Patents Issued in June 8, 2004
  • Patent number: 6745733
    Abstract: An actuating system for a mode-switching rocker arm device includes an elongate actuator shaft having a central axis that is parallel with and spaced apart from a central axis of an engine camshaft. An actuator lever extends in a generally radial direction from the actuator shaft to engage a locking pin of the rocker arm device. A cam follower engages and is pivotally oscillated relative to the central axis of the actuator shaft by an actuator cam lobe of the engine camshaft. A clutch/brake assembly is associated with the actuator shaft and the cam follower. The clutch/brake assembly is operable to selectively transfer pivotal oscillation of the cam follower to pivotal movement of the actuator shaft and actuator lever to thereby translate the locking pin and cause the rocker arm device to switch mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nick J. Hendriksma
  • Patent number: 6745734
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes an output cam pivotally disposed upon an input shaft of an engine. First and second frame members are disposed upon the input shaft on respective sides of the input cam lobe. A first link arm is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to the first and second frame members. A rocker arm assembly is pivotally coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the link arm. The rocker arm assembly carries a cam follower that engages an input cam lobe of the input shaft. A biasing means is grounded to the first and second frame members, and biases the cam follower into engagement with the input cam lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Pierik
  • Patent number: 6745735
    Abstract: A device includes: a locking member substantially disposed within a closure in the housing, the locking member locking the housing and the rotor free from relative rotation and independent of fluid flow; and at least one vent passage disposed between either the first or the second chamber and the closure in the housing; thereby air within the chamber is purged and noise stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6745736
    Abstract: A valve control mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft carrying cams which cooperate with and thereby actuate valves which control the induction of fluids into, and the exhaustion of fluids from, a combustion cylinder during the operating cycle of an engine. The camshaft is axially movable within a predetermined range of movement. At least one of the cams has a profile which, when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the camshaft, varies as a function of the position along the camshaft axis and is such that, when the camshaft is moved axially to one extreme of its permitted movement, interaction between the cam and the valve with which it is associated generates no valve movement when the cam is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher Paulet Melmoth Walters
  • Patent number: 6745737
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with a motor block (6) and a longitudinal extending anti-rotation guide (5), which includes receiving recesses situated at apportioned spatial distances, one from the other to receive valve tappets and is affixed in a receiving groove of the motor block (6). The guide (5) is constructed as an injection molded component with a one-piece, molded-on, elastically expanded or deformable clip, which engages in a complementary receiving contour on the motor block (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler-KG
    Inventors: Matthew Evans, David Groh, Norbert Nitz, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 6745738
    Abstract: A valve spring device using pressurized gas for use in biasing a reciprocating valve which moves between a seated position and open position. The device features a static housing having a static chamber what is translateably engaged with dynamic housing. Chambers inside both housings are sealably engaged such that the dynamic housing translates away from the static housing when pressurized gas is communicated to the engaged sealed chambers thereby biasing the dynamic housing away from the static housing and moving the attached valve. Timing of oscillation of the translation and resulting valve timing is controlled by a controller activating a control valve between a pressurizing state and a venting state. The timing may be adjusted to accommodate the engine timing through varying the controller's activation of the control valve and optionally varying the pressure of the gas using a regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Richard J. Bosscher
  • Patent number: 6745739
    Abstract: An intake system of an engine comprises an intake module, in which a throttle body joint portion and an upstream portion of an intake manifold are formed in a single structure, and a downstream portion of the intake manifold extending from an engine body. A downstream end of the intake module is joined to the downstream portion of the intake manifold and an end portion of the intake module opposite to its portion joined to the downstream portion of the intake manifold is connected to an uppermost part of an oil filler pipe which is connected to the engine body. In this construction, the intake module is supported by the engine body via the oil filler pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Fujihira, Masanao Yamada, Takeshi Yokoo, Shunki Okazaki, Hiroshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 6745740
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a crankshaft having at least one rod journal and at least one main journal, a cylinder block rotatably supporting the crankshaft, at least one coupling member rotatably coupled to the crankshaft. The at least one coupling member has an annular, substantially cylindrical inner wall defining a crank bore circumscribing one of the main journals and/or one of the rod journals of the crankshaft. Moreover, the inner wall of the crank bore has at least one substantially annular recessed portion formed therein which is axially spaced from opposite ends of the inner wall. The internal combustion engine further comprises a vibration dampener assembly disposed in the recessed portions formed in the coupling member thereby substantially dampening and isolating transmission of vibrations between the connecting rods and the crankshaft and between the connecting rod and the cylinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Decuir Engine Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alex Decuir
  • Patent number: 6745741
    Abstract: A cooling system for an OHC type four-stroke cycle internal combustion engine having a valve chamber lubricated by oil mist. The system includes an accommodating space accommodating a transmission mechanism, a blower fan rotatably driven by a crankshaft, and a cooling air channel extending between a combustion chamber and the valve chamber disposed above the combustion chamber. The cooling air channel includes a primary air channel formed between intake and exhaust ports and extends toward a spark plug located on the downstream side of the cooling air channel. The cooling air channel also includes an air guide channel for guiding the air to an upstream inlet of the primary air channel and is defined by a wall which faces the upstream inlet of the primary air channel and extends laterally. The wall extends vertically in the accommodating space and is formed with an oil mist passage extending vertically therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Kioritz Corporation
    Inventor: Yumin Liu
  • Patent number: 6745742
    Abstract: An engine having a connecting rod, a piston and a crankshaft is provided. The connecting rod extends between to connect the piston and the crankshaft. The connecting rod has formed therethrough at least one hole which provides a lubrication path to an interface between the connecting rod and piston conjunction point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Siegfried Meyer
  • Patent number: 6745743
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a direct injection engine having an intake valve, an exhaust valve and a fuel injection valve for injecting fuel directly into a cylinder of the engine and in which fuel injection by the fuel injection valve is performed during intake stroke or during compression stroke of the engine, has combustion stabilizing device for stabilizing combustion in the cylinder. The combustion stabilizing device has next operation mode determination device for selecting either an operation mode of recovering the combustion stability by fuel injection during intake stroke or an operation mode of recovering the combustion stability by fuel injection during compression stroke when a deteriorated state of combustion is detected in fuel injection during compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Matsuharu Abo, Koji Onishi, Hiroshi Fujii, Mamoru Fujieda, Junichi Yamaguchi, Yoshiyuki Tanabe
  • Patent number: 6745744
    Abstract: A combustion enhancement system that enhances combustion by converting fuel into hydrogen-enriched fuel within a combustion region, and igniting the hydrogen-enriched fuel by one or more ignitor. A fuel supply provides at least one of fuel or air/fuel mixture to the discharge gap of the ignitor. A method is also provided to dissociate a fuel or air/fuel mixture into hydrogen enriched combusible mixture. The method includes locating the ignition device so that the discharge gap is in device communication with the combustion region, and dissociating at least one of fuel, or air/fuel mixture into hydrogen enriched combustible fuel mixture within the discharge gap. A method of igniting is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventors: Szymon Suckewer, Artur Peter Suckewer
  • Patent number: 6745745
    Abstract: Superior piston bowl and combustion chamber configurations are designed for a reverse tumble spark ignition direct injection engine. The piston includes a shallow bowl extending from adjacent an edge of the piston head to an inner side slightly beyond a peak. The bowl features a bowl lip re-entrant angle at the spark plug location having an open or positive re-entrant angle. On lateral edges of the bowl between the inner and outer edges, wing like extensions include negative re-entrant angles. These help contain the injected fuel within the bowl during combustion. Other features of the combustion chamber include vertical intake ports that produce a weak reverse tumbling air flow motion with a tumble ratio of about 0.6, which allows increased flow efficiency of the port. An injector spray cone angle of 90 degrees is preferred with a bowl sized to capture the spray. Various additional features are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Steven Huebler, Alexander Millerman, Ronald M. Otto, Arun Sushilkumar Paulraj Solomon, Gerald Andrew Szekely, Jr., Ping-Ho Tsai
  • Patent number: 6745746
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, which has poppet type valve overlap and timing means and has the centerline of each and every cylinder being offset from the rotational axis of the crankshaft in the counter direction of rotation, provides efficient transformation of combustion energy to mechanical rotational power reducing exhaust loss, heat loss and detonation, and increasing volumetric efficiency. The engine also increases effective torque at certain rotational angle of an early stage of a power stroke. Thereby, the invented engine improves thermal efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Ishii
  • Patent number: 6745747
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling operation of an engine coupled to an exhaust treatment catalyst. Under predetermined conditions, the method operates an engine with a first group of cylinders combusting a lean air/fuel mixture and a second group of cylinders pumping air only (i.e., without fuel injection). In addition, the engine control method also provides the following features in combination with the above-described split air/lean mode: idle speed control, sensor diagnostics, air/fuel ratio control, adaptive learning, fuel vapor purging, catalyst temperature estimation, default operation, and exhaust gas and emission control device temperature control. In addition, the engine control method also changes to combusting in all cylinders under preselected operating conditions such as fuel vapor purging, manifold vacuum control, and purging of stored oxidants in an emission control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 6745748
    Abstract: An engine control system executes given control tasks, for example, at a 30° angular interval of an engine crank shaft. If a failure of a crank sensor has occurred, it becomes impossible to determine the 30° angular interval of the crank shaft. In this case, the engine control system works to calculate one-third of an interval (e.g., a 90° crank angle) between consecutive inputs of cam angular position signals to define a dummy 30° crank angle as a trigger for initiating the control tasks. If the cam angular position signal is inputted before the number of times the control tasks should be executed, in sequence, at an interval of the dummy 30° crank angle is not yet reached, each of the control tasks is executed immediately the same number of times as that the control task has not yet been executed at the dummy 30° crank angle time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6745749
    Abstract: Proposed is a method for adjusting an adaptive characteristics map of an adaptive engine-knock control system and a method for adaptively controlling engine knock, the adaptive characteristics map being defined by at least one operating parameter, the adaptive characteristics map for each operating-parameter range being made up of a precontrol component that characterizes the ambient conditions, and a residual component that results from the engine-knock control, the value of the adaptive characteristics map for each operating-parameter range being given by the sum of the precontrol component corresponding to the specific operating-parameter range, and the residual component corresponding to the specific operating-parameter range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Unland, Axel Heinstein, Michael Gundlach, Werner Haeming, Martin Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6745750
    Abstract: A fuel injection system, having a fuel injection valve and a control valve, which control valve has a control valve member that is longitudinally displaceable in a control valve bore. A control valve sealing face is embodied on the control valve member; it cooperates with a control valve seat and thus controls the communication between a first pressure space and a second pressure space; the first pressure space communicates with a high-pressure collection chamber. In a valve body, a bore is embodied in which a pistonlike valve needle, with its end toward the combustion chamber, controls the opening of at least one injection opening by executing a longitudinal motion in response to the pressure in a pressure chamber; the pressure chamber communicates with the second pressure space via an inlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Egler, Giovanni Ferraro, Hansjoerg Egeler, Achim Brenk, Wolfgang Klenk, Peter Boehland, Werner Teschner, Sebastian Kanne, Ingolf Kahleyss, Uwe Gordon, Manfred Mack
  • Patent number: 6745751
    Abstract: A fuel pump draws pumps fuel from a fuel tank to a pressurizing chamber during a suction stroke, and pressurizes and sends fuel in the pressurizing chamber to a delivery pipe. A electromagnetic valve is actuated by electricity from a battery to electively connects and disconnects the fuel tank with the pressurizing chamber. An ECU determines opening and closing timing of the electromagnetic valve based on the rotation al phase of an engine. When the rotational phase of the engine is not identified, the ECU executes a duty control to cyclically repeat supplying and stopping of current to the electromagnetic valve. The ECU extends a current supplying period in each cycle of the duty control as the voltage of the power supply is lowered. As a result, the electromagnetic valve is reliably closed particularly at each pressurizing stroke, which improves the pressure increasing efficiency of fuel supplied to a fuel injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Seo, Masanao Idogawa
  • Patent number: 6745752
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of clamping a device (201), such as a fuel injector (201), to a platform (409), such as a cylinder head (409), allows the fuel injector (201) to be removed from the cylinder head (409) together with the clamp (105). A retaining ring (103) is secured between a conical surface (403) of the clamp (105) and an annular groove (307) of a fastener (101) disposed within the clamp (105). The retaining ring (103) secures the fastener (101) to the clamp (105) during removal of the fastener (101), thereby providing that the clamp assembly and the device, such as a fuel injector (201), are removed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jensen, Kenneth R. Seymour, II
  • Patent number: 6745753
    Abstract: A high-pressure injection system including a high-pressure pump having a plunger cylinder, the plunger cylinder having a delivery chamber and a high-pressure sealing surface on an outlet side, a port element arranged on the outlet side of the plunger cylinder and having a first end face and a second end face, the port element flow-connected to the delivery chamber and an outlet valve, the first end face of the port element facing the plunger cylinder, and a high-pressure line element arranged on an outlet side of the port element. The high-pressure line element comprises a high-pressure sealing surface. The high-pressure line element bears against the second end face of the port element. The port element is clamped between the plunger cylinder and the high-pressure line element. The first and second end faces of the port element each comprise a high-pressure sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: CRT Common Rail Technologies AG
    Inventors: Fritz Spinnler, Claudio Zanetti
  • Patent number: 6745754
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an engine housing containing an oil sump in communication with an oil fill conduit, and a fuel pump including a pump assembly having at least a portion thereof formed integrally with the oil fill conduit and in fluid communication therewith. The fuel pump is actuated by pressure pulses created within the engine crankcase when the engine is running, which are communicated to the fuel pump through the oil fill conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Dennis N. Stenz, Allen A. Schmitz, Kevin D. Steffes, Scott J. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6745755
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a magazine of shots for repeating guns, in particular for compressed-air guns, which comprises at least two cylinders in series, front and rear, respectively, the front cylinder provided with N identical chambers for housing the shots and with a crown of N teeth intended to be engaged by a mechanism of rotation, the rear cylinder provided with N−1 chambers for housing the shots and with an aperture of smaller diameter intended to make possible the passage of the firing gas from the valve to the chamber of the front cylinder, which is aligned with the barrel from time to time. The front and rear cylinders are provided with complementary couplings, shaped to interact with one another for a contemporary rotation of the two cylinders only after the first N shots have been fired from the front cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Valtro Europe S.r.l.
    Inventor: Carlo Piccini
  • Patent number: 6745756
    Abstract: A rigid structure for carrying and supporting an archery bow is disclosed herein. The structure comprises a gripping portion adjoined to an attachment portion or portions so as to form an open L-shape or closed U-shape and a means for connecting the attachment portion or portions to the riser on an archery bow. The structure is adapted to be secured by connecting means to a central region of the riser of an archery bow, such that when normally carried, the archery bow, on either side of the riser, is carried away from and downwardly from the riser. This positioning of the structure lowers the center of gravity below the store to permit the archery bow to maintain balance from side to side and end to end when being carried by an archer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Nibal Achkar
  • Patent number: 6745757
    Abstract: An accessory for modifying the decay pattern of vibrations set up in an implement to which the accessory is attached, and the combination of a decay pattern modifying accessory and an implement. Methods of manufacturing decay pattern modifying accessories are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Steve Sims
  • Patent number: 6745758
    Abstract: The cooking oven may have a rotating floor for cooking food items. An insulation structure may be supported on a bottom floor and have a floor positioned above the bottom floor with the floor rotatable. An infrared heating element may be positioned below the floor and be oriented to radiate the floor. A rear heating element may be positioned in a rear portion of the insulation structure in a horizontal plane with the floor and intermediate the insulation structure and the floor. The insulation structure and the floor may define a cavity and the insulation structure may have an access opening to the cavity. A vent system may be positioned above the access opening and there may be an outer enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: James Minidis
  • Patent number: 6745759
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dome cover for a outdoor heater that is made up of a plurality of sides. Each side has at least three edges, a first edge is a finished edge, a second edge includes at least a first complementary fastener portion and a third edge includes at least a second complementary fastener portion. The first and second complementary fastener portions are configured and arranged to fit together to removably attach adjacent pairs of sides to form a generally pyramidal shape. At least two edges on each of the sides are elevated at an angle above the plane formed by the base to form the generally pyramidal shape. A cap is configured and arranged to hold the sides at the preferred angle. A locking plate is designed to cooperate with the cap to capture the sides between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: CPD Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin C. Bossler
  • Patent number: 6745760
    Abstract: An actuator is used to dispense a medicament from a container having at least a first and second portion. The actuator includes a holder, a trigger member and a push member. The trigger member is pivotally connected to the holder at a pivot axis. The push member is connected to the trigger member. The push member is adapted to move at least the second portion of the container relative to the holder as the push member is pivoted in a first direction. In one preferred embodiment, the trigger member follows a path, and a stop member engages one of the container and push member and immobilizes the push member as the trigger member is moved along a predetermined portion of the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Trudell Medical International
    Inventors: Jerry Grychowski, Martin P. Foley, Robert Morton, Daniel K. Engelbreth
  • Patent number: 6745761
    Abstract: A breath actuated inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, comprising a housing having a mouthpiece and defining an air flow path extending from the mouthpiece through the housing; the housing holding a replaceable canister of medicament actuatable to deliver a dose of medicament into the air flow path, wherein the housing defines an opening in the air flow path and the opening is closed by a closure element connected to and replaceable with the canister. The closure element acts as a safety feature because it is only closed when the inhaler is used with a canister to which a closure element is connected the closure element carries an indication of the type of medicament in the canister to allow the user to recognise the type of medicament. A plurality of inhalers may be provided in which each given inhaler has an opening with a different shape and has a closure element with a shape which conforms with the opening of the given inhaler but which does not conform with the openings of the other inhalers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventors: Søren Christrup, Anders Geert-Jensen, Mikael Jørgensen, Jørgen Rasmussen, Hugo Dines Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6745762
    Abstract: An illuminating device of a snorkel is located on the upper end of the snorkel. The illuminating device includes a sealed box-shaped housing wherein the circuits, batteries and LEDs . . . etc are located inside. Also, there is a switch assembled to the housing control the LED. By this way, the user of the snorkel can get attention from others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: QDS Injection Molding LLC.
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng Shiue
  • Patent number: 6745763
    Abstract: In existing vaporizers the medication passes through unsterilized passages which preclude heir use to administer sterile medications. The present invention therefore provides a device for dispensing a vaporized spray of sterile medicated liquid. It uses a combination atomizing and pressure release valve in which there is a flexible membrane with an aperture, and a plug extending upwardly through the aperture and having a surface against which the membrane is biassed in the closed position, the membrane lifting off the surface of the plug in the open position to thereby open the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Garth T. Webb
  • Patent number: 6745764
    Abstract: A care system and associated methods are provided for alleviating patient pain, anxiety and discomfort associated with medical or surgical procedures. The care system facilitates a procedural physician's safely and efficaciously providing conscious sedation to a patient by providing a responsiveness monitoring system which monitors the responsiveness of the patient and generates a value representing the level of patient responsiveness. In further aspects of the invention, the responsiveness monitoring system is an automated system which includes patient query and response devices. Additional embodiments of the system and methods are directed to alleviating patient pain or discomfort while enabling safe patient controlled drug delivery in correlation with the monitoring of patient health conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Scott Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall S. Hickle
  • Patent number: 6745765
    Abstract: A reusable anesthetic container (1) has an anesthetic reserve space (2), which is provided with at least one movable wall element (3). The wall element (3) can be caused to follow the liquid anesthetic volume. In one embodiment, the movable wall element (3) is designed as a piston, which is caused to follow the anesthetic volume via a toothed piston rod (9). An elastomer ring is preferably provided on the storage container as a detent pawl for the piston rod (9). The anesthetic container (1) has a first metering element (5), which is actuated inductively by means of a complementary second metering element (6) cooperating with another metering element on the anesthesia apparatus (7) for metering the anesthetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KGAA
    Inventors: Götz Kullik, Jochim Koch
  • Patent number: 6745766
    Abstract: A device for passive humidification of tracheostomized or intubated patients, comprising an outer body which forms an opening for connection to the patient and is connected to at least one seat of a filtering element which is connected to the outside, the device further comprising, on the outer body, a coupling for connection to at least one oxygen delivery duct which ends proximate to the outer part of the filtering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Holdings B.V.
    Inventor: Massimo Fini
  • Patent number: 6745767
    Abstract: A respiration system is provided with an electrically driven rotary compressor as a gas delivery unit. The system makes a low-noise mounting of the gas delivery wheel possible. The gas delivery wheel can also be washed and sterilized and ensures a reliable separation of the breathing gas from the electric components. The respiration system rotary compressor is mounted magnetically axially and radially during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Dräger Medizintechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Götz Kullik, Hans-Ullrich Hansmann, Andreas Krause
  • Patent number: 6745768
    Abstract: A ventilation device for non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment of a patient has a gas flow generator, a gas delivery circuit optionally including a humidifier, a controller and sensors monitoring values of operational parameters of the device. The device further includes one or more relationships stored in data storage of the controller relating combinations of parameter values as being indicative of fault conditions of the device operation, the sensors and/or the fault detection process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Gregory A. Colla, Barton Kenyon
  • Patent number: 6745769
    Abstract: The invention relates to a respiration bag (1) which has at least one fold (2, 11) extending annularly over the bag (1). The respiration bag (1) can be bent in along this fold (2, 11). In this way, at least one depression results which leads to a reduced volume of the respiration bag (1). A flip over of the respiration bag from the bent-in position is prevented by sealing lips (10, 12) or additional mechanical holders which are applied from the outside to the at least one fold (2, 11). The respiration bag (1) remains stable in the bent-in position with reduced volume up to an inner pressure of 45 to 50 millibar. In this way, a respiration bag (1) for respiration volumes of different sizes is available in dependence upon, for example, whether respiration is to take place with ambient air or oxygen-enriched air or is dependent upon whether an adult or a child is to be respirated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Hans-Jürgen Klempau
  • Patent number: 6745770
    Abstract: A flow diverter valve is used in controlling the pressure and/or flow rate of a breathable gas supplied to the airways of a patient by a breathable gas flow generator supply apparatus during, for example, ventilatory assistance treatments such as non-invasive positive pressure ventilation and nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The flow diverter valve includes a vane and a housing. The housing has an inlet port, an outlet port, and an exhaust port. The exhaust port opens to atmosphere, and the inlet port is in fluid communication with the flow generator. The outlet port is in fluid communication with a patient mask via a conduit. The vane is configured with respect to the housing such that a blower associated with the CPAP apparatus remains substantially unchoked, regardless of whether the vane is in the open or closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Patrick J. McAuliffe, Denis L. Bullock
  • Patent number: 6745771
    Abstract: An anesthetic filter arrangement has a filter housing with openings disposed to delimit a gas flow path inside the housing for gas passing to and from a patient, and having disposed within the gas flow path a filter element formed of an adsorption material for the alternate adsorption and desorption of gaseous anesthetic from and into gas passing along the gas flow path respectively from and to the patient. An energy source is provided to supply thermal and/or vibrational energy at the filter element to vary retention of the gaseous anesthetic by the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Elema AB
    Inventors: Rolf Castor, Petter Videbrink
  • Patent number: 6745772
    Abstract: A pad has an inverted U-shaped upper edge and a linear lower edge. A large pillow in an inverted U-shaped configuration is coupled to the pad adjacent to the periphery. Connectors are coupled to the pad and large pillow. Each connector has a first end with a fastener adjacent to the coupling point between the connector and the pad and a second end with a co-acting fastener whereby the connectors may form strap holding loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Donna J. McLeod
  • Patent number: 6745773
    Abstract: A tracheal tube by which the trachea is closed watertight by a fixation cuff blocking the trachea below the glottis, through which a ventilation cannula passes, and, situated cranially to it, above the cuff, a tampon-bladder made of flexible material expansible through the influx of fluid, which when filled differs in shape from the shape of the cuff, would represent an improvement by means of which a patient could be intubated in the gentlest way over a long period with minimal risk of infection. In the invention this is accomplished by situating the tampon-bladder immediately against the cuff and constructing it of foil-like material and so designing it that when fully distended in size it fills the subglottal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Dr. Fred Goebel Patentverwaltung GmbH
    Inventor: Fred G. Gobel
  • Patent number: 6745774
    Abstract: A platform chair for sexual intercourse includes front and rear legs connected to each other by cross braces. A horizontal flat supporting platform connects the legs and cross braces. The platform supports a cushioned surface. The cushioned surface is connected to the horizontal platform by a number of springs, usually five. The cushioned surface slopes from the upper head to the lower hip sections. In front and below the hip section of the cushion is a padded seat. The seat is used by the dominant partner and is located between the legs. A handrail is also located above the flat padded support such that it is within easy reach of either participant. Supine footrests are located in front of the hip portion of the cushion and above the seat for use when the non-dominant partner is in a supine position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Fessler
  • Patent number: 6745775
    Abstract: Presbyopia is treated by a method which uses various lasers to remove a portion of the scleral tissue and increase the accommodation of the presbyopic patient's eye. Stable accommodation is achieved by the filling of the sub-conjunctival tissue to the laser-ablated scleral areas. The proposed laser wavelength ranges from ultraviolet to infrared of (0.15-0.36) microns, (0.5-1.4) microns and (0.9-10.6) microns. Both scanning and fiber delivered systems are proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Surgilight, Inc.
    Inventor: J. T. Lin
  • Patent number: 6745776
    Abstract: Hyaluronic acid is commonly used as a spacer in eye surgeries such as cataract surgery, intraocular lens surgery, corneal transplant surgery and some types of glaucoma surgery. One common side effect of these surgical procedures is a postoperative rise in intraocular pressure which can be serious and can cause permanent loss of function of optic nerve fibers and, therefore, loss of visual field function as well as visual acuity function. Intraoperative and postoperative rises in intraocular pressure also occur in vitreous, retina and other posterior segment surgeries. Methods are provided for reducing the postoperative intraocular pressure in an eye to normal preoperative levels while maintaining the therapeutic effects of the hyaluronic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: David B. Soll
  • Patent number: 6745777
    Abstract: A tobacco filter device includes a plurality of filter units superimposedly rechargeably filled in a sleeve member, having a bowl member connected to an outer end (smoking end) of the sleeve member and a mouthpiece connected to an inner end (mouth end) of the sleeve member, whereby upon smoking of tobacco or a cigarette as loaded or inserted in the bowl portion, the filter unit or units positioned on an outer portion of the sleeve member adjacent to the smoking end, after being saturated with smoking waste including tar and nicotine, may be pushed outwardly and discarded from the outer end of the sleeve member as thrusted and urged by a fresh (new) filter unit (or units) as recharged into the inner (mouth) end of the sleeve member, thereby still keeping use of those filter units not yet saturated and loaded in the rear portion of the sleeve member, without wasting the useful filter units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Te-San Liu
  • Patent number: 6745778
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying a flowable medium to the tobacco of a smoking product (2), wherein the medium is introduced on a drum (1) of a cigarette machine, after the rod is formed, as well as to a device for supplying a flowable medium to the tobacco of a smoking product (2), comprising a means by which the medium is introduced on a drum (1) of a cigarette machine, after the rod is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Horst Grzonka, Heiko Hertrich
  • Patent number: 6745779
    Abstract: A treatment hairbrush that is capable of evenly dispersing water-based solutions and other thin and non-viscous liquids over the user's scalp during routine hair brushing. An absorbent filler unit is placed into a chamber of the hairbrush body and absorbent feed rods are mounted into bores inside the hairbrush bristles. The absorbent feed rods interconnect the absorbent filler unit and roller-ball nozzles located at the bristle's ends. Liquid disperses over the user's scalp only during rolling contact of the roller-balls mounted within the nozzles with the scalp. The hairbrush can be provided with a removable handle and with a filler inlet located at a junction between the hairbrush body and the handle. The user can refill the hairbrush with or without a disposable liquid refilling cartridge, which holds a predetermined volume of liquid. The hairbrush comes with a removable bristle lid to help prevent the roller-ball nozzles from drying out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Andrey Piatetsky
  • Patent number: 6745780
    Abstract: A hair coloring applicator for applying a hair coloring material to one or more strands of hair using a rotating brush. The hair coloring applicator may include one or more brushes rotatably coupled to a body. The body may include a housing having at least one opening for receiving one or more strands of hair. The brush may include a plurality of bristles configured to contact the one or more strands of hair without tangling or snagging the hair. The bristles of the brush receive a hair coloring material and apply the material to strands of hair by contacting the hair. The hair coloring applicator may simultaneously apply one or more colors of hair coloring material to strands of hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignees: Kennedy/Matsumoto Design LLC, Longoria Design LLC, Spectrum Associates LLC
    Inventors: Melvin R. Kennedy, Jose Longoria, Robert G. Robbins
  • Patent number: 6745781
    Abstract: An endpiece for applying a cosmetic or care product, the endpiece comprising a first part assembled with a second part, one of the two parts defining at least part of an applicator surface suitable for being fed with substance by at least one orifice of the endpiece, the second part having a coating of flocking extending: at least to an edge portion of said second part, said edge portion being substantially in contact with a non-flocked corresponding edge portion of the first part; and/or to a line situated substantially in contact with a non-flocked corresponding edge portion of the first part, the surface of the second part to which the flocking bristles are attached being set back from the outer surface of the edge portion of the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gueret
  • Patent number: 6745782
    Abstract: A portable apparatus cleans a passage such as an oxygen line by circulating a cleaning medium, such as a silicated alkaline cleaner such as OCC, through the passage. A rinse medium, such as distilled water, may than be circulated through the passage. The cleaning medium and the rinse medium may be filtered, and a flush medium is preferably circulated through the passage after the circulation of the cleaning medium and before the circulation of the rinse medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: C.H.O.C.S., Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. Mooney