Patents Issued in October 7, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040194437
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises an elongate cylindrical separation unit 10 detachably mounted to The body of The cleaner for separating dirt and dust from The airflow. A cyclone separator is provided inside The lower end of The separation unit 10. The upper end wall 18 of The separator is removable and carries a filter 15 for filtering The cleaned airflow out of The cyclone separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Euan Skinner Macleod, Christopher Richard Henderson
  • Publication number: 20040194438
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the emissions from a dust generation station, such as a metal cutting station, can be easily transported from location to location. The system uses a mobile carrier which supports a separator, such as a baghouse, as well as a telescopically adjustable duct. A hood, which is attached to the duct and serves to contain exhaust gases generated at the dust generating station, is capable of rotation about the hood pivot point. An exhaust fan serves to induce flow of the exhaust gas from the hood, through the duct and across the separator. A mobile, emission-free metal cutting system incorporates the system for reducing emissions as well as a mobile transport cutting machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Kocleida, Michael Simek
  • Publication number: 20040194439
    Abstract: A curved side oil or fluid separator element for separating liquid or oil from a gas flow has a body portion made of filter media with opposing upper and lower ends. A curved side extends between the upper and lower ends and rotates 360° about a central axis of the body portion to form a curved surface of the body portion. The curved side of the body portion can be any one of a hyperbolically curved side, a circular arc curved side, an elliptically curved side, or any other curve except a straight line, and any combinations of these curves. In one aspect, the curved side of the body portion is adapted for in-out gas flow allowing the gas flow to exit through the curved side to a communicating outlet of a separator housing. In another aspect, the curved side of the body portion is adapted for out-in gas flow for receiving the gas flow through the curved side from a communicating inlet of the separator housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Yan Tang
  • Publication number: 20040194440
    Abstract: Within the framework of the purification of exhaust gases of mobile internal combustion engines, filter materials are subjected to particularly high thermal and dynamic conditions. As a result, it is advantageous to use filter materials together in a stable and durable composite. To this end, a heat-resistant filter layer made of a material through which a fluid can at least partially flow and which has at least one filter section and at least one edge area, is provided. A layer thickness that differs from that of the at least one filter section is provided in the at least one edge area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: EMITEC GESELLSCHAFT FUR EMISSIONSTECHNOLOGIE MBH
    Inventors: Rolf Bruck, Jan Hodgson
  • Publication number: 20040194441
    Abstract: Seals for filter elements having filter packs with seals around the periphery thereof adjacent to one of the faces are produced by injection molding the seal onto the filter pack using an ethylene-propyleneterpolymer (EPDM) thermoplastic material. Preferably, the thermoplastic material is embedded in polypropylene particles. The resulting seal has a contact portion which bends and/or compresses upon being engaged by a lid of a filter housing as the lid closes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Mark T. Kirsch
  • Publication number: 20040194442
    Abstract: A method of estimating the instantaneous crop yield ŷ2(t) at time t in a field, during harvesting with a harvesting machine that operates by cutting and/or controlling the crop and has a crop mass flow sensor that measures the mass flow rate of crop processed by the machine at a location remote from that at which the harvesting machine cuts the crop and generates a signal {dot over ({circumflex over (m)})}out(t) indicative thereof, including the steps of: generating a mass flow rate signal {dot over ({circumflex over (m)})}out(t) using the sensor;generating an area rate signal ŝ(t) indicative of time domain variations in the area of the field harvested per time unit;filtering the area rate signal ŝ(t) using a function P(s) representative of the dynamics of the harvesting machine to generate a filtered area rate signal ŝ2(t); andusing the filtered area rate signal ŝ2(t) for deriving from the mass flow rate signal {dot over ({circumflex over (m)})}out(t) a yield per area unit &ycir
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Koen Maertens
  • Publication number: 20040194443
    Abstract: A lawnmower is convertible between a bagging mode and a mulching mode. The convertible lawnmower includes a cutter housing having a discharge opening, an engine mount centrally positioned on the cutter housing, a prime mover supported on the engine mount, a rotary mulching blade coupled to the prime mover to rotate in a cutting plane about a rotation axis within the cutter housing, a cover and a fin extending from the cover toward the cutting plane. The cover is movably mounted within the cutter housing in a plane parallel to the cutting plane and between a fill bagging position where the discharge opening is unobstructed by the cover and a full mulching position where the cover obstructs the discharge opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Christopher M. Osborne, Dean E. Hartley
  • Publication number: 20040194444
    Abstract: The present invention relates to yarn blends of fluoropolymer yarn and yarn of polyester, polyamide, or acrylic fiber, the latter when dyed providing color to the yarn blend even with the fluoropolymer yarn being undyed. When the polyester, polyamide, or acrylic fiber yarn is stronger than the fluoropolymer yarn, the yarn of such fiber strengthens the yarn blend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Yashavant Vinayak Vinod, Edward William Tokarsky
  • Publication number: 20040194445
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of the collision of matter and antimatter as a means of propulsion in a spacecraft, to the control system for said engine and to a block diagram of the connections for same, in which all of the functions are divided into modules. Said invention refers to a form of propulsion that is totally different to those know at present, which enables spacecraft to move considerably faster in outer space and to reach up to one third of the speed light owing to the controlled collision of matter and antimatter. The control system works in conjunction with the engine in order to control the collision and to maintain the optimal parameters for performing said movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Fernando De La Pena LIaca
  • Publication number: 20040194446
    Abstract: A failure diagnosis apparatus for secondary air supplier according to the present invention determines a failure of a secondary air supplier based on pressure and pressure pulsation in a secondary air supply path. A failure diagnosis is made by determining the presence or absence of pressure pulsation in the secondary air supply path based on a determination threshold, and in the present invention the determination threshold is varied according to a pressure value in the secondary air supply path (a smoothed value or an average value of measured pressure). This permits the apparatus to make an accurate failure diagnosis, while eliminating pressure pulsations except for that due to exhaust pulsation (e.g., that due to noise of the pressure sensor and that caused by surging of an air pump).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigemasa Hirooka
  • Publication number: 20040194447
    Abstract: A system and device for providing secondary combustion for regeneration of catalyst in a catalytic converter (24) and/or for regeneration of a particulate trap (21) is provided. The secondary combustion takes place in the exducer chamber (13) of a turbine of a turbocharger (2), and generates heat for bringing a catalyst up to peak oxidation or reduction temperature, for regeneration of a catalyst, and incineration of particulates in a trap. The system takes advantage of heat and turbulence in the exducer chamber for promoting fuel/air mixture and for simplifying the amount of parts needed to incorporate a secondary combustion means into a turbocharger equipped primary combustion system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Steve Roby
  • Publication number: 20040194448
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a control system for an direct injection internal combustion engine capable of effectively reducing the amounts of both HC and NOx exhausted from a combustion chamber during a period from the start of the engine operation to the stop of the engine operation. It comprises an external EGR passage (11) for returning a part of exhaust gas from an exhaust pipe (10) to an intake pipe (5), an external EGR control valve (12) for controlling an amount of exhaust gas returned to the external EGR passage (11), and a valve timing varying mechanism (9A, 9B) for varying timing of opening and closing at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Noboru Tokuyasu, Toshiharu Nogi, Takuya Shiraishi
  • Publication number: 20040194449
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle has an adsorption catalyst which may be loaded with nitrogen oxides and unloaded. During the unloading, the exhaust-gas stream through the adsorption catalyst may be decreased by a control unit or an add-on device, using a valve. During the unloading, a fuel/air mixture may be added to the exhaust-gas stream reaching the adsorption catalyst, by the control unit or the add-on device, using an atomizer. Upon switching over from the unloading to the loading of the adsorption catalyst, the addition of the fuel/air mixture to the exhaust-gas stream is initially stopped by the control unit or the add-on device. The decreasing of the exhaust-gas stream is then ended after a predefined flushing time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Johannes Schaller, Georg Weber
  • Publication number: 20040194450
    Abstract: An exhaust purification device incinerates particulates, collected by the DPF, always in an appropriate combustion state, thereby surely regenerating a DPF without melting down the DPF. An ECU of the device estimates the amount of the particulates collected by the DPF (S6), selects a map according to whether the collection amount is appropriate or excessive (S8), determines a target oxygen amount from a DPF temperature on the basis of the selected map (S10 and S12), and feedbacks the oxygen amount in exhaust gas to the target oxygen amount (S20). Since the particulate collection amount is reflected in control of the oxygen amount, the particulates can be incinerated always in the appropriate combustion state regardless of the particulate collection amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Tamon Tanaka, Setsuo Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20040194451
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a NOx catalyst selectively reducing NOx from exhaust gases, a reducing agent supply providing the reducing agent to an exhaust system and positioned upstream of the NOx catalyst, NOx sensors detecting an amount of NOx in exhaust gases emitted by an internal combustion engine, a fuel injection system injecting fuel to the internal combustion engine in a main injection mode or a pilot-and-main injection mode, and a control unit activating the fuel injection system in the pilot-and-main injection mode when a NOx purifying efficiency determined on the basis of data of emitted NOx is equal to or below a preset purifying efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Toru Kawatani, Naoki Onoda, Hiroshi Jyoutaki, Ritsuko Shinozaki, Yoshinori Takahashi, Yoshinaka Takeda, Kenji Sasaki, Kenji Kawai, Shininchi Saito, Masayuki Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20040194452
    Abstract: A method and apparatus controls an internal combustion engine of a vehicle in which an exhaust purifying catalyst capable of storing oxygen is provided in an exhaust system of the engine. The internal combustion engine is adapted to be temporarily stopped when a predetermined condition for stopping the engine is satisfied, and resumes its operation when the predetermined condition is eliminated. The internal combustion engine is operated so as to reduce an amount of oxygen stored in the exhaust purifying catalyst during a temporary stoppage of the engine, before fuel starts being burned for resuming the operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Inoue, Yasuhiro Oi
  • Publication number: 20040194453
    Abstract: A controller (31) determines whether, during previous regeneration processing of a filter (41), the previous regeneration processing was interrupted or the previous regeneration processing was completed without interruption. An amount of DPM trapped in the filter (41) is estimated on the basis of a pressure loss in the filter (41) during running following uninterrupted completion of the previous regeneration processing in the previous regeneration processing of the filter (41), whereas the amount of DPM trapped in the filter (41) is estimated on the basis of an amount of discharged DPM during running following an interruption in the previous regeneration processing in the course of the previous regeneration processing of the filter (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshimasa Koga, Junichi Kawashima, Naoya Tsutsumoto, Makoto Otake, Terunori Kondou, Takao Inoue
  • Publication number: 20040194454
    Abstract: A Diesel engine anti-wear lubricant oil additive composition that includes organo-metallic compounds of Cu, Ce, etc., is used to catalytically bum-off diesel particulate matter (PM) collected by diesel particulate filter (DPF). A fuel borne catalyst (FBC) of Cu,Ce,Fe etc., required for regenerating the DPF is made by blending a predetermined quantity of used engine oil, removed from the engine crankcase oil system, with fuel in the fuel tank of a diesel engine equipped with DPF and EGR systems. A method of fumigating water and catalytic compounds of Cu, Fe, Ce, etc., into the air-intake system of a diesel engine in the EGR gases from the DPF or air, to reduce both PM and NOx emissions from a diesel engine, with improved engine lubrication performance, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Julius J. Rim
  • Publication number: 20040194455
    Abstract: A plurality of pipes adapted to be jointed to the exhaust ports of one line of an engine are joined together into a manifold comprising an equal number of pipe stubs, each receiving one of said pipes. The pipe stubs lead to a box from which extends a conduit that is jointable to terminal parts of the exhaust system, and each of them is flared at its jointed end, against which an annular gasket surrounding the respective pipe is pressed to abut by elastic elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Alessandro Gilli
  • Publication number: 20040194456
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a V-type engine according to the embodiment of the present invention includes first and second front exhaust pipes that are respectively connected to first and second exhaust manifolds upstream thereof through first and second front catalytic converters. The first and second front exhaust pipes are joined together at end portions thereof to form a coupling portion. The center exhaust pipe is connected downstream of the coupling portion, and a main catalytic converter is disposed in the center exhaust pipe. The rear exhaust pipe is connected downstream of the center exhaust pipe. The coupling portion is formed such that an angle between a center line of an end portion of the first front exhaust pipe and a center line of an end portion of the second front exhaust pipe is less than 20 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Gyu Wan Kim
  • Publication number: 20040194457
    Abstract: An exhaust system of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, particularly in a motor vehicle, has a first exhaust-gas line for receiving the exhaust gas from a first cylinder group of the internal combustion engine, a second exhaust-gas line for receiving the exhaust gas from a second cylinder group of the internal combustion engine, an exhaust-gas expansion chamber and an exhaust-gas outlet line, leading out of the exhaust-gas expansion chamber. The first and second exhaust-gas lines lead into an exhaust-gas mixing chamber which is coupled in gas flow communication with the exhaust-gas expansion chamber, so that exhaust gas can expand via the perforation of the exhaust-gas mixing chamber, into the exhaust gas expansion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Jochen Hufendiek, Sascha Rossa
  • Publication number: 20040194458
    Abstract: A hydraulic transfer valve system has a main valve selectively placing one of a primary and secondary hydraulic system in communication with a hydraulic load. A pilot valve provides a toggling action between the primary and secondary systems with respect to pressure changes in such systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Boris K. Kogan, William F. Lange
  • Publication number: 20040194459
    Abstract: A magneto-electrohydraulic power steering system for a vehicle includes a magneto-electrohydraulic power steering pump interconnecting a power steering gear of the vehicle and a drive shaft of an engine of the vehicle. The magneto-electrohydraulic power steering system also includes a controller operatively connected to the magneto-electrohydraulic power steering pump to generate a current signal to vary a speed of the magneto-electrohydraulic power steering pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Chandra Sekhar Namuduri
  • Publication number: 20040194460
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor includes a motor cylinder having motor plunger holes, motor plungers disposed in the respective plunger holes, a motor rolling member which is tilted and rolled to change the angle of a swash plate, and a motor servo mechanism for tilting and rolling the motor rolling member. The motor servo mechanism includes a screw shaft with male screw, a ball nut having a ball thread mated to the male screw and connected to an arm portion of the motor rolling member, a swash plate control motor, and a stopper mounted to the end of the screw shaft. The stopper includes a ring portion adjacent to the end of the male screw at a limit position of the ball nut and a flange portion which contacts the side face of the ball nut at the limit position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Ito, Dai Arai
  • Publication number: 20040194461
    Abstract: A Stirling engine comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Yasushi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20040194462
    Abstract: A hydraulic master cylinder for vehicle has: a cylinder main body; a sleeve; a plurality of seal rings; a plug, a lid member comprising the sleeve and the plug; and a piston inserted into the cylinder bore so as to form a hydraulic pressure chamber between the piston and the lid member; wherein the sleeve is inserted into the cylinder main body with an open end thereof being made to face an interior of the cylinder main body so as to dispose the seal rings between a circumferential wall of the cylinder bore and the sleeve and in such a manner that the seal rings hold the outlet port therebetween, and the plug is fixedly threaded in the opening at the one end so as to prevent the dislocation of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Sunohara, Akihiro Rokugawa
  • Publication number: 20040194463
    Abstract: This invention concerns a turbo-charged engine with EGR comprising an EGR passage connecting an exhaust passage upstream of a turbine of a turbocharger and an intake passage downstream of a compressor to each other for returning some of exhaust gas in the exhaust passage to the intake passage, and an EGR valve provided in the EGR passage for adjusting a passage area of the EGR passage. Capacity of the turbine is set such that in a high speed and high load region of the engine operating state, if the exhaust gas is supplied to the turbine with the EGR valve closed, the turbocharger overruns beyond a maximum speed limit, and if the EGR valve is opened to return some of the exhaust gas to the intake passage, the turbocharger rotates at less speed than the maximum speed limit. EGR can be performed in the high speed and high load region of the engine operating state without reducing power output and worsening fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Naoki Yanagisawa, Takeshi Tokumaru, Hirokazu Kurihara
  • Publication number: 20040194464
    Abstract: The invention provides a variable nozzle control apparatus for a turbocharger in an engine comprising: a variable nozzle having a vane; an engine ECU for identifying an operating situation of the engine by detected outputs of sensors in the engine and outputting a control signal; and an electronic control actuator for controlling an opening of the vane in response to the control signal transmitted from the engine ECU, wherein the electronic control actuator includes an electronic control circuit section for receiving an opening indication information of the vane from the engine ECU and outputting an output signal; a driving section for receiving the output signal from the electronic control circuit and driving the vane of the variable nozzle through an output shaft; and an angle sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the output shaft to output an actual angle signal of the output shaft to the electronic control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Jidosha Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Ando, Haruo Saito, Takaaki Sekine
  • Publication number: 20040194465
    Abstract: A method and a device for controlling an electrically operated supercharger are proposed, which cooperates with an exhaust-gas turbocharger for compressing the air supplied to the internal combustion engine. The controlling of the electrical supercharger (ES) is implemented via a control signal, which is generated as a function of a predefined value for the compressor-pressure ratio of the electrical supercharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Martin-Peter Bolz, Michael Baeuerle
  • Publication number: 20040194466
    Abstract: A first compressor (1a) which supercharges intake air is provided in the intake passage (6, 20, 21) of an internal combustion engine (12). The first compressor (1a) is driven by the exhaust gas energy of the engine (12). A second compressor (2a) driven by an electric motor (2b), and a bypass valve (3) which bypasses the second compressor (2a), are provided in the intake passage (7, 20, 21) between the first compressor (1a) and the engine (12). The bypass valve (3) shifts from the open state to the closed state according to the operation of the second compressor (2a). At this time, the bypass valve (3) starts closing at some time after startup of the second compressor (2a) so that the intake air amount of the engine (12) is not deficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kawamura, Kenichi Fujimura, Ryou Ikegami, Susumu Kubo, Hideharu Kadooka, Naoki Mishima, Motoyuki Hattori
  • Publication number: 20040194467
    Abstract: A steam power plant with retrofit kit has a steam generator (1) with superheater, a steam turbine set including condensation installations (11), connecting pipelines, auxiliary devices and a generator (10). The steam power plant (22) is distinguished by the fact that the retrofit kit includes a retrofit turbine module (25) which is designed for elevated temperature and for unchanged or modified pressure and is connected upstream of the existing steam turbine set or is exchanged for the high-pressure turbine of the latter. Furthermore, a method for retrofitting an existing steam power plant includes the following steps: connecting a retrofit turbine module (25) for high operating temperatures and unchanged or modified operating pressure upstream of the existing turbine set or exchanging the existing high-pressure turbine for the retrofit turbine module (25); providing a steam generator (1) and/or superheater (32) for high live steam temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Maurus Herzog, Richard Brendon Scarlin, Charles Smadja
  • Publication number: 20040194468
    Abstract: A method of controlling a gas turbine engine to provide protection against damaging pressure transients in the combustion process and to ensure compliance with emission requirements. Pressure fluctuations are monitored in a plurality of frequency ranges, and unacceptable pressure transients in different frequency ranges trigger different corrective actions. Unacceptable pressure transients in low and intermediate frequency ranges trigger a change in the pilot fuel fraction of a dual-mode combustor, while unacceptable pressure transients in a high frequency range trigger immediate power reduction in the engine. A control system for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of timers for defining consecutive time periods for alternate monitoring of pressure transients and not monitoring pressure transients. Corrective action is taken only if unacceptable pressure transients are detected in each of the monitored time periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: William Richard Ryan, Sanem Berksoy
  • Publication number: 20040194469
    Abstract: A pulse detonation system for a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal centerline axis extending therethrough includes a rotatable cylindrical member having a forward surface, an aft surface, and an outer circumferential surface, where at least one stage of circumferentially spaced detonation chambers is disposed therein. The pulse detonation system further includes a shaft rotatably connected to the cylindrical member and a stator configured in spaced arrangement around the forward surface, the aft surface, and the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical member and a portion of the shaft. The stator has at least one group of ports formed therein which sequentially align with the detonation chambers as the cylindrical member rotates. In this way, detonation cycles are performed in the detonation chambers of each detonation stage so that reaction forces induced by the detonation cycles create a torque which causes the cylindrical member to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Lawrence Butler, Kattalaicheri Srinivasan Venkataramani, Kurt David Murrow, Ivett Alejandra Leyva
  • Publication number: 20040194470
    Abstract: Disclosed is a container warmer that utilizes the same compartment for heating and cooling. In optional embodiments, the unit may include a programmable timer operably connected to the heating and cooling units such that the timer may regulate activity of the units. In other embodiments, the invention may include a baby bottle warmer in which the baby bottle is placed in a water bath in a compartment, the water bath being heated or cooled by heating or cooling units, and optionally operably connected to a programmable timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Shashank S. Upadhye, Shilpa M. Upadhye, Adam S. Thomas, James A. Weir
  • Publication number: 20040194471
    Abstract: A container (1) including a payload volume that, in use, is to maintain at least one environmental condition within the payload volume within a predetermined range of values, a sensor (13) for measuring the environmental condition within the payload volume, and a telecommunications device (19) adapted to transmit data relating to the environmental condition measured by the sensor (13) to a computerised monitoring system via a telecommunications network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Marchwood Limited
    Inventor: Colin David Rickson
  • Publication number: 20040194472
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mujlti-compartment pack for colling or heating products. The pack includes a first compartment with a solid matter or a liquid and a second compartment with a liquid wherein the first and second compartment are separated by a removable wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Coty Inc.
    Inventors: William Carl Wohland, Rene Thomas Rivero
  • Publication number: 20040194473
    Abstract: A cryogenic chamber comprising an outer vacuum vessel (9), an inner cryogen vessel (11), a turret (40) housing a neck tube (8) itself providing external access to the inner cryogen vessel (11), and a pulse tube refrigerator (20) itself comprising at least one pulse tube and at least one regenerator tube. The pulse tube refrigerator is located within a vacuum contained between the outer vacuum vessel (9) and the inner cryogen vessel (11) and the pulse tube refrigerator (20) and the neck tube (8) share a single turret (40). The cooling stage(s) (6, 7) of the pulse tube refrigerator (20) is/are rigidly mechanically connected to the neck tube (8) by highly conductive thermal links. The pulse tube(s) and regenerator tube(s) are displaced away from the neck tube and from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Derek Daniels
  • Publication number: 20040194474
    Abstract: Recovered, compressed VOC gas is used as fuel for a steam system where the steam produced is used for the operation of one or more compressors (26,28,30) that are used for the compression of the VOC gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Knut Brdreskift
  • Publication number: 20040194475
    Abstract: An effects generation system structured to produce a controlled special effects cloud and comprising a cryogenic fluid source including a container wherein a quantity of a cryogenic fluid is stored. The container includes a fluid outlet and a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being disposed in fluid flow communication with a pressurization assembly that is structured to maintain an outflow of the cryogenic fluid, under pressure, through the fluid outlet and into a delivery assembly operatively connected with the fluid outlet and structured to deliver the cryogenic fluid into a predetermined area through a plurality of delivery ports and into reactive proximity with a quantity of a reactive fluid so as to bring about a phase change in the reactive fluid sufficient to result in the formation of the special effects cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Alejandro J. Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20040194476
    Abstract: The Dual Gas Facility stores natural gas in one or more man-made salt caverns typically located in a single salt dome or in bedded salt. The Dual Gas Facility can access different sources of natural gas. A first gas source is from a natural gas pipeline(s) and a second gas source is from LNG. Depending on economic conditions, supply conditions and other factors, the Dual Gas Facility can receive gas from the natural gas pipeline(s) and/or from LNG to fill the salt caverns. Of course, the LNG must be warmed before being stored in a salt cavern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: CONVERSION GAS IMPORTS, L.P.
    Inventors: William M. Bishop, Michael M. McCall
  • Publication number: 20040194477
    Abstract: An electronic controller is used to control a vacuum gauge in a vacuum system. The electronic controller may be coupled to a vacuum pump in the vacuum system. Preferably, the vacuum pump is a cryopump. The electronic controller determines whether there is a potentially dangerous condition present in the vacuum system. A potentially dangerous condition may be present, for example, if there is a sufficient amount of gas in the vacuum pump to ignite. If the vacuum pump is filed with inert gas, such as nitrogen, then the potentially dangerous condition is not present. The potentially dangerous condition is present when the temperature of the vacuum pump is above a temperature setpoint, such as 20K. The electronic controller responds to a potentially dangerous condition by preventing the vacuum gauge from being turned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Helix Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Gaudet, Donald A. Olsen, Michael J. Eacobacci, Carol Olsen, John T. Harvell, Olive Harvell
  • Publication number: 20040194478
    Abstract: This heat pump and dehumidifying apparatus have small energy-consumed per moisture-removed ratios. Their components include a pressurizer for raising refrigerant pressure; a condenser for condensing refrigerant, thereby heating a high-temperature heat source fluid; an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant to cool a low-temperature heat source fluid; and a heat exchanger in a refrigerant path connecting the condenser and the evaporator for evaporating and condensing refrigerant under an intermediate pressure between the condensor pressure and the evaporator pressure. The low-temperature heat source fluid is successively cooled by the heat exchanger, cooled by the evaporator, and heated by the heat exchanger. This fluid can be precooled by the heat exchanger before cooling in the evaporator, and heat removed during precooling can be returned to the fluid after cooling by the evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Kensaku Maeda, Hideo Inaba, Shunro Nishiwaki
  • Publication number: 20040194479
    Abstract: A control device is provided in a vehicle to control an air conditioning apparatus and thereby to control ventilation and air conditioning of a passenger room of the vehicle. A mobile device communicates with the control device in a parked state of the vehicle to selectively control a first device, which performs ventilation of the passenger room, and a second device, which performs air conditioning of the passenger room, of the air conditioning apparatus in such a manner that at least one of the first device and the second device is selectively operated upon reception of a corresponding operational instruction from the operating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Makoto Umebayashi, Yoshinori Yanagimachi, Tomohiro Inada
  • Publication number: 20040194480
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice maker for a refrigerator and a method of testing the ice maker, and more particularly, to an ice maker for use in a refrigerator for making and releasing ice and a method of testing the ice maker to determine whether the ice maker is normally operated. The present invention provides a process for checking the operation of the ice maker and checks an operating state of all components needed for the normal operation of the ice maker. Further, in the checking process, it is determined whether initial set values needed for the operation of the ice maker are appropriate, and the initial set values can also be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Seong-Ook Kim, Ill-Shin Kim, Chang-Hwan Seo
  • Publication number: 20040194481
    Abstract: An auger type ice machine in which the load on a geared motor and an upper bearing is mitigated by detecting the load on an auger. A geared motor 9 is disposed below a cylinder 1. A rotor 12 of the geared motor has an output shaft 13. A pulse encoder 14 is provided on the output shaft 13. The geared motor 9is connected with a geared motor power supply 16 through a relay 15. Similarly, a compressor 3 is connected with a compressor power supply 18 through a relay 17. The relays 15 and 17 are controlled by a control portion 19. The control portion 19 controls the relays 15 and 17 according to a signal inputted from the pulse encoder 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Tomohito Nomura, Hideo Sumikawa
  • Publication number: 20040194482
    Abstract: A driving method of an air conditioning system is disclosed. The air conditioning system includes a first cooling device combined with a heating function and having a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an expansion device, a passage control device and an interior heat exchanger, a second cooling device provided at an outlet side of the blower and having a cooling pad containing moisture and ventilating, a tank storing refrigerant, a pump, a sprayer and a filter, a control unit electrically connecting to the first and second cooling devices and a humidity sensor and alternatively driving the first cooling device and the second cooling device according to humidity of outdoor air delivered from the humidity sensor during air conditioning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Yoon Jei Hwang, Chan Ho Song
  • Publication number: 20040194483
    Abstract: A process for controlling the volume of dry air, dried to a predetermined degree of dryness, from a sweep manifold of an air dryer system, flowing over a plurality of gas/liquid fluid separating membranes, comprising: diverting a predetermined volume of dried air to the manifold; sensing one of the flow volume and humidity values of the remainder of the dried air or the pressure differential within the system; and utilizing one of the differential pressure to control the predetermined volume of dried air and utilizing a controller for achieving the predetermined degree of dryness by controlling at least one solenoid valve which, in turn, controls the flow volume of the predetermined volume of dried air diverted to the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Dean Hoyt, Douglas Moore
  • Publication number: 20040194484
    Abstract: An affordable and easy to install multiple zone HVAC system comprising powered wireless adjustable registers controlled by their respective zone controllers, and a central controller that controls the HVAC unit and coordinates zone controller for concerted action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Shazhou Zou, Victor W. Wang, Jian Mao, Tianxin Wang
  • Publication number: 20040194485
    Abstract: Two liquid levels are sensed in the oil sump of a compressor to determine if sufficient oil and excess refrigerant are present prior to starting the compressor and appropriate steps taken, if necessary. At start-up, and during operation, the presence or flow of liquid refrigerant in the suction of the compressor is sensed and appropriate steps taken, if necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Kevin F. Dudley
  • Publication number: 20040194486
    Abstract: An inverter device for variably controlling an operating frequency of an electric motor, which drives a compressor in a refrigerating cycle. the inverter includes a box-like resin case, having a metal film for shielding being applied or plated on a surface thereof and having a step portion on which a terminal block for the motor is arranged. A first substrate having mounted thereon power semiconductor devices constituting a converter and an inverter so as to be immersed in gel, and the first substrate is mounted in the case and brought into proximity of radiation fins at a reverse surface thereof. A second substrate having mounted thereon interface connectors into which signals from detection sensors for temperatures and pressures in the refrigerating cycle are input and photo-couplers for transmitting the input signals, and the second substrate is mounted in the case above the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Kurita, Kuniaki Takatuka, Tatsuo Ando, Noriaki Yamada, Satoshi Furusawa