Patents Issued in May 4, 2004
  • Patent number: 6729090
    Abstract: An insulative panel with transverse fiber reinforcements is provided and which is adopted for use with a plurality of building materials such as concrete to create a lightweight, high strength building panel having superior insulative properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Oldcastle Precast, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold G. Messenger, Thomas G. Harmon, John A. Fifield, John M. Carson
  • Patent number: 6729091
    Abstract: Floor element (1), which is mainly in the form of a board with triangular, quadratic, rectangular, rhomboidal or polygonal shape as seen from above. The floor element (1) is provided with edges (2), a lower side (7) and a decorative upper layer (3). The floor elements (1), which are intended to be joined via tongue and groove are on at least two opposite edges (2), preferably on all edges (2) provided with holes (4). The holes (4) extends inwards from the edge (2) mainly parallel to the decorative upper layer (3). The holes (4) are arranged on a predetermined distance from the decorative upper layer (3) and on a predetermined distance from a closest corner between two adjacent edges (2), whereby the holes (4) are intended to receive each one part of a guiding means (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Pergo (Europe) AB
    Inventor: Göran Martensson
  • Patent number: 6729092
    Abstract: The invention relates to a joint cover comprising a base section to be fixed onto a support; a covering section; and one or more intermediate parts designed to receive the covering section by clipping, the intermediate part or parts defining a cavity for receiving a head of a longitudinal tab that the covering section comprises, and comprising on each side of a plane passing through an opening for access to the cavity, at least one external rib able to co-operate, by clipping of opposite shapes, with means of a longitudinal gully of the base section, and at least one internal tab for retaining said head in the intermediate part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Michel Grosjean
  • Patent number: 6729093
    Abstract: A prefabricated concrete panel for industrialized building, with high thermal and/or acoustic insulation, comprising a first sheet and a second sheet which are embedded in the concrete body of the panel and face each other on planes which are parallel to the planes of arrangement of the two larger faces of the panel. At least one of the sheets is made of thermally insulating material and the sheets delimit, therebetween, an air chamber which is divided into a plurality of mutually connected recesses in order to increase thermal and/or acoustic insulation of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventors: Sergio Zambelli, Benito Zambelli
  • Patent number: 6729094
    Abstract: A prefabricated concrete panel for use in forming the walls, floor, roof, ceiling, and/or foundation of a building is provided. The prefabricated concrete panel includes a concrete slab, a metal mesh embedded in the slab, an insulating panel adjacent to a surface of the concrete slab, one or more studs, upper and lower U-shaped tracks, and one or more connectors attached to the studs. A method of making the prefabricated concrete panels and a method of constructing a building using the prefabricated concrete panels are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Tex Rite Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alicia Spencer, Erwin Ritter
  • Patent number: 6729095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refined assembly structure of hubbed door leaf installed with glass, which comprises a first door skin with an opening, a second door skin with an opening, a top lacing material, a bottom lacing material, a left lacing material, a right lacing material, a handle reinforcement member and the ejected frame with multiplayer glass hold-down. The door skin with opening can be manufactured to be various shapes such as square, rectangular, circle, ellipse, and semicircle depending on different mold. When assembled, the lacing materials are mounted to the edges of the first door skin by the adhesive. The left and the right lacing materials are position-bonded, by ribs, to the flush-sided door skin. The top and the bottom lacing materials are positioned through the milled notches at the top and the bottom ends of the left and the right lacing materials. A reinforcement member is disposed at the handle position to enhance the mechanical strength of the handle while locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Nan Ya Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Kuei Yung Wang Chen
  • Patent number: 6729096
    Abstract: A system for installing suspended ceilings in large commercial buildings employing t-shaped main and intersecting branch ceiling joists. The main joists are suspended from the purlins of the building by upper brackets that secure to the purlins and by lower brackets that secure to the joists. Rods that are adjustable in length attach the upper brackets to the lower brackets to thereby suspend the joists below the purlins. To install the joists, the rods are adjusted in length so that all the joists are level and are suspended at the desired height within the building. The main joists are spaced approximately 8 feet apart from each other, and the branch joists are spaced approximately 4 feet apart from each and attach to the main joists at right angles so as to form a plurality of frames for supporting 4×8 foot sheets of insulated ceiling board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: AAON Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Ashmore, Mike Hensley
  • Patent number: 6729097
    Abstract: A hollow building panel is provided having a first member, a second member spaced apart from the first member, and at least one support member disposed between and interconnecting the first and second member. At least one groove is formed in the first member exposed surface and the support member is attached to the first member at a vertex formed by the groove. The panel includes a locking assembly whereby two adjacent panels may be joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik A. Patel, Darryl C. Bodine
  • Patent number: 6729098
    Abstract: An adjustable height corner fitting for a shipping container including a substantially hollow rectangularly shaped block having a bottom wall, end walls and side walls is disclosed. An elongated aperture is located in the bottom wall and is adapted to cooperate with a locking mechanism in order to lock the shipping container to the platform of a vehicle. Also provided is a substantially rectangularly shaped plate that is complementary to the bottom wall and is adapted to be temporarily attached thereto in order to increase the height of the block. The plate also has an elongated aperture therein which is complementary to the aperture in the bottom wall. When the plate is attached, the apertures in the plate and in the bottom wall are in alignment, but the plate causes the corner fitting to extend downwardly approximately a half an inch below the container for shipment on a truck, boat or rail car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: James F. Brennan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6729099
    Abstract: A concrete embedding anchor includes. An anchor including an anchor body having a head at one end of the shank and a stopper at the other end, a fitment concentrically mounted to said head and having an external thread and easy breaking portion formed on the round bar portion thereof, and a hemispherical shell-shaped former fitted with the middle portion of said anchor shank. A retainer is secured to the concrete form in advance, said anchor fitment is inserted into and screwed up to said retainer, said anchor is combined with the concrete form, then concrete is poured, and said concrete form is taken away after the concrete has hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Flex System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Hazama
  • Patent number: 6729100
    Abstract: A connector for a main tee of a suspended ceiling grid that has improved self-aligning and connection force properties. The connector has an end tab with a forward portion bent at a lead angle and a receiving pocket with an outwardly flared entrance that, with an opposed identical connector, cooperate to provide smooth horizontal alignment. The end portion, additionally, includes an edge profile that vertically aligns itself with the receiving pocket of the opposed connector. The receiving pocket includes a spring-like resilient wall that limits the assembly force to overcome interference with projecting lock lances even when the connectors are nearly out of dimensional tolerance. The spring-like pocket wall, shape of the lock lance, and reinforcing beads contribute to an improved audible click signaling that a connection has been completed. The lock lance works with a relief groove to augment self-alignment of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: USG Interiors, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald L. Koski, John M. Harcula, Brock R. Kavanagh
  • Patent number: 6729101
    Abstract: There is provide an adjustable roofing bracket having a base, a platform support and a rotating brace. The base includes a frontal portion and a rear portion. Opposing sidewalls extend upwardly from the rear portion of the base. A plurality of angular channels are disposed in the sidewalls. The platform support is rotationally mounted to the opposing sidewalls. The rotating brace is rotationally mounted at its top to the platform support. Near its bottom the rotating brace is adapted to cooperate with angular channels. Therefore, to adust the angle of the platform support with respect to the base, the roofer merely chooses which angular channels in which to set the rotating brace. A strike plate contiguous with a backwall of the base provide a surface which a roofer strikes to remove the bracket after use. A gusset disposed between the inner surface of the backwall and the rear portion of the base absorbs and transfers the force away from critical areas of the roofing bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Macri
  • Patent number: 6729102
    Abstract: An apparatus for defining a loop handle in a tubular covering, such as an expanded mesh plastic covering, for a food. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame for supporting the various assemblies that comprise the apparatus and for engaging a support surface such as a floor. The apparatus of the present invention further includes a conveyor assembly, which conveys the food product from a production line and into the slide area or chute. Positioned proximate the distal end of the chute is a voider assembly defined by a stationary set of voider gates and a moveable set of voider gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignees: Acraloc Corporation, Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Harrison A. Ailey, Bradford L. Brewster, Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, Richard Scott Bruce
  • Patent number: 6729103
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously transferring articles from a pickup station to a release station using a circular, continuously rotating turret is disclosed which includes a plurality of transfer arms carried in a circular motion wherein pickup heads carried by the transfer arms are converted from the circular motion to a straight-line motion during pick up of the articles to provide a case packing machine having high speed and reliable operation. In accordance with the general aspects of the invention, a first conveyor is disclosed for conveying the articles to a pickup station and a second conveyor is provided for delivering the articles away from a release station. One of the first and second conveyors includes an arcuate conveyor section disposed below a congruent path of the pickup heads. At least one of the pickup and release stations is advantageously located over the arcuate conveyor section whereby high speed operation requiring only a small amount of machine floor space is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Patterson Hartness, David N. Cooley, Richard M. Wiernicki, Robert Leslie Dillard, David Lee Scott
  • Patent number: 6729104
    Abstract: A hand-held, power-operated or power-assisted, crimping/er or decapping/er tool (60), for container closures, such as vial caps (C), has a hollow handle (50), housing a (pneumatic) piston-in-cylinder actuator (12, 13), with an external trigger (18) operating an internal control valve (16), to control connection of an external pressure supply, through an internal distribution block (11), and displacement of an actuator output rod (15), coupled, through a pivoted bell crank lever (10), to a demountable crimping/er or decapping/er (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth Edward Marshall
  • Patent number: 6729105
    Abstract: In a unit by which groups of cigarettes are packed in rigid type packets, the single packet is fashioned from a flat diecut blank folded around the group. An assembly consisting of one blank and one group is directed along a predetermined path and conveyed ultimately into a folding station with the blank still presenting two lateral flaps to be bent over and flattened; the station comprises two folders each presenting a fixed shoe of helical geometry around which a belt is looped slidably and positioned to engage a respective lateral flap as the assembly advances along the relative folding path, the active branch of the loop running in a direction concurrent with that of the advancing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Massimo Fortini
  • Patent number: 6729106
    Abstract: A stretch-wrapping machine consists of a revolving ring with a packaging material dispenser mounted to it. The ring revolves about a horizontal axis to dispense the stretch wrap material around a load that is supported by a forklift. The revolving ring is mounted on a track that allows the ring to travel back and forth in a direction perpendicular to the ring. This allows the machine to wrap any load that fits within the ring. Thus the length and the weight of the load do not limit the wrapping capability of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Robert B. Wiley
  • Patent number: 6729107
    Abstract: Introduction of a reinforcement strip into the folded edge area in the method for producing a bag with introduced goods to be packaged and with a suspension with suspension hole, wherein the goods to be packaged are introduced into a foil semi-hose which is supplied transverse to the transport direction, is deflected by a deflection device, and is further transported in the transport direction together with the goods to be packaged on a transport path and is then separated from the foil hose by a transverse welding unit and simultaneously welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Hugo Beck GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Horst Heimann, Klaus Soltau
  • Patent number: 6729108
    Abstract: A vertical type forming, filling and sealing machine according to the present invention includes a film shaping mechanism for forming long lengths of film into tubular shapes, a vertical sealing mechanism for heat sealing the edges of the film formed by the film shaping mechanism in the longitudinal direction of the film to form tubular film, a supply nozzle for supplying contents into the tubular film, and two horizontal sealing mechanisms for heat sealing the tubular film in its width direction. A first horizontal sealing mechanism heat seals opposing inner surfaces of the tubular film except for a portion in the width direction. A second horizontal sealing mechanism is placed below the first horizontal sealing mechanism and heat seals the area which is not heat sealed by the first horizontal sealing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Orihiro Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Orihiro Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 6729109
    Abstract: A flat bottom bag or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by creating two vertical creases along opposite sides of a packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. These creases are formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Robert Knoerzer, Garrett William Kohl, Steven Kenneth Tucker
  • Patent number: 6729110
    Abstract: A dunnage bag includes a sealed, flexible bag, and a rigid valve assembly connected in fluid communication to the flexible bag. The valve assembly has a rigid collar which mounts in an opening in a wall of a container to receive an exit end of a fill nozzle of an inflating system which supplies pressurized gas for inflating the flexible bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence B. Sperry, Eric Kane
  • Patent number: 6729111
    Abstract: A machine for palletizing elements having a head, a shank and a tip. An auger has a first portion having a variable pitch and a second portion having a constant pitch. A plurality of the elements are directed onto the auger and retained on the auger. A transfer arm moves the plurality of elements from the auger and introduces the plurality of elements to a tray having rows of holes therein. Several embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: John L. Wickham
  • Patent number: 6729112
    Abstract: A tubular bagging machine in which expanding elements projecting away from the fill pipe are provided in order to create bags with welded edges. A separate longitudinal welding device for welding of an area adjacent to the edge of the tube is provided. It is thus possible to produce directly side-by-side a longitudinal seam and a welded edge. A bag-opening aid or a reclosing aid can be integrated into the longitudinal seam or the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Rovema Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Kuss, René Ohrisch, Harald Braun, Walter Baur
  • Patent number: 6729113
    Abstract: A lateral sealing mechanism for use in a bag-making and packaging machine includes movable rotary shafts. The movable rotary shafts are driven by a lateral drive mechanism so that the distance between the shafts is controllable. Support mechanisms are mounted on and rotatable about the shafts. The support mechanisms support sealing elements for forming lateral heat seals on a tubular packaging material from which the bags are formed. The support mechanisms are such that the sealing elements are tiltable with respect to the tubular packaging material, and so that two sealing elements can be maintained in directly opposed engagement to one another across the packaging material as the seal is formed. The machine includes a squeezing mechanism that operates to force the packaged material downward within the tubular material and out of a sealing region before the seal is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideshi Miyamoto, Kazuya Sugimura, Makoto Ichikawa, Masashi Kondo
  • Patent number: 6729114
    Abstract: An all-electric riding greens mower includes a frame which is supported for movement upon a plurality of ground engaging wheels and upon which are supported a modularly interchangeable power source and a plurality of reel lawn mowers. An electric motor provides driving torque to enable movement of the mower between and over golf course greens or other surfaces to be mowed, electric motors provide driving torque for each of the reel lawn mowers. The interchangeable power source provides electrical energy for driving the electric motors, including the primary mover and the electrical motors for the reel type lawn mowers. The modularly interchangeable power sources may comprise a bank of batteries, a motor/generator set, a fuel cell, or a combination of these. The power source may be easily exchanged in the field for another, freshly charged power source. Exchange occurs using either a fixed change stand or a mobile change stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Fillman, Anthony J. Saiia, Kirk W. Reimers
  • Patent number: 6729115
    Abstract: A twin-lever drive wheel steering mower for a sitting operator with each lever independently controlling a brake and the speed of each drive wheel through a separate hydraulic pump and motor transmission. A brake assembly positioned on each drive wheel; a pair of pivotally mounted steering levers, each controlling one of the pumps mounted on the mower for longitudinal movement, each steering lever is connected independently to the swash plate of its controlled pump providing variable speeds forward, reverse, and a neutral zero flow position; linkage members connecting the steering levers for each wheel to a brake assembly on each wheel; a pair of T-shaped slots having a lateral leg in a cover plate surrounding each of the steering levers allowing the levers to move laterally outward in the lateral leg to engage the brakes only in the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harlan J. Bartel
  • Patent number: 6729116
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the height of a wheel, particularly a caster wheel, in relation to a structure such as a mower deck of a lawnmower includes a frame member, a hollow guide member, a transverse element, and a lever. The frame member is interconnected between one or more caster wheels and the structure. The frame member includes an angled section disposed along an angled adjustment direction. Spaced recesses are formed in the angled section and arranged along the adjustment direction. The guide member and transverse element are attached to the structure. The angled section is slidable through the guide member. The lever is pivotably connected to the transverse element and includes a locking element. By pivoting the lever, the locking element can be brought into engagement with a selected one of the recesses to fix the angled section at a desired position relative to the guide member and thus the height of the structure relative to a ground surface over which the caster wheel or wheels roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: George B. Graus, James C. Keane, Hiroshi Hojo
  • Patent number: 6729117
    Abstract: A spindle assembly for a rotary mower comprises a spindle that is drivingly connected between an output shaft of a hydraulic motor or other rotary power source and a horizontal blade assembly, and a spindle housing that rotatably supports the spindle for rotation and thrust loads. The spindle is formed from conventional steel rod stock and is machined to produce an upper end of reduced diameter. An impeller and thrust washer fits on the narrower upper end of the spindle and is held in place by a tapered snap ring that fits in a tapered groove in the spindle. In at least one embodiment, radial grooves on the washer facilitate oil flow and assist to impel or pump oil or hydraulic fluid outwardly as the washer rotates. In various embodiments, case drain oil pressure or oil pressure produced by the washer causes oil flow over the spindle assembly bearing surfaces. The spindle assembly can include an oil leak detection passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: David S. Frazer
  • Patent number: 6729118
    Abstract: A non-stop, large round baler is provided with transversely spaced side walls having peripheries which are not connected to any structure or to the chassis and mounted so as to be adjusted transversely to increase or decrease the width of a bale forming chamber formed between them. Furthermore flexible bale forming elements are trained over rolls carried on the free end of revolving arms mounted outside the side walls, the rolls moving along the periphery of the side walls so as to define between them separate expansible chamber sections permitting one chamber section to begin filling with oncoming crop while the other chamber is being emptied of a completed bale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jean Viaud
  • Patent number: 6729119
    Abstract: A means and method for inserting drivers into a surgical stapling cartridge, including a pallet that holds the cartridge firmly. The pallet has a central slot and laterally positioned lip members that are biased toward the slot. The cartridge is positioned in the slot and the lip members are released to extend their lips over the lateral flanges on the cartridge, thereby holding the cartridge in position. A finger extends into a recess formed at one end of the cartridge, thereby positively positioning the cartridge in the slot. The cartridge is released for removal by a tongue inserted between the lip members, thereby separating them by displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Schnipke Family Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. Schnipke, David B. Erhart
  • Patent number: 6729120
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having an engine control unit and an exhaust-gas catalytic converter. In the invention, the engine control unit is used to switch off the internal combustion engine in an idling mode and/or in an overrun mode of the internal combustion engine, depending on the temperature of the exhaust-gas catalytic converter and an exhaust-gas temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Normann Freisinger, Roland Kemmler, Manfred Treusch
  • Patent number: 6729121
    Abstract: An adsorbent deterioration determining apparatus can accurately determine a deterioration of an adsorbent in a relatively simple configuration. The adsorbent deterioration determining apparatus determines a deterioration of an adsorbent arranged in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine for purifying exhaust gases. The adsorbent is capable of adsorbing hydrocarbons and moisture in exhaust gases. The adsorbent deterioration determining apparatus comprises a humidity sensor arranged at a location downstream of the adsorbent in the exhaust system for detecting the humidity of exhaust gases, and an ECU for determining a deterioration of the adsorbent in accordance with a detected output of the humidity sensor at the time a predetermined time has elapsed from a start of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Sato, Takashi Haga, Norihito Watanabe, Kenji Abe, Tetsuo Endo
  • Patent number: 6729122
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system of internal combustion engine having a branch pipe coupled to the exhaust pipe through a flange and having a first cylindrical case constituting a bypass exhaust gas passage and a second cylindrical case constituting a main exhaust gas passage, whose flow are switched by a switch-over valve by selectively connecting the exhaust pipe to the main exhaust gas passage or the bypass exhaust gas passage, and an adsorbent installed in the bypass exhaust gas passage for adsorbing unburned components of the exhaust gas. The unburned exhaust gas components are recirculated to the air intake system through an EGR pipe. In the system, an inlet of the EGR pipe is formed integrally with the branch pipe flange, thereby enabling to prevent increase in fabrication step and cost and further to facilitate maintenance. Moreover, the first cylindrical case is made displace relative to the second cylindrical case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihito Watanabe, Kenji Abe, Yasuyuki Miyahara, Masao Komine, Kenichi Ohmori, Tadashi Sato, Takashi Haga
  • Patent number: 6729123
    Abstract: When an internal combustion engine is in a cold state (S12), fuel is injected during compression stroke with burn air/fuel ratio controlled so as to produce a slight lean air/fuel mixture equivalent to or slightly leaner than a stoichiometric air/fuel mixture (compression S/L operation) (S14), and also exhaust gas flow is restrained (S16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuki Tamura, Kazuhito Kawashima
  • Patent number: 6729124
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement serve to operate an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust-gas turbocharger. An after-injection takes place with the overlapment of the opening angle of the inlet and outlet valves of a cylinder. The after-injection leads to an air/fuel mixture in the exhaust-gas system which is combustible. This mixture is combusted by driving an additional ignition device in the exhaust-gas system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Baeuerle, Carsten Reisinger, Guido Porten
  • Patent number: 6729125
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system for an internal combustion engine mounted on an automotive vehicle. The exhaust gas purifying system includes an exhaust gas component concentration regulating device disposed in an exhaust gas passageway of the engine, for regulating concentrations of gas components in exhaust gas discharged from the engine such that the concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrogen are respectively not more than 2.0% by volume and not less than 0.5% by volume and such that a volume concentration ratio of [hydrogen/carbon monoxide] is not smaller than 0.5, in rich and stoichiometric conditions of exhaust gas. Additionally, a NOx adsorbing and reducing catalyst is disposed in the exhaust gas passageway downstream of the exhaust gas component concentration regulating device, for adsorbing nitrogen oxides in a lean condition of the exhaust gas and reducing the nitrogen oxides into nitrogen in the rich and stoichiometric conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuo Suga, Yasunari Hanaki, Maki Shimada, Hiroshi Akama, Motohisa Kamijo, Hironori Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 6729126
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing at least one of the opening and closing timing and a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed. A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Ogiso, Shouji Katsumata, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Keiji Yoeda, Hideyuki Nishida, Tomomi Yamada, Takamitsu Asanuma, Yoshihiro Iwashita, Kiyoshi Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 6729127
    Abstract: An exhaust cleaning system for motor vehicles, especially a diesel exhaust cleaning system for medium to heavy utility vehicles. The exhaust cleaning system has an exhaust muffler (1), a catalytic converter (2) and an exhaust particle filter element (3). The exhaust muffler (1), the catalytic converter (2) with a U-shaped tubular urea injection element (4) arranged upstream and an exhaust particle filter element (3) are integrated in a common housing and designed as a structural, functional unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Siegfried Woerner, Peter Zacke, Thomas Hauber, Rudolf Buhmann, Marcus Werni
  • Patent number: 6729128
    Abstract: Carbon-containing suspended particulates in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine are collected by a heat-resistant filter, and are burned on the filter. It is determined whether there is a need to increase the temperature of the heat-resistant filter. If it is necessary to increase the filter temperature, the dynamic pressure on the filter is increased. The conceivable cases where a filter temperature increase is needed includes a case where the exhaust gas temperature is low, a case where the filter is clogged to some extent, etc. If the dynamic pressure on the heat-resistant filter is increased, the filter temperature rises. Therefore, particulates can be effectively removed from exhaust gas while the clogging of the heat-resistant filter is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Soken, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Shiratani, Naohisa Oyama, Yoshitada Kodama
  • Patent number: 6729129
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system, at least including, on an exhaust gas passage for gas exhausted from an engine, a first HC-trap-catalyst arranged on an upstream side, a second HC-trap-catalyst arranged on a downstream side, and a heat capacitor arranged between the first HC-trap-catalyst and the second HC-trap-catalyst. Each of the heat capacitor and the second HC-trap-catalyst has a honeycomb carrier, and a ratio Gt/Gh2 of a geometric surface area Gt of the honeycomb carrier of the heat capacitor to a geometric surface area Gh2 of the honeycomb carrier of the second HC-trap-catalyst is in a range of 1 to 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Yamamoto, Masahiro Takaya
  • Patent number: 6729130
    Abstract: A device in a subsea system for controlling a hydraulic actuator (1) which is connected to a supply line (2) for supply of a supply fluid to the actuator (1) and a return line (3) for removal of a return fluid from the actuator. The device (10) include: a housing (11) and a body (29) which is movable in the housing (11), which together define a high-pressure chamber (14), which communicates with the supply line (2), and a low-pressure chamber (15), which communicates with the return line (3), and whose volume is a function of the pressure of the return fluid and the supply fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventor: Svein Lilleland
  • Patent number: 6729131
    Abstract: A Stirling engine (10, 50, 72) comprising at least one working piston (52) and at least one displacement piston (4), wherein for a power control by the transmission of the linear movement of a drive part (2) into the linear movement of a driven part (8), a lever (5) articulately connected to the drive part and the driven part (2, 8) is provided, which lever has an associated displaceable pivot point (7), the bearing point of the lever (5) traveling on the pivot point (7) according to a curve during movement transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Karl Kocsisek
  • Patent number: 6729132
    Abstract: A bi-directional braking assembly for a vehicle includes a hydraulic booster assembly for applying proportional fluid pressure to a brake assembly and is actuated by a forward pedal. A master cylinder actuated by a rear pedal communicates fluid to the hydraulic booster assembly through a hydraulic booster valve. The hydraulic booster valve includes a piston movable to regulate hydraulic pressure in response to actuation of first and second plungers. The second plunger is movable along an axis separate from the first plunger in response to actuation of a master cylinder by a rear pedal. The master cylinder provides pressure to the booster valve assembly that acts on an area between the first and second plunger assemblies to move the second plunger away from the first plunger to actuate and move the booster piston within the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Braking Systems (UK) Ltd
    Inventors: Mark Batchelor, Michael Williamson
  • Patent number: 6729133
    Abstract: A heat exchange cooling system for an internal combustion engine co-generation plant, which allows exhaust recycled gas combustion while maintaining lower head temperatures to reduce thermal NOx emissions while delivering increased process/utility heat to a proximate co-generation client, is provided. The cooling system has two cooling loops with different flow rates: one through the engine and the second through exhaust manifolds, such that higher engine block flow resulting in cooler head temperatures is provided, while allowing higher temperature coolant to flow through exhaust exchangers, such that when the two coolant flows converge at a process/utility heat exchanger for heating co-generation client liquid, the combined flows substantially increase the transferred heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Chapeau, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Sorter, Gerald H. Dorn
  • Patent number: 6729134
    Abstract: Variable geometry turbochargers include a turbine housing having an exhaust gas inlet and outlet, a volute connected to the inlet, and typically a nozzle wall adjacent the volute. The turbine housing includes a bypass exhaust gas flow port disposed internally therein having an inlet opening positioned upstream from the turbine wheel, and a outlet opening positioned downstream from the turbine wheel. The inlet opening is exposed for facilitating bypass exhaust gas flow through the turbocharger when a respective vane is actuated or moved into an open position. The turbine housing may also include a specially configured nozzle wall terminal edge designed to work with vanes having a recessed underside surface to permit additional bypass exhaust gas flow within the turbocharger when the vanes are actuated in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Don Arnold, Kevin P. Slupski, Zandrie J. Wiersma, Kelvin K. Bunsirisert
  • Patent number: 6729135
    Abstract: A recirculation system for circulating distillate during gas fuel operation so as to reduce or eliminate distillate carbon formation. The recirculation system keeps the distillate's temperature below the carbon formation limit by circulating the distillate back to a heat sink and/or heat exchanger. The recirculating flow also exercises the flow dividers' gears without having to perform fuel transfers. Further, the system evacuates air from the liquid fuel lines to further decrease the likelihood of carbonaceous residue forming on any interior surfaces that are actually exposed to distillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric Steven Norris, Steven William Backman, Robert Joseph Iasillo, Kevin Jon O'Dell, David J. Van Buren, Michael J. Alexander, Mark Andrew Cournoyer, Mark Andrew Johnson, Colin Wilkes
  • Patent number: 6729136
    Abstract: A power plant for a use device wherein liquid nitrogen and a heated transfer fluid are alternately used to expand and contract a liquid metal like mercury to drive a piston, a crankshaft, and subsequent drive apparatus. A control device is timed with operation of the piston to control various solenoid valves and pumps to cause liquid nitrogen to flow into a jacket around a reservoir containing the liquid metal thereby causing it to cool and move the piston in a return stroke. When appropriate, the heated transfer fluid is pumped into a different enclosure of the jacket to force out remaining nitrogen and thereby to heat the liquid metal and move the piston in a power stroke. The process continues so as to provide continuous power to the use device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Farouk Dakhil
  • Patent number: 6729137
    Abstract: A closed loop vapor cycle generated by a special device formed by heat transfer and a vapor expander means it is utilized to convert waste heat from conventional power systems into additional thermodynamic work, thereby improving the overall power system efficiency. Superheated vapor (i.e. steam) is instantaneously produced inside special energy transfer means where waste heat is converted into fluid energy with desired thermodynamic properties. The superheated vapor is then converted into mechanical energy through special work-producing units (expanders), thereby returning a significant fraction of the energy contained in the waste heat to the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Claudio Filippone
  • Patent number: 6729138
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the power of a power pack driving a helicopter rotor, including a device for dosing the fuel feed rate. An electronic control device is further provided that acquires an input signal corresponding to the rotational speed of the rotor. A processor processes the input signal by using a differentiating element and a summing element. Further, a threshold comparator receives the output signal of the processor and an actuating device receives the output signal of the electronic control device and actuates the device for dosing the fuel feed rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Turbomeca
    Inventors: Christian P. Noussitou, Jean-Philippe J. Marin
  • Patent number: 6729139
    Abstract: A power turbine speed control system for a helicopter is disclosed which includes components for generating a power turbine speed signal based upon a demanded rotor speed, a high-order filter for filtering the power turbine speed signal by effectuating a rapid attenuation of main and tail rotor torsional frequencies in the power turbine speed signal without compromising phase at low frequencies, and a governor for providing isochronous power turbine speed and rotor speed control based upon the filtered power turbine speed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Goodrich Pump & Engine Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mihir C. Desai, Tomasz J. Stanecki, Jeffrey S. Mattice