Patents Issued in March 11, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040045571
    Abstract: A non-electric hair straightening device having is disclosed. The hair straightening device includes a body having a first portion and a second potion portion. The first and second portions further include inner and an outer surfaces. The first portion is pivotally connected to the second portion along a first side of the body, such that the inside of the first portion abuts the inside of the second portion, and a fastener along a second side of the body. At least one of the inner surfaces of the first and second portion includes a plurality of bristles to engage with strands of hair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Martha Kelsey
  • Publication number: 20040045572
    Abstract: A hair curling/waving device for creating curls and/or waves is disclosed. The hair device includes a body having a core and a wrap portion. The wrap portion is wrapped around the core and is adapted to self-adhere. The core may have a generally cylindrical shape and may be adapted to receive strands of hair. The wrap portion may have a first end and a second end, such that the ends can secure the hair device to the strands of hair by adhering to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Martha Kelsey
  • Publication number: 20040045573
    Abstract: A hair curler (1) includes a supporting element (2) having a generally hollow design. The supporting element (2) includes a middle portion (3) and two end portions (4). The middle portion (3) forms a winding surface to support wound up hair. The first and second fixing portions (4) each include a majority of fixing elements (6) protruding from the fixing portion (4) in a radial direction to attach the hair curler (1) to a head (8). The diameters (14) of the first and second fixing portion (4) are approximately identical. The diameters (14) of the first and second fixing portion (4) are substantially greater than the diameter (12) of the middle portion (3) such that the wound up hair (10) is only located in the region of the middle portion (3), and the hair curler (1) may be securely connected to the head (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Heinz Merges
  • Publication number: 20040045574
    Abstract: A process for cleaning semiconductor fabrication equipment parts includes determining a definition for a clean part including multiple maximum acceptable impurity levels; determining an initial multiple impurity levels of a part prior to its cleaning; determining a cleaning process to apply to the part; applying the cleaning process to the part, wherein the cleaning process creates reduced multiple impurity levels for the part below that of the initial multiple impurity levels; determining the reduced multiple impurity levels; comparing the reduced multiple impurity levels against the multiple maximum acceptable impurities levels of the definition; and repeating the application of the cleaning process to the part if the reduced multiple impurity levels do not meet the definition of a clean part. A dilute aqueous cleaning solution for cleaning parts includes 0.5-1.5% wt. HF; 0.1-0.5% wt. HNO3; and 1-10% wt H2O2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Samantha Tan
  • Publication number: 20040045575
    Abstract: A lamp house is located face to face with a substrate which is transferred by a conveyer means. A dielectric barrier discharge lamp is provided in the lamp house to irradiate the substrate with ultraviolet light, while a moistened inert gas, consisting of an inert gas and water vapor, is supplied to a space between the substrate and the dielectric barrier discharge lamp from a moistened inert gas generating means. Under irradiation of ultraviolet light from the dielectric barrier discharge lamp, water vapor in the moistened inert gas is split into a reducing active member [H.] and an oxidative active member [.OH].
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuto Kinoshita, Kazuhiko Gommori, Kenya Wada
  • Publication number: 20040045576
    Abstract: A process for cleaning a deposit from an interior surface of a processing chamber includes generating a plasma from a cleaning gas including SO2F2 and contacting the interior surface with the plasma for a time sufficient to convert the deposit into a volatile product, thereby cleaning the deposit from the interior surface, in which the process is conducted in the absence of SF6. The deposits, which may be removed by the process of the invention, include silicone, silicone oxide, silicone nitride, tungsten, copper and aluminum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: John Peter Hobbs, James Joseph Hart
  • Publication number: 20040045577
    Abstract: Method for removing deposited material from the interior surfaces of a processing chamber. The method comprises introducing a gas mixture comprising less than 15 mole % nitrogen trifluoride in a diluent gas into a processing chamber having deposited material on the internal surfaces thereof, establishing a plasma in the processing chamber utilizing a radio frequency power density of greater than 1.4 W/cm2 and forming chemically reactive fluorine-containing species therein, reacting the deposited material with the chemically reactive fluorine-containing species to yield volatile reaction products, and removing the volatile reaction products from the processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Bing Ji, James Hsu-Kuang Yang, Delwin L. Elder, Eugene Joseph Karwacki
  • Publication number: 20040045578
    Abstract: The present invention may be used in the field of precision manufactured and assembled devices and precision test apparatus, among many others, for the selective preparation (cleaning and modification) of a critical substrate surface prior to, during, or following manufacturing and assembly operations such as coating, bonding, patterning, sealing, dicing, cutting, drilling, polishing, planarization, among many other manufacturing operations. Moreover, the present method may be used to prepare medical instruments for implant or use and for dry cleaning textile substrates by providing a combination of surface cleaning and modification using low pressure plasma in combination with plasma-dense fluid surface cleaning pre-treatments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: David P. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20040045579
    Abstract: By a simple apparatus construction and process, it is made possible to “clean precisely” a surface at the molecular/atomic level, and the purification degree of the surface processed minutely is made into 1012 molecules/cm2 or less. A steam-spraying nozzle is disposed such that a line slit nozzle is in a diameter direction, and mist-containing steam is sprayed onto the surface of a substrate. Thereby, particles in the steam-spraying surface (the particles were made to adhere by dipping the substrate in a solution containing polystyrene (particle diameter of 0.6 &mgr;m) or alumina (particle diameter of 0.3 &mgr;m to 0.5 &mgr;m) particles at 105 particles/ml.) are removed by about 90% to 95% after ten-seconds spraying, and by 99% or more, that is, to less than the detection limit of a wafer inspection device, after twenty-seconds spraying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Miki, Takahisa Nitta
  • Publication number: 20040045580
    Abstract: This invention provides a cleaning method of silicon wafer for obtaining a silicon wafer in which micro roughness thereof under spatial frequency of 20/&mgr;m is 0.3 to 1.5 nm3 in terms of power spectrum density, by passing a process of oxidizing the silicon wafer with ozonized water and a process of cleaning said oxidized silicon wafer with hydrofluoric acid. Consequently, it is possible to remove surface adhering pollutant such as particles and metallic foreign matter with the surface structure of silicon wafer flattened up to atomic level by annealing maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: TOSHIBA CERAMICS CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Hisatsugu Kurita, Manabu Hirasawa, Hiromi Nagahama, Koji Izumome, Takao Ino, Jyunsei Yamabe, Naoya Hayamizu, Naoaki Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20040045581
    Abstract: A brush wear adjustment system for use in a powered street sweeper to provide for consistent sweeping performance where wear of rotary brush bristles is constantly sensed and the rotational speed of the rotary brush is automatically increased to maintain a desired bristle tip speed to maintain desirable sweeping attributes. Rotary brush support arm angular displacement is monitored in order for an electro-hydraulic controller to influence rotational speed of the rotary brush and to provide a readout relative to bristle length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Steven L. Boomgaarden, Robert J. Erko, Michael S. Wilmo, Scott A. Kroll
  • Publication number: 20040045582
    Abstract: A street sweeper system is used typically in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about an axis generally perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A recirculation flap is mounted contacting a lower rear portion of the brush. The recirculation flap deflects debris that has traveled over the top of the brush back into the brush to be recollected at the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Tennant
    Inventors: Michael S. Wilmo, Gregory J. Engel
  • Publication number: 20040045583
    Abstract: A street sweeper system is used typically in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about an axis that is typically perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A conveyor lip is mounted on a lower edge of the conveyor to improve sweeping performance. The conveyor lip covers a space between the lower edge of the conveyor and the ground. The lip's lower edge is angled towards the brush to deflect debris back towards the brush to recirculate the debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Tennant
    Inventors: Thomas P. Mathews, Michael H. Lenzmeier, Archie A. Weidner, Gregory J. Engel
  • Publication number: 20040045584
    Abstract: A street sweeper system is used in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about a horizontal axis that is typically perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A conveyor flap is mounted on a lower edge of the conveyor to improve sweeping performance. The conveyor lip covers a space between the lower edge of the conveyor and the ground. A cutoff flap is located on a forward portion of the brush to deflect debris that is passing over the brush. A recirculation flap is located at a rear portion of the brush to recirculate debris that has passed over the top of the brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Tennant
    Inventors: Thomas P. Mathews, Michael H. Lenzmeier, Archie A. Weidner, Michael S. Wilmo, Gregory J. Engel
  • Publication number: 20040045585
    Abstract: A street sweeper system is used typically in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about an axis generally perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A cutoff flap is mounted contacting a front portion of the brush. The cutoff flap deflects debris that moves upwards along a front portion of the brush back downwards to be recollected at the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Tennant
    Inventors: Michael S. Wilmo, Archie A. Weidner
  • Publication number: 20040045586
    Abstract: A method of washing dishes in a dishwasher that includes a Start Stop sequence in a wash segment of one or more of the dishwashing cycles. The Stop Start sequence includes the steps of pausing the operation of the wash pump, operating the wash pump to circulate wash water in the dishwasher for a short period of time, and repeating the steps of pausing and operating the wash pump for a short period of time a predetermined number of times. The Stop Start sequence is preceded by, and may be followed by, a period of continuous operation of the wash pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Antony Mark Rappette
  • Publication number: 20040045587
    Abstract: Apparatus (20) for cleaning a window (24) of a vehicle (22), including a vessel (28), having an inlet (32) through which a washing fluid is received from a reservoir and an outlet (34) through which the fluid is discharged for cleaning the window. There is a heating element (50) for heating the fluid in the vessel, which element preheats the vessel before the washing fluid is received therein, whereby at least an initial quantity of the fluid is rapidly heated and discharged from the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Shlomi Franco, Jossef Wodnik, Vyshislav Ivanov
  • Publication number: 20040045588
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a microelectronic substrate is carried out by providing a cleaning fluid, the cleaning fluid comprising an adduct of hydrogen fluoride with a Lewis base in a carbon dioxide solvent; and then cleaning the substrate by contacting the substrate to the cleaning fluid for a time sufficient to clean the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: James P. DeYoung, Stephen M. Gross, Mark I. Wagner, James B. McClain
  • Publication number: 20040045589
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a first liquid from a surface of a substrate is provided. A second liquid is supplied to at least part of a surface of a substrate having a rotary movement. The rotary movement has a center of rotation and an edge of rotation. The second liquid is directed from the center of rotation to the edge of rotation using a nozzle. A dry zone is created on the substrate as the position of the spray moves from the center of rotation to the edge of rotation. As a result, the first liquid and the second liquid are removed from the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Frank Holsteyns, Marc Heyns, Paul W. Mertens
  • Publication number: 20040045590
    Abstract: A method is provided for removing a paint layer formed on a Mg-alloy material. The method includes a physical removing step and a chemical removing step. At the physical removing step, the paint layer is partially removed by using a cutter or by wet blasting. Then, the paint layer is peeled by immersing the Mg-alloy material in an alkali parting agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Kimura, Kota Nishii
  • Publication number: 20040045591
    Abstract: Automatic cleaning tool (3) for interior cleaning of numerically controlled machine tools for automatic insertion into the spindle or tool-holding fixtures (1), for cleaning by means of spindle movement with supply of a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Karl Bauch
  • Publication number: 20040045592
    Abstract: A cleansing apparatus comprising: a table 3 for supporting a semiconductor substrate 30 horizontally; a high frequency solution injector 20 capable of injecting a solution to the upper surface 30a and the side surface 30c of the semiconductor substrate 30 supported by the table 3 with the application of vibration at high frequency; a cover 2 capable of tightly enclosing the semiconductor substrate 30 supported by the table 3; and pressure reducing means 18 for reducing the pressure in a space, in which the semiconductor substrate 30 is enclosed with the cover 2. The semiconductor substrate can be cleansed efficiently at a low cost and kept in clean state after the cleansing until it is dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20040045593
    Abstract: An inflatable umbrella includes a panel and a plurality of inflatable ribs made of soft material connected to an underside of the panel. Each inflatable ribs has an inlet. A U-shaped inflatable handle made of soft material is connected to the underside of the panel and has an inlet. The panel is expanded by introducing air into the inflatable ribs and the handle, and the umbrella can be folded to a thin layer when the air is expelled out from the inflatable ribs and the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Yuan-Fu Chang
  • Publication number: 20040045594
    Abstract: A turbine engine system includes a turbine engine that burns fuel and generates heat exhaust. A thermoelectric generator is located downstream from the turbine engine. The thermoelectric generator has a first side facing the heat exhaust. A cooling module is coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric generator to provide cooling to the second side. A pump is provided to pump a cooling fluid through the cooling module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: ENHANCED ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Adrian Hightower
  • Publication number: 20040045595
    Abstract: In a solar cell module-mounting structure, a solar cell module 101 is fixed on one surface of a plate-shaped member 102, the plate-shaped member 102 is placed on an installation surface so that one side of the plate-shaped member is in contact with the installation surface, a surface of the plate-shaped member 102 opposite to the solar cell module-fixing surface is in contact with a first support member 103, and out of surfaces including the one side of the plate-shaped member 102, at least a part of the surfaces in no contact with the first support member 103 is in contact with a second support member 103, thereby effectively preventing a solar cell module-mounting rack from being moved by a wind load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehisa Makita, Akiharu Takabayashi, Masaaki Matsushita, Takaaki Mukai, Shigenori Itoyama
  • Publication number: 20040045596
    Abstract: Novel flat plate solar panels are disclosed, which, using low profile multiple axes tracking, keep the surface of each flat plate panel upon which rays of the sun are impinged essentially perpendicular to those rays enabling a higher rate of conversion to electrical energy and a long interval each day during which conversion of sunlight to electricity is accommodated. Side peripheral sunlight deflectors redirect rays of sunlight perpendicular to the face fo the flat plate panel but directly adjacent to and somewhat out of alignment with the impingement surface of the flat plate panels upon the impingement surfaces thereby concentrating a greater amount of sunlight to produce a greater quantity of electricity. A cooling system for the flat plate panels, using circulated fluid is disclosed whereby the thermal energy so obtained may be used to perform work to make the system more cost effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Lawheed
  • Publication number: 20040045597
    Abstract: Provided is a battery which can reduce expansion caused by gas emission when stored at high temperature. A secondary battery (1) is constructed such that a flat wound electrode (20) as a power generating element is sandwiched between exterior members (30a, 30b), having adhesion layers (40a, 40b) interposed therebetween. The adhesion layers (40a, 40b) are, for example, two-sided adhesive tapes and have a structure such that adhesive layers are formed on both surfaces of a thin plate-shaped support layer. The support layer is preferably made of polypropylene or polyimide. The adhesion layers (40a, 40b) are composed of maleated polypropylene whose melting point is preferably in a range from 100° C. to 200° C., more preferably, in a range from 140° C. to 180° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Takaaki Kimijima, Norio Mamada
  • Publication number: 20040045598
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solar cell comprising a substrate, a first buffer layer disposed above the base layer, a second buffer layer disposed above the first buffer layer, a first boron compound layer disposed above the second buffer layer, a second boron compound layer disposed above the first compound layer, and a window layer disposed above the second compound layer, wherein the first compound layer comprises a first type of doping, wherein the second compound layer comprises a second type of doping, wherein the second buffer layer comprises a higher energy bandgap than the first compound layer, and wherein the first buffer layer and the second buffer layer permit a boron content in the first compound layer and the second compound layer to be greater than 3%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Authi A. Narayanan, Joel A. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20040045599
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas meter valve for connection to an outlet of a gas meter and a method for its use. The gas meter valve comprises a valve inlet coupleable to the meter outlet, a valve outlet coupleable to piping for supplying gas to a customer and a valve body coupled to the valve inlet and the valve outlet. The valve body includes a chamber for communicating gas from the valve inlet to the valve outlet and a valve assembly disposed in the chamber and adapted to prevent the communication of gas through the chamber when the valve assembly is in a first position and permit the communication of gas through the chamber when the valve assembly is in a second position. The gas meter valve further includes an actuating mechanism coupled to the valve assembly for positioning the valve assembly in the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Danny A. Johnson, James S. Powell
  • Publication number: 20040045600
    Abstract: An automatic water freeze prevention device having a first valve, second valve and third valve that cooperate to fill or drain a water utilization device according to pre-selected temperature conditions. These three valves are driven to their respective open/closed positions by an electrical power sending device that is, in turn, actuated by a temperature setting device that is associated with a temperature sensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Javier J. Hoggard
  • Publication number: 20040045601
    Abstract: A fluid operated control valve for controlling fluid flow of a system which includes a first and a second fluid channels therein, the control valve includes: a hollow casing with closed first and second ends; a piston member slidably disposed within the casing and defining thereby within the casing a first chamber adjacent to the first end of the casing and a second chamber adjacent to the second end of the casing; a first magnet disposed adjacent the first chamber of the casing for attracting the piston member to a first terminal position; a second magnet disposed adjacent the second chamber of the casing for attracting the piston member to a second terminal position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Benton H. Grant, Kenneth A. Ward
  • Publication number: 20040045602
    Abstract: Multifunctional valve for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle. In order to fulfill all these requirements in terms of safety and the restriction of emissions with a valve in as simple a way as possible, the closing element (22) can be moved to a limited degree with respect the float (16), is acted on by a first spring (27) and has a small pressure equalization hole (25), an intermediate element (30) is provided on the float (16) and above the closing element (22) and can move to a limited degree with respect to the float (16) in the axial direction and is acted on by a second spring (35), and a seat plate (38) is arranged above the intermediate element (30) and is pressed downward against a second seat (43) by a third spring (39).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Sandor Palvolgyi, Gunther Pozgainer
  • Publication number: 20040045603
    Abstract: A sleeve valve has a valve body and a flow passage through the valve body. The flow passage has a longitudinal axis, a valve plug positioned therein, and a slidable sleeve received therein. The sleeve is movable in an axial direction between an opened and a closed position relative to the valve plug. An interchangeable first valve plug end portion is removably mounted to part of the valve plug in the flow passage. The first end portion is removable and replaceable with another second valve plug end portion to change at least one performance characteristic of the sleeve valve. The valve plug of the sleeve valve can be selectively interchanged with a plug selected to provide one or more desired performance or flow characteristics, whether to reduce the effects of wear or to change the valve performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Michael W. McCarty, Ted A. Long
  • Publication number: 20040045604
    Abstract: A backflow preventor which permits adjustment of the outflow direction is provided. A conduit provides fluid communication between the two valves of the backflow preventor. The conduit can be separated, e.g., by cutting along a groove, leaving annular flat regions. The annular flats are configured to engage with a coupler to provide leak-free connection between the separated portions of the conduit. The separated portions of the conduit can be rotated to adjust the outflow direction. Preferably, an infinite number of outflow directions are possible, all of which lie in a plane parallel to the inflow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Charles W. Dunmire, Dennis G. Whitelaw, Richard D. Fields
  • Publication number: 20040045605
    Abstract: A check valve is placed in a conduit for pressurized fluids, and comprises a cylindrical external housing having inlet and outlet ends, a cylindrical internal spigot, and an elastomeric sleeve fitted over the spigot. It is sealed at the second end, and has a plurality of radially directed vent apertures along its length. The elastomeric sleeve is securely fitted to the internal spigot, in the region of the first, inlet end. The elastomeric sleeve has an internal diameter and an elastic memory such that it fits and adheres snugly to the outer periphery of the spigot, and its elasticity is overcome at a positive gauge pressure of between 5 and 20 psi so that pressurized fluid will flow from the vent apertures. Backflow of fluid at substantially zero or negative gauge pressure is precluded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Roberto Floh, Richard Spindler
  • Publication number: 20040045606
    Abstract: A seal assembly for an air pump having a barrel, a piston slidably received in the barrel has a cylindrical seal adapted to be received in a nozzle of the barrel and having a flat portion and a head provided with a passage adapted to selectively communicate with the nozzle of the barrel and a space in the flat portion and a circular seal sandwiched between a baffle plate and the flat portion of the cylindrical seal. The circular seal has holes selectively communicating with the space of the flat portion of the cylindrical seal and the through hole of the baffle plate and a boss detachably received in the through hole so that when the boss is received in the through hole, communication of the nozzle, the passage, the space and the through is blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Hsi-Kung Yang
  • Publication number: 20040045607
    Abstract: A check valve for a compressed gas system. The valve has a body with an internal passage extending through the body and a valve seat positioned in the passage. A poppet is movable between a closed position in which the poppet engages the seat to block flow of gas through the passage and an open position in which the poppet is spaced from the seat to permit flow of gas. A retainer mounts the poppet in the passage and guides movement of the poppet. A spring urges the poppet to the closed position such that the poppet is responsive to pressure of the gas exceeding a predetermined value to move the poppet away from the seat against the urging of the biasing member and to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Control Devices, Incorporated
    Inventor: Daniel A. Lammers
  • Publication number: 20040045608
    Abstract: A valve with a smart handle including a memory module to log relevant data. A sensor on the handle determines when the valve is open, and this triggers the start of timers and recording of the “open” event in a log in the memory module. When the valve is closed, the sensor triggers stopping of the timers and recording of the “closed” event in the log. The timer information is used to calculate the duration of the time “open” event, and this, together with the actual date and time of the opening and closing of the valve are recorded in the log. Other relevant information, such as cylinder fill date, cylinder I.D. number, batch number, and patient name or account number may also be logged in the memory module. The log of the events and the corresponding dates and times may be used to prepare invoices for billing gas treatments, for inventory control, and for other record-keeping and control functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Mark E. Peters, Gregory W. Popp
  • Publication number: 20040045609
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes elongated conduits connected at one end with Couplings to a plurality of fluid reservoirs of a machine or engine and at the other end with a Control valve for selective quick evacuation. Evacuation is powered by a pump operably connected to the control valve. Another embodiment includes a first pump for the evacuation of an engine oil reservoir and a second pump for the selective evacuation of transmission and hydraulic fluid reservoirs. The control valve and the pumps may be operated remotely through electrical switches on brackets or on a service panel. Associated methods of removing fluids and replacing fluids from a plurality of reservoirs includes coupling the fluid transfer system to the reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: John Apostolides
  • Publication number: 20040045610
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid distributor in the form of a channel distributor with drainage outlets. To ensure that the uniformity of distribution of the liquid is largely independent of disturbance factors, for example blockages of the drainage outlets, the drainage outlets are in the form of drainage pipes having a cross-section which tapers in the shape of a nozzle. The inner wall of the nozzle-like tapering of the drainage outlets being made of plastic, or another material resistant to the adherence of solids which would block the flow of liquid through the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Franz-Josef Carduck, Theo Fleckenstein, Gerd Goebel, Roland Hourticolon
  • Publication number: 20040045611
    Abstract: A low leak pressure control actuator for, e.g., controlling pressure in an automatic transmission system, includes a poppet and a check ball slidably disposed within a housing. The poppet and check ball are movable between a de-energized configuration, plural partially energized configurations, and a fully energized configuration. In the de-energized configuration, the poppet and check ball prohibit all flow to and from the supply port and permit flow between the control port and the exhaust port. In the partially energized configurations, the poppet and check ball permit flow to and from all of the ports, and incremental changes in the internal displacement of the poppet produce incremental changes in a control pressure. In the fully energized configuration flow, the poppet and check ball prohibit all flow to the exhaust port and permit fluid flow between the supply port and the control port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Miguel I. Avila
  • Publication number: 20040045612
    Abstract: A throttle device comprises a tubular outer sleeve having a plurality of outer sleeve circumferential grooves formed on an outer sleeve inner surface and intersecting a plurality of outer sleeve axial grooves formed on an outer sleeve outer surface to form outer sleeve orifices. Also included is a tubular inner sleeve concentrically disposed within the outer sleeve and having a plurality of inner sleeve circumferential grooves formed on an inner sleeve inner surface. A plurality of inner sleeve axial grooves are formed on the inner sleeve outer surface and intersect the inner sleeve circumferential grooves to form inner sleeve orifices. The offset inner and outer sleeve orifices define tortuous flow paths wherein fluid flows into the outer sleeve axial grooves, through the outer sleeve orifices, through the outer sleeve circumferential grooves, through the inner sleeve axial grooves, through the inner sleeve orifices before exiting the inner sleeve circumferential grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Harald Beth
  • Publication number: 20040045613
    Abstract: A diverter valve is disclosed that includes a cylindrical body having a bottom and lid and a plurality of body openings. A closure member is included within the cylindrical body that is movable to block one of the housing holes. A handle is connected to the closure member, with the handle being external to the cylindrical body. The turning of the handle causes the closure member to move within the body. The handle has a first set of vertical teeth and a spline on the lid has a second set of vertical teeth. The first and second sets of vertical teeth engage to lock the handle in place and disengage to allow the handle to turn. A plurality of label tags can also be included, at least one of which is mounted to the diverter adjacent to one of the body openings to indicate the source or destination of fluid flowing through said openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: WATERWAY PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Francisco Hinojosa, Ruben Lerma, Steven Kramer
  • Publication number: 20040045614
    Abstract: A hydraulic interface plate is a generally flat plate that defines an upper surface and a lower surface. An upper fluid routing channel is formed in the upper surface of the interface plate. Moreover, a lower fluid routing channel is formed in the lower surface of the interface plate. A fluid interface port connects the upper fluid routing channel to the lower fluid routing channel. The upper fluid routing channel is configured to communicate with a solenoid fluid port established by a solenoid assembly module. Also, the lower fluid routing channel is configured to communicate with a transmission fluid channel established by a vehicle transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Viswanathan Subramanian, Luis F. Barron
  • Publication number: 20040045615
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydropneumatic pressure reservoir (1) with a housing formed from at least two housing shells (3, 5) which may be connected together. At least the end region of the one housing shell (5) comprises an outwardly-extending, funnel-like guide surface between the free end thereof and a sealing element for bringing together the two housing shells (3, 5). At least one elastic sealing element (41) is provided on at least one retaining surface for generation of a tensioning force on the boundary region (21) of the membrane (13). A simplified construction with improved sealing in the critical connection region of the pressure reservoir may thus be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Gernot Rupp, Markus Lehnert, Herbert Baltes
  • Publication number: 20040045616
    Abstract: A wellbore casing formed by extruding a tubular liner off of a mandrel. The tubular liner and mandrel are positioned within a new section of a wellbore with the tubular liner in an overlapping relationship with an existing casing. A hardenable fluidic material is injected into the new section of the wellbore below the level of the mandrel and into the annular region between the tubular liner and the new section of the wellbore. The inner and outer regions of the tubular liner are then fluidicly isolated. A non hardenable fluidic material is then injected into a portion of an interior region of the tubular liner to pressurize the portion of the interior region of the tubular liner below the mandrel. The tubular liner is then extruded off of the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Shell Oil Co.
    Inventors: Robert Lance Cook, David Paul Brisco, R. Bruce Stewart, Lev Ring, Richard Carl Haut, Robert Donald Mack
  • Publication number: 20040045617
    Abstract: A pipe liner bag everting nozzle is provided for allowing an operator to freely access a manhole during a lining operation. A pipe liner bag everting nozzle comprises a guide tube fixing end for fixing one end of a guide tube, and a pipe liner bag fixing end for fixing a folded end of an uneverted pipe liner bag passed through the guide tube, wherein the guide tube fixing end has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the pipe liner bag fixing end. Since a guide tube having a smaller diameter than that of a pipe line to be repaired (or the pipe liner bag) can be used, a sufficient gap is formed between the guide tube and the manhole, thereby allowing the operator to freely access the manhole during the lining operation for inspection and confirmation of a lining situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Takao Kamiyama, Yasuhiro Yokoshima, Shigeru Endoh, Hiroyuki Aoki
  • Publication number: 20040045618
    Abstract: Insulated electrical conductors for installation in a vehicle, such as an aircraft, are further protected by a guard hose or tubular member. Two or more such guard hoses or tubular members are interconnected with each other by at least one spacer preferably, but not necessarily, integrally formed with the guard hoses or tubular member, whereby the separation of different types of electrical conductors and their installation in an aircraft are facilitated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Klaus-Hinrich Borchers
  • Publication number: 20040045619
    Abstract: A multilayer PEX pipe having improved resistance to oxidizing agents in water. The pipe has a thin tubular core (inner layer) of high density polyethylene and an outer layer of crosslinked polyethylene. The pipe may optionally have an oxygen barrier layer, such as poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (“EVOH”), contiguously disposed radially outward from the PEX layer. The pipe is suitable for potable water applications and for hot water radiant heating systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Arthur L. Backman, Girish T. Dalal, Carl M. Mahabir
  • Publication number: 20040045620
    Abstract: Polyamide liners used in sub sea and over ground transport operations, such as nylon (11), are handled in a way which increases the rate of chain recombination relative to the competing process of chain scission. This enhances and increased the useable life of the polyamide liner by effectively reducing its rate of aging. The can be accomplished by incorporating a chain extender or desiccant into the polyamide liner, incorporating hydrophobic moieties or hydrophobic polymers into the polyamide liner, or by providing a sheath which is less permeable to water at the inner surface of the polyamide liner. Rejuvenation of the polyamide liner can also be achieved by heat treatment of the polyamide liner by hot air, hot oil or gas, or other hot liquids that are at a temperature above 1000° C. Rejuvenation may be enhanced by including a chain extender or desiccant to a hot oil, gas, or other liquid that is exposed to the polyamide liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: David E. Kranbuehl