Patents Issued in March 9, 2004
-
Patent number: 6701883Abstract: A cylinder head and a four-stroke and two-valve spark-ignition internal combustion engine spark-ignition internal combustion engine are provided which allows for enhancing the output and the rotational speed of the engine by increasing the flame propagation rate of the burning air-fuel mixture. As the piston 4 moves up toward the top dead center, the air-fuel mixture within the squish area 14 is inducted along the squish guide groove 15 toward the ignition electrode 7a of the ignition plug 7 and is then ignited by the ignition electrode 7a when the piston 4 approaches the top dead center. When the mixture is ignited by the ignition electrode 7a, there is a flow of the air-fuel mixture around the ignition electrode 7a (the ignition plug aperture 12) inducted by the squish guide groove 15 so as to move toward the center of the combustion chamber, so that the flame propagation rate within the combustion chamber may be enhanced as the ignition is effected on such moving air-fuel mixture.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventor: Takuya Matsumoto
-
Patent number: 6701884Abstract: An overhead cam motorcycle engine includes a cylinder head, a cam cover coupled to the cylinder head, a sealing gasket, and a substantially rigid insert. The cylinder head includes an aperture that is substantially axially aligned with an engine camshaft axis. The resilient gasket includes a sealing jacket that defines an opening. The gasket is positioned between the cylinder head and the cam cover such that the sealing jacket occupies the aperture. The insert is positioned in the opening in the sealing jacket to seal the cylinder head and cam cover interface.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.Inventors: Andreas Schneider, Klaus Fuoss, Jeffrey P. Coughlin
-
Patent number: 6701885Abstract: To provide peak cylinder pressure control, an eccentric bearing is biased toward a first angular position wherein an attached piston is raised to a maximum compression ratio position in the cylinder. The compression ratio may remain constant at lower loads and above until a predetermined force generated by cylinder pressure is reached. At this point, the force acting on the eccentric lever arm or eccentricity of the bearing overcomes the restraining biasing force, causing the eccentric bearing to rotate in the connecting rod to move the eccentric end of the rod outward, away from the cylinder. This motion effectively shortens the length of the connecting rod and moves the piston downward relative to a connected crankpin. In this manner, the effective compression ratio of the cylinder is temporarily reduced and the pressure developed in the cylinder is controlled by the mechanical mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Edward Daniel Klomp, Marek Lejzorowicz
-
Patent number: 6701886Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the combustion by autoignition of a homogeneous fuel mixture for an internal-combustion engine comprising a combustion chamber in which a stage of slow oxidation of said mixture occurs prior to the combustion of this mixture. A determined amount of fuel is fed into the combustion chamber during the slow oxidation of the mixture so as to lengthen this oxidation stage.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Bruno Walter, Bertand Gatellier
-
Patent number: 6701887Abstract: A method of influencing the mixture formation and charge movement in the cylinders of a piston internal combustion engine, having at least one gas intake valve and at least one gas outlet valve per cylinder. Each of the valves is provided with a fully variable, preferably electrimagnetic, valve drive and is controllable via an electronic control device that is configured such that within predetermined speed ranges and/or for predetermined load conditions, at least some of the gas intake valves and/or the gas outlet valves can be moved, respectively in dependence on the piston stroke, with a stroke course that is variable, relative to the opening and closing moments and/or the opening time, the opening width and/or the opening duration and/or the movement speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Salber, Thomas Esch
-
Patent number: 6701888Abstract: Improving compression brake systems (10) require better control of timing an actuation event. Numerous systems use complicated electronic controls to achieve such control. Cam actuated compression brake systems may reduce braking power by allowing a valve 32 on an internal combustion engine (30) to remain open well after an optimum crank angle. Using a by-pass port (42), pressure may be increased in a second actuator volume (22) opposite a first actuator volume (20). Increasing pressures in the second actuator volume (22) promotes closing the valve (26) near the optimum crank angle.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Philip J. Houtz
-
Patent number: 6701889Abstract: A method for determining the load angle of a three-phase current synchronous machine with the aid of position information of an internal combustion engine. The latter is furnished with an engine control device, in which operating parameters and the position information of components of the internal combustion engine are stored. The following method steps are run through: First of all, the rotational position of the internal combustion engine is recorded in the engine control device when the internal combustion engine is switched off. Before the start of the internal combustion engine, the transmission of the rotational position information of the internal combustion engine to the electrical three-phase current machine takes place for the adjustment between the rotational position information and the load angle of the electrical three-phase current machine, at a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine of n=0.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Michael Lehner, Klaus Scherrbacher
-
Patent number: 6701890Abstract: An engine control system calculates air velocity through a throttle body as a function of mass air flow through the throttle body, air density, and the effective area of air flow through the throttle body as a function of throttle plate position. Mass air flow is calculated as a function of the effective area through the throttle body, barometric pressure, manifold pressure, manifold temperature, the ideal gas constant, and the ratio of specific heats for air. By controlling the throttle plate position as a dual function of throttle demand, which is a manual input, and air velocity through the throttle body, certain disadvantages transient behavior of the engine can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Blake R. Suhre, Robert E. Haddad
-
Patent number: 6701891Abstract: There is provided a throttle control system and method for an internal combustion engine as well as an engine control unit, which are capable of controlling a throttle valve without any trouble even when the throttle valve is frozen. The throttle control system controls the degree of opening of the throttle valve. The opening of the throttle valve detected during control of the throttle valve to a fully-closed position at a start of the engine is set to a smallest angle. A temperature of the throttle valve is detected. A lower limit value of the target degree of opening is set to a degree of opening larger than the detected smallest angle of the throttle valve, when the detected smallest angle is larger than a predetermined degree of opening and at the same time the detected temperature of the throttle valve is lower than a predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Manabu Niki, Eisei Yamazaki, Manabu Sekine, Takeru Tajima, Yasuo Takagi
-
Patent number: 6701892Abstract: The invention provides a throttle valve control apparatus provided with a throttle sensor which is in trouble at a low possibility and has a long service life, whereby an accurate output of a throttle opening degree can be obtained. The throttle valve control apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a throttle opening degree sensor constituted by an non-contact sensor using hole elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
-
Patent number: 6701893Abstract: Two embodiments of engine speed control that avoid undesirable vehicle conditions such as wheel slippage or unintentionally performing a wheelie. This is done by sensing actual conditions, which are likely to result in the undesirable vehicle conditions and only changing the engine output when these exact conditions are found. The conditions sensed are the determination of excessive acceleration in engine speed or in the speed of a shaft associated with the engine or the degree of rotational variation or rotational acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha MoricInventors: Naoyo Isoda, Masahiko Enoyoshi
-
Patent number: 6701894Abstract: The decision period in which an output of a knock sensor is extracted is set by a setting unit in response to an output of a crank angle sensor. The set decision period is stored in a storing unit and is changed by a changing unit 14 to contain the output of the knocking in response to an output of a processing circuit. In addition, the processing circuit corrects the decision period stored in the storing unit to reduce a difference between the changed decision period and the decision period stored in the storing unit. According to this, since the decision period can be corrected to contain the sensed output of the knocking in response to the variation of the knocking occurring timing, the knocking sensing precision can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu Ten LimitedInventor: Masaki Katagami
-
Patent number: 6701895Abstract: A method to deliver spark during a start for an internal combustion engine is described. The method provides individual cylinder spark angle control based on the number of fueled cylinder events. The method offers improved engine emissions while maintaining engine speed run-up performance.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Garth Michael Meyer
-
Patent number: 6701896Abstract: An electrical ignition for internal combustion engines having coils and a magnetic generator that rotates synchronously with the engine. The generator's magnetic field passes periodically through the coils and induces a sequence of corresponding alternating-voltage half-waves. These charge an energy-storage element, that is discharged by actuation of an ignition switch to trigger an ignition spark and they form the voltage supply of a microelectronic and/or programmable control that actuates the ignition switch in an ignition time instant as a function of the detected half-waves and/or of a rotational state of the engine. Within one rotation, there is chosen, for the triggering of the ignition spark to prolong its burn-time, a time interval in which the primary and/or secondary coil winding is influenced by one of the half waves and the amount or range of the magnetic flux change used to prolong the burn-time is greatest within the respective sequence.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Prufrex-Elektro-Apparatebau, Inh. Helga Müller, geb. DutschkeInventor: Leo Kiessling
-
Patent number: 6701897Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting a quantity of fuel delivered to an engine when an engine operating state transitions is provided. The apparatus and method includes determining a current steady-state quantity of fuel to be delivered to the engine and add a transitory quantity of fuel, based on a difference between a previous steady-state quantity of fuel delivered and the current steady-state quantity of fuel to be delivered, to the current steady-state quantity of fuel for a period of time following initiation of the transition. The invention also provides an apparatus and method by which an operator may adjust the amount of fuel delivered during an engine operating state transition.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Optimum Power TechnologyInventor: Glen F. Chatfield
-
Patent number: 6701898Abstract: In a fuel supply apparatus disclosed, a variable displacement mechanism is driven once every two or more reciprocating motions of the plunger of a high-pressure fuel pump to control the delivery flow rate, so that the delivery flow rate control can be performed without having to raise the responsiveness of the variable displacement mechanism even when the reciprocating cycle of the plunger is short.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kenichiro Tokuo, Kenji Hiraku, Tadahiko Nogami, Kunihiko Takao, Hiroyuki Yamada
-
Patent number: 6701899Abstract: A fuel injection system including at least one fuel injector having an inlet section and a fuel distributor line with a connecting piece for each fuel injector. For sealing a connection of each fuel injector to the respective connecting piece of the fuel distributor line, a ring-shaped seal support is provided for each, having an inner sleeve which is guided by a guide section of the inlet section, and having an outer sleeve which radially surrounds the inner sleeve and is elastically connected to the inner sleeve radially. The seal support together with the outer sleeve surrounds a sealing element. At the same time, the sealing element is peripherally in contact with an inside wall of the connecting piece and axially in contact with a radial end face of the inlet section of the fuel injector.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Uwe Liskow
-
Patent number: 6701900Abstract: In some fuel systems, such as those associated with a diesel engine, most if not all of the air that has leaked or been introduced into the fuel system must be evacuated before the fuel injectors can work properly to start the engine. Because such systems often utilize a pressure regulating valve to maintain the fuel system at some pressure, which is often substantially higher than atmospheric pressure, it can be difficult to evacuate air without first raising the air pressure in the fuel system above that which is required to open the pressure regulating valve. In addition, evacuating air from the fuel system can sometimes involve pushing the air through the fuel injectors in order to evacuate the same to the fuel tank. A quick priming fuel system includes air bleed passages that circumvent both the pressure regulating valve and the fuel injectors so that air can be quickly evacuated from the system at a relatively low pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2003Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James S. Millar, Lloyd Thompson
-
Patent number: 6701901Abstract: An integrated pressure management system manages pressure and detects leaks in a fuel system. The integrated pressure management system also performs a leak diagnostic for the headspace in a fuel tank, a canister that collects volatile fuel vapors from the headspace, a purge valve, and all associated hoses and connections.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Siemens Canada LimitedInventors: Paul D. Perry, John A. Gurd
-
Patent number: 6701902Abstract: A canister for a vehicular evaporative emission control system has activated carbon and heating means. The heating means heats the activated carbon particles. The activated carbon particles are characterized by the following properties. Pore volume is 0.28 ml/ml or more. Average pore radius is in a range of 10.5 Angstroms to 12.0 Angstroms. Particle diameter of the activated carbon is in a range of 1.0 mm to 1.6 mm. The activated carbon particles provide high performances on both of adsorption and desorption.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc., Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuhiko Koyama, Masao Kano, Noriyasu Amano, Hideaki Itakura, Susumu Abe
-
Patent number: 6701903Abstract: A method for determining valve timing events to optimize operating parameters of an engine having a variable valve timing system over an entire operating range of the engine. The method includes setting combinations of intake valve opening and closing timing events and exhaust valve opening and closing timing events for a given engine speed. For each combination, a fuel conversion efficiency measure and an emissions measure of the engine at the given engine speed is obtained. Combinations which optimize a weighted cost function of the fuel conversion efficiency measure and the emission measure for a range of engine output torque settings at the given engine speed are then selected. This is repeated for each given engine speed across a range of engine speeds. A feed-forward map based on the selected combinations for the entire operating range of the engine is then assembled.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brett Denton Collins, Lawrence Andrew Mianzo
-
Patent number: 6701904Abstract: A capacitive discharge ignition system for an internal combustion engine comprises a converter transformer, an ignition transformer, a first triggerable switch S1, the primary winding of the ignition transformer and the storage capacitor being connected in series through the triggerable switch, a spark plug connected in series with the secondary winding of the ignition transformer, a source of direct current and a second triggerable switch S2 connected in series the primary of the converter transformer, and a circuit to control the first and second triggerable switches in synchronism with the engine.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Altronic, Inc.Inventor: Joseph M. Lepley
-
Patent number: 6701905Abstract: A fuel pressure control for an alternate-fuel engine utilizes adaptively learned corrections for fuel injection pulsewidth to dynamically adjust a base fuel pressure control signal. The resulting fuel pressure control can thus be characterized as open-loop with closed-loop correction based on air/fuel ratio error. The control dynamically adjusts the fuel pressure in a manner to optimize the air/fuel ratio control instead of controlling to a predetermined pressure, and fuel pressure measurement is not required.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Ronald E. Gaskins
-
Patent number: 6701906Abstract: A system and method for controlling fuel injection of a vehicle, in which a MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor is used to calculate variations in intake pressure in a purge interval to perform compensation of a final fuel amount, thereby improving drive performance and minimizing fuel consumption. The system and method perform compensation of the final fuel amount in the two cases (a) where the canister is at high loading and when changing from one of an idle state and a light load state to one of a part load and a full load state, and (b) where the canister is at low loading and when changing from one of the part load state and the full load state to one of the idle state and the light load state.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Hyung-Kee Kim
-
Patent number: 6701907Abstract: A spring-loaded feed mechanism for a paintball loader. The feed mechanism includes an inner spool and an outer spool. A torsion spring is positioned between the inner and outer spools. The outer spool includes a pressure wall, from which the torsion spring is located on one end of the spring. A retaining wall is attached to the inner spool and is located at the opposite end of the torsion spring. When an operator of a paintball gun using the spring-loaded feed mechanism discontinues firing paintballs, the feed mechanism is stopped. Simultaneously, during the deceleration of the feed mechanism, the torsion spring is compressed, which allows the mechanical energy of the rotating feed mechanism to be stored within the compressed spring. When the operator desires to fire the paintball gun, the feed mechanism is accelerated to the requisite rotational speed. The compressed spring is release, thereby allowing the spring to assist in accelerating the feed mechanism to the necessary rotational speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: National Paintball Supply, Inc.Inventors: James T. Christopher, Chris T. Goddard
-
Patent number: 6701908Abstract: Apparatus for storing and discharging gas includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet. A floating differential piston is mounted to reciprocate in the housing and divide the housing into a storage chamber adjacent the housing inlet and a discharge chamber adjacent the housing outlet. A check valve in the housing inlet admits gas to the storage chamber. A conduit extends through the piston from the storage chamber to the discharge chamber. A pressure relief valve in the conduit is set to maintain a higher pressure in the storage chamber than in the discharge chamber. A first sliding seal is disposed between the housing and an end of the piston adjacent the housing inlet. A second sliding seal is disposed between the housing and an end of the piston adjacent the housing outlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventor: Alfred F. Nibecker, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6701909Abstract: A paintball gun is sized and designed to appear like and operate in a manner similar to a conventional gun. A dual-action firing bolt moves forward, assisting in launching a projectile, under cast pressure. The bolt then releases the compressed gas to carry the projectile down the barrel. Return springs operate to move the bolt and its valves to a ready-to-fire position. Similarly, trigger actuation mechanisms are spring-actuated to return to the ready-to-fire position. A removable magazine stores projectiles and propellant. The magazine is small enough to fit into a handle of a pistol. A user may selectively release just the projectile portion of the magazine, in order to leave the propellant undisturbed until fully expended. The magazine can be completely removed without substantial loss of propellant.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventors: Benjamin T. Tiberius, Dennis E. Tiberius, Kyle L. Hansen
-
Patent number: 6701910Abstract: The present invention provides a fixture for mounting a substrate to mounting tape on a film frame so as to retain the substrate to the film frame for dicing. A plurality of grooves for receiving a cutting saw extend longitudinally and transversely across the fixture to define die regions. The fixture also includes a plurality of apertures that align with the substrate and with dies to be cut from the substrate. The aligned apertures supply vacuum to the substrate to retain the substrate and cut dies in the fixture. When the dicing is completed, the vacuum is turned off and the individual dies can be readily removed from the fixture.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Jay W. Roberts
-
Adjustment device, particularly for adjusting the levelness of a surface or of an electric appliance
Patent number: 6701911Abstract: An adjustment device, particularly for adjusting the levelness of a surface or of an electric appliance, such as for example a set of burners of a cooker for watercraft, comprising two side panels provided with two pivots for pivoting to a fixed support. The pair of pivots is slidingly located in a longitudinal seat and interacts with means for varying the position of the pivots which can be activated by the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Techimpex Italiana S.r.l.Inventor: Lorenzo Giacomin -
Patent number: 6701912Abstract: The present invention provides a bench top grill assembly that includes a rigid continuous grill body, a grill grate removably covering an upper opening, and a fuel element receptacle or container removably positionable in the grill body through a lateral opening dimensioned to closely receive the container. A safety handle projects from the fuel element container through the lateral opening away from sides of the grill body so that the handle does not become heated during use and may be safely gripped. A support table with multiple dimensions, forks, and condiment dishes increase the convenience of the bench top grill assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2003Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Lifetime Hoan CorporationInventors: Dan Siegel, Adam Krent
-
Patent number: 6701913Abstract: An apparatus that is selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in a desired orientation for cooking that also permits access to the vehicle. The apparatus includes a hitch insertion member for insertion into a trailer hitch, a support arm attached to the hitch insertion member, a swing arm attached to the support arm with a locking hinge assembly, a pedestal attached to the swing arm, and a cooking device, for example a barbeque, that is attached to a column that is inserted into the pedestal and that can rotate in the pedestal. The locking hinge assembly has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment with an angle securing hole in the support arm for locking the swing arm at a selected angle in relation to the support arm by placing an angle locking bar into the aligned holes.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Freedom Grill, Inc.Inventors: Ernest W. LeDuc, Scott C. Salter, Steven J. Caliguri
-
Patent number: 6701914Abstract: The installation stores thermal energy, i.e., heat energy and/or cold energy. A plurality of conduits are laid underground. Several regions that are arranged one inside the other and contain energy-saving material and conduits respectively are provided. The conduits that are arranged in the individual areas can be connected to users having different temperature levels. The innermost region is maintained at a highest temperature differential relative to the outside of the installation and the innermost region can be connected, inter alia, to drive an electrical generator.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: ERI Forschungs-Und Entwicklungs-AGInventor: Alois Schwarz
-
Patent number: 6701915Abstract: The inventions relates to a small light device (1) for inhaling medicaments using supported pressure respiration, comprising a mouthpiece (2), a reservoir (5; 12), which has a variable volume for receiving respiratory gas and which can be connected to the mouthpiece (2) and into the flow either directly or using a distributor (3), an adjustable, gas-tight closer (8) between the mouthpiece (2) and the reservoir (5; 12) and at least one connecting element (10; 17) for the medicament supply to the reservoir, (5; 12), said medicament being supplied either directly or indirectly, using a distributor (3). The reservoir (5; 12) has a wall which adjusts to its change in volume. Said wall can be expanded against a restoring force by the pressurised influx of respiratory gas, in such a way that the supported pressure respiration take place using the effect of the restoring force during inhalation of the respiratory gas which contains the medicament.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventors: Michael Hermanussen, Karl-Heinz Rolli
-
Patent number: 6701916Abstract: A distribution valve for nasal spray allowing to distribute a drug inside the nasal cavities in a uniform and repeatable way is described. The distribution valve has a section of elliptical or oval shape, corresponding to the shape of the nostril and it has a distribution nozzle having elliptical or oval shape (or slot shape) in order to obtain a more uniform distribution of the medicament on the inner mucosa of the nasal cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventor: Giorgio Mezzoli
-
Patent number: 6701917Abstract: A new and improved inhaler includes an accurate and consistent mechanical dose metering system that dispenses dry powdered medicament in discrete amounts or doses for patient inhalation, a pressure relief system that manages pressure within a medicament reservoir of the inhaler to ensure consistently dispensed doses, and a dose counting system indicating the number of doses remaining in the inhaler.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Norton Healthcare, Ltd.Inventor: David O'Leary
-
Patent number: 6701918Abstract: A magnetically guided device for insertion through a patient's nasal passageway of a tube for feeding or lavage of a target organ. The device includes a flexible tube having an insertion end sized for insertion through the patient's nasal cavity, pharynx and esophagus. The tube insertion end includes a magnetic member rotatably coupled to the insertion end and a porous tube segment spaced-apart proximal of the magnetic member. The magnetic member is rotatable within the insertion end and is responsive to an externally positioned magnetic field that is moved relative to the patient for guiding the insertion end through internal passageways and into the target organ within the patient. A method for insertion and positioning of a magnetically guided tube for feeding or for lavage of a target organ within a patient is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Ibionics CorporationInventors: Bruce L. Fariss, Ivan N. Cooper, D. Matthew Sellers
-
Patent number: 6701919Abstract: A protective head enclosure for emergency use by a user to protect the respiratory tract and eyes from smoke and/or noxious gases and to protect the head from heat and/or toxic substances. The enclosure comprises a head enclosure made of substantially flexible, gas impermeable, heat and fire retardant sheet material, the enclosure having a closed top; a circular, flexible resilient ring disposed on and attached to the enclosure between its top and bottom, the resilient ring being adapted to be twisted into a double cylindrical coil for packing and storage of the enclosure and snapped open into a single circular ring and thereby open the enclosure for use; a closure for closing the bottom of the enclosure about the neck and/or shoulders of a user after the enclosure has been placed over the user's head. The protective head enclosure may be folded compactly and stored in a container or cabinet ready to use by a single motion, quick release.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Precious Life, LLCInventors: Mitchel Silver, Harlan S. Berger
-
Patent number: 6701920Abstract: An oxygen head tent which is placeable over an individuals head for providing a gas, preferably oxygen, is described. The oxygen head tent has a hood portion which is connected to a hood ring. The hood ring slides over a two-piece neck ring, the two-piece neck ring consisting of an upper neck ring and a lower neck ring retained in adjacent relationship. The hood ring slides over the two-piece neck ring and forms a sealing relationship therewith. The two-piece neck ring has a neck seal retained therein and has a sealing ring on the outer periphery thereof for engagement with the working surface of the hood ring. Ports may be provided for directing a flow of a gas into and from the interior portion of the hood where the individuals head is located. The neck seal provides an adequate seal between the neck ring and the individuals neck such that a pressurized environment may be created in the hood.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventor: Gerald L. Cox
-
Patent number: 6701921Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a fluid passage arranged between a first and a second layer wherein the first and second layers at least partially define the fluid passage. A liquid supply is arranged to provide a fluid in liquid phase to the fluid passage. The aerosol generator also includes a heater arranged to volatilize the fluid in the fluid passage. An outlet of the aerosol generator is arranged to receive the volatilized fluid and direct the volatilized fluid out of the fluid passage. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies IncorporatedInventors: F. Murphy Sprinkel, Jr., Walter A. Nichols, Kenneth A. Cox, Timothy S. Sherwood, Scott A. Sowers, Zelita R. Washington, Sirisha Reddy
-
Patent number: 6701922Abstract: An aerosol generator includes a housing, a heater and a mouthpiece wherein the heater volatilizes liquid material within a flow passage and forms an aerosol in the mouthpiece. Mixing ambient air with the vaporized liquid material controls a droplet size of the aerosol. The ambient air can be directed into the mouthpiece by at least one air passageway in an airflow entrainment control member. The at least one air passageway provides a desired volume and/or velocity of ambient air entering into the mouthpiece thereby achieving a desired droplet size distribution of an aerosol. In an alternative arrangement, a funnel shaped airflow entrainment control member includes a narrow end proximate the outlet end of the flow passage. A cone angle of the funnel-shaped member can be selected to provide a desired volume of ambient air which mixes with the vaporized liquid material and achieves a desired aerosol droplet size distribution.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies IncorporatedInventors: Michael Hindle, Peter R. Byron, John N. Hong
-
Process and installation for the distribution of air enriched in oxygen to passengers of an aircraft
Patent number: 6701923Abstract: According to this process, there is supplied to the passengers a first fraction of air enriched in oxygen from independent supply elements, in particular high pressure cylinders (16), during a descent phase of the aircraft between a normal cruising altitude and an intermediate rerouting altitude. There is moreover compressed air taken from a source of compressed air belonging to the aircraft, to produce (in 2) a second fraction of the air enriched in oxygen which is delivered to the passengers, at least during a phase of stabilized flight of the aircraft, adjacent the re-routing altitude, greater than 5,500 meters.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Jean-Michel Cazenave, Jean Dehayes, Olivier Vandroux, Richard Zapata -
Patent number: 6701924Abstract: The nasal filter is a breathing aid that would filter pollutants and contaminants from the air, thus improving the quality of the air inhaled by individuals who suffer respiratory ailments and allergies to air borne pollutants. Designed to fit just inside the nostrils, the nasal filter would consist of a spring clip having flanged two-pronged ends with an oval shaped filtering member on each end. The filtering elements would be made of a medium grade cotton rolled into an appropriate configuration to fit the nostril, and could possibly be impregnated with oxymetazoline to aid in the treatment of nasal congestion. The flanged ends would secure the device in place during exhalation, and could also be useful in replacing the disposable filtering elements. The spring clip could be offered in clear or flesh-toned plastic and could also be offered in a variety of sizes to fit different user's noses.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventors: Richard D. Land, Jr., Dawn Land
-
Patent number: 6701925Abstract: The present invention is a protective respiratory apparatus including a neck-sealable hood adapted to enclose the head of a wearer, the hood having an interior and exterior, two filters sealingly secured in symmetrical relation to the hood wherein air passing from the outside of the hood to the inside of the hood is filtered of contaminants, a half-mask cup inside the hood, the cup adapted to sealingly cover the nose and mouth of the wearer, the cup mechanically, but not fluidly coupled to the two filters, and at least one air intake valve in the cup wherein filtered air resident in the interior of the hood is drawn into the half-mask cup for respiration by the wearer.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventor: Todd A. Resnick
-
Patent number: 6701926Abstract: A improved interface is disclosed for delivering CPAP therapy to patients. The interface has a sliding engagement to the headgear. The sliding engagement allows substantial relative lateral movement eg: when face is distorted from sleeping on side, while still providing adequate compressive force to avoid side leakage. The sliding engagement also allows easy release from the headgear.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare LimitedInventors: Gregory James Olsen, Martin Leckie, Neil Prime, Lewis George Gradon, Nicholas Charles Alan Smith, Alastair Edwin McAuley, Mark Joseph Haycock, Chris Earl Nightingale, Geoffrey Mark Shaw
-
Patent number: 6701927Abstract: A full-face cushion (30B) comprises a substantially triangularly shaped frame (32) from which extends a membrane (34). The frame (32) has a scalloped edge (36) by which the cushion (30B) is affixed to a mask body (46) to form a full-face mask (60B). The membrane (34) has an aperture (38) into which the wearer's nose is received. The member (34) is spaced away from the rim (40) of the frame (32), and its outer surface (41) is of substantially the same shape as the rim (40). Respective notches (42, 44) receive the bridge of the wearer's nose. The wearer's nose and lips are received through the aperture (38) into the chamber within the mask body (46). The seal forming portion (45) thus contacts both the surface of the wearer's nose and a portion of the wearer's face in the region between the bottom lip and the chin, and around the sides and over the bridge of the nose.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Resmed LimitedInventors: Philip Rodney Kwok, Robert Edward Styles, Gregory Scott Smart
-
Patent number: 6701928Abstract: Adapters configured to engage with conventional oral inhalers or inhalers with valved-holding chambers for laryngectomized subjects can sealably engage with the mouthpiece of same. The adapter can be configured and sized to slide onto conventional devices. The adapter is configured to enter the opening in the neck of a user a sufficient operative depth to facilitate delivery of the inhalant into the air passage and generally downwardly toward the pulmonary region or lower airway.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Wake Forest UniversityInventors: Bruce Kalman Rubin, Christopher Sung Wang
-
Patent number: 6701929Abstract: Devices for treatment of congestive heart failure include devices insertable over and clamped on all or a selected portion of the exterior of a heart. The devices may be introduced surgically, or under thoracoscopic control around a portion or all of the exterior of the heart.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Inventor: Hany Hussein
-
Patent number: 6701930Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing device, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing device such that the contraction of the beating heart causes only minimal excess motion at the surgery site.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Federico J. Benetti, Charles S. Taylor, Ivan Sepetka, Amr Salahieh, Robert C. Glines, William N. Aldrich, Brent Regan, John J. Frantzen
-
Patent number: 6701931Abstract: An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Epicor Medical, Inc.Inventors: John W. Sliwa, Jr., Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, Roxanne L. Richman, Scott C. Anderson, Gerard Champsaur, John E. Crowe
-
Patent number: 6701932Abstract: A method for revascularizing a coronary vessel with a conduit through the heart wall having a diameter transition in the myocardial leg, wherein blood flow is in the direction of transition from larger to smaller diameter. A method for revascularizing a coronary vessel using an implant with a myocardial leg having a maximum cross-sectional area proximate a first end, and inserting the first end through the myocardium into a heart chamber so that the implant directs blood flow into the coronary vessel. A transmyocardial implant with a myocardial leg including point of minimum diameter and a first end with a larger diameter, and a vessel leg in fluid communication with the myocardial leg.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Percardia, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, William L. Giese