Patents Issued in December 14, 2004
  • Patent number: 6830032
    Abstract: A control system for a throttle valve actuating device is disclosed. The throttle valve actuating device includes a throttle valve of an internal combustion engine and an actuator for actuating the throttle valve. A control object model is defined by modeling the throttle valve actuating device. The throttle valve actuating device is controlled based on a controlled object model so that an opening of said throttle valve coincides with a target opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Yoshihisa Iwaki, Jun Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6830033
    Abstract: A method for phase recognition of an internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinders is preformed in an operating region of the engine having selected operating conditions. A crankshaft sensor serves to determine the angular position of the crankshaft. A control apparatus evaluates the signals of the crankshaft sensor and triggers injection and ignition impulses depending on the angular position of the crankshaft. The method includes the steps of adopting a phase relationship; changing a &lgr;-value for at least one of the cylinders; injecting at a selected time once or twice per working cycle in each cylinder; detecting speed changes of the internal combustion engine through at least one working cycle; and distinguishing whether the phase relationship of step B is correct or incorrect by the point in time of a rotational speed change or by an absence of rotational speed changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Boerkel
  • Patent number: 6830034
    Abstract: A fuel injector with a neck at an upstream end and a downstream end located at a distal end from the upstream end, a fuel channel extending from the upstream end to the downstream end and defining a substantially longitudinal axis, and a check valve located in the fuel channel proximate the upstream end; and a fuel rail with a housing defining an opening having a substantially longitudinal axis passing therethrough, and a one-way flow inhibitor is located in the opening. When removing the fuel injector from the fuel rail, reducing leaks by biasing a plunger of the check valve against a seat of the check valve in the fuel injector and biasing a plunger of the one-way flow inhibitor against a seat of the one-way flow inhibitor in the fuel rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Scott A. Engelmeyer, Dean Spiers, John Bierstaker
  • Patent number: 6830035
    Abstract: In a structure or method of installing an injector in a delivery pipe of a common rail, the injector on which a seal member and a clip member are mounted is inserted into an interior of the delivery pipe in such a manner that the clip member comes in contact with the delivery pipe after the seal member comes in contact with an interior wall of the delivery pipe. This structure or method has an advantage of preventing the foreign material, which is a part of the protection layer peeled off from the delivery pipe due to contact between the clip member and the delivery pipe, from being lodged between the seal member and the inner wall of the delivery pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Toyoji Nishiwaki, Ryutaro Oomori
  • Patent number: 6830036
    Abstract: A fuel transfer pipe and a cylinder head of an engine in which a fuel injection device is restricted from being separated from each other by a restricting member. A pressing member is interposed between the fuel transfer pipe and the cylinder head to receive a restricting force of the restricting member presses the fuel transfer pipe to a side opposing the cylinder head and presses the fuel injection device to a side of the cylinder head by a reaction force against the restricting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Okajima, Hitoshi Shibata, Yoshitomo Oguma, Shinji Sugiura, Kazuo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6830037
    Abstract: An anti-rotation clip for joining a fuel injector body to a fuel rail socket. A C-shaped base is formed to slide into an annular groove in the injector body. A pair of tangs extend from the base to straddle a rib on the injector body to prevent rotation between the clip and the injector. Opposed sidewalls extending from the base include windows for receiving a radial flange of the fuel rail socket to correctly position the fuel injector axially within the socket. Each window is divided by a locking bar for reception in a notch in the socket flange to prevent rotation between the clip and the socket. The radial positions of the injector rib and flange notch are selected such that the injector will be properly oriented with respect to the engine after installation therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Braun, John H. Delaney, David W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 6830038
    Abstract: To provide a fuel cutoff control method for an engine including a secondary air introducing system, capable of preventing afterburning in an exhaust pipe at the time of fuel being cut off in a decelerating state of the engine. A fuel cutoff control method during deceleration of an engine including a secondary air introducing pipe connected to an exhaust pipe, and an air cut valve provided on the secondary air introducing pipe, the method comprising a determination step of determining under predetermined condition's whether or not the engine is in a decelerating state, wherein in the decelerating state, a greater amount of fuel than a normally required amount of fuel flow is supplied during a predetermined period of time after the start of deceleration, and then fuel is cut off after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Yamashita, Tomoji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6830039
    Abstract: An arrangement for determining purge valve flow tolerance for use with evaporative emissions control systems includes developing an equation based on data relating purge valve duty cycle to flow, wherein the equation describes a flow curve with reference to a first axis and a second axis. The arrangement further includes using the equation as a base equation for flow, and adapting the equation for part-to-part tolerance as a function of an intercept point of the equation with respect to the first axis, wherein the first axis relates to duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Mark J Duty, Gregory T Weber
  • Patent number: 6830040
    Abstract: This invention provides an evaporative fuel control system for an internal combustion engine which system comprises an intake passage and a canister in communication with a fuel tank. The canister includes more than one chamber with activated carbon provided to absorb evaporative fuel. In this system, the canister is connected to the atmosphere via an open passage which is controlled by the atmosphere open/close valve situated in the open passage. The canister is also connected to the intake passage via a purge passage. The purge passage is controlled via a purge valve situated in the purge passage. The evaporative fuel control system comprises further a purge concentration detector which detects the concentration of a purge taken into the engine and a controller which diagnoses leakage after a predetermined amount of time set according to the concentration of the purge detected by the purge concentration detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Toyoda
  • Patent number: 6830041
    Abstract: A breather device of a vehicle engine is arranged so as to shut off an engine intake system from heat of an engine exhaust system and to make effective use of dead space for location. The breather device includes a breather tank arranged independently between the engine intake system and the engine exhaust system on the rear side of a cylinder assembly of the engine above a crankcase thereof; and a plurality of breather pipes connecting the breather tank to the engine and the engine intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Kusaka
  • Patent number: 6830042
    Abstract: An ECU calculates the air-fuel ratio of each cylinder based on a sensor signal from an A/F sensor arranged at the collecting portion of the exhaust manifold and feedback controls the fuel injection quantity for each cylinder by using the individual cylinder air-fuel ratio obtained. A collecting portion fuel quantity is calculated from the air-fuel ratio at the exhaust collecting portion based on from the A/F sensor signal, and the gas flow rate at the exhaust collecting portion is calculated using the gas flow rate history of each cylinder. An observer using the individual cylinder fuel quantity as a variable is constructed by a model in which the collecting portion fuel quantity is associated with the individual cylinder fuel quantity, so that the individual cylinder fuel quantity is estimated from the result of observation by the observer. Each cylinder's air-fuel ratio is calculated from the estimated individual cylinder fuel quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 6830043
    Abstract: A secondary air supply abnormality detection system determines that an abnormality is generated in a system including a secondary air supply system if a true secondary air flow rate is out of a predetermined range. The true secondary air flow rate is calculated by subtracting a secondary air flow rate average at the time when an air pump is not operating from another secondary air flow rate average at the time when the air pump is operating. Thus, variation in the secondary air flow rate due to change with time or production tolerance can be suitably corrected. Since calculation accuracy of the true secondary air flow rate is improved, determination accuracy of the abnormality in the system including the secondary air supply system can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shujirou Morinaga, Kenichi Sago, Satoshi Kodou, Kenichi Fujiki, Masayuki Kita
  • Patent number: 6830044
    Abstract: An apparatus that propels a ball pneumatically is provided with an adapter for imparting spin to the ball. In a further aspect, the apparatus can be provided with a position adjuster that cooperates with a ball exit tube of the apparatus. A further aspect is directed to a platform that allows the apparatus to be supported on a ladder-like device. A pneumatic projectile propulsion apparatus is capable of achieving high speed with a simple and practical structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventors: Howard E. Hansen, William Lewis Holke
  • Patent number: 6830045
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a gas burner module having a base structure upon which is secured at least a gas burner element and a gas orifice defining member in a predetermined alignment. The base structure is preferably formed from stamped steel. The burner module also preferably includes a gas igniter. The gas burner module is adapted to be mounted to heat an oven cavity of the cooking appliance. With this arrangement, tolerance build-up leading to misalignment between critical components is greatly reduced thereby improving manufacturing and combustion repeatability, as well as enhanced field replacement. In this manner, the cooking appliance will consistently operate within prescribed agency limitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Eddie Max Brock, Christopher A. Larsen, Gerald R. Place
  • Patent number: 6830046
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metered dose inhaler including an ejection mechanism with at least one chamber for containing a medicament. The ejection mechanism is configured to effect controlled ejection of the medicament from the chamber. The inhaler further includes a controller configured to send electronic signals to the ejection mechanism to direct ejection of medicament from such chamber, and configured to selectively alter dosage of the medicament by selected changes in such electronic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Blakley, Daniel Beeton
  • Patent number: 6830047
    Abstract: For automatic supply of an active substance to a patient's body (14) the supply rate (R) of an infusion pump (13) is evaluated. The supply rate is processed in a patient model (11) which receives the corresponding active substance data from a drug data bank (12). The patient model (11) calculates the concentration (CNactual) in the patient's body from the former values of the active substance supply. Said actual concentration value is fed to a concentration controller (17) which also receives a desired concentration value (CNdesired). The infusion pump (13) is controlled as a function of the difference obtained. The desired concentration value can be manually set on an input device (19) or is supplied by another control portion which generates e. g. a BIS level or an adequate signal from the patient's EEG, the BIS level being a measure of the depth of anaesthesia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Rolf Heitmeier, Gerhard Niessner
  • Patent number: 6830048
    Abstract: A device and a process for mixing at least a first gas component with a second gas component is suitable for mixing gases in a portable respirator. The gas mixer device makes it possible to bring about the particularly necessary concentration of the first gas component at different volume flows of the gas mixture generated. The gas mixer device has a plurality of ejectors (1, 2) of different sizes, which are designed according to the principle of a venturi nozzle. The ejectors have respective propellant gas connections (3, 9) for feeding the first gas component from a propellant gas container (4) and suction channels (5, 10) for feeding the second gas component from a mixing chamber (6), as well as gas outlets (8, 11) to a respiration connection (7). An evaluating and control unit (17) evaluates the signals of two volume flow sensors (15, 16) and correspondingly actuates proportional valves (13, 14) arranged in the propellant gas connections (3, 9) for feeding the first gas component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Drager Medical AG & Co., KGaA
    Inventors: Norbert Wruck, Rainer Kunz, Thomas Rossen, Joachim Schröter
  • Patent number: 6830049
    Abstract: A laryngeal airway device for sealing against the laryngeal opening includes an air tube with proximal and distal ends and a sealing member attached to the distal end. The airway device includes a tubular extension or snout for delivering air directly into the laryngeal opening; the snout is tapered and “hooded” in a manner that facilitates effective positioning of the airway device. The sealing member includes a coupler for coupling the device to an introducer. Complementing the laryngeal airway device is an introducer that includes a track for receiving the coupler of the laryngeal airway device and guiding the sealing member to a sealing position with respect to the laryngeal inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Arizant Healthcare Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Douglas Augustine, Randall Charles Arnold, Thomas Wayne McGrail
  • Patent number: 6830050
    Abstract: The invention described is a pressure device for applying pressure to the whole of the chest area of a patient and for reducing the movement and dehesion of the sternum and chest incision after open heart and chest surgeries. The pressure device has a casing substantially in the form of a pillow, the casing having opposing lateral sides, a back side for application against the chest of the patient, the back side having top corners, a frontal side substantially on the opposite side of the back side of the casing, the frontal side having a top attachment portion and a bottom attachment portion. A membrane layer attached to the top attachment portion and the bottom attachment portion of the frontal side of the casing, the outer wall of the frontal side and the inner wall of the membrane layer forming a sleeve for receiving the hands and forearms of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventors: Rafi Bamdad, Amir Farsio, Hamid Mehdizadeh
  • Patent number: 6830051
    Abstract: An interocclusal appliance includes a maxillary impression preform of a resilient thermoplastic having a low softening temperature, e.g. 36° C., such as an EVA copolymer having approximately thirty percent vinyl acetate. The preform is molded over and unitarily bonded to a base having a planar bottom face contacted by mandibular occlusal surfaces. The base is formed of a thermoplastic having a higher softening temperature, e.g. 70° C., with the bond between the preform and base characterized by high shear strength. The preform includes a bight shaped centric relation positioning channel having a thick footing and draft along lingual, buccal and labial walls. The appliance is fitted by immersion in hot water to soften the preform, seating the maxillary arch within the channel and biting, such that the impression of the maxillary dentition embeds in the softened preform. Upon cooling, the preform is transformed into a reusable resilient encasement for the maxillary dentition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Dental Concepts LLC
    Inventors: Frank Lesniak, Michael S. Lesser
  • Patent number: 6830052
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for supporting the urethra in a patient to treat urinary incontinence. Support of the urethra involves forming a loop under the urethra with a structure referred to as a urethral support and applying an upward force with the support to hold the urethra in a more desired position. The present invention utilizes the space of Retzius within which portions of the urethral support are positioned. Ingrowth by surrounding tissues to the urethral support material provide further stability and such ingrowth, combined with the position of the support, allow sufficient tension to be applied to support to hold the urethra in place. Placement of such a urethral support is achieved by minimally invasive techniques, such as with the use of laparoscopic instruments. Such techniques allows placement of the urethral support by accessing the space of Retzius through the vaginal wall without penetrating the abdominal wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Solarant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Garry L. Carter, David R. Stiehr
  • Patent number: 6830053
    Abstract: A cigarette wrapper paper formed of a pulp containing at least 60% by weight of fibrous components, particularly, a flax pulp. The cigarette wrapper paper permits markedly suppressing the scattering of the cigarette ash without increasing the addition amount of a loading material promoting combustion or the addition amount of a combustion assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuo Tanaka, Atsushi Nagao
  • Patent number: 6830054
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a hairpiece includes attaching a plurality of hair wefts to an elastic band. The hair wefts are individually stitched to the elastic band leaving small gaps between adjacent hair wefts. In this fashion the elastic band can still expand after the hair wefts are attached. In a preferred embodiment, some of the hair wefts are double thickness to provide enhanced hair body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Stacey Ross-Kuehn
  • Patent number: 6830055
    Abstract: A hair ornament retaining implement includes a band of resiliently deflectable material having a normally open loop for receiving multiple strands of hair of an individual, and integral legs for being selectively intertwined to close the loop and cinch the multiple strands of hair so as to secure the implement to the hair. Knobs placed at the ends the legs secure the loop closed and are constructed of a light-transmitting material, the knobs including holes filled with a filler material of a color contrasting with the visual appearance of the legs so as to visually imbue the knobs with a color contrasting with the visual appearance of the legs and provide the implement with an aesthetically appealing decorative effect for decorating the hair when the implement is secured to the hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventors: Bridget R. Frame, Stanley D. Goodman
  • Patent number: 6830056
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for cleaning a liquid-containing vessel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device (1), suitable for cleaning liquid-containing vessels (such as bathtubs or swimming pools), equipped with an energy storage means, wherein said device (1) is a static device and uses a liquid present in said vessel as rinse-liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Katia Bredo, Alejandro Cedeno, Nicolas Rémy Denis Pochart, Michela Ratti, Joris Jozef Gustaaf Tack
  • Patent number: 6830057
    Abstract: A system and method for cleaning boxes used for handling flat media includes a rotor rotatably mounted within an enclosure, with spray nozzles in the enclosure for spraying fluid toward the rotor. The rotor has at least one box holder assembly for holding a box. At least one retainer bar is located on the rotor for engaging a front section of the box to retain the box in the box holder assembly during rotation of the rotor. The retainer bar is preferably moveable from a first position where the retainer bar restrains the box on the box holder assembly, to a second position where the retainer bar is moved away from the box. The box holder assembly may alternatively include a base with a plurality of grooved elements thereon that are adapted to engage a flange on the box for securing the box to the box holder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Kert Dolechek, Jeffry Davis
  • Patent number: 6830058
    Abstract: A solar lighting system, which is incorporated with an outdoors umbrella, includes a solar energy collector mounted on top of the outdoors umbrella, a light support, which is adjustably mounted along a supporting shaft of the outdoors umbrella at a position within the shadowing area of the awning frame, including a plurality of supporting arms radially extended from the supporting shaft, and a plurality of illuminators connecting to the supporting arms respectively in a movably suspended manner such that by selectively adjusting a position of the light support along the supporting shaft, the illuminators are suspendedly self-repositioned for maximizing a light coverage area within the shadowing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Wanda Ying Li
  • Patent number: 6830059
    Abstract: A male coupling half includes a male valve and a male body and the female coupling half includes a female valve and an inner body. The inner body is slidingly movable with respect to a housing or manifold. The female coupling half further includes a valve seated against a dump valve body which relieves pressure in the female half of the coupling to enable easy connection of the coupling halves. The male and female valves are locked in their open positions when the coupling halves are fully connected and the female half is pressurized which prevents reverse flow checking in either flow direction. During the disconnection process the male valve is closed before the coupling halves are separated which traps pressure in the male coupling half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Snap-tite Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Zeiber, Paul J. Wadding
  • Patent number: 6830060
    Abstract: An air mass flow controller valve containing at least two air channels that deliver desired air mass amount from a single inlet to fuel cell(s) through at least one channel of the at least two air channels. Preferably, a single housing encloses the inlet, two air channels and actuating devices. Each air channel includes an actuating device that actuates an associated closure member to regulate air flow from the inlet through the air channel as a function of a signal from an air mass sensor or a controller signal. The signal from each air mass sensor can be directly coupled to the actuating device, or the signal can be used as an error correction signal to feed back control the actuating device associated with the air mass sensor and the air channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederic Gagnon
  • Patent number: 6830061
    Abstract: An intelligent fluid flow regulation device that includes a pressure regulator within a fluid flow passage that has an associated throttling element moveable in the flow passage. A number of sensors in communication with the fluid flow passage and the throttling element are provided that communicate information from the sensors to a processor also contained within the regulation device. A communication unit is also included within the regulation device that affords communication between one or more devices that are external to the fluid flow regulation device and the processor within the regulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Paul Robert Adams, Stephanie Marie Law
  • Patent number: 6830062
    Abstract: A dripper apparatus for a water spigot includes a coupler having a threaded female member for connecting to a water spigot. A generally cylindrical elongate member has a longitudinal portion in fluid communication with the female member. The longitudinal portion has an upper portion that defines a seat within the female member. A flow controller sits on the seat. A filter screen upstream the flow controller collects particles in water flowing therethrough so that the controller does not become clogged. The flow controller includes a housing that is provided with an upper inlet for receiving a first flow rate of water from a water spigot. The housing also includes a cavity therewithin and the cavity is in fluid contact with the upper inlet. A flexible membrane is housed within the cavity and floats when water enters the cavity via the upper inlet. The upper inlet is slotted at the top thereof for further filtering water flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: John R. Montpetit
  • Patent number: 6830063
    Abstract: A freezeless wall hydrant is provided that has an elongated inlet pipe comprised of a hollow tube. The tube is connected to a valve and fitting assembly on its inner end for connection to a source of water under pressure. On the outer end, the tube is connected to an adjusting element with an outlet port that is associated with the valve and fitting assembly to open or close the tube to fluid flow and allow for fluid flow out of the tube when the valve is in the open position. The tube is comprised of a flexible material that enlarges in diameter in an area along its length when it is subjected to trapped fluid therein under high pressure so that the tube will not rupture. The tube returns to its normal diameter after the high fluid pressure therein is abated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 6830064
    Abstract: A leak control valve preventing the damage of the vacuum pump and/or the neighboring instruments even in the case of fluid leak at the vessel. The side wall of the valve poppet closes the channel to the outlet through restoring forces of the springs installed at both sides of the poppet in case when the abrupt pressure change happens by accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Chang-Hyeon Ji
  • Patent number: 6830065
    Abstract: The duct connector of the present invention preferably has a rectangular inlet and a round outlet. An intermediate passage is located between the rectangular inlet and the round outlet. Preferably, the intermediate passage provides a smooth transition that is substantially free from steps, sharp corners, breaks or facets, and acts to smoothly funnel airflow from the rectangular inlet to the round outlet. The intermediate passage preferably includes transitional surfaces that connect adjacent walls of the duct. Each transitional surface preferably provides a single smooth continuously curved surface connecting a side wall and an adjacent end wall along the intermediate passage. The smooth transition of the intermediate passage and the use of transitional surfaces as just described reduces turbulence and noise within the duct connector and results in greater fan or blower efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLC
    Inventors: Richard R. Sinur, Tom Heidel
  • Patent number: 6830066
    Abstract: A monitored fluid control valve is provided having a valve body with an elongated bore. A movable valve element is slidably received in the bore. A switch assembly has an aperture aligned with the bore. The switch assembly includes an electrical switch having a switch arm operatively connected to switch contacts for driving the switch contacts between an open state and a closed state. The switch arm is linked to the movable valve element so that the switch arm is directly driven to match linear reciprocation of the movable valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Ross Operating Valve Co.
    Inventors: Jeremy S. Madden, Ted R. Price
  • Patent number: 6830067
    Abstract: A plurality of solenoid valves are mounted onto an upper face of a manifold with solenoid operating portions of the solenoid valves projecting on a side of a first side face of the manifold. Onto the first side face, a board including an electric circuit for feeding the solenoid valves is detachably mounted in a vertical orientation under the solenoid operating portions. On the board, feeding connectors and indicating lights are respectively provided in positions corresponding to the respective solenoid valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Bunya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6830068
    Abstract: A vacuum generating device and method include a member defining a passage, a first valve, a second valve, and a fluid communication conduit. The passage extends between a first end and a second end, and includes a constriction defining an orifice. The first valve connects the first end of the member and an ambient environment. The first valve is adjustable between first and second configurations. The first configuration permits generally unrestricted fluid flow between the orifice and the ambient environment. The second configuration substantially prevents fluid flow between the orifice and the ambient environment. The second valve has a first port and a second port. The first port is adapted for fluid communication with a pressure source at a first pressure level. The fluid communication conduit connects the second end of the member and the second port of the second valve. The fluid communication conduit includes a fluid communication tap at a second pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Tetreault, John Derikx
  • Patent number: 6830069
    Abstract: An isolation valve assembly for use in a pipeline comprises a valve housing (1) body having inlet (12) and outlet (13) openings. In the housing there is disposed a pair of independently operable rotary valve balls (3) each having a port (25) therethrough The valve balls (3) are each rotatable between an open position in which the respective port is in communication with the adjacent opening and a closed position in which the valve ball closes the adjacent opening. A valve seat (9, 14) supports each valve ball in the housing and a valve seat retention member (10) is disposed in each of the openings (5). The retention member (10) defines a flow passage (11) therethrough for communication with the adjacent valve ball port and has a first end proximal to one of the valve balls. The first end supports said valve seat and a second end has means for engagement to the pipeline. The arrangement allow a relatively large bore valve assembly to have a length conforming to International Standard ANSI B16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Oliver Twinsafe Valves Limited
    Inventors: Paul Shillito, Mark Oliver
  • Patent number: 6830070
    Abstract: A fluid coupler is provided in which a male coupler is brought into a fixed connection condition in which the male coupler is fixedly connected to a female coupler member and retained at a fixed connection position relative to the female coupler member, the fixed connection condition being cancelled or broken when an excessive tension is applied to a fluid line in which the fluid coupler member is installed such that the tension acts on the male and female coupler members to separate them. A first valve is provided between and slidably engaged with the exterior surface of the male coupler member and the interior surface of the female coupler member. The first valve has a through hole having an outer end opening at an outer surface thereof and an inner end opening at the inner surface thereof to fluidly communicate with fluid passages of the male and female coupler members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Nitto Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Mikiya, Koji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6830071
    Abstract: An electrostatically operated, normally closed micromachined flow-through microvalve device comprises a stationary valve plate layer and a movable valve plate layer, the latter including an electrode plate such that it is deflectable by electrostatic forces under an applied voltage, and having a plurality of movable valve elements, each valve element moving with a degree of independence from the remaining valve elements. Application of a voltage results in deflection of the movable valve elements, the order of deflection depending on the relative magnitude of the electrostatic force experienced by the respective associated portion of the movable valve plate layer. This can be prescribed by the geometry of the device, and a preferred example provides a different separation between different portions of the movable valve plate layer and a further electrode plate in a device base plate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Institute of High Performance Computing
    Inventors: Diao Xu, Lun Sheng Pan, Teng Yong Ng, Khin Yong Lam
  • Patent number: 6830072
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fitting housing having an underside, a top side, lateral outer surfaces, a water outlet, a cutout for accommodating a mixing and/or metering cartridge, two supply channels, which lead from the underside to the cutout and through which, during use, the mixing and/or metering cartridge is fed hot and/or cold water, and at least one discharge channel, which leads from the cutout to the water outlet and through which, during use, water is led away from the mixing and/or metering cartridge. According to the invention, the fitting housing, at least over part of the height of the cutout, is in the shape of a polygon in cross section. The discharge channel has a first channel section which runs in the vertical direction in the region of one of the corners of the polygon. As a result of the shape according to the invention of the basic body, it is possible to reduce both the amount of material used and the dimensions of the basic body, while maintaining the same stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: KWC AG
    Inventors: Christian Gautschi, Herbert Gloor
  • Patent number: 6830073
    Abstract: A four-way reversing valve includes a valve casing having a plurality of ports through which fluid flows, a valve main body fixedly installed to the valve casing and having a valve chamber in which a plurality of main port connection holes for selectively connecting the ports are formed, a main spool rotatably installed at the valve chamber of the valve main body, for selectively connecting the ports according to a rotation position, and a spool driving unit for reversibly rotating the main spool by using part of fluid supplied through one of the ports in the valve casing. Thus, the number of welding points is minimized by incorporating the overall pilot valves and excluding additional capillary connection for the pilot valves. Also, manufacturing thereof is made easy and, during the manufacturing and use thereof, the rate of breakdown due to defective welding can be remarkably reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Aser Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-boon Lee
  • Patent number: 6830074
    Abstract: A constant velocity joint vent for use in a constant velocity joint of automotive vehicles. The constant velocity joint vent includes a flapper valve generally having a circular shape. The constant velocity joint vent also includes a first and second assembly post extending from an inside surface of the flapper valve. A circumferential compression limiter is also located on an inside surface of the flapper valve. The flapper valve also includes a sealing bead located at the outer periphery thereof. The flapper valve is connected via the first and second assembly post to a cover that includes an orifice for venting of high pressure gas to the outer atmosphere while also repelling contaminants from entering the constant velocity joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Shen-Ling Allen Wang
  • Patent number: 6830075
    Abstract: A hose assembly includes a brake hose and a hose bracket integrally molded around the brake hose. The hose bracket attaches the hose to a frame of a vehicle. The bracket may be made of at least one polyolefin material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, thermoplastic olefin (TPO), thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer (TPE), polypelene, santoprene, or other similar low temperature materials suitable for automotive applications. The bracket may be molded using a low pressure molding operation. Other conventional components of the hose assembly, such as rub rings and clips, can also be integrally molded to the brake hose in conjunction with the hose bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: George McKinney, Matthew Price
  • Patent number: 6830076
    Abstract: A hose assembly for coupling a plurality of components in fluid connection and a method for making same. According to a first aspect of the invention, the hose assembly includes at least one rigid portion and at least one flexible portion which cooperate to permit the shape and size of the hose assembly to be easily modified so that the components may be coupled to one another. A second aspect of the invention provides a method for reinforcing a flexible portion of the hose assembly to prevent the flexible portion from kinking when the flexible portion is bent. A third aspect of the invention provides a support collar for use in reinforcing an intersection between a pair of duct sections wherein at least one of the duct sections is moveable relative to the other duct section. The support collar reinforces the intersection and helps to render this section less susceptible to tearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jayant D. Patel
  • Patent number: 6830077
    Abstract: A profiled element (1) includes a tubular blank (2) which is formed into the desired shape by hydroforming. In conjunction with hydroforming, at least one slot essentially in the longitudinal direction of the blank is made in wall portions (4, 6) on the blank, and a reinforcing element (3) is fixed in each slot. In a suitable embodiment, each reinforcing element is fixed in two opposite slots and extends through a cavity in the blank. The invention relates to on the one hand a profiled element and on the other hand a method of producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: SAAB Automobile AB
    Inventors: Lars-Olof Hellgren, Blair Carlson, Tomas Ågren
  • Patent number: 6830078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the weaving structure improvement of trampoline fabric, and more particularly to a weaving structure of trampoline fabric that is able to increase strength, shorten manufacturing process, and saving processing time cost. The present invention mainly uses the basket weaving method to interweave multiple warp yarns with multiple weft yarns, wherein each warp yarn is a yarn unit that is constructed by combining at least three single yarns and is used as a warp yarn weaving unit, while each interweaved weft yarn is a yarn unit that is constructed by combining at least two single yarns and every two weft yarns lined up side-by-side are used as a weft yarn weaving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hun Kun Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsien Chung Kuo
  • Patent number: 6830079
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling preforms with resin or slurry includes a tank for holding the slurry and an autoclave for holding the preforms. The tank and autoclave have a common vacuum system connected thereto, and the tank is disposed above the autoclave. This arrangement provides a compact casting system which utilizes a vacuum and gravity to transfer slurry from the tank to the preforms within the autoclave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James M. Ahrens, Daniel Domanski, John A. Hornor, Ruth Hughes, Dennis James Landini, Roger Lee Ken Matsumoto, Hongyu Wang, Troy Frederick Brenner
  • Patent number: 6830080
    Abstract: A turbine flow meter used as a vapor flow meter in a vapor recovery-equipped fuel dispenser. The turbine flow meter measures the vapor recovered by the fuel dispenser during a fueling operation that is returned back to the underground storage tank. The turbine flow meter measurements may be ignored when fuel is no longer flowing through the fuel dispenser since the turbine rotors in the turbine flow meter may continue to rotate even after vapor is no longer being recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Seifollah S. Nanaji
  • Patent number: 6830081
    Abstract: A vacuum box comprises a lower box; an upper cover; an isolating layer; a pump unit; a motor; a battery; a control button. The isolating layer is installed with a pressure display unit. The pressure display unit is formed by a pressure button installed in a pressure hole of the isolating layer by an airtight ring, and a spring below the pressure button. A sealed airbag installed at a top cover of the pressure button and a periphery of the spring; and a display mask connected to the pressure button. The display mask is pivotally installed to ears of the isolating layer; a top of the display mask is mounted with at least two color indicators. The pressure button is installed with a sensing switch which sense the rising or descending of the pressure button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Fu-Lung Su Chen