Patents Issued in April 1, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040060290
    Abstract: A valve manifold controls hydraulic flow in a hydraulic system for an air compressor unit. The manifold includes a pressure relief valve, a cold oil bypass valve, a proportional flow valve, and an anti-cavitation valve. The pressure relief valve diverts flow away from a fan motor when the pressure of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system is above a predetermined level. The cold oil bypass valve diverts flow away from a hydraulic cooler when the temperature of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system is below a predetermined level. The proportional flow valve diverts flow away from the fan motor when the temperature of hydraulic fluid within the hydraulic system is below a predetermined level. The anti-cavitation valve prevents pressure build up within the hydraulic system when the air compressor unit is shut off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: David B. Stahlman
  • Publication number: 20040060291
    Abstract: The main subject of the present invention is a pneumatic brake booster comprising an envelope (2) of longitudinal axis (X) formed of a first (4) and of a second (6) shell, and defining an interior volume divided by a moving skirt into a low-pressure first chamber and a variable-pressure second chamber, a three-way valve (12) actuated by a control rod and placing the front chamber and the rear chamber in communication at rest and during a braking phase interrupting the communication between the front chamber and the rear chamber and supplying the rear chamber with pneumatic fluid at high pressure, said booster also comprising at least one means (46) for securing a master cylinder to said booster, advantageously two means, characterized in that said means (46) allow the master cylinder to be attached to the booster by clip-fastening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Charles Maligne, Michael Hellebrandt, Ulysse Verbo, Philippe Richard, Silverio Batista
  • Publication number: 20040060292
    Abstract: A Rankine cycle system includes a first Rankine cycle (2A) operated by a first working medium and a second Rankine cycle (2B) operated by a second working medium. The first Rankine cycle (2A) is constituted from an evaporator (3A), an expander (4), a condenser (5A) and a supply pump (6A), and the second Rankine cycle (2B) is constituted from an evaporator (3B), the expander (4), a condenser (5B) and a supply pump (6c). The evaporator (3A) in the first Rankine cycle (2A) and the evaporator (3B) in the second Rankine cycle (2B) are disposed at locations upstream and downstream of an exhaust emission control device (8) mounted in an exhaust passage (7) for the internal combustion engine (1). The first working medium has a boiling point higher than that of the second working medium, and the capacity of the pump (6A) in at least the first Rankine cycle (2A) is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Masahiko Minemi, Hiroyuki Miura, Kazuo Yoshida, Masakatsu Miyao
  • Publication number: 20040060293
    Abstract: A system for producing power at remote locations comprises: a closed cycle vapor turbine unit having an evaporator containing liquid working fluid, a turbine receiving vapor of the evaporated working fluid for producing power by way of an electrical generator coupled to the turbine, a condenser and means for returning the working fluid condensate from the condenser to the evaporator; a biomass furnace associated with the evaporator for heating working fluid present in the evaporator and evaporating a portion of the working fluid; and a controller for controlling the amount of biomass fuel supplied to the biomass furnace in accordance with energy requirements of a customer load. Further, a method for producing power using the system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Ormat Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Chaim Sugarmen, Uriyel Fisher, Ariel Rotstein
  • Publication number: 20040060294
    Abstract: A steam engine increases efficiency and prevents corrosion, abrasion, and the like in a part receiving steam pressure. A heater and a cooler are provided on one side of a U-shaped fluid container, and a piston for output is provided on its other side. The heater heats working fluid to vaporize the fluid. The expansion pressure of steam of the working fluid depresses a fluid level in a first vertical pipe. The liquid component of the working fluid flows from the first vertical pipe into a second vertical pipe, thereby applying pressure to the piston in an upward direction. Then, the liquid component of the working fluid functions as a liquid piston directly receiving the expansion pressure of the steam, so that it is possible to prevent the occurrence of corrosion, abrasion and the like in the part receiving steam pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Shinichi Yatsuzuka, Yasumasa Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20040060295
    Abstract: A gas turbine combustor includes a side wall, for defining a combustion volume, having upstream and downstream ends, a pilot nozzle, disposed adjacent the upstream end of the side wall, for discharging a pilot fuel to form a diffusion flame in the combustion volume, and a plurality of main nozzles, provided around the pilot nozzles, for discharging a fuel-air mixture to form premixed flames in the combustion volume. Film air is supplied into the combustion volume downstream of the main nozzles along the inner surface of the side wall to reduce the fuel-air ratio in a region adjacent the inner surface of the side wall and to restrain a combustion-driven oscillation in the combustion volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shigemi Mandai, Kiyoshi Suenaga, Kuniaki Aoyama, Kazufumi Ikeda, Katsunori Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040060296
    Abstract: The invention provides a production process of a gas turbine capable of being applied to various cycles. A principal part of a gas turbine is set in advance based on roughly set conditions, and the number of stages of a compressor and the number of stages of a turbine, which can provide conditions suitable for a desired cycle, are set based on the set principal part. The compressor and the turbine each having the set number of stages and included in the principal part are combined with each other to construct the gas turbine. When the set number of stages of the compressor or the turbine differs among a plurality of desired cycles, a substantially disk-shaped member having an outer periphery, which forms an inner peripheral wall of a substantially annular flow passage of the compressor or the turbine, is assembled into the cycle having a smaller number of stages so that the bearing-to-bearing distance is kept constant in the gas turbine operated in the plurality of desired cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Tomomi Koganezawa, Takanori Shibata, Nobuhiro Seiki, Shinya Marushima, Shinichi Higuchi, Nobuaki Kizuka, Ryou Akiyama, Masami Noda
  • Publication number: 20040060297
    Abstract: A performance-enhancing fuel nozzle is disclosed. The nozzle suitable for use in combustors which combine high-swirl-number combustion in a pilot zone with low-swirl-number combustion in a main combustion zone. The nozzle includes a fuel delivery member adapted for fluid communication with a fuel source and a flow conditioning member having a fuel exit port. The fuel exit port is in fluid communication with the fuel supply and is adapted to ensure that the recirculation region adjacent the nozzle tip remains flame free. In one aspect of the invention, the fuel concentration profile of the nozzle is characterized by a radially-outward region that is flammable and a radially-inward region that is substantially non-flammable. In another aspect of the invention, the fuel exit port being is disposed a radially-outward portion of the flow conditioning member. In another aspect of the invention, the flow conditioning member is characterized by a swirl number lower than about 0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Herbert Koenig, Bernd Prade
  • Publication number: 20040060298
    Abstract: Respective combustion gas streams are generated in a can combustor. The streams are channeled downstream into an annular turbine nozzle. And, dynamic interaction of circumferentially adjacent combustion gas streams is suppressed axially between the cans and the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fei Han, Osman Saim Dinc, Adbul-Azeez Mohammed-Fakir, Sung Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20040060299
    Abstract: In a method for increasing the power output of a combined-cycle power station, comprising at least one gas turbo group, at least one heat recovery steam generator and at least one steam turbo group, with the gas turbo group comprising at least one compressor, at least one combustion chamber and at least one gas turbine, the heat recovery steam generator having at least one pressure stage and the steam turbo group comprising at least one steam turbine, in which combined-cycle power station air is compressed in a compressor, is then supplied as combustion air to a combustion chamber, the hot gas which is produced there is passed to a gas turbine, and the exhaust gas from the gas turbine is used in a heat recovery steam generator to produce steam for a steam turbo group, an immediate and rapid increase in the power output is achieved, and an additional power output from the combined-cycle power station is maintained in safe operating conditions, in that an supplemental firing is arranged to provide additional he
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Erhard Liebig
  • Publication number: 20040060300
    Abstract: A method comprising providing a combustion apparatus, introducing a fuel into the combustion apparatus, and introducing feed air into the combustion apparatus. The method further comprises using the combustion apparatus to cause at least some of the fuel and at least some of the feed air to swirl within the combustion region and about a longitudinal axis of the combustion apparatus, and causing an initial combustion reaction of some of the swirling fuel and feed air in the combustion region to form combustion reaction products. Some of the swirling fuel at least temporarily remains unburned. The swirling is sufficient to cause the unburned fuel to move radially away from the longitudinal axis and to cause the combustion reaction products to move radially toward the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Andrew Schlote
  • Publication number: 20040060301
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved multi-point injector for use in a gas turbine engine or other types of combustors. The multi-point fuel injector has a plurality of nozzles arranged in at least two arrays such as concentric rings. The injector further has different fuel circuits for independently controlling the fuel flow rate for the nozzles in each of the arrays. Each of the nozzles include a fluid channel and one or more swirler vanes in the fluid channel for creating a swirling flow within the fluid channel. A method for injecting a fuel/air mixture into a combustor stage of a gas turbine engine is also described. At least one zone has a flame hot enough to stabilize the entire combustor flame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Alexander G. Chen, Donald W. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20040060302
    Abstract: A turbine power plant comprises power generation apparatuses divided a plurality of modules, a common base mounting thereon the power generation apparatuses and a supporting apparatus for supporting the common base, and is characterized by a construction of the common base, constructed so as to be commonly used with a part of a transportation vehicle and a frame of the power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kuroki, Isao Takehara, Yasuyuki Watanabe, Seisaku Takihana
  • Publication number: 20040060303
    Abstract: A densifier (10) for simultaneously densifying two cryogenic liquids at different temperatures is provided. The densifier (10) has a thermoacoustic heat engine (20), a resonance tube (18) and a two stage pulse tube refrigerator (40). The thermoacoustic heat engine (20) generates oscillatory acoustical power required to generate net refrigeration power in the two-stage pulse tube refrigerator (40). The first stage (100) densifies a first cryogenic liquid to a first cryogenic temperature, and the second stage (200) densifies a second cryogenic liquid to a second, lower cryogenic temperature. The thermoacoustic heat engine (20) converts thermal energy to the oscillatory acoustical power required to generate net refrigeration in the first (100) and second (200) stages of the pulse tube refrigerator (40). No mechanical energy input is required, and therefore the invented densifier (10) has no moving parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Mark S. Haberbusch
  • Publication number: 20040060304
    Abstract: A lightweight, cryogenic-compatible pressure vessel for flexibly storing cryogenic liquid fuels or compressed gas fuels at cryogenic or ambient temperatures. The pressure vessel has an inner pressure container enclosing a fuel storage volume, an outer container surrounding the inner pressure container to form an evacuated space therebetween, and a thermal insulator surrounding the inner pressure container in the evacuated space to inhibit heat transfer. Additionally, vacuum loss from fuel permeation is substantially inhibited in the evacuated space by, for example, lining the container liner with a layer of fuel-impermeable material, capturing the permeated fuel in the evacuated space, or purging the permeated fuel from the evacuated space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Salvador Aceves, Gene Berry, Andrew H. Weisberg
  • Publication number: 20040060305
    Abstract: A method of managing a refrigeration system includes transmitting energy consumption, maintenance indicator, and food condition data from the refrigeration system to a management center; analyzing the energy consumption, maintenance indicator, and food condition data at the management center; and monitoring, diagnosing and prognosing the performance of the refrigeration system in response to the analysis. The method may also include altering a configuration of the refrigeration system in response to the analysis. The refrigeration system may be located at a retail location and the management center may be located remotely to the retail location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Abtar Singh, Paul Wickberg, Neal Starling, Thomas J. Mathews
  • Publication number: 20040060306
    Abstract: A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
  • Publication number: 20040060307
    Abstract: A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
  • Publication number: 20040060308
    Abstract: Upon a selector operation of a valve such as a four-way selector valve provided in a refrigerating cycle for selecting a channel of fluid, prevention of environmental pollution and energy saving and the like are effectively achieved. A sliding valve is coupled with a piston in a housing of a channel selector valve provided in a refrigerating cycle and the sliding valve moves due to a difference in pressure and so on at both sides of the piston, thereby a channel of fluid is selected. A processing section of a control device is constituted with microcomputers of an indoor and outdoor control sections, while a detecting section of the control device includes temperature sensor, detection means for detecting pressure, detection means for detecting flow rate, detection means for detecting voltage/current, and detection means for detecting frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Yoshizawa, Kenji Suzuki, Mitsuaki Noda, Shigeru Kubota, Tadashi Aoki, Hiroshi Ito, Nobuyuki Kiuchi, Seiichi Nakahara
  • Publication number: 20040060309
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing temperature variation among components in a multi-component system. In this respect, component temperatures are controlled to remain relatively constant (approximately within 5° C.) with respect to other components, while allowing for multiple fluctuating heat loads between components. A refrigeration system possessing a variable capacity (speed) compressor and a thermostatic expansion valve is utilized to control the flow of refrigerant through the refrigeration system. The temperatures of the components are reduced by metering the mass flow rate of the refrigerant cooling the components to compensate for the heat load applied to the refrigeration system. The temperature variation among the components is reduced by supplemental heaters independently providing heat to each respective component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Abdlmonem H. Beitelmal, Cullen E. Bash, Chandrakant D. Patel
  • Publication number: 20040060310
    Abstract: The invention proposes an air conditioning system for motor vehicles which is fitted with an injection computer and an electronic control device. The system comprises a first measuring member suitable for supplying a value relating to the pressure of the fluid at a first point in the air conditioning circuit which is situated between the outlet of the expansion member and the outlet of the evaporator, and a second measuring member suitable for supplying a value relating to the pressure of the fluid at a second point in the air conditioning circuit which is situated at the inlet to the compressor. The electronic control device makes use of the solution of an equation which relates the mass flow rate of the refrigerant fluid to the difference in pressure between the first point and the second point in order to calculate an estimate of a magnitude relating to the refrigerant fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Valeo Climatisation S.A.
    Inventors: Jin Ming Liu, Emmanuel Mace, Mohamed Ben Yahia
  • Publication number: 20040060311
    Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner has a front air conditioning unit for front seats of a vehicle and a rear air conditioning unit for rear seats of the vehicle. The front and rear air conditioning units are controlled by an air conditioning ECU. The ECU uses a non-linear model, such as a neural network, to determine a target blowout temperature, a blower voltage, and blowout port modes of the front air conditioning unit. The ECU uses a linear model to determine a target blowout temperature, a blower voltage, and blowout port modes of the rear air conditioning unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Mamoru Imoto
  • Publication number: 20040060312
    Abstract: A system with an internal combustion engine which has a heat transfer circuit, a fuel cell and a climate control unit which is accommodated in the heat transfer circuit of the internal combustion engine. The system has a heat transfer arrangement for transferring the exhaust heat of the fuel cell to the heat transfer circuit and a bypass for bridging a segment of the heat transfer circuit which runs through the internal combustion engine so that, in the bypassed operating state, an isolated circuit is formed. In stationary operation, this enables an optimized operating mode since the internal combustion engine is no longer heated and the exhaust heat of the fuel cell is fully available for heating purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: WEBASTO THERMOSYSTEME INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Horn, Noureddine Khelifa, Alexander Kolb
  • Publication number: 20040060313
    Abstract: A thermal management system configured to maximize the potential of single and multiple atomizers to effectively cool microprocessors and other electronic devices. The thermal management system, which may be a heat spreader, provides surfaces that are disposed to increase the effectiveness of impinging coolant droplets, provide additional heat transfer area in some embodiments, and permit the efficient, customized and disparate thermal management of a recipient object of the thermal management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Donald E. Tilton
  • Publication number: 20040060314
    Abstract: In order to provide an air conditioner capable of safely discharging drain water outwards, and having good assembly properties and maintenance properties, an electrical equipment box 270 including a control substrate is placed on the side of a first side plate 250 of a base panel 200, and a drain pump unit 600 is placed adjacent to a second side plate 260, to treat drain water in a position apart from an electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: FUJITSU GENERAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Gunji, Yukihiko Imai
  • Publication number: 20040060315
    Abstract: A method for conditioning air for an enclosure in which a supply air stream is cooled with a refrigerant system containing a variable compressor by passing the air over a cooling coil to reduce the temperature thereof; the thus cooled supply air stream is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel under conditions which increase its temperature and reduce its moisture content, and then delivered to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a regeneration air stream with the condensing coil of the refrigerant system, and then passing the heated regeneration air stream through another segment of the rotating desiccant wheel. At least one condition of the supply air stream, the regeneration air stream, and/or the refrigerant system is sensed or monitored and the output of the compressor is controlled in response to the sensed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Munters Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Dinnage, Kevin H. Young
  • Publication number: 20040060316
    Abstract: A heater for an air conditioner includes plural water tubes and plural refrigerant tubes which are arranged in parallel in an air flow direction. Therefore, the heater can heat air by using at least one of the heating sources while a pressure loss in the heater can be effectively reduced. For example, in a quick-heating mode, high-temperature refrigerant from a refrigerant cycle flows into the heater to heat the blown air, and low-temperature engine-cooling water from an engine bypasses the heater. In this case, thermal leakage from the refrigerant to the engine-cooling water is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Koji Ito, Tomohide Shindo, Yoshihiko Okumura, Takahiro Tokunaga, Yoshiyuki i Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20040060317
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically driven aircraft cabin and ventilation and environmental control system. The system includes at least one inlet for capturing ram air, an electrically driven compressor for pressurizing the ram air, and a thermal conditioning subsystem for thermally conditioning the pressurized ram air. The system further includes a subsystem for removing undesirable moisture from the thermally conditioned ram air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Charles E. Lents, Steven E. Squier, Wayne A. Thresher
  • Publication number: 20040060318
    Abstract: An adaptor enables a convective treatment system to be modified for cooling by providing a bath of pressurized, cooled air intended to lower the body core temperature of a person. The adaptor may be constructed for being coupled between a blower assembly that provides a stream of pressurized air and a convective treatment device that receives the stream of pressurized air, distributes it, and provides it for bathing the body of a person in a general bath of cooled air in order to produce a desired clinical effect such as prevention or alleviation of hyperthermia or for thermal comfort. Such an adaptor may be embodied as an enclosure having a shaped internal cavity. The shape is useful for effectively and efficiently distributing a flow of pressurized over, around and through a bed of ice disposed in the cavity. Ports are provided in the enclosure for introducing a flow of pressurized air into, and receiving a flow of pressurized air from, the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Bieberich, Ryan S. Augustine, Scott D. Augustine, Mark Christopher Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20040060319
    Abstract: A cold-storage appliance (2) includes an open-topped insulating container (16) defining an external surface; an insulating lid (22) adapted to close the open top of the container (16); a cooling means (24) adapted to cool the interior of the container (16); and a structure supporting the container (16), the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container (16) is mounted to the structure (4) for movement relative to the structure (6) and the lid (22) to open the container (16) and afford access to its interior or to close the container (16). A cold-storage appliance with air transfer valves (352, 356) that mitigate the piston effect experienced when opening and closing a drawer (4). Bellows (374) attached to the drawer (4) to maintain the vapour barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Ian David Wood
  • Publication number: 20040060320
    Abstract: An Internet refrigerator with a heat sink uses cold air from the Internet refrigerator itself, without a CPU cooling fan on a main board. The Internet refrigerator includes a main board with a chip set thereon and a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the main board. A heat sink plate faces a surface of the main board and absorbs heat generated from the chip set. A pipeline having both ends connected to an interior of a cooled compartment of the refrigerator is arranged to contact a lower surface of the main board at a portion thereof. Additionally, a cooling fan can be arranged in the cooled compartment of the refrigerator for introducing cold air from the cooled compartment of the refrigerator into the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Hoon Roh, Jung Ho Kim, Jin Cheol Cho, Jae Won Chang, Sang Hyuk Kang, Sang Mahn Kim, Pan Su Kim
  • Publication number: 20040060321
    Abstract: A system for shielding sparks generated by a compressor in a marine air conditioning system is disclosed. The components of the compressor clutch are modified and a cap encapsulates the components that can generate sparks. In particular, the outer edges of the hub and of the pulley are designed to closely receive the cap. The diameter of the hub is smaller than that of the pulley so that the cap rotates with the pulley without contacting the hub. The cap is joined to the pulley by interference fit and always rotates with the pulley. Any sparks generated by contact between the hub and the pulley are completely contained within the cap to prevent ignition of any gas fumes present in the vicinity of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: John R. Brunner, Douglas Warner Place
  • Publication number: 20040060322
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for recovering a crystalline material from an aqueous solution, which solution also contains organic contaminants, in which process the material is crystallised from the aqueous solution by freeze crystallising at a eutectic freezing point of the solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Geert-Jan Witkamp, Johannes Vrijenhoek, Johannes de Graauw, Frank van der Ham
  • Publication number: 20040060323
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses estimate and control optical fiber primary coating diameter for wet-on-wet optical fiber manufacturing. The primary coating diameter for a particular length of optical fiber is calculated based upon a measurement of the weight of primary and/or secondary coating material consumed during optical fiber manufacturing. Control of the primary coating diameter is effected by a coating controller which can increase or decrease the primary coating diameter through control of glass temperature, coating viscosity and/or other parameters during wet-on-wet fiber manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Fitel U.S.A. Corp.
    Inventors: Siu-Ping Hong, Jason W. Shiroishi, Nirupama Kenkare
  • Publication number: 20040060324
    Abstract: A first waveguide and a second waveguide are aligned by applying an alignment dot on end surfaces of the cores of first and second waveguides. The alignment dots are positioned in close proximity to one another, and are melted together. Surface tension pulls the first and second waveguides into alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Kjetil Johannessen
  • Publication number: 20040060325
    Abstract: The double crucible for a glass drawing method has a heatable outer crucible (1) and an inner crucible (2) surrounded by the outer crucible (1), which is heatable separately from the outer crucible (1). Both crucibles (1,2) have an outlet nozzle (1a, 2a) for the glass to be drawn. To make glass fibers from heavy metal oxide glass (HMO-glass) with higher quality and comparatively simple crucible features, the outlet nozzle (1a) of the outer crucible (1) extends a certain distance beyond the outlet nozzle (2a) of the inner crucible (2). Surfaces of the outlet nozzles coming in contact with the glass melt are polished and are provided on a material, which has a reducing action on heavy metal glass in the melt in all cases. These surfaces also have sufficient mechanical strength for and chemical inertness to heavy metal oxide glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: F. Buellesfeld, P. Kissl, U. Kolberg, Volker Ohmstede
  • Publication number: 20040060326
    Abstract: To provide an apparatus for manufacturing a glass particles deposit in which it is possible to effectively prevent the foreign matter from being deposited on or mixed into the glass particles deposit during the manufacturing operation. The apparatus for manufacturing the glass particles deposit comprises an upper funnel, a reaction vessel and a lower funnel, wherein the glass particulates are deposited around the outer circumference of a starting rod supported by a support rod within the reaction vessel while the starting rod is being rotated around its axis and reciprocated up and down, characterized in that a sleeve made of quartz separating an inner wall of the reaction vessel and a central rotation member is installed inside the reaction vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Tomohiro Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20040060327
    Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber preform that includes providing a consolidated glass preform, depositing a layer of silica soot onto the consolidated glass preform to form a composite preform having a consolidated glass portion and a silica soot portion, and exposing the composite preform to an atmosphere containing a concentration of a deuterium compound for a time and at a temperature sufficient to cause the deuterium compound to penetrate the consolidated glass portion without pervading the entire glass portion. Preferably, the deuterium compound penetrates the glass portion to a desired depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: George E Berkey, Dana C Bookbinder, Richard M Fiacco, Jeffrey T Kohli, Dale R Powers
  • Publication number: 20040060328
    Abstract: A knitted fabric having a triple knit ply structure, and is useful for underwear clothes which need high lightness and warmth, has a front surface knit ply having a yarn knit structure, a back surface knit ply having a yarn knit structure and a binding intermediate knit ply constituted from stitching yarns through which the front and back surface knit plies are tuck-stitched together, the stitching yarns are constituted from hollow fibers (for example, hollow filaments having a percentage of hollowness of 10 to 50%).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Soeda
  • Publication number: 20040060329
    Abstract: An object is to make it possible to provide a method for knitting a cable pattern in a tubular knitted fabric with high productivity. Two groups of knitting stitches to be crossed are arranged in alignment on one needle bed and crossed when they are transferred to the other needle bed, and the crossed groups of knitting stitches are securely hooked onto front and back needle beds so as to form a cable pattern in a portion extending over both needle beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20040060330
    Abstract: By a new method for the fastening of pelts stretched on pelt-boards, the belt is secured in a stretched position on the pelt-board by means of a sleeve/bag which is drawn over and around the pelt, so that the pelt is pressed in and locked against the pelt-board by means of the sleeve/bag. The method gives rise to the need for the pelts to be stretched out longer on the pelt-board than has hitherto been possible without damaging the pelts, inasmuch as the pelts will have a tendency to shrink slightly more when they are not fastened to the pelt-board by means of the staples traditionally used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Jens Hedegaard
  • Publication number: 20040060331
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a rekeying system comprising: a rekeyable lock cylinder comprising: a cylinder body; a plug assembly disposed in said cylinder body and comprising a plurality of pins and a one-to-one corresponding plurality of racks for relocating said plurality of pins; and a rekeying tool receiving aperture defined by said rekeyable lock cylinder; and a rekeying tool comprising: a base plate; and a plurality of spaced elongated prongs, each prong from said plurality of prongs comprising a first longitudinal end adapted to engage a corresponding one of said plurality of racks, each prong from said plurality of prongs dimensioned lengthwise to relocate to a first predetermined position said corresponding one of said plurality of racks, said first predetermined position common to each of said plurality of racks, each prong from said plurality of prongs comprising a second longitudinal end connected to said base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Steve Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
  • Publication number: 20040060332
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a key that poses tremendous difficulty for a lock breaker by not allowing the lock breaker to see all of the pin tumblers in the keyway. The keyway according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a curvature such that one cannot see the end of the keyway. The present invention further comprises a key having flexibility for fitting into the keyway having a curvature to turn the plug and open the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: GoldContinent Inventech International Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Kuo Liu
  • Publication number: 20040060333
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body with a plug body and carrier sub-assembly disposed therein. The plug body includes a plurality of spring-loaded pins and the carrier assembly includes a plurality of racks for engaging the pins to operate the lock cylinder. The racks and pins move in a transverse direction, in response to insertion of a first valid key into the lock cylinder, to unlock the lock cylinder. The carrier moves in a longitudinal direction, in response to insertion of a tool in a tool-receiving aperture, from an operating position to a rekeying position. In the rekeying position, the racks are disengaged from the pins and a second valid key can replace the first valid key. Rotation of the plug body from the rekeying position with the second valid key in the lock cylinder obsoletes the first valid key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Steven Armstrong, Gerald B. Chong
  • Publication number: 20040060334
    Abstract: Processes for enriching acid gases for sulphur plant feeds and for producing a commercially valuable CO2 by-product include a sour gas stream contacting an absorbent in an absorber, and regenerating the absorbent to produce a regenerated absorbent and an acid gas stream. A portion of the acid gas stream is recycled to produce higher ratios of hydrogen sulphide to carbon dioxide. Multiple absorbers and recycle streams can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Gary Palmer
  • Publication number: 20040060335
    Abstract: A tangential rolling attachment (20) for a machine tool, broadly includes a body (21); a pair of arms (22L, 22R) having their proximal marginal end portions (23L, 23R) pivotally mounted on the body and having distal marginal end portions (24L, 24R). The arms are biased to move in opposite angular directions such that the distal marginal end portions thereof will be urged to move away from one another. A roll (28L, 28R) is pmounted on the distal marginal end portion of each arm for imparting an action to a workpiece when the attachment is moved to tangentially engage the workpiece. A wedge (29) is mounted on the body for movement relative thereto in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece. An actuator (30) mounted on the body for selectively moving the wedge relative to the body to vary the spacing between the axes of the rolls. The improved rolling head may also incorporate a quick-release mechanism (33L, 33R) for mounting a roll on the arm of the machine tool attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: C.J. Winter Machine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Allart, Sandro G. Belpanno, Liberato Pietrantoni
  • Publication number: 20040060336
    Abstract: Method for machining profiles such as door or window frame profiles and corresponding machine for machining profiles, such as door or window frame and leaf profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Juan Jose Vila Fernandez
  • Publication number: 20040060337
    Abstract: A sheet metal bending brake having a frame with a planar work supporting surface and a plurality of spaced frame members extending over the work support surface. Each frame member has a throughbore and these throughbores are aligned with each other. A plurality of elongated pivot arms are pivotally secured at one end to the frame for movement toward and away from the work supporting surface. Each pivot arm also includes a generally rectangular opening aligned with the frame member throughbores. A block is longitudinally slidably mounted in each pivot arm opening and this slide block is constrained against movement in a direction perpendicular to the work support surface. Each block furthermore includes a trapezoidal opening with spaced apart and parallel top and bottom surfaces and outwardly flared side surfaces. An elongated shaft extends through and is rotatably mounted to the frame member throughbores and this shaft also extends through the trapezoidal openings in the pivot arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Douglas G. Break
  • Publication number: 20040060338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wire termination system for terminating wires in at least one of a plurality of terminal connectors removably affixed to each other in a terminal connector strip that includes a body having a connector positioning cavity therein for receiving the terminal connector strip; a pushing element within the positioning cavity for advancing the terminal connector strip within the positioning cavity; a crimping element for receiving at least one of the plurality of terminal connectors from the pushing element; a support within the positioning cavity for positioning at least one of the plurality of terminal connectors within the crimping element; and a handle moveably attached to the crimping element and the body, wherein the handle and the crimping element are configured to terminate the wires within at least one of the plurality of terminal connectors and to separate the terminal connector from the terminal connector strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Leo V. Schuppert, David J. Erb
  • Publication number: 20040060339
    Abstract: In a wire termination apparatus, an anvil for placing a terminal thereon is mounted on a base plate, corresponding in position to a crimper of a ram. The terminal is crimped by a crimping portion, which includes the crimper and the anvil. An elongate link piece is mounted on the ram, and a guide member having a groove in which an elongate component, such as a fluorescent tube, is placed, is mounted on the tip of the link piece. The guide member is positioned to be aligned with the terminal placed on the anvil, when the ram is in its uppermost position. A conductive lead of the component and a conductor of an insulated wire are inserted into the terminal from directions perpendicular to each other, then the terminal is crimped by the crimper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Kouji Imai