on the animals are included in the self-contained system storage unit and duplicated in the centralised data bank; device for communicating data between the self-contained system (3) and the centralised database (4) and communication means (6) and (6′) between the self-contained system (3) and another self-contained system (3′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Farmexpress.Com SA
    Inventor: Jacques Georges Martin
  • Patent number: 6684811
    Abstract: A method of making a tubular member such as a bird feeder hopper having offset members extending integrally from the inside surface of the peripheral wall thereof into an internal cavity. A sheet-like member is initially formed with a plurality of wall sections interconnected by integral hinges and the offset members integrally formed on one surface thereof. The sheet-like element can then be folded or pivoted about the integral hinges to form the peripheral wall of the tubular member, with the offset members extending into the internal cavity defined thereby and the edge portions of the end sections secured as by heat sealing, complementary locking members, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Woodstream Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher T. Rich, Clay E. Tully
  • Patent number: 6684812
    Abstract: An animal feeder support device for maintaining a feed container on a substantially vertically extending support member a distance above the ground. The animal feeder support device comprises a stabilizing member, a container support frame, an arm, a first cable, a second cable, and an adjustable strap assembly. The stabilizing member is disposable in a substantially vertical position on the substantially vertically extending support member. The container support frame has an opening sized to receive a feed dispenser of the feed container when the feed container is positioned on the container support frame. The arm has a medial portion connected to the stabilizing member. The first and second cables are adjustably connected to the container support frame. The adjustable strap assembly is connectable to the arm near the medial portion of the arm so that the strap assembly is extendable about the vertically extending support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Eugene Tucker
  • Patent number: 6684813
    Abstract: The present invention provides a maintenance-efficient birdbath—fountain assembly essentially comprising an upper annular basin, a lower support reservoir, a fountain assembly, and a decorative cap. The basin comprises a central water dam and a sloped superior surface. The water dam comprises a plurality of water retainers and a plurality of water inlet grooves intermediate the water retainers, which together define a reservoir access aperture. The support reservoir supports the basin and receives excess water emptying from the basin via the water inlet grooves. The fountain assembly comprises a pump assembly and a float valve assembly for recirculating water and for maintaining a desired water level. The decorative cap caps the reservoir access aperture, which allows a user to manually access the fountain assembly or the reservoir without removing the basin from the reservoir thus providing the user with an efficiently maintained birdbath—fountain assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Barbara L. Lemon
  • Patent number: 6684814
    Abstract: A removable cap assembly having a cap, a stopper and a sipper tube. The cap has a curved side wall which has an inner and outer surface. From this wall extends a top portion. A boss extends perpendicularly from the top portion. The boss has a bottom portion and a top portion. A circumferential rib extends perpendicularly from the top portion of the boss. The boss and rib define an opening in the cap. A stopper is provided that is dimensioned to seal the opening of the cap. The stopper is maintained in the cap by the boss and circumferential rib. The stopper includes a disc-shaped base and a cylindrical wall portion that extends therefrom. Additionally, a first groove that is dimensioned to receive the bottom portion of the boss is positioned in the base around the wall portion. Also, a second circumferential groove is positioned in the top portion of the wall portion. This second, groove is dimensioned to receive the rib. The stopper has a hole for receiving a sipper tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ver Hage Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard P. Ver Hage
  • Patent number: 6684815
    Abstract: A free standing, portable support system stand for a liquid dispensing bottle having a dispensing apparatus being angularly disposed from the body, the dispensing apparatus having a tube with a pet/animal activated mechanism, a support base having a supplemental lower plate and a vertical member, the lower edge of the vertical member being coupled to the horizontal rectangular plate. A bottle retaining brace includes a horizontal resting plate coupled to the vertical member of the support base. The resting plate has a receiving end with a first recess with an annular recess. The receiving end of the resting plate has a semilunar recess adjacent to an exposed edge, such that both the first recess and the annular recess coincide with the semilunar recess. The bottle retaining brace has a horizontal support member coupled to the vertical member of the support base at a position superior to the resting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Betsie Marshall Davis Brooks Rakoczy
  • Patent number: 6684816
    Abstract: A pet areas mat for cleanliness where small animals eat, drink, are housed in a cage, or perform other functions, use of a litter box or litter pan. The mat is generally rectangular or oblong in shape and is constructed of a material that is absorbent on one side and laminated and non-absorbent on the reverse side, forming a moisture barrier. Stays are constructed on the mat by stitching, at various intervals, a binding to folds of the aforementioned material in a horizontal, vertical or concentrical pattern. The same binding is sewn on the perimeter of the mat. The stays and perimeter binding function to contain debris on, or in the general area of, the mat. The mat also absorbs liquids, the animal's drinking water and the animal's bodily fluids. The pet areas mat is very convenient for pet owners, as it is disposable and machine washable in cold water and must be air dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Judith G. Lippincott
  • Patent number: 6684817
    Abstract: A breeding housing for small pet animals includes a casing provided with at least a transparent front portion and a breeding nest-forming structure disposed in the casing. The nest-forming structure includes a lamination made of corrugated cardboard and provided with a nest-like space formed therein and an opening communicating with the nest-like space formed at one of four peripheral side surfaces of the lamination, and at least a part of the nest-like space constituting a front-opened portion opened at a front surface of the lamination. The nest-forming structure is disposed in the casing in such a state in which the opening faces upward and the front-opened portion faces a front of the casing. A surplus space is formed above the breeding nest-forming structure in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tominaga Jyushi Kogyosho
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Tominaga
  • Patent number: 6684818
    Abstract: A lightweight perch formed from plastic, wood or the like, has an outer surface on which is applied a granular material such as sand or the like. A thin layer of adhesive or solvent may be used to attach the granular material to the perch. The resultant perch duplicates the healthy, stimulative effects of expensive concrete and sand perches at a tremendously reduced weight and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: JW Pet Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Willinger, Klaus Woltmann
  • Patent number: 6684819
    Abstract: A toy device for an animal wherein a catapulting apparatus is disposed on a base whereupon a toy-like member is catapulted from the apparatus in a horizontal-like trajectory, whereupon the animal will chase and capture the toy-like member. A string is connected between the apparatus and the toy-like member so that the toy-like member is recoiled back upon the base for a repetition of events. A microcontroller is provided for use with the catapult device so that the catapult works on a timing mechanism and operates at a predetermined time interval. The apparatus can be either battery operated or can use conventional 110-volt alternating current as its power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Carl L. Locke
  • Patent number: 6684820
    Abstract: An animal control system and method generates an on-off correction stimulus using a small transformer and rectifies the high voltage output to give an unfiltered unipolar voltage applied to electrodes as a correction stimulus. A small, efficient power isolation system is disclosed. An omnidirectional antenna is disclosed that reduces authentication time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: James E. Davis
  • Patent number: 6684821
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water heater that sustains energy during the standby mode so that it can power energy saving devices while e minimizing energy loss and controlling the stored water temperature. The present invention may include an outer casing, an insulated tank containing flue tubes, a combustion chamber, a burner rack containing a pilot and thermopile assembly, a flue collector, a damper and a draft diverter. These components are preferrably arranged to enable heat from the main burners to be transferred in an efficient manner to the water when needed and heat loss from the water to be minimized when the main burners are not fired. This may be accomplished without the use of external electric power, and the energy producing and heat transferring components of the water heater are optimally balanced, resulting in a sustained energy level that minimizes heat loss, prevents unwanted increases in water temperature, and enables the use of a damper without external electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Bradford White Corporation
    Inventors: Eric M. Lannes, Garrett Doss
  • Patent number: 6684822
    Abstract: An inline heating device for fluid has rotary members frictionally engaging fixed housing extensions on a central fluid transfer conduit. The rotary members are rotated by drive shafts having multiple vein turbine assemblies respectively thereon within the fluid transfer conduit. The rotary members have enhanced friction engagement surface which are spring urged against the fixed housing extension engagement surfaces generating heat therein for thermal transfer to the fluid flow within the transfer conduit driving the turbine assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Damien Lieggi
  • Patent number: 6684823
    Abstract: An impulse generator produces controlled pressure waves for removing ash deposits from heat exchangers in a boiler. The impulse generator has a fuel inlet, an air inlet, an ignitor, an outlet, and a control system for selectively and intermittently igniting the fuel and air to produce the pressure waves. In a first exemplary embodiment, the impulse generator includes a toroidal-shaped body with a tangential air inlet for inducing a helical swirling flow of the fuel and the air. In a second exemplary embodiment, the impulse generator includes a turbulizer with a corkscrew-shaped vane for inducing a helical swirling flow of the fuel and the air. In addition, an exemplary ash deposit removal method includes adjusting the fuel flow, airflow, ignition dwell time, and/or ignition interval time to selectively adjust the combustion mode between deflagrative and detonative combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Zinovy Z. Plavnik, Arun Mehta
  • Patent number: 6684824
    Abstract: Contained within an enclosure formed by an outer cylinder 2 and couplings 5, 5 equipped with connection ports 7, 7 connected to a liquid fuel system there are ceramic bodies 11, 11, which are formed by baking or firing of a substance wherein an effective microorganism colony, or a material obtained by fermentation thereof, or both, has or have been kneaded, and which are respectively arranged between the north poles N, N, . . . and the south poles S, S, . . . of permanent magnets 10, 10, . . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Em Research Organization, Inc.
    Inventors: Teruo Higa, Takafuku Kato
  • Patent number: 6684825
    Abstract: A rotary machine having a housing with rotary components disclosed within. The rotary machine is configurable as an internal combustion rotary engine, an external combustion rotary engine, a gas compressor, a vacuum pump, a liquid pump, a drive turbine, or a drive turbine for expandable gases or pressurized liquids. The combustion engine employs a new thermal cycle—eliminating the Otto cycle's internal compression of the combustion products as part of the cycle. The new combustion thermal cycle is intake, expansion and exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Saddle Rock Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ronnie J. Duncan
  • Patent number: 6684826
    Abstract: An engine cooling apparatus includes a flow regulating valve, which adjusts a flow rate of a coolant passing through a radiator provided in a coolant circulation passage of the engine, and an electronic control unit (ECU), which controls an opening of the flow regulating valve such that an engine outlet coolant temperature reaches a necessary target temperature. The ECU sets a basic opening as a feedforward term based on the operation state of the engine. The ECU calculates a final opening from an F/B constant as a feedback term, which is increased or decreased such that the engine outlet coolant temperature reaches the target temperature, and the basic opening. Further, the ECU performs feedback control on the opening of the flow regulating valve based on the final opening. As a result, the responsibility of the coolant temperature control is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigetaka Yoshikawa, Yoshikazu Shinpo, Isao Takagi, Daisuke Yamamoto, Hiromichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 6684827
    Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid cooled internal combustion engine, comprising a plurality of cooling circuits and one or several liquid radiators connected thereto. In order to produce one of several possible configurations of cooling circuits and liquid radiators, a cooling liquid guide housing comprising a plurality of first flow sections associated with the cooling circuits, a distributor housing comprising a plurality of second flow sections which are connected to the liquid radiators, and an intermediate element arranged between the liquid guide housing and the distributor housing are provided. The intermediate element has a specific arrangement of open passage sections between the first flow sections of the cooling liquid guide housing and the second flow sections of the distributor housing, corresponding to one of several possible configurations of cooling circuits and liquid radiators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Sudmanns
  • Patent number: 6684828
    Abstract: In a variable compression ratio mechanism for an internal combustion engine employing an upper link, a lower link, and a control link, the lower link includes a crankpin bearing portion into which a crankpin is fitted, a first connecting-pin bearing portion into which a first connecting pin for the upper link is fitted, and a second connecting-pin bearing portion into which a second connecting pin for the control link is fitted. A central connecting portion is provided to connect an axial central portion of at least one of the first and second connecting-pin bearing portions to an axial central portion of the crankpin bearing portion. The central connecting portion has an axial length L1 shorter than each of an axial length L2 of the crankpin bearing portion, an axial length L3 of the first connecting-pin bearing portion, and an axial length L4 of the second connecting-pin bearing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenshi Ushijima, Shunichi Aoyama, Katsuya Moteki, Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Yoshiaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6684829
    Abstract: A device for the actuation of a gas shuttle valve in an internal combustion engine that allows an optimization of both engine performance and fuel consumption by providing a variable valve lift. The lift of the gas shuttle valve can be varied by adjusting the effective axial distance of the actuators. As needed, the valve lift is increased or decreased in order to either improve engine performance or fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Gebauer, Stefan Kellermann
  • Patent number: 6684830
    Abstract: An EGR passage 8 that recirculates exhaust gases in an exhaust pipe 5 of an engine 1 to an intake system by negative intake-gas pressure is provided. An intake cam 24 that opens and closes an intake valve 6 is provided so that a phase angle of the intake cam 24 may be adjusted through a VTC 27 (phase angle adjustment means). The phase angle of the intake cam 24 is adjusted in accordance with increase or decrease of a flow rate of recirculation of exhaust gases, thus restricting occurrence of NOx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Miyashita
  • Patent number: 6684831
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electrically rotatable shaft, and more particularly, an adjusting shaft (1) of a fully variable mechanical valve train of an internal combustion engine, said shaft comprising an adjusting cam (2). The low-friction and lash-free configuration of a drive required for a rapid and exact functioning of the fully variable mechanical valve train is achieved by the fact that the adjusting shaft (1) is rotated by an actuator (3) that comprises an adjusting lever (4) connected rotationally fast to the adjusting shaft (1), while the free end of the adjusting lever is articulated preferably on the screw nut (10) of a screw-and-nut drive (5) that is driven by an electromotor (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Ulrich Grau
  • Patent number: 6684832
    Abstract: A valve operating device of an internal combustion engine, capable of varying the lift, the opening and closing angle of the intake valves. What makes it unique is that the camshaft is not fixed to the cylinder head, but it oscillates around a shaft, and by means of this oscillation, the valve lift and duration are changed. A command shaft changes the angular position of the camshaft holders and thus the camshaft position. The camshaft is driven by the crankshaft and rotates inside the camshaft holder. The cams drive intermediate arms. Rocker arms are driven by the intermediate arms and, in turn, drive the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventors: Roberto Marcelo Codina, Sergio Daniel Codina
  • Patent number: 6684833
    Abstract: A swing cam to actuate engine valves is rotatably disposed about a drive shaft. A first eccentric cam is tightly disposed on the drive shaft. A ring-link is rotatably disposed on the first eccentric cam. A second eccentric cam is tightly disposed on a control shaft which rotates to a given angular position in accordance with an operation condition of an associated internal combustion engine. A rocker arm is rotatably disposed on the second eccentric cam. A rod-link extends between the rocker arm and the swing cam. A first connecting pin pivotally connects a first arm portion of the rocker arm with the ring-link. A second connecting pin pivotally connects a second arm portion of the rocker arm with an end of the rod-link. A third connecting pin pivotally connects the other end of the rod-link with the swing cam. The first connecting pin is fixed to either one of the first arm portion of the rocker arm and the ring-link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Moteki, Shinichi Takemura, Yoshiaki Miyazato
  • Patent number: 6684834
    Abstract: A rotating piston positioning device to adjust the angle of rotation of a camshaft with respect to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The device includes a drive member (5) that is driven by the crankshaft and a driven member (10) that is fixed to the camshaft (4). At least the driven member (10) of the device (1) is formed of a lightweight metal and is bolted to the camshaft (4) by a central fastening screw (13), whereas the drive member (5) is radially supported external to the driven member (10) and transfers force to the driven member by at least two hydraulic pressure chambers located inside the device (1). The conical zone of force from the fastening screw (13) to the driven member (10) is carried by a special collar (16) made of a compression-resistant material that at the same time is a prefabricated pressure medium distributor of the device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Mike Kohrs
  • Patent number: 6684835
    Abstract: A valve timing control device is provided, which has an advantageous point of locking a relative rotation phase at an intermediate phase based on an engine halt signal. The valve opening-closing timing control device has a relative rotation control mechanism including the first path for supplying or discharging oil to or from the retard angle chamber and the advance angle chamber and for moving a relative rotation phase between the retard angle chamber and the advance angle chamber in the range between the most retarded angle phase and the most advanced angle phase. The relative rotation control mechanism has a lock oil passage for actuating lock portions for locking the relative rotation phase at the intermediate phase between the most retarded angle phase and the most advanced angle phase. The second path is provided separately from the first path. The second path supplies oil to and discharges oil from a lock oil passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Komazawa, Hiroshi Kubo
  • Patent number: 6684836
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided which comprises a variable valve timing mechanism provided at an end of a camshaft and actuated by oil pressure for varying a valve timing, an oil pressure control valve that controls the oil pressure, and an oil passage fluidly connecting between the oil pressure control valve and the variable valve timing mechanism, wherein the oil pressure control valve is installed on a head cover, and wherein the oil passage includes a first oil passage section formed in the camshaft and in communication with the variable valve timing mechanism, a second oil passage section formed in the head cover and in communication with the oil pressure control valve, and a third oil passage section formed in the cam bracket and provides communication between the first oil passage section and the second oil passage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahito Inoue
  • Patent number: 6684837
    Abstract: In a variable valve timing mechanism that changes a rotation phase of a camshaft with respect to a crankshaft by an actuator to vary valve timing of engine valves, when a fixed condition of the rotation phase is detected, the actuator is forcibly driven, to generate a torque alternately in an advance direction and a retarded direction of the rotation phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Unisia Automotive, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryo Miyakoshi
  • Patent number: 6684838
    Abstract: A tappet (1) for the transfer of a lifting motion to a sliding part is provided having two parts, including a circular shaped section (2) with a base (5) connected to it as one piece and a separate dome-shaped socket (9) connected to the base (5) made of thin-walled material with a contact surface (10) for the sliding part. The tappet (1), whose socket (9) extends over a considerable length of the circular shaped section (2), can be economically manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Barbara Pluta, Stefan Dorn
  • Patent number: 6684839
    Abstract: An ignition system or a fuel injection system provided with a dedicated auxiliary source for the ignition device or the fuel injection control system and a separation diode to separate the auxiliary source from the battery source for the start-up motor thus to ensure good ignition performance by avoiding voltage drop at an ignition device or the fuel injection control system due to larger current is drawn by a start-up motor while starting an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 6684840
    Abstract: An intake manifold and a collector made of synthetic resin are molded integrally to constitute a body of an intake module. A synthetic resin holder for holding at least one of a harness and a piping member (a pipe for hot water, and a canister purge pipe) is mounted at the upper part of the intake module body to incorporate the harness and/or piping member as an intake module element. Further, an engine control unit, an injector, a throttle body and so on are also incorporated into the module body to progress formation of an intake system of the internal combustion engine into module, and module elements are increased more than that presented previously to further enhance simplicity of vehicle assembling work, convenience of transportation, and mounting density, and to realize smaller and lighter weight, housing properties, and lower resistance of harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Morio Kuwano, Shigeto Niitsuma, Teruhiko Minegishi, Mitsunori Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6684841
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for improving the vacuum in an auxiliary device. The auxiliary device uses vacuum for one or more applications in a vehicle. The auxiliary device is connected to the inlet manifold of a vehicle via a duct having a one-way valve directing the flow from the auxiliary device to the inlet manifold. The device comprises a chamber having an inlet duct connected to said auxiliary device and an outlet duct. Each of said inlet and outlet ducts have a one-way valve. The chamber is separated from the inlet manifold via a flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth Ingemar Ekström
  • Patent number: 6684842
    Abstract: A multi-chamber resonator box for a vehicle air intake system, wherein the resonator includes a Helmholtz, an expansion chamber, an annular, and a perforated style resonator to militate against the emission of noise energy caused by intake air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Hellie, John D. Kostun, Michael J. Mungle
  • Patent number: 6684843
    Abstract: In an engine, a cover member closing an opening in an engine block is integrally formed with supporting arms extending radially outwards beyond an outer periphery of a flywheel mounted on a crankshaft supported at its one end on the cover member, and a recoil starter located axially outside the flywheel is supported on the supporting arms. Thus, the recoils starter can be supported easily and reliably without provision of a special mounting bracket and a stay and while preventing the interference with the flywheel. Moreover, the coaxiality of the recoil starter and the crankshaft can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoshida, Hiroki Tawa, Tamotsu Momosaki, Hideaki Takada
  • Patent number: 6684844
    Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for use in an engine. The piston assembly includes a piston body including a crown with a skirt extending from the crown. The skirt has an exterior surface. The exterior surface has a surface finish in a wave form with peaks and valleys, and having a roughness total between approximately 6 and 8 micrometers. The roughness total is defined as the difference between the highest peak and lowest valley within an assessment length. The surface finish has an approximate peak-to-peak distance between 0.18 and 0.23 mm within the assessment length. A composite coating is provided over the exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yucong Wang, Donald L. Brown
  • Patent number: 6684845
    Abstract: An engine ladder frame with minimized noise and vibrations, improved stability of the oil filter, and reduced air in the oil flowing from the cylinder head to the oil pan. Inside an elongate rectangular outer block, three partitioning walls are formed equidistantly, so as to form four crank chambers. The crank chambers respectively have bottom faces which are not perforated or open but are completely closed. On the side parts of the bottom faces, there are respectively formed oil flow faces which gradually become deeper in the direction of the revolutions of the crankshaft. Among the oil flow faces, those of the first, second and third crank chambers have oil drain holes respectively at their ends. Thus the bottoms of the crank chambers are closed so as to close the space between the cylinder block and the oil pan, resulting in the reduction of the noise and vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae-Man Cho
  • Patent number: 6684846
    Abstract: A crankshaft, and method for distributing lubricant along a crankshaft, are disclosed. The crankshaft includes a crank pin, a crank arm, a main segment, and a flange. The crank arm is coupled between the main segment and the crank pin and has an outer side. A channel extends from within the crank pin to the outer side. The flange has outer and inner edges, is positioned on the main segment so that the outer edge abuts the main segment, and is further positioned so the inner edge abuts the outer side of the crank arm. The flange has first and second grooves along the outer and inner edges of the flange, respectively, and the grooves form a passage extending from the channel to an exterior portion of the main segment, so that lubricant can flow between the exterior portion of the main segment and the channel via the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Terrence M. Rotter
  • Patent number: 6684847
    Abstract: A family of sliding vane rotary power devices provides an internal combustion engine, a pump, a compressor, a fluid-driven motor, an expander device, a fluid-driven pump, a compressor or a throttling device. All of these devices have a rotor assembly with a number of vanes equally spaced about the rotor dividing the rotor chamber into discrete cavities. As the rotor turns, the vanes follow the wall contour of the rotor chamber so that the cavities rotate with the rotor and expand and contract as the rotor turns. Various combinations of smooth wall contours and rotational arrangements are provided in different devices in order to cause an appropriate number of expansions and contractions of a cavity during the course of a rotation. Various devices in the family of devices differ both in the shape of the rotor chamber and in the configuration of an internal stator member about which the rotor assembly turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Osama Al-Hawaj
  • Patent number: 6684848
    Abstract: A fuel spray and a tumble collide with each other from approximately opposite directions in a cavity formed in a piston head so that a combustible mixture stays around a spark plug for an extended period of time. An upper opening of the cavity is elongated to both the left and right sides of a cylinder axis. The distance between a ceiling of the combustion chamber and a bottom surface of the cavity is smaller on the right side of the cylinder axis than on the left side thereof and largest at least at a point where the cylinder axis crosses the bottom surface of the cavity, and a portion of the cavity to the left of the cylinder axis has a larger volumetric capacity than a portion of the cavity to the right of the cylinder axis, whereby a strong tumble is maintained up to a fuel injection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihiko Saito, Noriyuki Ohta, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Masashi Marubara, Masatoshi Seto, Hiroyuki Yoshida, Takehiko Yasuoka, Masakazu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6684849
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6684850
    Abstract: An electrically-controlled throttle valve apparatus includes a motor, a speed reducing mechanism for reducing rotation speed transmitted from the motor, a throttle valve connected to the speed reducing mechanism, and a force applying device applying force to the throttle valve in the direction of returning the valve to its initial position and adjusting the opening of the throttle valve by driving the motor. Parameters of the motor, the speed reducing mechanism, and the force applying device have values such that the operation time t from the minimum to the maximum throttle valve opening, which is determined by an evaluation equation obtained from equations of throttle valve motion, is less than a prescribed target throttle valve operation time t*. Furthermore, resistance and an induction voltage constant of the motor are determined to satisfy a constraint equation obtained based on Ohm's law.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiko Kowatari, Yuzo Kadomukai, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito, Toshifumi Usui, Masaru Ito