Patents Issued in May 6, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040084075
    Abstract: A collapsible structure has a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. Each panel has a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. One first side of the first panel is coupled to one side of the second panel, and one side of the third panel is coupled to the fabric of the second panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Yu Zheng
  • Publication number: 20040084076
    Abstract: A hunter concealment system for effectively concealing a hunter without physically interfering with the hunter. The hunter concealment system includes a frame structure having a plurality of openings, a first rail and a second rail on opposing sides of each opening, a recoil unit attached to an end of each opening, a camouflage sheet retained within the recoil unit, a first connector attached to a handle member of the camouflage sheet, and a second connector attached to the frame for catchably receiving the first connector. The hunter concealment system is positioned over a goose pit or other location for the purpose of selectively concealing the hunter. When the hunter desires, they simply engage the handle member thereby releasing the first connector which allows the recoil unit to automatically draw the camouflage sheet into the recoil unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Bradley W. Coursey
  • Publication number: 20040084077
    Abstract: A solar collector (200) is provided having increased efficiency and reduced cost over conventional collectors. The collector includes an array (218) of substrates (202A, 220B) each having a substantially planar surface with a photovoltaic cell (208) formed thereon. Generally, the array (218) includes at least first and second substrates (202A, 220B) oriented at an angle (&agr;) relative to each other, and to a direction of propagation of light received on the surface of the first substrate such that light reflected from the first substrate is reflected onto the surface of the second substrate, thereby increasing efficiency of the collector (200). The efficiency of the collector (200) varies inversely with the angle between the first and second substrates (202A, 220B) for angles between 140° and 20°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Eric Aylaian
  • Publication number: 20040084078
    Abstract: Edge face sealing member(s) 1 may be roughly c-shaped in cross-section, may be frame-like in shape and formed in more or less parallel fashion with respect to outer shape(s) of solar cell module body or bodies, may comprise upper sealing region(s) 11 abutting front surface(s) of solar cell module(s), may further comprise lower sealing region(s) 12 abutting back surface(s) of solar cell module(s), and may further comprise side sealing region(s) 13 abutting edge face(s) of solar cell module(s). Furthermore, respectively formed on facing surfaces of upper sealing region(s) 11 and lower sealing region(s) 12 there may be projections 11b, 12b. Furthermore, polypropylenic and/or polystyrenic elastomer resin(s) may be used as material(s) making up edge face sealing member(s) 1, and magnesium silicate may be present as additive(s) for prevention of yellowing of sealing resin layer(s) at solar cell module body or bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Sharp Kaushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yoshida, Yukio Fukuda, Akimasa Umemoto
  • Publication number: 20040084079
    Abstract: A thin-film photovoltaic device comprising a hard conductive transparent oxide front contact layer, and photovoltaic modules comprising such devices. The photovoltaic modules of this invention comprising hard conductive transparent front contact layers have excellent resistance to corrosion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Ralph Romero, David E. Carlson, Frank S. Willing, David H. Meakin
  • Publication number: 20040084080
    Abstract: Charge-splitting networks, optoelectronic devices, methods for making optoelectronic devices, power generation systems utilizing such devices and method for making charge-splitting networks are disclosed. An optoelectronic device may include a porous nano-architected (e.g., surfactant-templated) film having interconnected pores that are accessible from both the underlying and overlying layers. A pore-filling material substantially fills the pores. The interconnected pores have diameters of about 1-100 nm and are distributed in a substantially uniform fashion with neighboring pores separated by a distance of about 1-100 nm. The nano-architected porous film and the pore-filling, material have complementary charge-transfer properties with respect to each other, i.e., one is an electron-acceptor and the other is a hole-acceptor. The nano-architected porous, film may be formed on a substrate by a surfactant temptation technique such as evaporation-induced self-assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Nanosolar, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Sager, Martin R. Roscheisen, Klaus Petritsch, Greg Smestad, Jacqueline Fidanza, Gregory A. Miller, Dong Yu
  • Publication number: 20040084081
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a kind of multifunction passive and continuous fluid feeding system for external systems, the fluid-feed system including a storing and transmitting component, a measuring and regulating component, and a control unit characterized by: pressurizing from above fluid level surface of the feed fluid tank by high-pressure gas supply source to fulfill the passive fluid feeding function, performing the feed fluid measuring and regulating through the flow meter and flow control valve installed on the transmission pipe lines connecting to the external systems, fulfilling function of continuous fluid feeding by switching between two fluid-feed tanks, and combining the feed fluid requirements of the external systems through the control unit to achieve the multifunction fluid-feed art of automatic operation, continuous fluid feeding, and flow rate controlling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Atomic Energy Council - Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Tay-Jian Liu, Chien-Hsiung Lee, Yea-Kuang Chan
  • Publication number: 20040084082
    Abstract: A system for servicing a fluid system can employ a pressure-reducing source to perform the desired service. The fluid system can be an engine cooling system or other fluid system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Prime Solution LLC, a Michigan corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Knowles, John R. Burke
  • Publication number: 20040084083
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for distributing a non-odorized gas. In one embodiment, an inner pipe containing a non-odorized gas at a first pressure is routed through an outer pipe adapted to contain an odorized fluid at a second pressure less than the first pressure. As a result of the pressure differential, a leak in the inner pipe will not permit the odorized fluid in the outer pipe to flow into the inner pipe. When the non-odorized gas is hydrogen, this prevents a stream of hydrogen gas that is possibly contaminated with odorants from reaching a fuel cell. Furthermore, a leak in the outer pipe or a leak in both the inner and outer pipes will result in the release of the odorized fluid into the environment, allowing leaks to be detected before dangerous or harmful levels are reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Pearson
  • Publication number: 20040084084
    Abstract: A hose cart allowing preassembly thereby eliminating the need for product packaging necessary of hose carts that are sold in an unassembled state. The hose cart employs a unitary frame for support of a flexible garden hose to be wound into a coil of multiple layers by use of a directional hose reel spool. A crank is provided for rotation of the spool utilizing a collapsible handle for windably holding an elongated flexible garden hose, the crank can be attached to the side of the apparatus allowing left or right hand operation. The pivoting handle can be repeatedly moved from a locked storage position to a locked cranking position. A sleeve is used to allow the handle to be turned within a fixed grip of the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Lyle Rosine, Brian Moon
  • Publication number: 20040084085
    Abstract: A housing (10) for mounting on a mounting surface and for supporting and protectively enclosing a regulator (12) and one or more gauges (14,16) associated with providing, controlling, and monitoring a flow of gas from a pressurized gas supply, such as is commonly used, for example, in welding, cutting, and otherwise heating metal. The housing (10) comprises a front (20); a left side (22); a right side (24); a top (26), including a bolt flange (28); a bottom (30); a hinge (32); and a securement mechanism (34). The hinge (32) allows for easy access to the regulator (12) and gauges (14,16) without requiring that the housing (10) be completely removed from the mounting surface. The securement mechanism (34) includes one or more isolation mechanisms (64,68) for reducing or substantially eliminating transmission of potentially accuracy-affecting or otherwise damaging vibrations to the regulator (12) and gauges (14,16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Bob W. Fancher
  • Publication number: 20040084086
    Abstract: An insulating cover for outdoor faucets. In a described embodiment, an insulating cover includes inner and outer transparent housings. An insulating air space is formed between the housings. Baffles in the air space substantially prevent air flow through the air space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Robert S. Stachowiak
  • Publication number: 20040084087
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gassing lance including a base and an extension. The base includes a docking port connectable to an input member for transmitting gas to the gassing lance, and the extension includes laminar and accelerator gassing elements for transmitting gas through the gassing lance at first and second flow rates. The gassing lance is affixable within a conventional forming tube of a packaging machine. The invention also provides a gas control panel for controlling and directing gas flow. The gas control panel includes first and second circuits for controlling laminar and accelerator gas flow, respectively, through the gassing lance. The gas control panel also includes a Programmagle Logic Control for controlling the first and second circuits based upon a desired gas characteristic input at an operator interface, and measured by a gas analyzer, thereby providing real-time-control of gas characteristics of gas exiting through the gassing lance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: John E. Sanfilippo, James J. Sanfilippo
  • Publication number: 20040084088
    Abstract: A regulator for controlling the pressure of flowing fluid and also for selectively fully enabling or stopping the flow. The regulator valve includes a valve housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage connected by a flow passage with a seat surrounding the flow passage. A valve member is movable toward and away from contact with the seat. A control housing is attached to the valve housing. An elongated rod connected at one end to the valve member has an opposite end extending into the control housing. A rod piston is connected to the opposite end of the elongated rod and is movable in the control housing in sealing engagement with the walls thereof. A compression spring is provided to bias the rod piston and the valve member in directions either toward or away from sealing engagement with the flow passage seat. An auxiliary piston is positioned in the control housing on the side of the rod piston away from the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Callies
  • Publication number: 20040084089
    Abstract: In order to achieve an object to provide a liquid control valve of normally close valve type which has both of an outflow side pressure automatic regulating function and a water stop function, the liquid control valve has a pressure regulating piston which moves within a housing for finding a balance point between an outflow side pressure and a spring force of a pressure regulating spring placed so as to resist the outflow side pressure; a movable valve seat which is provided in the pressure regulating piston and moves together with the pressure regulating piston; and a valve body which sits on the valve seat so as to close the valve in accordance with a valve closing force generated by an inflow side pressure and a spring force of a water stop spring, and moves apart from the valve seat so as to open the valve at the time when an external valve opening force larger than the valve closing force is applied, whereby the outflow side pressure automatic regulating function is achieved in accordance with movement
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Matsuyoshi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20040084090
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piloted valve, in particular an electropneumatic control valve for a pneumatic brake system of a vehicle. Said valve comprises a divided valve housing, in which at least one control piston that can be axially displaced for actuating a valve seat arrangement, which switches the compressed air flow between external connections, is located. The control piston can be impinged by at least one electromagnetic pilot valve to cause the axial displacement, said valve being lodged in a pilot valve housing part that is connected to the relay valve housing part, whereby a pressure compensation channel with multiple bends is configured in the vicinity of the wall of the control chamber in the valve housing for bleeding a pressureless hollow chamber in the interior of the valve. The outlet opening of said channel that leads to the exterior is located at a distance behind a cover hood on the valve housing and is protected against water splashes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Friedbert Roether, Siegmund Deja, Eberhard Schaffert
  • Publication number: 20040084091
    Abstract: There is disclosed a check valve for a tap of a gas or a liquefied gas cylinder comprising a valve body member axially movable in a housing bore. The body member has an axial bore opening out through one axial end of the valve body member and being in fluid communication with an annular space surrounding valve body member within the housing bore. The other axial end of the valve body member is closed and carries a primary seal ring gas tightly engaging an inner circumferential surface in the bore in the closed position of the check valve. There is provided a secondary seal ring at the first axial end of the valve body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Loll Kerger, Gary M. Clawson
  • Publication number: 20040084092
    Abstract: The invention is a sea water suction strainer and pump assembly for drawing and filtering a fluid to be used for cooling or other purposes for machinery and the like requiring a supply of filtered water. A typical application is onboard a ship or boat where sea water is drawn and filtered for cooling the engines or supplied to the air conditioning plants. A sea water suction strainer is fluidly coupled to a sea water suction pump via a quick disconnect coupling so that the individual components can be removed separately from a special mounting plate. The special mounting plate is mounted onto the hull or bulkhead of a ship or boat. The mounting of the individual components directly adjacent another on the special mounting plate allows the individual components to be serviced and/or replaced quickly and conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Michael M. Bogart, William Liptak
  • Publication number: 20040084093
    Abstract: There is provided apparatus for collecting rainwater including a flexible water-support sheet (10) of elongate rectangular form mounted in a housing (13) in such manner that it is movable between a stored non-operative disposition within the housing and shielded thereby from unwanted matter and an extended operative disposition in which a free end (13) of the sheet extends through an opening (18) in the housing (11) and substantially longitudinally to a predetermined extent; sheet-support means (19) arranged to support the extended sheet (10) in said operative disposition in such manner that the sheet is dished transversely to trough-like form to receive and retain rainwater and is inclined upwardly in its longitudinal direction away from the housing for draining received water gravitationally back to the housing (11), and water control means associated with the housing whereby water received from the extended operative water-support sheet is available for passage to storage or distribution means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory Wilson
  • Publication number: 20040084094
    Abstract: A fuel feeding pipe having a first feed oil pipe extending from an oil filler port, a second feed oil pipe projecting from a fuel tank, and a tightening belt for connecting and tightening these oil pipes together, comprising an outer fitting pipe provided to the first feed oil pipe, and an inner fitting portion provided to the second feed oil pipe having low-temperature resisting and ozone resisting seal rings fitted therearound. The fuel feeding pipe is formed in one body by fitting the outer pipe around the inner fitting portion having the seal rings, then tightening the tightening belt fitted over at least the engaged region of the outer fitting pipe and the inner fitting portion. The invention achieves the minimization of a fuel permeation, high hermeticity without influences from various environments, the promotion of efficiency of replacement operation, and the vibration and impact resisting connection of the pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Asteer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Kenmotsu, Hiroshi Yoshida, Hiroshi Goto
  • Publication number: 20040084095
    Abstract: An apparatus for adding fluid to a closed system can be connected to a service port of the system. The fluid can be added to the system by actuating valves on the system and on the fluid supply. The apparatus facilitates clean addition of the fluid to the system. The system can be a climate control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Steven M. Knowles
  • Publication number: 20040084096
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing the sequential delivery and timed release of measured amounts of additives to the water supply of livestock or plants is disclosed. The invention uses a direct injection method to meter and deliver fresh and accurate dosages of additives to a supply of water through the use of a timing mechanism operably attached to a flow control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: T. Keith Whaley
  • Publication number: 20040084097
    Abstract: A single control roman tub faucet (10) comprises a handle, a lever coupled to the handle, and a cartridge valve (12) coupled to the lever. The valve (12) is configured to provide a maximum flow rate of at least 7.8 GPM. The cartridge valve (12) has a valve base (32) and a lower disk (18). The valve base (32) includes an upper surface (58) and a lower surface (68) and a water passage extending between the upper and lower surfaces. The outlet end of the passage has a larger cross-sectional area than the inlet end. The lower disk (18) includes an inlet sized to match the outlet end of the passage. The cross section of the passage is generally arcuate and is defined by parallel side walls (74, 75) and non-parallel end walls (76, 77).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Mark S. Bloom, Walter H. Strader, Li Chen
  • Publication number: 20040084098
    Abstract: A waste evacuation system for a vehicle having an extendible and retractable hose for transferring the waste has been described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Phase Four Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas R. Swarts
  • Publication number: 20040084099
    Abstract: A sealing plug seals a hole portion formed in a panel. The sealing plug includes a flange portion for contacting a peripheral edge of the hole portion, a cylindrical body connected to the flange portion, a straight portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body along an axis line thereof, and a step portion projecting from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body at a side opposite to the straight portion. The step portion abuts against the peripheral edge of the hole portion when the straight portion passes through the hole portion to allow the cylindrical body to incline with respect to a center line, and holds the peripheral edge of the hole portion together with the flange portion. A neck portion having a diameter substantially the same as an inner diameter of the hole portion is formed between the step portion and the flange portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Hideya Miura
  • Publication number: 20040084100
    Abstract: A description is given of a fiber-reinforced cellulose-hydrate-based tubular sausage casing which, on the inner surface, for easy peelability from the sausage mixture, has a coating consisting of four active components, characterized in that the components are a chromium-fatty acid complex, a fatty diketene, a polyamine-polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin and a cellulose ether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Klaus Blumenberg, Heinrich Henze-Wethkamp, Willi Neuschulz
  • Publication number: 20040084101
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for weaving pile fabrics on a face-to-face weaving machine, where, in successive insertion cycles, weft yarns (1-12) are inserted between binding warp yarns (13-16) and pile warp yarns (17-24), so that two backing fabrics (30), (31) are woven one above the another, in which groups of at least four weft yarns (1-6);(7-12) are inserted in respective openings between repeatedly crossing binding warp yarns (13), (14); (15), (16), so that each group of weft yarns (1-6); (7-12) comprises at least two pairs of weft yarns (2,3),(5,6),(8,9),(11,12) inserted above one another, and so that pile warp yarns (18),(21),(24) are interlaced in the upper (30) and in the lower backing fabric (31) alternately round the weft yarns (2),(5),(8),(11), situated on the back, of the said pairs in order to form pile burls, preferably according to a two-shot weave;
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Johny Debaes
  • Publication number: 20040084102
    Abstract: A shuttle unit of the type comprising a discoid shuttle body provided with two conical portions, one front and one rear, disposed specularly with respect to the median plane of said shuttle body passing through the race of the shuttle body, and a shuttle driver guided in rotation to make the shuttle body oscillate. The front and rear portions define a containing cavity for the bobbin case and the thread bobbin. The front conical portion forms a base angle with the median plane of the shuttle body comprised between 43° and 49°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Daniele Cerliani
  • Publication number: 20040084103
    Abstract: A structural panel comprised of a composite preform having an electrically conductive stitching. The stitching forms an electrically conductive grid-like network on the structural panel to better dissipate electrical energy received in a lightning strike throughout at least a portion of the thickness of the composite preform. Advantageously, the electrically conductive stitching is applied to the composite preform during the primary manufacturing process, rather than in a subsequent manufacturing step, to thereby help reduce the overall manufacturing cost of the structural panel. In one alternative embodiment a non-conductive polymer stitching is also applied throughout the entire thickness of the composite preform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Karl Tsotsis
  • Publication number: 20040084104
    Abstract: A method and system for producing a flavored beverage wherein the flavor is added in a separate step to a combination of the base ingredients of the beverage is provided. The flavor can be added to a container either before, during or after a thermally processed master batch base is hot filled into the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Subodh Raniwala
  • Publication number: 20040084105
    Abstract: Interconnecting a fluid interchange apparatus with a power steering system of a vehicle; pumping spent fluid from the power steering system into a fluid receiving container to compress air pressure therein; interconnecting, with a pressure actuated valve, the fluid receiving container and a replacement fluid container, the replacement fluid container holding a replacement fluid; automatically opening the pressure actuated valve when a selected amount of the spent fluid from the power steering system is transferred into the fluid receiving container resulting in an air pressure sufficient to open the pressure actuated valve; and draining, under the force of the sufficient air pressure, the replacement fluid from the replacement fluid container into the power steering system to replace the spent fluid in the power steering system with the replacement fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Adam Awad
  • Publication number: 20040084106
    Abstract: An ice-bagging apparatus that provides an establishment with the ability to automatically and expeditiously produce, bag and store bags of ice, thus maintaining a desired supply of bagged ice and eliminating conventional methods of manual ice-bagging and reducing the likelihood of unwanted bridging of the ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Charles James
  • Publication number: 20040084107
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a temporary closure device for a throughway comprises a sleeve to fit in the throughway and a core located in the sleeve. The core has an annular rupturable connection locating the core in the sleeve to prevent flow of fluids through the sleeve. The annular connection is rupturable by displacing the core axially in the sleeve to allow fluid to flow through the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: John Guest International Limited
    Inventor: John Derek Guest
  • Publication number: 20040084108
    Abstract: A sealed connector assembly (10) includes an insert (12) having an inner bore (26). A rotatable fitting (14) is supported in the inner bore (26). The rotatable fitting (14) has a fluid passageway (72) extending there through. The rotatable fitting (14) has a second passage (64) that extends transversely to the fluid passageway (72) to define an elbow. When the rotatable fitting (14) is inserted into the inner bore (26), a retaining ring (92) on the rotatable fitting (14) snaps into an inner locking groove (46) in an upper threaded portion (16) of the insert (12) and allows the rotatable fitting (14) to rotate in the insert (12). The retaining ring (92) abuts a lost motion device (38) and is compressed radially inward when the rotatable fitting (14) is moved axially inward. During any rotation or axial movement of the rotatable fitting (14) relative to the insert (12), a seal (90) remains in sealing engagement with the inner bore (26) of the insert (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Moeller Marine Products
    Inventor: Tony Riviezzo
  • Publication number: 20040084109
    Abstract: A cup and probe assembly for use in a system for transferring a liquid between two sources in a photographic processor. The probe having body portion having a threaded section that mates with a threaded inlet provided on said cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Ralph L. Piccinino, Clyde L. Fetterman, Kevin H. Blakely, Martin L. Slade
  • Publication number: 20040084110
    Abstract: A mobile saw bench is designed for cutting elongate workpieces such as elongate open or closed steel sections. The mobile saw bench comprises a base structure which is mounted on four castor wheels. Formed continuous with the base structure is an intervening frame structure to which a benchtop is mounted. The saw is appropriately mounted to the benchtop to permit cutting of a workpiece which is located thereon. Importantly, the mobile saw bench further comprises a universal coupling. The universal coupling is mounted to an underside of the benchtop and is releasable clamped to an elongate member which is in the form of a rigid measuring staff. The universal coupling allows pivotal movement of the benchtop relative to the measuring staff which is stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Gilmour
  • Publication number: 20040084111
    Abstract: The wood gathering and compaction vehicle comprises a vehicle frame movable over ground, a storage bin removably installed on the vehicle frame, with the storage bin having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The vehicle further comprises a releasable bin attachment device for releasably attaching the storage bin to the vehicle frame, and a compactor fixedly installed on the vehicle frame, the compactor having an inner chamber, an opened inlet port for allowing wood to be inserted into the compactor inner chamber, an outlet port communicating with the storage bin inlet opening when the storage bin is installed on the vehicle frame, and a compaction device for allowing wood located in the compactor inner chamber to be forcibly moved from the compactor inner chamber into the storage bin through the compactor outlet port and the storage bin inlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel Tardif
  • Publication number: 20040084112
    Abstract: Ferromagnetic particles with a high-temperature and thermally stable insulating coating are described. The ferromagnetic particles are first coated with a thin layer of a high permeability metal (nickel) by an electroless plating process. The deposited metal layer is then oxidized by controlling the time and temperature while heating the coated particles in an oxygen atmosphere. This process develops a thin and uniform layer of metal oxide on the ferromagnetic particles. The controlled oxidation of the coating helps encapsulate the particles with a thermally stable and electrically non-conducting layer. These particles can then be compacted and then annealed above 500 degrees Celsius to relieve the stresses introduced in the shaping, thereby obtaining articles with a high permeability and low magnetic loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Amitabh Verma, Luana Emiliana Iorio, K. Anand, Srinidhi Sampath, Kanchan Kumari, Geetha Karavoor
  • Publication number: 20040084113
    Abstract: A method of carburizing treatment is proposed in which if carburizing is carried out at a low temperature, carbon will not turn amorphose and deposit on the surface of a titanium metal but reliably penetrate into between metallic atoms. It is a method of surface treatment of a titanium metal comprising the steps of heating the titanium metal to a temperature of 400-690° C. in a cleaning gas atmosphere containing hydrogen gas, subjecting the surface of the titanium metal to cleaning by applying a DC voltage of 200-1500 V, and plasma carburizing in an atmosphere comprising a carburizing gas having the molar ratio of hydrogen atoms (H) to carbon atoms (C) adjusted to 1≦H/C≦9 at a pressure of 13-400 Pa and a temperature of 400-690° C. Ionization reaction in the gas is suppressed suitably. Because there exists no excessive carbon which is not used for carburization but turns soot or glass-like carbon, in the atmosphere during carburization, carburizing reaction progresses smoothly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Eiichi Ishii, Takumi Sone, Yukihiro Sato, Kei Demizu, Hideo Kakutani, Koichi Tanaka, Shinichi Tanaka, Noriyoshi Tsuji
  • Publication number: 20040084114
    Abstract: An amorphous alloy having a composition represented by the formula (Zr,Hf)a(Al,Zn)bTie,Nbf,TagYh(CuxFey(Ni,Co)z)d wherein a ranges from 45 to 65 atomic %, b ranges from 5 to 15 atomic %, e and f each ranges from 0 to 4.5 atomic %, g ranges from greater than 0 to 2 atomic %, h ranges from 0 to 0.5 atomic %, and the balance is d and incidental impurities and wherein e+f+g ranges from 3.5 to 7.5 atomic %, d times y is less than 10 atomic %, and x/z ranges from 0.5 to 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: George W. Wolter
  • Publication number: 20040084115
    Abstract: An improved guiding member for use within a body lumen having a unique combination of superelastic characteristics. The superelastic alloy material has a composition consisting of about 30% to about 52% (atomic) titanium, and about 38% to 52% nickel and may have one or more elements selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, platinum, palladium, vanadium, copper, zirconium, hafnium and niobium. The alloy material is subjected to thermomechanical processing which includes a final cold working of about 10 to about 75% and then a heat treatment at a temperature between about 4500° and about 600° C. and preferably about 4750° to about 5500° C. Before the heat treatment the cold worked alloy material is preferably subjected to mechanical straightening. The alloy material is preferably subjected to stresses equal to about 5 to about 50% of the room temperature ultimate yield stress of the material during the thermal treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Robert M. Abrams, Sepehr Fariabi
  • Publication number: 20040084116
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferritic stainless steel sheet having good workability with less anisotropy. The steps include providing a ferritic stainless steel comprising C up to about 0.03 mass %, N up to about 0.03 mass %, Si up to about 2.0 mass %, Mn up to about 2.0 mass %, Ni up to about 0.6 mass %, Cr about 9-35 mass %, Nb about 0.15-0.80 mass % and the balance being Fe except inevitable impurities; precipitation-heating said stainless steel at a temperature in a range of 700-850° C. for a time period not longer than 25 hours; and finish-annealing said stainless steel at a temperature in a range of 900-1100° C. for a time period not longer than 1 minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Nisshin Steel Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Oku, Yoshitomo Fujimura, Yoshiaki Hori, Toshirou Nagoya, Yasutoshi Kunitake, Takeo Tomita
  • Publication number: 20040084117
    Abstract: A method for heat treating titanium-alloy articles in a vacuum furnace includes a step of first determining, for a first set of titanium articles in a first vacuum furnace and for a first set of heat treatment conditions, a minimum surface area of the first set of titanium articles associated with an acceptable alpha case formation for the first set of titanium articles. There is a second determining, for a second set of titanium articles in a second vacuum furnace and for a second set of heat treatment conditions, of a minimum surface area of a second set of titanium articles associated with an acceptable alpha case formation for the second set of titanium articles, responsive to the value of the minimum surface area of the first set of titanium articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew Philip Woodfield, Thomas Froats Broderick, Reed Roeder Corderman
  • Publication number: 20040084118
    Abstract: A forging blank of a forging nickel-base superalloy is forged in a forging press having forging dies made of a die nickel-base superalloy. The forging is accomplished by heating the forging blank to a forging-blank starting temperature of from about 1850° F. to about 1950° F., heating the forging dies to a forging-die starting temperature of from about 1500° F. to about 1750° F., placing the forging blank into the forging press and between the forging dies, and forging the forging blank at the forging-blank starting temperature using the forging dies at the forging-die starting temperature, to produce a forging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Edward Lee Raymond, Richard Gordon Menzies, Terrence Owen Dyer, Barbara Ann Link, Richard Frederick Halter, Mike Eugene Mechley, Francis Mario Visalli, Shesh Krishna Srivatsa
  • Publication number: 20040084119
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high-strength aluminum alloy extruded product which excels in corrosion resistance and stress corrosion cracking resistance, and is suitably used in applications as structural materials for transportation equipment such as automobiles, railroad carriages, and aircrafts. The method includes extruding a billet of an aluminum alloy comprising 0.5% to 1.5% of Si, 0.9% to 1.6% of Mg, 0.8% to 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Hideo Sano, Shinichi Matsuda, Yasushi Kita
  • Publication number: 20040084120
    Abstract: The present invention is a tire comprising a tread and layers radially interior to said tread, wherein at least one layer comprises a dye or pigment that fluoresces when exposed to ultraviolet light. The fluorescent dye may be on the surface of the layer, or dispersed throughout the layer. The present invention also comprises a method of inspecting a tire for proper placement of components comprising shining an ultraviolet light onto a cut section of the aforesaid layer. The invention also includes a method of re-treading a tire where the fluorescent layer is interior to the tread, and detecting the fluorescence of the layer is a signal to cease tread removal operations. In one to embodiment of the invention, the tire has at least one steel belt, and the fluorescent layer is a tape covering the edge of the belt. In another embodiment of the invention, the tire is a non-pneumatic tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Jesse Arnold, Christopher Sean Madden
  • Publication number: 20040084121
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting structure of a tire monitoring device, in which the tire monitoring device is enabled to function as a warning device notifying a limit of run-flat traveling. When the tire monitoring device which transmits information of the inside of a tire by using radio waves is mounted on a support core member placed within the cavity of a pneumatic tire, a transmission antenna of the tire monitoring device is disposed on a load support surface in a peripheral portion of the support core member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Mitsuru Naito
  • Publication number: 20040084122
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for manufacturing a cross-linked expanded safety support having a cellular structure comprising closed cells. The process involves kneading by thermomechanical working a rubber composition comprising a diene elastomer having a molar ratio of diene units (defined as units resulting from dienes) of less than 15%, water in an amount of from 3 to 6 phr (phr=parts by weight per 100 parts elastomer), a blowing agent, such as azobisformamide, that provides for formation of the cellular structure and a vulcanization system. The rubber composition so prepared is then formed, e.g. by injection or extrusion, into cross-linkable blank, which is then cured in a mold and then demolded. The demolded blank is then expanded by decomposition of the blowing agent and vulcanized to produce the cross-linked expanded elastomeric support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Bernard Bon
  • Publication number: 20040084123
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a product based on rubber, of the type comprising at least one buffer zone provided in order to trap oxygen external to the said product so as to protect from oxidation at least one sensitive zone of the said product, in which the said or each such buffer zone contains a composition based on at least one elastomer containing at least one salt of iron (III) provided to activate oxidation in the said composition, characterised in that the said salt is an iron (III) salt of an aromatic mono-carboxylic acid comprising one or more aromatic rings which may or may not be substituted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Salvatore Pagano, Lucette Dumergue, Emmanuelle Averty
  • Publication number: 20040084124
    Abstract: A snap in valve stem 10 with a two piece insert 24, 26 design is capable of supporting a radio frequency transmitter 12 within a rim hole 28. Elastomeric body 16 includes a cylindrical portion 32 with an annular bead 36 and an enlarged base portion 34 with an annular flange 38 to provide an airtight seal of the valve stem 10 within the rim hole 28. The two piece insert 24, 26 design in conjunction with an annular recess 40 and a lowermost extending portion 42 within the elastomeric body 16 allows the inserts 24, 26 to flex independently of each other which makes for a rapid, simple, easy installation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Rabian Matthew Martin