Patents Issued in April 1, 2004
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Publication number: 20040060590Abstract: A solar cell module 60 has a plurality of solar cells 14 having a plurality of parallel grooves 8 on the individual light-receiving surfaces thereof, each of the grooves having an electrode 5 for extracting output on the inner side face (electrode-forming inner side face) on one side in the width-wise direction thereof; and a support 10, 50 for supporting the solar cells 14 in an integrated manner so as to direct the light-receiving surfaces upward. The annual power output can be increased by adjusting the direction of arrangement of the electrode-forming inner side faces of the grooves 8 while taking the angle of inclination &bgr; of the light-receiving surface of the individual as-installed solar cells 14 relative to the horizontal plane and the latitude &dgr; of the installation site of the solar cell module into consideration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Satoyuki Ojima, Hiroyuki Ohtsuka, Masatoshi Takahashi, Takenori Watanabe, Takao Abe
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Publication number: 20040060591Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprising at least an electron acceptive charge transfer layer, an electron donative charge transfer layer, and a light absorption layer existing between the charge transfer layers, wherein either one of the charge transfer layers comprises a semiconductor acicular crystal layer comprising an aggregate of acicular crystals or a mixture of an acicular crystal and another crystal, and a method of producing the device are disclosed. Consequently, a photoelectric conversion device being capable of smoothly carrying out transfer of electrons and having high photoelectric conversion efficiency is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tohru Den
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Publication number: 20040060592Abstract: For manufacturing a semiconductor device, such as thin-film solar battery, comprising a base body made of an organic high polymer material, an oxide electrode film and semiconductor thin film each containing at least one kind of group IV elements on the oxide electrode film, one of the semiconductor thin films in contact with the oxide electrode film is stacked by sputtering in a non-reducing atmosphere such as atmosphere not containing hydrogen gas, for example. Thereby, it is ensured that granular products as large as and beyond 3 nm are not contained substantially at the interface between the oxide electrode film and that semiconductor thin film. Therefore, a semiconductor thin film such as amorphous semiconductor thin film can be stacked with enhanced adherence on a plastic substrate having an oxide electrode film like ITO film on its surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Akio Machida, Dharam Pal Gosain, Takashi Noguchi, Setsuo Usui
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Publication number: 20040060593Abstract: In one embodiment, a check valve includes an outer region and a central region. One or more cuts wind from the outer region towards the central region. In the presence of flow along one direction, the check valve opens by extending the central region away from the outer region. In the presence of flow in the reverse direction, the check valve closes by retracting the central region towards the outer region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: David Onstenk, Erik E. Erlandson
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Publication number: 20040060594Abstract: A dripper apparatus for a water spigot includes a coupler having a threaded female member for connecting to a water spigot. A generally cylindrical elongate member has a longitudinal portion in fluid communication with the female member. The longitudinal portion has an upper portion that defines a seat within the female member. A flow controller sits on the seat. A filter screen upstream the flow controller collects particles in water flowing therethrough so that the controller does not become clogged. The flow controller includes a housing that is provided with an upper inlet for receiving a first flow rate of water from a water spigot. The housing also includes a cavity therewithin and the cavity is in fluid contact with the upper inlet. A flexible membrane is housed within the cavity and floats when water enters the cavity via the upper inlet. The upper inlet is slotted at the top thereof for further filtering water flowing therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: John R. Montpetit
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Publication number: 20040060595Abstract: An apparatus for dividing the flow of a gas stream and a method for controlling the flow division of a gas stream are disclosed, the apparatus including an inlet conduit for receiving the gas stream, outlet conduits in fluid communication with the inlet conduit for delivering the gas stream, a balancing gas feed conduit in fluid communication with an outlet conduit, a balancing gas feeder in fluid communication with the balancing gas feed conduit, and a balancing gas controller; and the method including the steps of dividing the process gas stream into process gas stream fractions and injecting a balancing gas stream into a process gas stream fraction in an amount sufficient to displace a portion of gas flow from the process gas stream fraction into one or more remaining process gas stream fractions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: John Chittenden
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Publication number: 20040060596Abstract: A fuel vapor control valve for use in a vehicle fuel system is provided. The control valve has a rollover valve assembly with a valve member defining a point-bearing surface, a housing with an opening, and a chamber. The housing is mountable to a fuel tank. The valve member is movable within the chamber and a sealing element is movably located on the point-bearing surface of the valve member. The sealing element may be metallic and is configured to releasably seal the opening when the valve member is urged in a direction towards the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Alfmeier Praaision AG Baugruppen und SystemlosungenInventors: Axel Frohwein, Lydie Regnier
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Publication number: 20040060597Abstract: The invention relates to an inflation or deflation valve 1 to at least a predefined pressure intended to adjust and/or control the pressure of a fluid inside a volume 10, comprising a membrane 4 placed between a first body 2 and a second body 3 connected together by linking means, said membrane delimiting a first chamber 5 with the first body 2 and a second chamber 6 with the second body 3 and pressing, through the action of a spring 18, on a seat delimited by the lower body.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Jean-Michel Boulicault
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Publication number: 20040060598Abstract: A valve is disclosed for dispensing a flowable material from a container. The valve has a first chamber (40) at a first pressure wherein said first chamber (40) defines an outlet (28) in communication with said first chamber (40). A second chamber (42) is at a second pressure. The valve has a stop (18) indexed against a third pressure, operating to selectively place the first chamber (40) into communication with the second chamber (42). The stop (18) is operative to connect the second chamber (42) to said first chamber (40) when the first pressure is less than the third pressure. The valve has structure capable of balancing internal forces acting on the valve such as from pressure from the flowable material in the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Hal Danby, Mark Williamson, Julian Swan, Graham Keith Lacy
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Publication number: 20040060599Abstract: A connector housing of a valve-equipped connector is integrally formed from a tube connection section at a first axial side; a pipe insertion section at a second axial side; and a valve housing section between the tube connection section and the pipe insertion section. The valve housing section is formed with an adequately large inner diameter. A main valve body and a compression coil spring for biasing the main valve body to the first axial side so that it abuts the inner surface of the housing are stored in the valve housing section. A cylindrical bushing is fitted to the first axial side of the pipe insertion section of the connector housing, and a valve cap for receiving a second axial end of the compression coil spring is formed integrally at the first axial end of the cylindrical bushing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Atsuo Miyajima
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Publication number: 20040060600Abstract: A safety relief valve is provided that comprises a body comprising a chamber therein and an inlet and an outlet, the inlet comprising an inlet valve seat; a disk member closable on the inlet valve seat; and a mechanism in the body biasing the disk member to rest on the inlet valve seat with a set force such that when the pressure in the inlet exceeds a set pressure resulting from the set force, the disk member is lifted from the inlet valve seat, the mechanism comprising a combination of a coil spring and one or more disk springs stacked in series with the coil spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Jeremy R. Choate, Michael J. Easton, Wesley L. Taylor
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Publication number: 20040060601Abstract: A valve for a fuel delivery unit has a counterholder pressed into a housing. A spring is supported on the counterholder and is intended for prestressing a closing part against a valve seat. The valve according to the invention can be fitted in a particularly simple manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Mannesmann VDO AGInventors: Peter Marx, Wilfried Moller, Jurgen Schaffert, Johannes Deichmann, Jorg Deubner
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Publication number: 20040060602Abstract: Systems and/or methods divert a fluid that has reached a preset alarm limit from reaching the point of use. The system may include a valve control unit; and a hydraulic unit operably connected to the valve control unit. The hydraulic unit may have first and second valves and plumbing pieces to connect the first and second valves to each other and the fluid system; the first valve being a normally closed valve that directs water from the fluid system to drain when energized; the second valve is a normally open valve that will turn off flow from the fluid system to the pure water distribution system. The methods may include flowing a fluid through a fluid system which includes a flow control system for preventing a fluid that has reached preset alarm limits from reaching the point of use; sensing when the fluid has reached the preset alarm limits; and signaling the opening of the normally closed valve; and the closing of the normally open valve to divert the fluid from the point of use to a drain.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Gambro, Inc.Inventors: Stephen M. Mullins, Mark E. Richers, Robin Williams
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Publication number: 20040060603Abstract: Disclosed is a valve device having a valve case (100) acting as a sealing means for sealing a line connection section such as a pipe or hose for passing fluid therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Kil Bong Song
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Publication number: 20040060604Abstract: An object of the capacity control valve is to provide a constant, stable control of the pressure load without fluctuations. Also another object is to improve an energy efficiency of the drive torque of the rotary shaft by means of a control of the pressure load. In this arrangement, the solenoid coil section controls as a reference value of pressure load which is calculated by taking a sum of a pressure differential between the discharge pressure and the pressure in the control chamber, multiplied by the area of the open passage of the first valve seat, and a pressure differential between the pressure in the control chamber and the suction pressure, multiplied by the area of the open passage of the second valve seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Norio Uemura, Yoshihiro Ogawa
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Publication number: 20040060605Abstract: A non-refillable valve for a pressure container, which comprises a non-refillable device comprising of a spring loaded port sealing member having an end T-piece and a plug to hold the spring is provided at the outlet nozzle such that when the valve is in the active position of filling, the stem of the spindle is in the lifted position and the port sealing member is in the pulled position by means of the spring, thereby providing a communication between outlet nozzle and the container for filling and after completion of filling, the end T-piece is pulled and cut off whereby the port sealing member gets retracted, because of the spring, to seal the side port and thereby preventing the flow of fluid in the filling direction while permitting flow of fluid in the opposite direction for discharging.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Inox India Limited, an Indian companyInventor: Jethanand Jhamandas Jhurani
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Publication number: 20040060606Abstract: A core shaft of the control stick of a vertical type faucet has a faucet body, a locking ring unit, a valve case, a valve, a core shaft of the control stick, a stick fixing mount, a support base, a switch mount, and a faucet handle wherein the core shaft of the control stick joined to the stick fixing mount, the valve, and the support base respectively, is located onto the switch mount with an arc actuation block of the core shaft thereof inserted into a link activation cavity of the switch mount thereof. The valve case encased the valve and the switch mount therein is adapted to the faucet body and screw joined thereto via the locking ring unit thereof; the core shaft thereof is screw joined to the faucet handle via an externally threaded upper section thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Kuching International Ltd.Inventor: Mei-Li Chen
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Publication number: 20040060607Abstract: A flow control system includes a substantially rigid vessel with a process fluid reservoir situated in the rigid vessel is in fluid communication with an outlet. A movable member and/or a working fluid is situated in the rigid vessel so as to selectively expel process fluid from the outlet. Where a movable member is employed, movement of the movable member in a first direction causes process fluid to be drawn into an inlet and movement of the movable member in a second direction causes process fluid to be expelled from the outlet. In other implementations, the working fluid is metered into a working fluid reservoir to compress a flexible process fluid reservoir and expel process fluid therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.Inventor: Matthew G. Wheeler
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Publication number: 20040060608Abstract: A fluid line connector assembly has a length of flexible tubing with a generally cylindrical tubing end. An end fitting is secured to the tubing end with a brazing material between the end fitting and the tubing end.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Dormont Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Michael T. Angus
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Publication number: 20040060609Abstract: A monolayer foamed corrugated sleeve for protecting elongate substrates is disclosed. The sleeve is extruded from a polymer and a foaming agent. The polymer may be a non-elastomeric thermoplastic, a thermoplastic elastomer or a combination of the two. The sleeve is extruded from a nozzle having a cross sectional area which decreases along its length to maintain pressure on the extrudate and prevent premature foaming. The extrudate is released from the nozzle into moving mold blocks. A blow rod within the mold blocks provides gas pressure to force the extrudate against the blocks. An obturation device is mounted on the blow rod to control the gas pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Francis B. Fatato, Eric K. Staudt
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Publication number: 20040060610Abstract: The invention concerns a flexible duct (1) comprising from inside outwards a carcass (2) produced by a short-pitched metallic helical winding forming butt gaps (12), an overlapping layer (10) acting as a heat shield consisting of helically wound plastic strips (10a, 10b), a sealed inner pressure sheath (3), extruded in plastic on said overlapping layer (10), at least an armouring web (5) and at least an outer sealing sheath (7). The invention is characterised in that the overlapping strips (10a, 10b) are wound at a winding angle less than 35°.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Philippe Francois Espinasse
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Publication number: 20040060611Abstract: There is provided a toner container filling device and a toner production management system. The toner container filling device is installed at a toner container filling base and is able to fill a toner container with toner automatically, and obtain information about the toner container filling process while filling the toner container with toner. The toner production management system receives the information from the toner container filling device, and determines the amount of toner to be produced at a toner production base and time of delivering toner to the toner container filling base according to the received information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Hirosato Amano, Tetsuo Noji, Hidenori Minowa
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Publication number: 20040060612Abstract: The present invention is a drip retainer for liquid dispensers, such as fuel pumps. The device itself has a semicylindrical body adapted for insertion into the nozzle of a fuel dispenser pump. The semicylindrical body is open at the inflow end and has a crescent-shaped lip for restricting fluid flow at the outflow end. The retainer gradually increases in thickness from the inflow end to the outflow end, forming a ramp up to the crescent-shaped lip. The retainer has a slightly smaller radius of curvature at the inflow end than at the outflow end, so that the retainer is inserted into the nozzle, inflow end first, and forms a press fit or friction fit in the nozzle. Fuel under pressure passes over the crescent shaped lip. When the nozzle is shut off, any residual fuel trickling through the nozzle is stopped by the crescent-shaped lip.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Curtis E. Dame
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Publication number: 20040060613Abstract: Vacuum flitch-retaining systems use vacuum valves having pressure-operated reciprocatable pistons capable of high valve closure forces to provide the reliable closure of their associated valve seats, notwithstanding the presence of resin, wood fibers, dirt and other debris that may be present in the valves and on the valve seats, to control the application of vacuum to vacuum cells formed in a flitch-retaining table.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Bobby Deckard, Andrew J. Klotz
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Publication number: 20040060614Abstract: A method and apparatus for planing an article of wood. Specifically disclosed is a cutting head adapted for rotation about an axis, and at least one elongate knife including a linear cutting edge for cutting the wood. The cutting edge terminates at opposite ends of the knife in respective tips. The knife is held by the cutting head so that each tip is rotated about the axis of rotation at the same fixed radius. However, the cutting edge is misaligned by a predetermined bias angle with respect to the axis of rotation. Where a plurality of the cutting heads are stacked or ganged together, preferably, the angle of misalignment for the knives of some of the cutting heads is reversed from the angle of misalignment for the knives of others of the cutting heads.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Edwin O. Cannon, Thomas Charles Hinchliff
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Publication number: 20040060615Abstract: A three sided jig is provided for cutting logs or timber for joints, particularly dovetail joints. Also provided is a slide for use with a chainsaw and a jig.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: David J. Coambs
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Publication number: 20040060616Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for setting the conditions in the feed chute of a disc chipper according to the size of wood to be chipped. The position of the chipping anvil at the outlet end of the chute is changed in a plane which is essentially parallel to the plane of the knife disc in regard to a diagonal of the knife disc parallel to the plane of the anvil so that the inclination of the chipping plane of the anvil towards the blade disk remains substantially unchanged. Furthermore, the position of the feed chute bottom in the chipper may be adjusted to comply with the changed position of the chipping plane, where necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Arvo Jonkka, Antti Tohkala
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Publication number: 20040060617Abstract: A method and structure for forming a refractory metal liner, includes depositing a layer of refractory metal on a first conductive layer, at least half of the depositing being carried out in the presence of an amount of passivating agent that is sufficient to impede subsequent reaction of at least a top half of the layer of refractory metal with the first conductive layer and is less than an amount of passivating agent necessary to form a stoichiometric refractory metal with the passivating agent, and annealing the refractory metal and the first conductive layer in a first element ambient, thereby forming a stoichiometric refractory metal with the first element in at least a portion of the top half of the layer of refractory metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: William J. Murphy
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Publication number: 20040060618Abstract: Disclosed is an Al—Cu alloy of the AA2000-series alloys with high toughness and an improved strength, including the following composition (in weight percent) Cu 4.5-5.5, Mg 0.5-1.6, Mn≧0.80, Zr≧0.18, Cr≧0.18, Si≧0.15, Fe≧0.15, the balance essentially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities, and wherein the amount (in weight %) of magnesium is either: (a) in a range of 1.0 to 1.6%, or alternatively (b) in a range of 0.50 to 1.2% when the amount of dispersoid forming elements such as Cr, Zr or Mn is controlled and (in weight %) in a range of 0.10 to 0.70%.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Rinze Benedictus, Christian Joachim Keidel, Alfred Ludwig Heinz, Alfred Johann Peter Haszler, Hinrich Johannes Wilhelm Hargarter
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Publication number: 20040060619Abstract: Arranged in tandem are a pre-heating unit 6, a four-side hot-rolling mill 7 and a quenching/cooling unit 8. A starting material W1 is rapidly heated to a hot-rolling temperature using the unit 6 and hot-rolled into a modified cross-section steel wire W2 assuming a predetermined shape in cross section using the mill 7. The wire is then quenched under tension using the unit 8 immediately after its hot-rolling operation. The tension is applied to the wire by a pinch roll 9 driven by a motor 9a, which is combined with a torque converter. Consequently, there is no variation in tension, and no variation in cross-sectional dimension in the wire. Disposed behind the unit 8 in tandem is an in-line post-heating coil 10 to realize a continuous tempering operation, so that the wire free from any small-radius bend and having been heat-treated, can be produced through a substantially single process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Chikaharu Sakata, Yukio Murayama, Kazuo Kinugasa
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Publication number: 20040060620Abstract: In accordance with the invention, nanostructured metallic materials having high tensile strength and increased ductility are prepared by providing a metallic material, deforming the metallic material to form a plurality of dislocation cell structures, annealing the material at a temperature from about 0.3 to about 0.7 of its absolute melting temperature, and cooling the annealed metallic material. The result is a nanostructured metal or alloy having increased tensile strength as compared with the corresponding coarse-grained material and substantially greater ductility as compared with nanostructured material made by conventional processes. Using this process applicants have made nanostructured alloys with tensile strengths in excess of 1.5 Gpa and ductility greater than 1 per cent strain-to-failure. They have also made nanostructured metals with tensile strength in excess of 400 MPa and ductility in excess of 50% strain-to-failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITYInventors: Ev An Ma, Yinmin Wang, Mingwei Chen
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Publication number: 20040060621Abstract: The invention provides a ferritic heat-resistant steel having excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance, especially excellent steam oxidation-resistant characteristics. In high-Cr ferritic heat-resistant steel, ultra-fine oxide particles having a size of not larger than 1 &mgr;m are formed just below the oxide films and formed on the steel base, whereby the adhesiveness between the films and the base is enhanced. The ferritic heat-resistant steel contains Cr in an amount of from 8.0 to 13.0% by weight, and at least one of Rh and Ir in a total amount of from 0.3 to 5.0% by weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Nobuyuki Fujitsuna, Fujio Abe, Takehiko Itagaki, Masaki Igarashi, Seiichi Muneki, Kazuhiro Kimura, Hideaki Kushima
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Publication number: 20040060622Abstract: The present invention is related to an air melted, substantially graphite and nitrogen-free alloy, aged or not aged by precipitation hardening, specially adapted for gas turbine or internal combustion engine exhaust system parts, comprising a graphite-free microstructure of the following composition: 1 Carbon max 0.4 wt. % Silicon 0.5 to 6 wt. % Manganese 0.1 to 4.5 wt. % Phosphorous 0.01 to 0.08 wt. % Nickel 13 to 38 wt. % Chromium 0 to 6 wt. % Sulphur max 0.12 wt. % Nitrogen max 0.02 wt.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: John David Lilley
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Publication number: 20040060623Abstract: Hardened metal articles such as slabs, plates or sheets or preformed metal articles which are to have regions of different ductility are subjected to heating to an austenization temperature and then to quenching of the region of greater ductility to form a start temperature lying above the gamma-alpha transformation temperature of the workpiece structure. The quenching is terminated at a stop temperature lying above the martensitic temperature and prior to any substantial transformation into ferritic or perlitic structures. The higher ductility region is then maintained prior to any substantial transformation into ferritic or perlitic structures. The higher ductility region is then maintained isothermically for condition of austenitite ferrite and/or perlite. The lower ductility structure is brought to a temperature sufficient for martensitic formation and the hardening is then carried out.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbHInventors: Johannes Boke, Jurgen Krogmeier
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Publication number: 20040060624Abstract: A method of fabricating ball protective mask includes (1) aluminum extrusion: the aluminum extruded structure has a suitably shaped outer ring frame and densely packed hollow holes so that the cross section thereof forms a grid-like structure, two sides thereof being provided with lugs; (2) slicing; (3) deburring by punching; (4) punch forming: the slice is punched to form a curved mask to accomplish an inchoate form of the mask; (5) subjecting the mask to heat treatment to obtain a product with satisfactory surface hardness.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Jung-Tso Shih
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Publication number: 20040060625Abstract: Sol-gel chemistry is used to prepare igniters comprising energetic multilayer structures coated with energetic booster materials. These igniters can be tailored to be stable to environmental aging, i.e., where the igniters are exposed to extremes of both hot and cold temperatures (−30 C to 150C) and both low (0%) and high relative humidity (100%).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: The Regents of the University of California.Inventors: Troy W. Barbee, Randall L. Simpson, Alexander E. Gash, Joe H. Satcher
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Publication number: 20040060626Abstract: A method of preparing energetic metal-oxide-based energetic materials using sol-gel chemistry has been invented. The wet chemical sol-gel processing provides an improvement in both safety and performance. Essentially, a metal-oxide oxidizer skeletal structure is prepared from hydrolyzable metals (metal salts or metal alkoxides) with fuel added to the sol prior to gelation or synthesized within the porosity metal-oxide gel matrix. With metal salt precursors a proton scavenger is used to destabilize the sol and induce gelation. With metal alkoxide precursors standard well-known sol-gel hydrolysis and condensation reactions are used. Drying is done by standard sol-gel practices, either by a slow evaporation of the liquid residing within the pores to produce a high density solid nanocomposite, or by supercritical extraction to produce a lower density, high porous nanocomposite.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Thomas M. Tillotson, Randall L. Simpson, Lawrence W. Hrubesh
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Publication number: 20040060627Abstract: A car cover in a container with a 4-unit suspension system that keeps the tarp from the painted surface of the vehicle while protecting the paint, rubber and interior. Another feature of the invention is its attachments to protect the vehicle from hail or sleet. The tarp, container, and the suspension units will be marketed in 3 different sizes to fit all vehicles including duallys, vans and passenger autos. The tarp container can be hung on a building with 2 removable oval hangers with 3 slotted positions to adjust the height. The slotted holes will fit over two bolts permanently attached to a building. When the tarp container is attached to a building 3 of the suspension units are eliminated. Another feature is the invention can be repaired or parts replaced using standard plumbing pipe that can be purchased at most lumber and plumbing merchandisers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Clyde Thomas Davis
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Publication number: 20040060628Abstract: In an uneven wear-resisting heavy duty pneumatic tire tread including main grooves; land areas separated by grooves; and a stepped zone, within a land portion, located radially inside the tread contour line and bounded by narrow grooves, having a first lowered radial depth forming a wear-sacrificing portion, the improvement comprises at least a radially-directed circumferential portion of one of two radially outermost circumferentially-extending ground contact areas of the land portion, laterally terminating into one of the stepped zone grooves, with a circumferentially relieved first portion, the maximum depth thereof having a second lowered surface depth, with respect to the tread contour line, this second lowered surface depth differing from the first lowered surface depth, the relieved portion taking the shape of a surface of revolution, with the laterally directed surface thereof being one of a straight, curved, undulating, stepped, and scalloped line.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: John H.W. Grimm
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Publication number: 20040060629Abstract: A low or no pressure use indicator for use on a tire is provided. The tire has a crown and a pair of sidewalls that extend from the crown. Each of the sidewalls has a bead located on an end of the sidewall that is opposite from the crown. The low or no pressure use indicator is located on a wall of one of the sidewalls. The low or no pressure use indicator is configured for indicating by a permanent physical change whether the tire has been subjected to an operation condition of an undesirable amount of low tire pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Walter Lee Willard, Kenneth Johnson, Richard Bryant
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Publication number: 20040060630Abstract: A pneumatic rubber tire having a sidewall of a rubber composition of elastomers comprised primarily of a combination of a brominated copolymer of isobutylene and para-methylstyrene and high trans 1,4-polybutadiene polymer, of which a minor portion thereof is one or more additional conjugated diene-based elastomers exclusive of any appreciable amount of high cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Paul Harry Sandstrom
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Publication number: 20040060631Abstract: A multi-layer cable having an unsaturated outer layer, usable as a reinforcing element for a crown reinforcement of a tire, comprising a core of diameter d0 surrounded by an intermediate layer (C1) of six or seven wires (N=6 or 7) of diameter d1 wound together in a helix at a pitch p1, this layer C1 itself being surrounded by an outer layer (C2) of P wires of diameter d2 wound together in a helix at a pitch p2, P being less by 1 to 3 than the maximum number Pmax of wires which can be wound in one layer about the layer C1, this cable having the following characteristics (d0, d1, d2, p1 and p2 in mm):Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Francois-Jacques Cordonnier, Alain Domingo
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Publication number: 20040060632Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a cord-reinforced layer such as carcass, belt, bead reinforcing layer which is made of metallic cords, each metallic cord is made up of six to twelve metallic filaments whose diameter is in a range of from 0.15 to 0.45 mm, the metallic filaments include waved filaments and unwaved filaments, each waved filament is two-dimensionally waved at a wave pitch and wave height before twisted, the wave pitch is in a range of from 5.0 to 35.0 times the diameter of the filament, and the wave height is in a range of from 0.2 to 4.0 times the diameter of the filament, and the metallic filaments are twisted together into the cord at a twist pitch of from 10 to 40 mm so that the two-dimensionally waved filaments are each subjected to a certain rotation around its axial.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicants: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Miyazaki, Kazumi Yamazaki, Osamu Toda, Yasuo Sakai
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Publication number: 20040060633Abstract: A tire comprising at least one reinforcement structure of carcass type, a crown reinforcement, each bead being extended radially towards the outside by a sidewall, the sidewalls joining a tread radially towards the outside, the reinforcement structure comprising:Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.Inventor: Nathan Panning
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Publication number: 20040060634Abstract: A method of manufacturing glued laminated wood such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is disclosed. The glued laminated wood is made of a number of wood sheets such as veneer sheets which are laminated together by a hot press with a thermosetting adhesive into a continuous length of multiple-layered board wherein the end joints of the wood sheets are disposed in a staggered array. There is provided an initial base material having an end which is shaped in the form of a flight of steps including a series of alternate horizontal surface having a lengthwise dimension smaller than the length of the wood sheet and a vertical surface having a height corresponding to the wood sheet thickness, and the glued laminated wood board is formed extending from the end of such initial base material. The hot press includes a pair of heat plates each having an effective pressing area capable of covering the entire surface of the wood sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: MEINAN MACHINERY WORKS, INC.Inventors: Yukio Abe, Makoto Isobe, Issaku Okamura, Hiroshige Oda, Akihito Hamaguchi, Noriyuki Honda
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Publication number: 20040060635Abstract: In a method of bonding components, a poly-o-hydroxyamide is applied to each of the bond areas of the components to be bonded. After the bond areas have been bonded to one another the adhesively bonded assembly is heated in order to convert the poly-o-hydroxyamide to the corresponding polybenzoxazole. The adhesive bonding technology is able to replace conventional joining techniques, such as welding, brazing or shrink fitting. The method is especially suitable for producing X-ray image intensifiers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Heinrich Diepers, Recai Sezi
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Publication number: 20040060636Abstract: Apparatus is provided herein for making a plurality of spherical products, e.g., meat balls. The apparatus includes a base. A tray support platform is mounted on the base for tethered buffetted motion with respect to the base. A tray having an upper non-stick surface is mounting on, and is held to, the tray support platform. A grid consisting of an array of compartments constituted by a plurality of intersecting walls and having an open bottom is supported on the tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2001Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Peter Huszcz
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Publication number: 20040060637Abstract: A shrink wrap material for protecting articles includes at least one non-woven fabric and a woven scrim defining apertures. A sufficient portion of the fibers from the non-woven fabric being forced into the apertures of the scrim such that the scrim reinforces and supports the non-woven fabric, thus increasing their strength. A shrinkable, stretchable film is intermittently bonded to at least one non-woven fabric. The material is used by placing the material around the article to be protected and then shrinking the film.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Gregory L. Todt
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Publication number: 20040060638Abstract: A method and an apparatus for sealing a split-flange zipper tape in a center fold of a web of bag making film without sealing or tacking the two sides of the split zipper web together.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Joel L. Johnson, Ronald Cortigiano
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Publication number: 20040060639Abstract: Apparatus and methods are directed to producing consistent bond-zone consolidation quality during additive manufacturing processes, even under constantly changing joining conditions, and regardless of location within the part being built. Various alternative techniques are disclosed involving the energy delivery to the bond zone, stiffness and mechanical resistance to vibration in the bond zone, and thermal conditions in the bond zone. These methods can be used independently or in combination, using a variety of control schemes, hierarchical or parallel. Also, although the examples generally employ a tape-type feedstock, these teachings apply equally well to sheet, tape, filament, dot type, and other feedstock geometries. In addition, although the invention is described in terms of Ultrasonic Object Consolidation (UOC), the disclosed apparatus and methods apply equally well to electrical resistance and frictional consolidation processes through appropriate engineering modification.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Dawn White