Patents Issued in April 20, 2004
  • Patent number: 6722122
    Abstract: A method for selecting one of first and second cylinder groups of an internal combustion engine is provided. The first and second cylinder groups are coupled with first and second catalytic converters, respectively. The method includes identifying one of the first and second catalytic converters by comparing first and second catalyst parameters, associated with the first and second catalytic converters, respectively, to one another. The first and second catalyst parameters indicate which one of the catalytic converters is more capable of maintaining reduced emissions while adjusting an engine operational parameter. The method further includes selecting one of the first and second cylinder groups coupled to the identified catalytic converter for changing an engine operational parameter in the selected cylinder group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Edward Sealy, Kenneth John Behr, Richard Andrew Booth
  • Patent number: 6722123
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment device (10) includes an aftertreatment element (24) for treating internal combustion engine exhaust, an injector (26) for injecting chemical species mixing with the exhaust prior to reaching the aftertreatment element, and a turbulator (36) turbulating the exhaust to enhance the noted mixing. In a desired combination, a two-stage integrated perforated tube combination structure includes a turbulent mixing tube (38) disposed in an acoustic tube (40) and concentrically surrounded thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Z. Gerald Liu, Michael T. Zuroski, Cary D. Bremigan, Kenneth J. Kicinski, C. Raymond Cheng
  • Patent number: 6722124
    Abstract: A catalytic converter assembly comprises a housing having an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet. A first chamber enclosed by the housing receives incoming exhaust gas and a second chamber contains a catalyst bed. Gas flows from the first chamber to the second chamber through an exhaust gas passage. A perforated enclosure surrounds the gas passage within said first chamber to induce a region of turbulence in the exhaust gas flow within the enclosure immediately upstream of the passage; An injector extends into the enclosure for injecting a reducing agent into the region of turbulence so that the reducing agent is rapidly dispersed and mixed within the exhaust gas flow before reaching the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Nelson Burgess Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth Pawson, Robert David Godrich
  • Patent number: 6722125
    Abstract: In a process for operation of an internal combustion engine having a NOx storage catalytic converter, after desulfuration is required the mode of operation of the internal combustion engine is changed to &lgr;1<1 and secondary air is injected upstream from the NOx storage catalytic converter (4) during a first time interval T1. After secondary air injection is interrupted, the internal combustion engine is operated at &lgr;2<1 during a second time interval T2. Normal operation of the internal combustion engine is subsequently resumed. This process makes simple desulfuration of the NOx storage catalytic converter (4) possible (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Pfalzgraf
  • Patent number: 6722126
    Abstract: An exhaust arrangement for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine of a vehicle which has a row of cylinders. The arrangement includes an exhaust manifold including a branch portion having a plurality of branch pipes corresponding to the cylinders, a catalyst disposed downstream of the exhaust manifold, and an exhaust pipe connecting the exhaust manifold to the catalyst. The exhaust pipe defines an exhaust path having a bend. The bend includes a plane dividing an interior of the bend into equal halves. A partition divides the exhaust path into first and second exhaust passages coextending in a longitudinal direction of the exhaust pipe. The partition extends in the bend in alignment with the plane. An oxygen sensor is disposed at the bend of the exhaust pipe in alignment with the partition and projects into both of the first and second exhaust passages through a periphery of the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Renault s.a.s. societe par actions simplifiee
    Inventor: Kiyomi Kawamizu
  • Patent number: 6722127
    Abstract: A four stroke engine including a crankshaft. A power piston within a first cylinder connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke. A compression piston within a second cylinder is connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke. A gas passage interconnects the first and second cylinders and includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. An inlet manifold is in fluid communication with an inlet valve of the second cylinder. A bypass valve is in fluid communication with the second cylinder and the inlet manifold, wherein during a compression stroke the bypass valve allows a portion of the air to bypass the inlet valve and exhaust into the inlet manifold to provide a variable compression ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Carmelo J. Scuderi, James V. Masi
  • Patent number: 6722128
    Abstract: A blow-off valve apparatus is used in an internal combustion engine having a supercharger. The apparatus has an inlet for receiving compressed air from the compressor of the supercharger, and two outlets, one of which exhausts the air to atmosphere and the other, of which is connected to the compressor inlet, to direct some of the air back to the compressor. The apparatus includes a sleeve configured for variably closing the outlets so as to vary the proportion of the air exhausted, relative to that directed back to the compressor. The sleeve can be moved manually by an actuator. A further sleeve is configured for shutting off the outlets when the engine conditions do not require air to be diverted by the apparatus, and to open them when the engine conditions are suitable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: John Adrian
  • Patent number: 6722129
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crank case ventilation system for an internal combustion engine that has a two-stage air charge boosting system. An air inlet system supplies the engine with air that may be pressurised by an upstream supercharger and a downstream turbocharger in series. A crank case evacuation system draws crank case gasses from a crank case and introduces said gasses into the air inlet system, through either a first conduit or a second conduit, depending on the setting of a pressure-regulated control valve. The first conduit is used to introduce said gasses upstream of the first boost stage when this stage is operational, and when the first boost stage is not operational, the second conduit is used to introduce said gasses downstream of the first boost stage and upstream of the second boost stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Anderson Criddle, William Marc Edward Brotherton
  • Patent number: 6722130
    Abstract: Method of producing a process steam from a first black liquor derived in connection with the production of paper pulp, wherein the first black liquor is treated to give a second black liquor of a higher concentration than the first black liquor as well as a liquid of low concentration, whereafter said process steam is produced from the low concentration liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping AB
    Inventors: Vidar Snekkenes, Lennart Gustavsson, Per Nystrom
  • Patent number: 6722131
    Abstract: A low hysterisis fuel control valve for proportioning fuel being supplied to the combustor of the turbine engine into a first portion for delivery to primary fuel nozzles and a second portion for delivery to secondary fuel nozzles is provided. The valve includes a piston mounted within a linear ball bearing bushing. In response to fuel pressure, the piston is continuously operable between a first position where said no fuel flow to the fuel nozzles occurs, a second position where fuel flows to the primary nozzles and a third position where fuel flows to the secondary nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Olin, Charles H. LaGrone, Jason H. Roach
  • Patent number: 6722132
    Abstract: A dual fuel premix nozzle and method of operation for use in a gas turbine combustor is disclosed. The dual fuel premix nozzle utilizes a fin assembly comprising a plurality of radially extending fins for injection of gas fuel and compressed air in order to provide a more uniform injection pattern and homogeneous mixture. The premix fuel nozzle includes a plurality of coaxial passages, which provide gaseous fuel and compressed air to the fin assembly. When in liquid fuel operation, the gas circuits are purged with compressed air and liquid fuel and water pass through coaxial passages to the tip of the dual fuel premix fuel nozzle, where they inject liquid fuel and water into the secondary combustion chamber. An alternate embodiment includes an additional gas fuel injection region located along a conically tapered portion of the premixed fuel nozzle, downstream of the fin assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Power Systems MFG, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Stuttaford, Stephen T. Jennings, Ryan McMahon, Brian R. Mack
  • Patent number: 6722133
    Abstract: A gas-turbine engine combustor having a plurality of venturi mixers, each includes an air inlet connecting to an air supply path, a fuel inlet connecting to a supply source of gaseous fuel, and an air-fuel mixture generating passage connecting to the air inlet and the fuel inlet and merges with an air-fuel mixture generating section to produce the air-fuel mixture and a nozzle opened into the combustion chamber at an end of the air-fuel mixture generating passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Inoue, Atsushi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6722134
    Abstract: A turbine component having a surface provided with a heat transfer enhancement feature formed therein that includes at least one linear surface concavity comprised of plural overlapped surface concavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Bunker
  • Patent number: 6722135
    Abstract: A control system and methodology for a gas turbine having multiple fuel valves for multiple combustion chambers involves tuning the fuel valves to associated combustion chambers to optimize nitrous oxide emissions; dynamic pressure, and variation in fuel/air ratio. Further, fine tuning of the fuel valves is then used to maintain dynamic pressure oscillations, nitrous oxide emissions or variation in fuel/air ratio within predetermined limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Bruce G. Norman, Robert Joseph Iasillo
  • Patent number: 6722136
    Abstract: A turbojet engine and a method for its operation which reduces NOx emissions, improves engine thermal efficiency, increases thrust and helps prevent engine performance deterioration. The turbojet engine includes two series of water injection nozzles which inject an atomized water stream into the compressor of the turbojet engine prior to the low pressure portion of the compressor and the high pressure portion of the compressor. The water injection nozzles that provide the atomized water stream to the low pressure portion of the compressor may be selectively disabled to inhibit water from being fed into the low pressure portion of the compressor based upon various criteria, such as the current atmospheric conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David L. Daggett
  • Patent number: 6722137
    Abstract: A butterfly valve for a gas turbine engine includes a valve shaft and a valve disk. The valve disk has a centerline axis that extends through the valve disk. The valve disk also includes a shaft opening, an outer periphery, an outer surface, a first side, and a second side. The first side is opposite the second side. The shaft opening extends through the valve disk adjacent the centerline axis, and is sized to receive the valve shaft therein. The disk outer surface extends over the first and second sides, and is tapered between the outer periphery and the centerline axis over at least one of the disk first and second sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Robert Proctor, John William Hanify, Debra Lynn Prikkel, Michael Jay Epstein, Julius John Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6722138
    Abstract: The compressor discharge air that normally leaks from the high pressure compressor hub and a portion of the compressor discharge air that is utilized for component cooling, is re-routed to by-pass the engine's TOBI to flow into a manifold defined by the stator support structure and a foot of the first turbine vane to the inner diameter platform of the first turbine vane of the high pressure turbine section to cool the aft end thereof before being discharged into the engine's main gaseous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Friedrich O. Soechting, Alan D. Bessette
  • Patent number: 6722139
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air conditioner using a thermoelectric module enabling to supply users individually with fresh and pleasant air for cooling/heating. The present invention includes a thermoelectric module having high and low temperature parts discharging and absorbing heat by an electric power, a heat-absorption accelerating means connected thermally to the low temperature part of the thermoelectric module so as to accelerate heat exchange between the low temperature part and an air, and a heat-dissipation accelerating means connected to the high temperature part of the thermoelectric module to accelerate heat exchange between the high temperature part and air so as to cool the high temperature part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Soo Moon, Mun Kee Chung
  • Patent number: 6722140
    Abstract: A cascade thermoelectric cooler designed to cool to cryogenic temperatures of 30 to 120 K integrates high performance\high-ZT BixSb2−xTe3 and Bi2Te3−xSe3-based super-lattice-structure thin-film thermoelectric devices with a bulk-material based thermoelectric cooler including plural cascaded cold stages with each successive cascaded cold stage able to cool to a progressively lower temperature. Each cold stage in the bulk-material thermoelectric cooler includes a heat source plate, a heat sink plate, a p-type thermoelectric, and a n-type thermoelectric. Moreover, the thin-film thermoelectric cooler can have multiple stages in which each stage contains a heat source plate, a heat sink plate, a p-type super-latticed thermoelectric element, and a n type super-latticed thermoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Research Triangle Institute
    Inventor: Rama Venkatasubramanian
  • Patent number: 6722141
    Abstract: A supply canister is partially filled with a refrigerant circuit additive liquid and is partially evacuated. Additive liquid from the canister may be placed into the refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system by (1) connecting the canister to the circuit after it has been emptied and a vacuum pressure created therein, (2) connecting the canister to the refrigerant circuit suction line during system operation, or (3) connecting the canister to the suction line with the system off, to thereby force refrigerant from the circuit into the canister, and then starting the system to cause the vacuum pressure in the suction line to draw the contents of the canister into the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: E.F. Products, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Ferris, William J. Quest
  • Patent number: 6722142
    Abstract: A refrigerated enclosure, for example a household refrigerator, having improved appearance and functionality by including a view panel, for example a glass window in a door of the refrigerated enclosure, a door switch, a controller, and an intermittent fan for removing moisture that condenses on the view panel. The refrigerated enclosure may also include interchangeable components, for example exterior panels, for coordinating or matching the appearance of the refrigerated enclosure to the surroundings into which the refrigerated enclosure is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sub-Zero Freezer Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Pagel
  • Patent number: 6722143
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof is provided, in which two-stage variable-capacity compressors are connected in parallel with each other to control capacities of the two stage variable-capacity compressors according to indoor air conditioning loads. A pair of two-stage variable-capacity compressors are used in the air conditioning apparatus to be cost competitive and can obtain an effect in which the pair of two-stage variable-capacity compressors are controlled as if a large-scale variable-capacity compressor with a capacity the same as a total capacity of the two compressors were linearly controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je-Myoung Moon, Jong-Youb Kim, Dong-Kue Lee, Il-Yong Cho
  • Patent number: 6722144
    Abstract: An air flow damper assembly is provided. The assembly includes a duct member comprising a first air flow opening therethrough, and a damper disposed within the duct member and including a substantially cylindrical rim for regulating air flow through the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald Miles Johnson
  • Patent number: 6722145
    Abstract: The present invention is a refrigeration system that uses a nonflammable, nonchlorinated refrigerant mixture to achieve very-low temperatures using a single compressor. The system is characterized by both high efficiency and rapid cool down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: IGC-Polycold Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Podtchereniaev, Kevin Flynn, Tarrurisa Apparao, Mikhail Bolarski
  • Patent number: 6722146
    Abstract: A refrigerator which is capable of being connected to the Internet and performing a variety of multimedia functions, and a method for controlling the same. A multimedia controller which controls the multimedia functions of the refrigerator is driven under the control of a refrigerator controller which controls refrigerating and freezing environments of the refrigerator. Even when an accident, such as a power failure or etc., occurs, the multimedia controller is given time in which it can be normally or closed down or ended. Therefore, a warning window is not displayed on a display unit of the refrigerator upon the driving of the multimedia controller, thus reassuring a user that the refrigerator has not failed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Hoon Roh, Jung Ho Kim, Jin Chul Cho
  • Patent number: 6722147
    Abstract: A heat exchanger module includes a glycol coolant circuit adapted to function as a heat pump for the heating of the interior passenger compartment of the motor vehicle with a glycol/water mixture as the heat carrier, a refrigerant circuit, and a glycol/refrigerant heat exchanger positioned between and interconnecting the cooling circuit and the refrigerant circuit, wherein the glycol/refrigerant heat exchanger has integrated connection lines for heat transfer from the coolant circuit to the refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Heyl, Jörn Fröhling
  • Patent number: 6722148
    Abstract: Electric heaters and blower units are disposed inside an occupant seat having exterior cover members, each of which has a plurality of outlet openings. Each electric heater heats the corresponding exterior cover member, and each blower unit blows air through the outlet openings of the corresponding cover member. Manipulation dials are provided to manipulate the corresponding electric heaters and blower units. A variable heating power command signal, which commands increasing or decreasing of a heating power of each corresponding electric heater, and a variable flow rate command signal, which commands increasing or decreasing of an air flow rate of each corresponding blower unit, are generated through adjustment manipulation of the manipulation dial in synchronism with movement of the manipulation dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Aoki, Toshifumi Kamiya, Yuji Honda
  • Patent number: 6722149
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandizer includes a display case defining a product display region having an open-front isolated from the ambient air of the store by means of a downwardly directed inner air curtain of relatively cold refrigerated air and a downwardly directed outer air curtain of relatively warmer air. The outer curtain of relatively warmer air is directed downwardly and outwardly away from the inner air curtain of relatively cold air at a divergent angle with respect to the inner air curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary D. Saroka, Abbas A. Alahyari
  • Patent number: 6722150
    Abstract: A refrigerated, open-top food pan that can be used as a counter top buffet, as a store self-service display or as a kitchen food ingredient holder, has two cooling systems. The first one discharges a blast of cool air through the exit ports of an manifold peripherally mounted near the upper rim of the pan. The cooled air is generated by a bwer taking air from a grated port in the inner side wall and forcing it through a chamber housing a cooling expansion coil. A secondary cooling system has an expansion tube in intimate and circuitous contact with the bottom and side wall of the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: C & S Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Carr, Dennis L. Baer
  • Patent number: 6722151
    Abstract: An air conditioning cooling apparatus and method which includes the steps of supplying cooling air generated from a cooling apparatus into an air passageway formed below a floor; guiding the cooling air in a controlled manner within the air passageway into an equipment assembly disposed on the floor through an opening located in the floor; communicating the cooling air introduced into the equipment assembly in a controlled manner into a plenum and introducing the air released from within the equipment into the plenum and communicating the released air through the cooling apparatus for cooling the released air. The method can permit temperature differential between the air supplied to the air passageway and the air introduced into the plenum from the equipment assembly to be 45° F. to substantially 40° F. so as to reduce the power necessary for operating on the fan of the blowing apparatus, and can also permit a controlled, uniform flow of air to and from the equipment in the equipment assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: TOC Technology, LLC
    Inventors: R. Stephen Spinazzola, Dennis L. Peltz
  • Patent number: 6722152
    Abstract: In a bus rooftop air conditioner having a fresh air inlet for routing fresh air to an evaporator coil by way of a passageway and including a frame located in the passageway for the receiving a filter therein. A hinge mounted grill has a body portion for covering the fresh air inlet, while at the same time having a extended arm coming into contact with the filter to hold it in position. The filter can be removed and replaced by simply rotating the grill member to an open position to thereby disengage the extended arm from the filter and allow it to be removed. The grill member has integrally connected and substantially normally extending guide vanes near its other end which, when the grill is the covering position, extends into a condenser discharge opening to thereby act as diffusers within that opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Hille, Robert C. Reimann, Belin Czechowicz, Stephen Stopyra
  • Patent number: 6722153
    Abstract: A self-cooling package for beverages that includes a cooling device internal to the package and a connection to a pumping device external to the package. The internal cooling device is formed by a cavity filled with a coolant that evaporates under the effect of a depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Thermagen (S.A)
    Inventor: Pierre Jeuch
  • Patent number: 6722154
    Abstract: The present invention utilizes the hydrogen storage capabilities of hydrogen storage material to dehumidify and cool air flowing into an enclosed area, such as a residential home. The invention provides an apparatus and method that incorporates a hydrogen storage module having a low pressure, the heat retriever module, and a hydrogen storage module having a high pressure, the cooling module, wherein the modules are connected by a pipe or tube that guides the flow of hydrogen gas back and forth between the modules. The heat retriever module is heated to increase the temperature of the heat retriever module and hydrogen gas is desorbed from the hydrogen storage material contained therein, then a valve in the tube or pipe is opened and the hydrogen gas flows to the cooling module. The valve is closed, after the hydrogen gas is absorbed by the hydrogen storage material of the cooling module. The absorption of hydrogen gas causes an increase in temperature of the cooling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaosheng Tan, Krishna Sapru
  • Patent number: 6722155
    Abstract: An accumulator having an improved baffle connection and a related method of interlocking an outlet tube and baffle within annular grooves of a passage of an enclosure to prevent blow by of liquid refrigerant fluid past the baffle connection. The baffle includes a cylindrical extension having a mounting passage through which an outlet tube extends. The cylindrical extension and outlet tube extend into the passage of the enclosure and are engaged within one or more of the annular grooves of the enclosure to interlock the baffle and outlet tube to the enclosure. The enclosure preferably includes a puck having the passage therethrough, where the puck is inserted into a canister and then welded thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Automotive Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Dale Fisk, Chhotu N. Patel
  • Patent number: 6722156
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a chiller unit and a freezer unit. The freezer unit is provided with a freezing compressor for compressing a refrigerant in a total of two stages together with a compressor in an outdoor unit. The freezing compressor is formed by an inverter compressor. An oil separator is disposed on the discharge pipe of the freezing compressor. On the inlet pipe of the freezing compressor, a heat exchanger is provided for cooling an inverter with an refrigeration oil separated by the oil separator and a suction refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tanimoto, Takeo Ueno, Masaaki Takegami, Kazuyoshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 6722157
    Abstract: A system for liquefying natural gas by cooling the natural gas stream in a first refrigeration cycle employing a non-volatile refrigerant, such as carbon dioxide, and subsequently cooling the natural gas stream in a second refrigeration cycle employing a predominately methane refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Anthony P. Eaton, Bobby D. Martinez
  • Patent number: 6722158
    Abstract: A machine cycle unwrapper for use with a glass forming machine which is controlled by a programmable sequencer which defines a 360° machine cycle having a set cycle time. The cycle unwrapper converts the “on” and “off” angles around the wrapped 360° programmable sequencer to “on” and “off” times along an unwrapped bottle forming process which takes more then two machine cycles to complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventor: Jonathan S. Simon
  • Patent number: 6722159
    Abstract: A method and article are disclosed wherein a substrate is provided with a photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning surface by forming a photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating on the substrate by spray pyrolysis chemical vapor deposition or magnetron sputter vacuum deposition. The coating has a thickness of at least about 500 Angstroms to limit sodium-ion poisoning to a portion of the coating facing the substrate. Alternatively, a sodium ion diffusion barrier layer is deposited over the substrate prior to the deposition of the photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating to prevent sodium ion poisoning of the photocatalytically-activated self-cleaning coating. The substrate includes glass substrates, including glass sheet and continuous float glass ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Greenberg, Caroline S. Harris, Vincent Korthuis, Luke A. Kutilek, David E. Singleton, Janos Szanyi, James P. Thiel
  • Patent number: 6722160
    Abstract: An air-cooling/tempering device for a glass plate capable of providing uniform cooling performance and an air-cooling/tempering method for a glass plate capable of air-cooling and tempering efficiently are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yoichi Nemugaki, Masanori Tomioka, Ken Nomura
  • Patent number: 6722161
    Abstract: A method for melting glass forming batch material includes charging the glass forming batch material to a glass melting apparatus; impinging a flame proximate to the surface of the batch materials to form a glass melt from the batch material; and bubbling the glass melt in proximity to the impinging flame with a fluid, advantageously producing a shearing action sufficient to enhance the solution rate of the glass forming batch material relative to the same system without bubbling, but without splashing glass and without significant production of seeds or blisters in the glass melt. Melting of the glass forming batch material with bubbling proceeds more quickly, and/or at lower temperatures than occurs in a comparable conventional glass melting furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 6722162
    Abstract: An automatic quartz-tube leveling device for automatically measuring the leveling state of an optical-fiber preform on an on-line basis using a modified-chemical-vapor deposition (MCVD) technique is disclosed. A quartz tube is disposed in a horizontal supporting element such as a lathe. A measuring device is provided with a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device, interposing the quartz tube, for measuring an upper eccentric value and a lower eccentric value along a length of the quartz tube. A controller receives the measured upper and lower eccentric values from the measuring device, compares the measured values with predetermined reference values, and specifies a necessary leveling span of the quartz tube. A transfer device then moves to a necessary leveling span of the quartz tube to carry out leveling of the quartz tube, under control of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Wook Bang
  • Patent number: 6722163
    Abstract: The method comprises using a set of contiguous needles of the needle cylinder; actuating the needle cylinder with an alternating rotary motion about its own axis, through a rotation angle making the knitting needles to pass in front of n feeds or drops of the machine which are used to form the pouch; gradually decreasing the needles made to knit at least one of the n feeds, excluding every time needles located at the lateral ends of the set in at least one step of the knitting process; and gradually increasing, at the lateral ends of the set, the needles that are made to knit at least one of the n feeds in at least one other step of the knitting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Matec S.p.A.
    Inventor: Jan Ando′
  • Patent number: 6722164
    Abstract: An elastic web fabric and method for producing the same. The resulting fabric is curl-free and has bi-directional stretch of between about 50-125% stretch in the width direction and 50-200% stretch in the length direction. In the preferred embodiment, the fabric includes a center marker formed from a two-needle shift of two rubbers to provide a centering line to aid in assembly of a finished article. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the left top edge of the fabric has about six rubbers and the right top edge has about 5 rubbers to prevent curling to produce a fabric which is more easily cut and fabricated into the finished article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Beech Island Knitting Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Ives, Larry T. Mitchell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6722165
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine having a drying function, and more particularly, to a washing machine having a drying function, in which structures of a circulation duct and a fan/motor assembly are improved for improving a drying function and a productivity of the washing machine having a drying function. The present invention includes an outside case, an outer tub inside of the outside case for storage of washing water, an inner tub inside of the outer tub, a re-circulation duct connected between one side of a lower part of the outer tub and a top of the outer tub for providing a re-circulation passage of air in the inner tub, a fan/motor assembly fitted to the re-circulation duct with a motor shaft positioned horizontal, for blowing the air, and a heater fitted downstream of the fan/motor assembly on the re-circulation duct, for heating the circulating air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Chul Woo, In Chul Jeong
  • Patent number: 6722166
    Abstract: A security tag assembly structured to indicate the unauthorized removal of merchandise from a given area such as a retail establishment. A housing includes separable portions having a connector member structured to removably connect the merchandise to the housing and positionable into removable and locking engagement with a locking assembly when the housing is in an operative position relative to the merchandise. A shield assembly is mounted on the housing in protective, preferably surrounding or at least partially enclosing relation to the locking assembly so as to restrict unauthorized access to the locking assembly and/or the positioning thereof relative to the connector member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Johan Skjellerup
  • Patent number: 6722167
    Abstract: A cabinet lock controlled by a press-button lock is disclosed to include an upright track affixed to the back side of the cabinet, a sliding locking bar vertically movably mounted in the upright track and adapted to hook the drawers in the cabinet, a linkage coupled between the top end of the upright track and the top end of the sliding locking bar and driven by the lock cylinder of the press-button lock through a push bar to move the sliding locking bar, and a spring member adapted to push the sliding locking bar upwards from the locking position to the unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Long-Jung Hsu
  • Patent number: 6722168
    Abstract: A steering locking device has an annular clearance provided between a steering shaft and a collar surrounding the steering shaft. A spacer is press-fitted in the annular clearance, to form a circular arc shape surrounding the steering shaft. The spacer is wound around the steering shaft from the outside of the collar through the opening of the collar. When a locking member supported on a locking device main body is at a locked position, the collar is prevented from being rotated. When a torque applied to the steering shaft is not more than a predetermined torque, the spacer prevents the relative rotation between the steering shaft and the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsurou Kitami, Tomohiro Maekawa, Terukazu Nakajima, Takaya Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6722169
    Abstract: Although a door locking handle assembly is small as a whole in thickness, it permits through a computerized personal management system of users a plurality of persons or users to have access to instruments contained in a box provided with the door locking handle assembly in an easy manner. In the assembly, a combination lock (19) opened by turning each of a set of it specially marked dial discs (21) a given number of times to establish a unique combination of marks of the dial discs (21) is incorporated in a door handle (13) or a base body (1) of the assembly. In operation, a locking member (44) of the assembly prevents the door handle (13) from being pulled out of the base body (1), and is driven to reach its unlocked position when the combination lock (19) is opened. Also, a cylinder lock (59) may be advantageously incorporated into the door handle (13) together with the combination lock (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Takigen Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shirou Segawa
  • Patent number: 6722170
    Abstract: A lock assembly for attachment to an enclosure door. The enclosure door has a lock assembly receiving opening created to receive the lock assembly. The lock assembly includes a lock case assembly having a bolt that can be moved between at least two positions; a lock actuating assembly interconnected with the lock case assembly such that the lock actuating assembly can actuate a change in the position of the bolt from one position to another; and a mounting plate. The lock assembly is secured within the receiving opening of the enclosure door by an interior mounting plate securing bracket, preferably two such brackets, secured to the interior side of the mounting plate. A method of securing a lock assembly to an enclosure door is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Randy L. Squier
  • Patent number: 6722171
    Abstract: An assembled lock cylinder comprises a cylindrical core having a cylindrical outer surface and an end face and defining at least one through hole through the wall of the cylindrical core; a connecting plug having a cylindrical portion inserted into the cylindrical core through the end face and defining at least one pin hole extending inwards from the surface of the cylindrical portion; and at least one pin. The connecting plug has at least one protrusion extended outwards from the outer surface thereof that is inserted into the cylindrical core. The cylindrical core has at least one receiving recess sized to receive the protrusion. When the connecting plug engages the cylindrical core the through hole aligns with the pin hole and the pin can be exactly mounted into the through hole and the pin hole, so the connecting plug cannot move axially and circumferentially with respect to the cylindrical core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Wah Yuet (NG's) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jiaqiang Ruan