Patents Issued in May 18, 2004
  • Patent number: 6735949
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor can downstream of a pre-mixer has a pre-mixer flowpath therein and circumferentially spaced apart swirling vanes disposed across the pre-mixer flowpath. A primary fuel injector is positioned for injecting fuel into the pre-mixer flowpath. A combustion chamber surrounded by an annular combustor liner disposed in supply flow communication with the pre-mixer. An annular trapped dual vortex cavity located at an upstream end of the combustor liner is defined between an annular aft wall, an annular forward wall, and a circular radially outer wall formed therebetween. A cavity opening at a radially inner end of the cavity is spaced apart from the radially outer wall. Air injection first holes are disposed through the forward wall and air injection second holes are disposed through the aft wall. Fuel injection holes are disposed through at least one of the forward and aft walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joel Meier Haynes, Alan S. Feitelberg, David Louis Burrus, Narendra Digamber Joshi
  • Patent number: 6735950
    Abstract: A method of making a dome plate for a gas turbine engine combustor includes forming an annular body and forming a plurality of swirler openings in the annular body. Then, an array of impingement cooling holes and an array of blow-off holes are electrically discharge machined into the annular body adjacent to each swirler opening. For each one of the plurality of swirler openings, the corresponding array of impingement cooling holes and the corresponding array of blow-off holes are machined in a single electrical discharge machining operation. This results in an annular dome plate having radially outer and inner curved corners that define a single radius of curvature. The blow-off holes are located in at least one of the outer and inner curved corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Howell, Jennifer Waslo, Robert G. Carita
  • Patent number: 6735951
    Abstract: An APU system includes a gas turbine engine having a low pressure spool, a high pressure spool and an electrical generator. The electrical generator is driven by the high pressure spool which is governed to a constant speed. Conversely, the low pressure spool is not governed at all, but is allowed to seek a speed that balances the power developed by the low pressure turbine (LPT) and power absorbed by the low pressure compressor (LPC). A step increase/decrease in electrical power demand is met with a step increase/decrease in fuel flow, which results in an overshoot/undershoot of the new equilibrium turbine inlet temperature TIT. The TIT returns to the new equilibrium when the LP spool has achieved it's new shaft speed and new equilibrium power balance. The HP Spool and generator maintain essentially constant speed and frequency, while the LP Spool responds to restore equilibrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6735952
    Abstract: The invention recites a microturbine system comprising a housing and a turbine including a rotary element having a shaft supported by the housing and rotatable about a rotary axis. A starter wheel is coupled to the shaft and rotatable in response to a stream of high-pressure fluid flowing from a high-pressure flow path. A pump is operable to provide a supply of lubricating fluid. The engine further includes a starter valve receiving the supply of lubricating fluid and being selectively operable to provide one of the stream of high-pressure fluid to the high-pressure flow path and a stream of low-pressure fluid to a low-pressure flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Energy Systems
    Inventor: Andrew J. Olsen
  • Patent number: 6735953
    Abstract: An environmental control system includes a turbomachine and an air cycle machine that is driven by shaft power of the turbomachine. The turbomachine includes a compressor, which supplies compressed bleed air to the air cycle machine. Ambient air is compressed by the compressor, and heat of compression is removed by an air-to-air heat exchanger, which envelops the turbomachine. The cooled, compressed air is expanded in the air cycle machine to produce a stream of cooled, conditioned air. Ambient air used by the air-to-air heat exchanger to cool the compressed bleed air is drawn into the turbomachine's exhaust by an eductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Allied Signal Inc.
    Inventors: David Wolfe, Nguyen Q. Minh, Kurt Meister, Dan S. Matulich
  • Patent number: 6735954
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a gas generator module and a reduction gearbox module. The gas generator module has an axis which extends longitudinally along a centreline of the gas generator module, and the reduction gearbox module has an axis which extending longitudinally along the centreline of the reduction gearbox and is offset from said generator axis. The reduction gearbox is driven by an intermediate shaft angled relative to the turbine output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Ian Alexander MacFarlane, Zenon Szlanta, Lazar Mitrovic, Keith Martin Morgan
  • Patent number: 6735955
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for optimizing the transient response of a gas turbine engine by controlling the variable positioning of compressor inlet guide vanes. The system employs a normal mode schedule which schedules relatively closed inlet guide vane settings at low compressor speeds and relatively open inlet guide vane settings at high compressor speeds. The system further employs an alternate mode schedule that schedules inlet guide vane settings that are more closed at low compressor speeds than those scheduled by the normal mode schedule. Control logic is provided for rapidly moving the inlet guide vanes from the more closed settings of the alternate mode schedule to settings which are more open than those which are schedule by the normal mode schedule, during an acceleration from low engine power levels. The control logic is further configured to command the inlet guide vanes back to the normal mode schedule as the acceleration nears completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Goodrich Pump & Engine Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Giovanni Mannarino
  • Patent number: 6735956
    Abstract: A turbine blade and assembly for use in a gas turbine engine are provided. The turbine blade has a root portion adapted for mounting to a rotor, and an airfoil portion extending from the root portion. A cooling air inlet duct is provided and adapted to communicate with the cooling air plenum when installed to the rotor. The air inlet duct has an inlet scoop portion adapted to extend into the cooling air plenum and an inlet scoop aperture oriented and adapted to capture cooling air from the cooling air plenum as a consequence of turbine rotation when the blade is mounted to the rotor. Scooped air is provided to a cooling air channel defined in an airfoil portion of the blade for the purpose of cooling the blade. The engine optionally includes a bearing gallery cooling air jacket in communication with the low pressure compressor stage for the purpose of cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Romani
  • Patent number: 6735957
    Abstract: An object is to improve the operational reliability of a gas turbine by suppressing thermal stress and thermal deformation acting on the rotor of the gas turbine. The gas turbine has a rotor shaft constructed by arranging, in an axial direction in turn, a plurality of discs each having a plurality of combustion gas-driven moving blades annularly arranged on the peripheral portion and spacers arranged between the discs, and is characterized in that gap portions are formed between a region, on the rotor shaft center portion side, of the above-mentioned discs facing the spacers and spacers adjacent thereto, contact surfaces are formed both of which contact on both a region, on the rotor peripheral side, of the above-mentioned discs facing the spacers and adjacent spacers thereto, and a third flow path leading fluid to the above-mentioned gap portions is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Marushima, Manabu Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Kawaike, Takashi Ikeguchi, Takashi Machida, Masaru Sekihara
  • Patent number: 6735958
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system for holding food in ready-to-serve state, comprising one or several heat-conducting plates (6) on which the food can be placed, either directly or in dishes, in ready-to-serve fashion; one or several Peltier elements or similar devices and one or several heating elements, each of which is or can be thermally coupled to the plate(s) (6) and/or to the dishes; one or several selector switches (22) as operating controls or the radio-signal receivers of such selector switches by means of which it is possible to select temperatures and/or temperature cycles and/or warming or cooling modes of the plate(s) (6), a control unit by means of which, in response to the selection made via the selector switches (22), the Peltier element(s) can be enabled to cool the plate(s) and/or the Peltier element(s) and/or the heating element(s) can be energized to heat the plate(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Electrolux Professional GmbH
    Inventor: Udo Baumann
  • Patent number: 6735959
    Abstract: In one aspect, an icemaker for making ice in a fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator comprises a freezer compartment comprising a freezer door, and a fresh food compartment located over the freezer compartment and comprising a fresh food door. The fresh food door comprises an ice dispenser. An ice maker is located in the fresh food compartment, and the ice maker comprises an ice mold, and a thermoelectric device for moving heat from the ice mold. The mold is positioned so that ice from the mold can be dispensed by the ice dispenser in the fresh food door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Joseph Najewicz
  • Patent number: 6735960
    Abstract: A method for hydrogen storage includes providing water and hydrogen gas to a containment volume, reducing the temperature of the water and hydrogen gas to form a hydrogen clathrate at a first cryogenic temperature and a first pressure and maintaining the hydrogen clathrate at second cryogenic temperature within a temperature range of up to 250 K to effect hydrogen storage. The low-pressure hydrogen hydrate includes H2O molecules, H2 molecules and a unit cell including polyhedron cages of hydrogen-bonded frameworks of the H2O molecules built around the H2 molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Carnegie Institution of Washington
    Inventors: Wendy L. Mao, Ho-Kwang Mao
  • Patent number: 6735961
    Abstract: A device for reducing the permeability of tubing in climate control, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, comprising elements for recovering gas escaped by permeation from at least one tube that is at a first temperature and pressure, adapted to convey the permeated gas to a region of the system that is at a second temperature and pressure, the second pressure being lower than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Manuli Automotive S.p.A.
    Inventors: Piero Mancinelli, Gianluca Dolente, Vincenzo Salvia
  • Patent number: 6735962
    Abstract: A composite auxiliary machine for a vehicle and an accompanying control unit to control a compressor. The composite auxiliary machine for a vehicle includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant, a rotary machine that acts as an electric motor and a generator, and a torque and power distributing mechanism for distributing engine torque and power from a drive shaft to a compressor shaft and a rotary machine shaft, and from the rotary machine shaft to the drive shaft and compressor shaft. An intermittent mechanism is provided to the torque and power distributing mechanism so as to connect and disconnect any two of the drive shaft, the compressor shaft, and the rotary machine shaft. A locking mechanism is provided for restricting rotation of the compressor shaft. The compressor includes variable displacement mechanism for varying the amount of discharge per turn of the compressor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Tsuneyuki Egami, Takuo Sakai, Hironori Asa
  • Patent number: 6735963
    Abstract: An aqua-ammonia absorption cooling and/or heating system having a variable speed burner which uses active flow control of weak liquor and/or active control of refrigerant flow to the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Paul Sarkisian, Lance Kirol, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 6735964
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an outdoor unit and multiple indoor units. Each of the indoor units has its own coil assembly and fan and is dedicated to heating a particular area within a building, for example. Not all of the indoor units operate at the same time. Managing the refrigerant charge level within the active part of the system includes controlling an amount of refrigerant flow through the inactive indoor units. When the active part of the system does not have an adequate charge, an increased return flow from the inactive indoor units to the outdoor unit serves to increase the charge. Under circumstances where there is an overcharge in the active part of the system, the inactive indoor units are effectively used as storage for excess refrigerant on a temporary basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: John Michael Palmer, Mark Joseph Perkovich, Bradley Odum
  • Patent number: 6735965
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and control method thereof includes an inverter-type compressor and a two-stage variable-capacity compressor connected in parallel with their respective capacities controlled according to indoor air conditioning loads. Thus, the present invention is cost-competitive due to a capacity of the inverter-type compressor being lower than that of the two-stage variable-capacity compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je-Myoung Moon, Jong-Youb Kim, Dong-Kue Lee, Il-Yong Cho
  • Patent number: 6735966
    Abstract: A method for automatically controlling an air conditioning device includes determining vehicle interior and exterior temperatures, and supplying a mixture of fresh air and circulating air to the air conditioning device in a hot start when the interior temperature exceeds the exterior temperature. An air conditioning device for a motor vehicle includes a hot start mode and a normal mode. In the hot start mode when the vehicle interior temperature exceeds the vehicle exterior temperature, a mixture of fresh air and circulating air is supplied to the air conditioning device. The air conditioning device operates in the normal mode when the vehicle exterior temperature exceeds the vehicle interior temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Lissner, Markus Schoellhorn, Wolfgang Straub
  • Patent number: 6735967
    Abstract: A hot gas heat treat system is employed to cool mix in a hopper and a freezing cylinder and to heat the mix for pasteurization. A hopper liquid line solenoid valve at the inlet of the hopper and a cylinder liquid line solenoid valve at the inlet of the freezing cylinder each control the flow of refrigerant to the expansion valves which further control the flow of refrigerant that flows around the hopper and the freezing cylinder, respectively. A hopper hot gas solenoid valve at the inlet of the hopper and a cylinder hot gas solenoid valve at the inlet of the freezing cylinder control the flow of refrigerant from the compressor that flows around the hopper and the freezing cylinder. The system further includes a hot gas bypass valve that is opened when only the hopper is being cooled to provide additional load to the compressor. An EPR valve is positioned proximate to the hopper discharge to vary the temperature of the refrigerant exchanging heat with the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Bischel, Kenneth Moshier, Martin Singletary, Robert K. Newton, Peter McNamee
  • Patent number: 6735968
    Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus comprises: a first substrate, on one surface of which an active converter and an inverter are mounted, and on a reverse surface of which a radiation fin is closely fixed; a second substrate, on which a microcomputer, a current detecting mechanism, and a terminal block are mounted; a resin casing covering sides of the first and second substrates and provided with a step permitting the terminal block to be arranged thereon; and a third substrate, on which an interface connector and a photo-coupler are mounted. The first substrate, the second substrate, and the third substrate are layered in this order on a bottom surface of the casing. Gel is filled up to a power semiconductor surface of the first substrate, and a resin is filled up to an upper surface of the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kurita, Kuniaki Takatuka, Tatsuo Ando, Noriaki Yamada, Satoshi Furusawa
  • Patent number: 6735969
    Abstract: In order to enhance air heating capacity during low outdoor air temperature, a gas heat pump type air conditioning device comprises a compression device having a gas engine driving source and forming a refrigerating cycle by circulating a refrigerant, an engine-coolant-water system, a channel change switching device, a bypass channel which is provided with the channel change switching device in the engine-coolant-water system downstream of the gas engine, and an engine-coolant-water heating device provided in the bypass channel, and waste heat exhausted from the gas engine is collected in the engine-coolant-water, and the refrigerant is heated by the engine-coolant-water so as to enhance air-heating-capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Kasagi, Hiraku Kunita, Ryuji Morishima, Kazuo Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 6735970
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerated counter for bars, pastry or ice cream shops equipped with optical fibre internal lighting system, having box-shaped shelves with special lower profile in such a way that the light emitted by the optical fibres located inside the lower profile completely illuminates the surface of the underlying shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Bocchini S.p.A.
    Inventor: Augusto Bocchini
  • Patent number: 6735971
    Abstract: A temperature controlled food serving bar. The food serving bar includes a cabinet having a bottom, opposite sides and opposite ends defining an interior-space. A top wall and an opening in the top wall are above the interior space. A plurality of elongate, generally parallel spaced apart dividers of thermally conductive material extend lengthwise of the cabinet in or below the opening. The dividers have side walls dividing the interior space into elongate generally parallel cavities. A temperature control system for controlling the temperature of the dividers has heat transfer lines extending along the side walls of the dividers. Upwardly facing surfaces on the dividers support food-holding pans such that the pans extend down into the cavities adjacent the side walls. Thermal barriers below the upwardly facing surfaces inhibit the transfer of heat between the side walls and the upwardly facing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darly R. Monroe, Kim C. Fietsam, Paul S. Rusk
  • Patent number: 6735972
    Abstract: An apparatus to substantially minimize low-cycle fatigue of at least one electrical connection between a first component and a second component includes at least one thermoelectric device to thermally contact at least the first component and includes at least one sensor that is coupled to at least one of the first component or the second component. A controller is provided and coupled to the at least one thermoelectric device and to the at least one sensor. The controller controls operation of the thermoelectric device to substantially minimize low-cycle fatigue by transferring heat from at least the first component in response to signals from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: BAE Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. McKeown
  • Patent number: 6735973
    Abstract: Multi-type air conditioner including a plurality of distributors each including a gas-liquid separator for separating refrigerant from the outdoor unit into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and distributor pipelines for guiding the gas or liquid refrigerant separated at the gas-liquid separator to the indoor units, and guiding the refrigerant passed through the indoor unit to the outdoor unit again, and an equalizing pipeline part for connecting the distributors for equal supply of refrigerant, thereby installing the indoor unit easily, and improving an air conditioning efficiency by supplying the refrigerant, equally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang Seon Lee
  • Patent number: 6735974
    Abstract: A water distributing pipe for ice making devices of refrigerators which includes an ice cube tray provided such that a top portion thereof is open receiving water into the tray and opposite ends are rotatably supported to an inside of a freezer compartment and a water supply pipe supplying the water to the ice cube tray. The water distributing pipe is connected to an end of the water supply pipe distributing water to the ice cube tray. The water distributing pipe comprises a connecting part connected to the water supply pipe, a water discharging part extending from the connecting part and discharging the water to the ice cube tray, and a projecting part provided in the water discharging part distributing the supplied water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Sek Oh
  • Patent number: 6735975
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling cool air of a refrigerator comprises: a damper arranged on a cool air flow path which supplies air cooled by passing through a freezing cycle to a chilling chamber, the damper for controlling an amount of cool air introduced into the chilling chamber; and a damper display means formed at one side of the cool air flow path for displaying a location of the damper. The apparatus which certifies an operation state of the damper from outside with a naked eye supplies cool air to the chilling chamber smoothly if the damper is not operated due to freeze. According to this, food in the chilling chamber is prevented from being decomposed or spoiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang-Hyeon Jeon
  • Patent number: 6735976
    Abstract: A refrigerator designed to enlarge the interior capacity of a storage compartment and to enhance the circulating efficiency of cool air. The refrigerator includes a cabinet, a projecting part, an evaporator, a cool air circulating fan, and a machine room. The cabinet is provided with a storage compartment. The projecting part is upwardly projected from a predetermined position on the upper portion of the cabinet to define an air cooling chamber, and the air cooling chamber is defined in an upward direction from the upper portion of the storage compartment. The evaporator and cool air circulating fan are installed in the air cooling chamber defined in the projecting part. The machine room is provided on the upper portion of the cabinet at a position opposed to the projecting part. A compressor and a condenser are installed in the machine room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jae-Seung Lee
  • Patent number: 6735977
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for providing a magnetic holding field about a chamber for accumulating frozen 129Xe. The apparatus includes a magnetic field source and a yoke for supporting the magnetic field source about the chamber. The magnetic field source provides a magnetic holding field having a field strength of greater than 2 kiloGauss. The apparatus may further include yoke for coupling the magnetic holding field through a portion of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Medi-Physics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas N. Kuzma, Ian Nelson
  • Patent number: 6735978
    Abstract: A system and process for utilization and disposition of a supercritical fluid composition, in which a supercritical fluid (SCF) composition is used in an SCF-using process facility such as a semiconductor manufacturing plant. The supercritical fluid composition is withdrawn from the process facility containing at least one component that is extraneous with respect to the further disposition of the supercritical fluid composition. The withdrawn supercritical fluid composition is converted to a pressurized liquid, which is treated to at least partially remove the extraneous component(s) therefrom. The extraneous component(s)-depleted pressurized liquid in its further disposition can be reconverted to a supercritical state for recycle to the SCF-using process facility, or it can be gasified and discharged to the atmosphere in the case of supercritical fluids such as CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Tom, Michael B. Korzenski, Eliodor G. Ghenciu, Chongying Xu, Thomas H. Baum
  • Patent number: 6735979
    Abstract: A process for pretreating a very acid natural gas containing a substantial amount of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), possibly combined with carbon dioxide (CO2), includes at least a stage wherein the initial natural gas is contacted in a distillation column with a liquid condensate itself resulting from cooling of the gaseous fraction obtained during the contacting stage. This solution allows to eventually recover at a lower cost a gas enriched in methane, depleted in hydrogen sulfide and freed from substantially all of the water it contains, and a liquid phase containing most of the hydrogen sulfide, substantially all of the water and depleted in hydrocarbon. Control of the thermodynamic conditions during the stages that characterize the process, according to the water content of the gas during treatment, allows progressive exhaustion of the water contained in the gas while preventing hydrates formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Eric Lemaire, Jean-Charles Viltard
  • Patent number: 6735980
    Abstract: A method for recovering krypton and xenon from air comprises (a) separating an air feed stream into oxygen-enriched and nitrogen-enriched product streams; (b) reacting the oxygen-rich product stream with a hydrocarbon feed in a synthesis gas generation process to yield a synthesis gas stream comprising hydrogen, carbon oxides, krypton, and xenon, which synthesis gas stream contains essentially no oxygen; (c) introducing the synthesis gas stream into a synthesis gas conversion process and converting the synthesis gas stream into a liquid synthesis product stream and an unreacted synthesis gas stream; (d) recycling at least a portion of the unreacted synthesis gas stream to the synthesis gas generation process; (e) reducing the pressure of the liquid synthesis product stream to yield a two-phase reduced-pressure product stream, and separating the two-phase reduced-pressure product stream into a final liquid synthesis product stream and a gas stream enriched in krypton and xenon; and (f) separating the gas strea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen John Cook, John Louis Griffiths
  • Patent number: 6735981
    Abstract: Burners and methods for producing fused silica members. The burner includes seven gas-emitting regions, including four regions for emitting a mixture of oxygen and combustible gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas A. Collins, Chunhong He, Christine E. Heckle, Raymond E. Lindner, Michael H. Wasilewski
  • Patent number: 6735982
    Abstract: Thin glass sheets may be processed in an effective fashion by electrostatically charging the sheets and applying them to an oppositely electrostatically charged carrier sheet. After processing is completed the carrier sheet may be removed and the processed sheet may be applied to its intended application such as to act as the front panel of an electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis L. Matthies
  • Patent number: 6735983
    Abstract: A fiber drawing method according to the present invention is a drawing method of optical fiber for drawing an optical fiber 14 from one end of a fiber preform 13 by softening with heat, wherein the fiber preform 13 is set in a semi-closed space 10, 20 opening in part at a lower end in a fiber drawing furnace, the fiber preform 13 is heated by a heater 15 disposed on the lower end side of this semi-closed space 10, 20, and fiber drawing is carried out with adjusting a quantity of heat dissipation from the upper portion 20 of this semi-closed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiki Taru, Ichiro Tsuchiya, Katsuyuki Tsuneishi, Katsuya Nagayama, Kazuya Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 6735984
    Abstract: The method is designed to be implemented in an installation provided with means enabling a preform held between two points by supporting end-pieces to be rotated and to be moved in translation. Heater means for heating the preform by means of a plasma torch are associated with material supply means, so as to enable the preform to be manufactured in layers. Preform/torch relative displacements, with or without material being supplied, lead either to a new layer of material being deposited on the preform, or to the most recent layer deposited being glazed. Said method interposes a one-ended reduction in layer length, starting from one of the intermediate layers, while a succession of concentric layers are being deposited on the preform in a manner such that the lengths of the layers are progressively reduced so that the preform tapers towards it ends. The one-ended reduction leads to a limitation of the thickness of a determined segment at the level of the layer deposited immediately prior to the reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Jacques Jolly, Rémi Fauche, Jean-Florent Campion
  • Patent number: 6735985
    Abstract: The specification describes a technique for drawing circular core multimode optical fiber using twist during draw to increase fiber bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Furukawa Electric North America Inc
    Inventors: David John DiGiovanni, Frank Vincent DiMarcello, XinLi Jiang, George E. Oulundsen, Sandeep Prabhakar Pandit
  • Patent number: 6735986
    Abstract: A method for fusing an optical fiber preform comprises fusing the preform while blowing an oxidative gas against the preform to be fused from upper and lower directions of a fusing burner unit. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes a plurality of nozzles for preventing deposition of silica cloud, which are each set at an angle, &thgr;, of blowing the oxidative gas relative to the preform being drawn such 20°≦&thgr;≦60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Suzuki, Hideo Hirasawa, Tadakatsu Shimada
  • Patent number: 6735987
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circular knitting machine with knitting needles (4) and sinkers (25) for the production of plush fabrics. Each of a plurality of knitting systems has a means (71) for controlling the knitting needles (4) into a knock-over position and pattern devices arranged in front of this means (71). According to the invention, a first pattern device provided with a ground-thread guide (38) serves for selectively controlling the knitting needles (4) into a knitting or tucking position intended for the pick-up of ground thread (39) or a non-knitting position intended for the non-pick-up of ground thread (39). A second pattern device provided with a plush-thread guide (40) serves for selectively controlling the knitting needles (4) into a pick-up position intended for the pick-up of plush thread (41) or an intermediate position intended for the non-pick-up of plush thread (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: SIPRA Patententwicklungs-und Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Ernst-Dieter Plath, Erich Bizer
  • Patent number: 6735988
    Abstract: A knitted article that includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a seam is disclosed. The top portion has a cross stretch less than about 12. The bottom portion may be formed from a lock stitch and may have a cross stretch greater than about 12. Also in the bottom portion, at least one yarn end may be different from the yarn forming the top portion. The seam extends substantially from the toe of the bottom portion to the heel of the bottom portion, thereby forming the sides and sole of said knitted article. An insert board may be included for forming a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Larry W. Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 6735989
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing such enclosures as vending machines is disclosed. A hasp is mounted on the interior of the enclosure and a mounting bracket having a flange and a lock hole is disposed on the exterior of the enclosure. To securely lock the enclosure, a hasp key is passed through an opening in the enclosure proximate the mounting bracket. One end of the hasp key includes an engagement mechanism that engages a hasp key aperture through the hasp. On the other end of the hasp key is a lock hole which is generally aligned with the lock hole on the exterior of the enclosure when the hasp key is engaged. A lock may then be disposed through the lock holes, limiting a would-be intruder's options to gain access to the inside of the enclosure. A sliding T-handle lock cover is also described. The sliding T-handle lock cover includes a flange and slides over a T-handle lock and aligns with a flange of a cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: The Vendo Company
    Inventors: Dennis E. Schramm, Allen E. Alexander, Harry Wright
  • Patent number: 6735990
    Abstract: An apparatus which inhibits the theft of equipment such as personal computers is disclosed. The equipment must have an external wall provided with a specially designed, approximately rectangular slot having preselected dimensions. An attachment mechanism includes a housing for a spindle having a first portion rotatable within the housing, a shaft extending outwardly from the housing, and a crossmember at the end of the shaft having peripheral dimensions closely conforming to the internal dimensions of the slot. An abutment mechanism also emanates from the housing, and is located on opposite sides of the shaft intermediate the housing and the crossmember. The peripheral cross-sectional dimensions of the abutment mechanism and the shaft in combination closely conform to the dimensions of the slot. The length of the shaft from the housing to the crossmember is approximately equal to the thickness of the external wall of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Acco Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Murray, Jr., Stewart R. Carl, Arthur H. Zarnowitz
  • Patent number: 6735991
    Abstract: A tamper resistant lock assembly is disclosed which is configured to prevent keyless operation of the lock assembly. The tamper resistant lock assembly includes a lock housing having a bolt slidably supported therein and a strike. The lock housing is secured to a mounting plate which is adapted to be fastened to a movable member such as a door. The strike is adapted to be fastened to a support member such as a door jam at a position to facilitate engagement between the bolt and the strike when the movable member is in a closed position. The strike includes a C-shaped catch member defining a recess having an opening which is configured to receive an engagement portion of the strike when the movable member is in the closed position. The engagement portion of the strike is also C-shaped and defines a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventors: Alan E. Lurie, Joseph Thomas
  • Patent number: 6735992
    Abstract: To endow such a device, of the type with a bolt (1) actuated by a key (2), with a high level of tamper-proofing and security without compromising its simplicity and reliability, the device includes two bolt-guiding members (3, 4) carried by one of the two elements, and the bolt includes a key-inserting aperture (114), two guiding ramps (112, 113) cooperating with the guiding members, and a third guiding ramp (115) cooperating with the key (2) when the latter is inserted into the aperture (114), in order to selectively actuate the bolt (1) from a locking position to an unlocking position, and vice versa, by rotation of the key. Use: devices for closing roadway or footway manholes, or underground technical chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Pam CRD
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Hauer, Patrice Vauthier
  • Patent number: 6735993
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for use with lever handles includes a lock core and a latch mechanism that is rigidly connected to the lock core to prevent the lock core from rotating in the door. Through-bolts are not needed, allowing a small diameter rose to be used. Stops and a spring return mechanism are entirely located within the lock core, allowing the rose to be thin. The lock core defines the rest position for the lever handles at an angle slightly above horizontal. To avoid the necessity for producing different locks in left and right-hand configurations, the lock core is made substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer sides of the lock mechanism can be interchanged. A heavy-duty locking piece, including a pair of locking lugs that directly engage the lock core near its inner perimeter, allow the lock to withstand abusive forces applied through the lever handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C. Eller, David A. Sorensen, Todd C. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6735994
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for enlarging part of a metal workpiece by cold forging, characterised by an enlarging die (5, 6) and by the die having means (8, 8′) to alleviate stress to the workpiece during forging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventors: Rainer Bühler, Noppadol Amorntatkul
  • Patent number: 6735995
    Abstract: A shaping device for producing a U-shaped conductor includes a holding portion, a feeding portion, a core metal portion and a shaping portion. The core metal portion includes a core metal and an upper guide portion. The core metal forms a die. The upper guide portion restrains upward movement of the conductor material during the shaping operation. The shaping portion includes a shaping element and a lower guide. The shaping element shapes the conductor material into the U-shape by urging the conductor material along the core metal. The lower guide restrains downward movement of the conductor material during the shaping operation. It is possible to move the shaping element downwardly after the conductor material is shaped into the U-shape. The conductor material can be fed forward without returning the shaping element to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Katsumi Shizu
  • Patent number: 6735996
    Abstract: In a method of making an axle element for a motor vehicle, a rod-shaped semi-finished product of aluminum is use used as starting material and heated to a desired shaping temperature. A first end of the semi-finished product is upset in a cavity of a shaping die by means of a first punch. Subsequently, the other end of the semi-finished product is compressed in the cavity by a second punch, whereby compressed material is forced into a branch of the cavity to form a pre-forge part with a leg portion. The pre-forge part is then forged into a finished axle element, e.g. a swivel bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Heussen, Bernard Comte, Vincent Von Niederhäusern, Andreas Baak
  • Patent number: 6735997
    Abstract: A process is provided for manufacturing a ball-and-socket joint housing by cold forming from a blank (R), which is preferably produced from a bar or wire material and is prepared for forming. A first axial depression (1) with a diameter (D1) is first prepared by reverse cup extrusion. A second axial depression (2) with a comparatively larger diameter (D2) is subsequently prepared in the axial depression (1) by reverse cup extrusion. A diameter reduction (D3) also of the first axial depression (1) is formed in some sections by the deformation of the material during the second reverse cup extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Klaus Rosenberger, Markus Thölking, Detlef Schellack
  • Patent number: 6735998
    Abstract: A method for draw forming a desired contour to the outer diameter of a tubular workpiece provides that the selected workpiece have a wall thickness uniform throughout its length or a combination of uniform thicknesses at end portions with a mid portion of a tapering wall thickness. The outer diameter of selected workpiece is reduced along essentially only a part of the starting tubular metal blank by drawing the metal blank only partly through a contoured die or only partly through each one of a succession of contoured dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: George A. Mitchell Company
    Inventor: George A. Mitchell