Patents Issued in December 21, 2004
  • Patent number: 6832435
    Abstract: A manufacturing facility for manufacturing products according to customer orders includes a kitting facility at which components are collected for a product in a customer order. The manufacturing facility also includes a build cell in which the component are assembled, configured, and tested according to the customer order to form a product. The manufacturing facility also includes a boxing facility at which the product is packaged. A transportation system transports the two or more components from the kitting facility to the build cell and transports the product to the boxing facility, whereby the product is assembled, configured, and tested in the build cell and packaged at the boxing facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: John H. Sanders, C. Michael Cunningham, Satish Y. Patil, Mark D. Brown, Michael T. Graham
  • Patent number: 6832436
    Abstract: A method for forming a substructure or an electrical structure. To form the substructure, a sheet of conductive material having exposed first and second surfaces is provided. A hole is formed through the sheet of conductive material. A first layer of dielectric material is applied to the exposed first surface, after the forming the hole. No material was inserted into the hole before applying the first layer of dielectric material to the exposed first surface. To form the electrical structure, a multilayered laminate that includes a plurality of substructures is formed such that a dielectric layer insulatively separates each pair of successive substructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald O. Anstrom, Bruce J. Chamberlin, James W. Fuller, Jr., John M. Lauffer, Voya R. Markovich, Douglas O. Powell, Joseph P. Resavy, James R. Stack
  • Patent number: 6832437
    Abstract: An arrangement for cooling a piston in a combustion engine of piston and cylinder type with a nozzle installed in a crankcase in order to spray cooling oil towards the underside of the piston including devices for supplying oil to the nozzle. The outlet end of the nozzle exhibits an elongate curved and preferably substantially U-shaped or C-shaped outlet aperture cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (Publ)
    Inventor: Jens Svensson
  • Patent number: 6832438
    Abstract: A cutting device includes (i) a housing having first and second separable portions, the first portion having a locking aperture, the second portion having an attachment aperture, and (ii) a locking apparatus for removably locking the first and second portions of the housing. The locking apparatus includes an attachment portion for being fixedly attached in the attachment aperture, and a locking arm adapted to be releasably locked into the locking aperture. The attachment aperture and locking aperture are correspondingly positioned so that the locking arm becomes aligned with the locking aperture when the first and second portions of the housing are aligned for assembly. The housing may be constructed of metal, and the locking apparatus constructed of plastic. The locking apparatus may also include a return spring and blade carrier integrally molded therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Allway Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Gringer, Yuan Fang Cheng
  • Patent number: 6832439
    Abstract: A scribing device for forming a scribe line on a work comprises a vibration generator for generating vibration, a cutter for cutting a work by utilizing vibration thereof, a shaft extending vertically from the vibration generator so as to transmit the vibration of the vibration generator to the cutter, a guide unit for guiding a linear motion of the shaft in a central axis direction thereof, and a load adjusting mechanism for adjusting a load applied to the work from the cutter, the load adjusting mechanism being operated by magnetic force. According to such scribing device, the guide unit guides a vertical moving (rising) motion of the shaft by the load adjusting mechanism and guides the vibration of the shaft caused by the vibration generated by the vibration generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignees: THK Co., Ltd., Beldex Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6832440
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring and setting perpendicularity between the tool holding spindle and work surface of a machine tool. The device is a fixture comprised either in one piece or multiple assembled components of the following: a shaft or shank used to mount the device into the spindle of the machine, and a body having a reference plane perpendicular to the shaft to provide reference readings with platform or nesting features for secure mounting of two precision gauges arranged along one axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph R. Navarro, Sr., Mariam M. Navarro
  • Patent number: 6832441
    Abstract: Method for controlling a drying process of a washing and drying machine including a preheating step for tightly closing and heating an inner tub for preparing an environment favorable for vaporization of water by elevating a temperature of the inner tub within a short time period, and a drying step for supplying heated air to the inner tub, to make heat exchange between the heated air and laundry, for drying the laundry, whereby improving a drying performance and reducing occurrence of environmental problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Chul Jeong, Kyung Chul Woo, Kyeong Hwan Kim, Choon Myun Chung, Mu Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 6832442
    Abstract: A protective boot made from a foldable material such as Nomex™ material or Kevlar™ material or, for some applications, such as neoprene has an ankle-covering portion and a foot-covering portion, which has a heel end and a toe end. Near the toe end, the foot-covering portion is foldable onto itself and is fastenable to itself when and where folded onto itself, whereby the foot-covering portion can be adjustably sized. Hook-and-loop fasteners, which are preferred, or other fasteners are used for fastening the foot-covering portion releasably to itself when and where folded onto itself, at any one of plural positions. Hook-and-loop fasteners, if used therefor, enable the foot-covering portion to be releasably fastened to itself when and where folded onto itself, at any position within a range of possible positions. The protective boot has two hook-and-loop straps, each drawn around the protective boot and fastened to itself and to said fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Morning Pride Manufacturing, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Patricia Lewis, William L. Grilliot, Mary I. Grilliot
  • Patent number: 6832443
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an endless cutting chain for an underground trenching assembly that has a plurality of cutter links with a strap link joining adjacent cutter links. Each cutter link has a pair of side plates and a support member bridging the side plates. The support member has an arcuate support surface for attachment of at least one cutting member. The support member and the cutting members are adapted so as to permit substantially unrestricted selection of lateral positions of the cutting members on the arcuate support surface of the support member. Additionally, some cutter links on the cutting chain have an arcuate drag plate attached to the support member of the cutter link. The drag plate in combination with the arcuate support surface produces a cleaner round bottom trench 11. Additionally, the drag plate provides wear protection to the chain rivet heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Roy Piel, John H. Walgren
  • Patent number: 6832444
    Abstract: A license plate cover has a transparent or translucent frame, an annular insert and an elastomeric gasket. The frame includes a periphery and an inner side for disposal adjacent to a license plate. The inner side includes an elongate annular channel near the periphery of the frame. The annular insert is disposed adjacent the flat bottom of the channel. An elastomeric gasket is disposed on top of the insert in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: David F. MacNeil
  • Patent number: 6832445
    Abstract: A graphic display device mountable with a stretch releasing adhesive includes a back plate, a double-sided stretch releasing adhesive tape having an adhesive portion adhered to the back plate rear surface and a non-adhesive pull tab projecting beyond the back plate, a graphic display member arranged adjacent to the back plate front surface, and a cover plate including a viewing area for viewing the graphic display member arranged adjacent to the graphic display member and connected with the back plate. When assembled, the display device conceals the non-adhesive pull tab but when the cover plate is separated from the back plate, the pull tab can be manually grasped by a user to stretch release the adhesive strip from the surface and the back plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 6832446
    Abstract: Pictures and picture backs are improved with the use of an easel back that is fashioned to be a double hook for hanging the picture on a wall. The double loop hanging system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,466 is improved with the use of this device. The easel flap supports the picture on a surface and allows for the fastening of the picture onto the surface. When it is removed from the picture the easel flap provides a side adjusting means for hanging a picture level on a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Robert J. Lemire
  • Patent number: 6832447
    Abstract: The trap (42, 82) is based around a spring mechanism (24, 60) comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of spring material folded to be substantially C-shaped in cross-section. In one embodiment (FIG. 6), portions (64, 65) of the spring mechanism (60) are adapted to be killing surfaces. In another embodiment (FIG. 2), the spring mechanism (24) is provided with arms (28, 29) that support jaws (36, 37). A setting mechanism (53/54, 77) holds the spring mechanism (24, 60) in an armed position and the trap (42, 82) is triggered when a trigger mechanism (49, 75) is moved by an animal which in turn disengages the setting mechanism (53/54, 77) and allows the killing surfaces (portions 64, 65) or jaws (36, 37) to come together on the animal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Landcare Research New Zealand Limited Canterbury Agriculture and Science Centre
    Inventors: Ian Ross Domigan, Bruce Warburton
  • Patent number: 6832448
    Abstract: A greenhouse on a support structure on posts with a hanging foil roof that can be opened, wherein the foil covering that forms the roof remains completely below the support structure formed by lattice girders in every position by being suspended form the rails on the underside of, and longitudinally to, the lattice girders is movable between the open and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Stefan
  • Patent number: 6832449
    Abstract: A door suspension system includes a rail support attachable to a crosspiece of a door and having a part shaped as a rigid substantially flat plate that supports a rail. A pair of brackets, each having a connector, are attached to support block having an opening in which the rail is partially received. The connectors have a substantially C-profile embracing the flat plate and the rail. A support strip is attached to the connectors and is provided with a connection device for suspending the door of an elevator. A magnetic way is attached to the plate and an elongated primary of a linear motor is attached to the strip in such a manner that the attraction force between the magnetic way and the primary cancels at least partially the weight of the door. The door suspension system further includes a bearing of substantially cylindrical shape with an axial recess. The bearing is mounted in the opening of the support block to guide the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Rennetaud, Tian Zhou
  • Patent number: 6832450
    Abstract: A finger guard comprising a flexible member having two opposite edge portions, the flexible member having a folded configuration and a spread configuration, and a pair of attachment members, one being securable to a door and the other being securable to a door jamb, each of the attachment members comprising a receiving portion for pivotally receiving therein one of the edge portions of the flexible member, wherein the edge portions generally freely rotate in the receiving portions when the flexible member moves between the folded and spread configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Nissim Shaharbani
  • Patent number: 6832451
    Abstract: There is provided a weather strip for use on a sunroof which can be firmly built in a seal holder even if there occur variations in molding dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignees: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Yachiyo Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Yamashita, Masayuki Daio, Masaharu Ohnishi, Hirofumi Yamane, Tatsuaki Uehara, Koichi Hotta
  • Patent number: 6832452
    Abstract: A mega stadium-convention center complex is disclosed comprising an impressive pyramid building with a 670-foot pinnacle and a base covering more than 20 acres. The complex contains a 60,000-seat football stadium with a central playing field located more than 180 feet above the ground. The four-sided pyramid can be clad in tinted reflective glass or the like and has 8 or more floors below the playing field that provide several million square feet of floor space for a variety of different business and entertainment facilities. The pyramid roof structure above the stadium and the playing field is adjustable and convertible and includes more than a dozen narrow retractable roof panels or strips and associated guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Robert R. Simens
  • Patent number: 6832453
    Abstract: This invention relates to store systems laid out with shelves and aisles radiating, out from a central hub area. The arrangement of the shelves and aisles allows a customer to enter and begin shopping at any one of a plurality of places around the periphery of the store and to move easily and directly from any aisle to any other aisle through the central hub area. The arrangement lends itself to having unobstructive checkout lines located at a variety of locations around the periphery of the store. The layout extends to the parking lot, whose lanes are also laid out in a radial fashion. The store layout lends itself to being mounted on a revolving structure, which serves to showcase all sections of the store, attract customers to the store, make every parking space equally convenient and appealing to shoppers, and reduce congestion and danger in the parking lot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventors: Henry Petroski, Stephen J. Petroski
  • Patent number: 6832454
    Abstract: A construction beam includes a tubular housing preferably formed of a fiber-reinforced polymer filled with a solid filler material such as concrete. The Poisson's ratio of the tubular housing is less than the filler material to provide confinement of the filler material. One or more reinforcing rods or cables may be embedded in the filler material and prestressed prior to setting the filler material to control cracking of the filler material and to allow for an increased moment of inertia and stiffness. The resulting construction is particularly strong, lightweight and essentially impervious to environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
    Inventor: Srinivasa L. Iyer
  • Patent number: 6832455
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a space frame structure, such as a dome, for covering an open space, with the space frame structure being assembled from beam members, which intersect at rigid mode joints. The beam members and other structural components used in the skeleton of the space frame are made from pre-cast concrete, which has not been subjected to pre-tensioning and the rigid node joints are formed in situ, for example, by casting concrete joints incorporating the ends of the beam members. The loads imposed by the weight of the beam members on the beams and the node joints effectively simulate pre-stressing of the components which act within the assembled structure as pre-stressed concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew David Tomlinson, Martin James Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 6832456
    Abstract: A frame unit (11) used in the construction of a formwork module. The frame unit (11) is formed by connecting together rectangular loops of wire (12, 13) to form a rectangular block shape. Panels (60) and reinforcement (16) are connected to the frame to make a formwork module, with the reinforcement (16) extending beyond the sides of both the frame unit (11) and the panels (60). When a number of modules are connected together to form formwork for the desired building structure, the reinforcement (16) overlaps to form a continuous line of reinforcement from one module to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Bilowol
  • Patent number: 6832457
    Abstract: A vehicle window assembly including a protective transparent plastic window liner covering the inner side of the glass pane and held removably in place by flexible liner-retaining strips having quarter-round molding portions overlying the margins of the liner and anchor portions that are releasably secured in mounting grooves along the edge portions of the window pane. The anchor portions are integral with the molding portions and are pressed into the grooves past detent ribs that lock the strips releasably in place, to secure the window liner against easy removal by a passenger but permitting removal by service personnel for replacement. The mounting grooves are in elongated window-retaining bars that are positioned against the inner side of the paneand also are removably secured in place for ease of reglazing, having enlarged deformable anchors pressed into locking grooves with restricted open sides forming releasable tongue-and-groove connections for removal by tilting of the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Hehr International, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Wayne Geiger
  • Patent number: 6832458
    Abstract: A quick-connector for terminal fastening of a penetrating rebar (7) to a perpendicularly oriented concrete dowel (2), the connector comprising a wire clip (1) having a deflected segment of wire of the length (L) at least partially made of resilient-elastic metal, wherein the wire clip (1) includes, with respect to a primary turning arc (3), arms (5, 5′) that are mirror-symmetrical to an angle-bisecting plane (4), wherein each arm (5, 5′) forms a deflected secondary turning arc (6, 6′) transverse to the primary turning arc (3) and a clippable hook (8, 8′) that rests force-lockingly into a radial external surface zone (9), of a terminal radial expansion (1), of the concrete dowel (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Sander, Joachim Günther
  • Patent number: 6832459
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method of placing a concrete structure in a generally horizontal position. The method includes building the concrete structure in an essentially vertical position, the concrete structure being defined by a first end. The concrete structure is pivotably supported at a support location proximate the first end while the concrete structure is in the essentially vertical position. The concrete structure is then pivoted about the support location to move the concrete structure from the essentially vertical position to the generally horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Matthew Russell
  • Patent number: 6832460
    Abstract: There are advantages to installing roof insulation in industrial and commercial buildings from above, rather than from below after the roof is sealed. A reinforced facing sheet is used that is rolled out between purlins. This facing material is used to support the insulation from below. The facing sheet is anchored to reduce pillowing of the insulation. The anchoring system for the facing material comprises a metal angle, firmly affixed to the top of a rafter between purlins. The facing material is sandwiched between the angle and the rafter, and anchored. A channel-shaped lower support member is located beneath the facing material and the angle is pressed, from above, into the open part of the channel shape as it is situated on top if the rafter. Consequently, the facing material is also pressed into the lower support member, thus holding the facing material at the correct elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Fligg
  • Patent number: 6832461
    Abstract: A top sheet and a bottom sheet are connected together by wing members, each having a center segment hinged to the top sheet and to the bottom sheet about parallel axes. Wings protrudes from the center segments and are biased to project out of a plane defined between the hinge axes. In a collapsed condition the top and bottom sheets are close together with the wings distorted from their relaxed positions. In the expanded condition the sheets are spaced apart and the wings return to their relaxed positions projecting out from the center segments and conferring stiffness on the structural member and resisting the return of the member to its collapsed configuration. In storage, the sheets are secured along the edges with an underlying rip cord, and may be rolled. The wings may be formed as part of metal or plastic spring members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: LineWeight LLC
    Inventors: Caleb Clark Crye, Eric Owen Fehlberg
  • Patent number: 6832462
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a tube blank, comprising the following steps: (a) forming a tube hose around a mandrel and advancing the said tube hose along the said mandrel such that a leading edge of the said tube hose is flush with a leading face of the said mandrel; (b) presenting a dispensing assembly to the said leading edge of the said tube hose; (c) sealing the dispensing assembly with the said tube hose to form a tube blank; (d) separating the tube blank from the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Peacock, Kevin John Stamp
  • Patent number: 6832463
    Abstract: A method for sterile dosing of vials comprises a step for fitting stopper and cap assemblies together and washing vials. The stopper/cap assembly is then fitted with its external protector and a step of sterilization in an autoclave under vacuum is then performed. A subsequent step of cooling in laminar airflow to prevent the entry of air and dosing and plugging are then performed with continuous display of the operation and taking of views with a video camera. Followed by encapsulation and re-plugging, step of marking of the glass of the vial by means of laser beams to identify time and dosing information is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Probitas Pharma S.A.
    Inventor: Victor Grifols Lucas
  • Patent number: 6832464
    Abstract: A plurality of discrete packages (100) are manufactured from an indefinite length of gusseted packaging material (1). Each package (100) has an insert (9) inserted through an incision (8) in the packaging (1) which in use maintains a desired footprint of the package. Gaps (17) in welds (15) joining the bottom of the insert (9) to the packaging material (1) allow air to vent from between the insert (9) and the packaging material (1). Flaps (23) toward the rear of each package (100) join a leading package (100) to a following package (100a) by means of longitudinal welds (21) which allow gaps (22) for air to vent during the roll-up process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: AMCOR Packaging Limited
    Inventors: Wayne Alexander Wilson, Robert Andrew Butcher
  • Patent number: 6832465
    Abstract: An aquatic weeding device is provided for removing aquatic vegetation from a body of water and transporting the vegetation to a desired location. The weeder includes at least one weeding element connected with respect to a vessel for collecting aquatic vegetation, an extendable and retractable weed transporter positioned on the vessel for transporting the cut vegetation to a desired location, and a weed transferor positioned on the vessel for transferring the collected vegetation from the weeding element to the weed transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald F. Horvath, Thad F. Elsmo, Frank M. Bilicki
  • Patent number: 6832466
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for a tool driven by a motor at high speeds is provided, more particularly, an apparatus including a housing moveable over the ground surface for mounting the tool, and a ground engaging member disposed to follow the ground surface as the housing moves over same, the ground engaging member being moveable relative to the housing. The apparatus further includes a sensor for measuring the relative distance between the housing and ground engaging member, and apparatus for selectively stopping the motor upon the distance between the ground engaging member and the housing exceeding a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Cross Tech Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Freiberg, Roger E. Roy
  • Patent number: 6832467
    Abstract: A pull-type mower-conditioner has a windrow grouper mounted to its main frame by a mounting frame that is swingable between lowered working and raised non-working positions. The grouper includes a conveying arrangement defined in part by a belt conveyor mounted to the mounting frame for free pivotal movement, between angularly spaced stops, about a transverse horizontal axis. When the mounting frame is in its working position, the crop-receiving surface of the conveyor is inclined at a slight angle downward toward the rear of the mower-conditioner with gravity holding the conveyor in position against one of the stops. When the mounting frame is in its non-working position, gravity holds the conveyor in a position rotated against the other of the stops, the crop-receiving surface then being almost vertical so that the grouper is almost within the length of the mower-conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Roger Franet, Damien Faivre, David Demesmay
  • Patent number: 6832468
    Abstract: An attachment for the mower deck of a mower for striping the cut grass, and the method of use thereof. The attachment is a brush adjustably affixed to the rear of the mower deck, behind the cutting blades, and extending perpendicularly across the path of the mower. The brush is adjusted up and down to vary the amount of interference with the cut grass. As the brush is pulled across the lawn behind the cutting blades, it contacts the cut grass blades and bends them over in the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: J. Keith Weinlader
  • Patent number: 6832469
    Abstract: A harvester incorporating at least one force balanced shaker vibratory brush as the harvesting apparatus uses a sensing system connected to a plurality of spring feelers carried on a shaft to generate a torque value responsive to the location of the shape and position of a tree. The feeler springs may be of differing lengths to assist in tuning the harvester. Apparatus and a method for mounting the shaker head on the vehicle as well as system of steering the harvester are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: AG-Right Enterprises
    Inventors: Phillip R. Scott, Franklin P. Orlando, Kevin M. Caine, Marty D. Youman
  • Patent number: 6832470
    Abstract: The flow path of the exhaust of a recuperator of a microturbine engine system is routed to insulate the turbine exhaust in the recuperator. The recuperator is encapsulated for defining a passage for flowing the exhaust over the outer diameter of the recuperator so as to insulate the heat within the recuperator. A by-pass system that is operable mechanically or automatically directs turbine exhaust to by-pass the recuperator is disclosed in another embodiment. The by-pass serves to trim the efficiencies of the original manufactured microturbine engines so that all the engines attain a given preselected matching efficiency level. The by-pass can also be utilized to control the temperature of a boiler, chiller or other elements incorporated in the microturbine system by controlling the turbine exhaust to by-pass the recuperator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Elliott Energy Systems, Inc
    Inventor: David W. Dewis
  • Patent number: 6832471
    Abstract: In a supersonic nozzle incorporating injectors and a combustion chamber as part of an expander cycle rocket engine, the oxidizer is injected in two streams. One of the streams, preferably a small fraction of the total, is injected into an upstream or preburner section of the combustion chamber and the other to a downstream or main section of the chamber. The preburner combustion gas is cooled in a substantially uniform manner to a moderate temperature by cooling the bulk of the gas rather than cooling only the gas in a boundary layer adjacent to the chamber wall. The combustion gas produced in the downstream section is hotter, and heat from that gas is drawn through the chamber wall into a jacket. The limited combustion in the preburner permits the use of a cooling element with highly intimate heat exchange construction, extracting a high level of energy from the preburner gas without damage to the cooling element and an overall improvement in the regenerative cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Aerojet-General Corporation
    Inventor: Ross A. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 6832472
    Abstract: An in-cylinder ion sensor provides a signal representative of the air/fuel ratio of the charge mixture as an engine starts. The signal representative of the air/fuel ratio is used as a feedback signal for an electronic control unit to perform cold-start closed-loop control during an initial operating period from a cold-start before an on-board oxygen sensor is able to warm up. After reaching a functional operating temperature, the oxygen sensor provides a signal that is used as an adaptive calibration tool which allows the electronic control unit to calibrate the ion sensor signal and use that signal for controlling the air/fuel ratio during cold start operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Yiqun Huang, Joseph Grogan
  • Patent number: 6832473
    Abstract: An active system for regenerating a NOx adsorber and a particulate filter, the system comprising a fuel source, a reformer for generating hydrogen and carbon monoxide in fluid communication with the fuel source, a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve in fluid communication with the reformer, an oxidation catalyst, a NOx adsorber located downstream from the oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter located downstream from the NOx adsorber; and wherein the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve control fluid flow from the reformer to the oxidation catalyst, the NOx adsorber, and the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim Kupe, James Zizelman, Jean J. Botti
  • Patent number: 6832474
    Abstract: Injection of secondary air (AI) into an exhaust gas pipe upstream of an exhaust gas purification catalyst is performed after a startup of an engine, in order to accelerate the warm-up of the catalyst. If the degree of catalyst warm-up during the AI is greater than or equal to a predetermined criterion degree of the warm-up and the engine output is greater than or equal to a criterion output, the injection of secondary air is stopped and exhaust gas purification on the catalyst is conducted so as to curb degradation of emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigemasa Hirooka, Mamoru Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6832475
    Abstract: A small capacity pre-catalytic system (34) is disposed immediately downstream of an exhaust port (18), and a large capacity main catalytic system (35) is disposed immediately downstream of the pre-catalytic system (34). The pre-catalytic system (34) includes finely divided catalyst supports (48), and a third stage heat exchanger (H3) is disposed between these catalyst supports (48) so that a heat transfer tube (49) is bent in a zigzag manner. Fourth stage and fifth stage heat exchangers (H4, H5) are disposed on the upstream side, in the flow of the exhaust gas, of the pre-catalytic system (34), and first and second stage heat exchangers (H1, H2) are disposed on the downstream side, in the flow of the exhaust gas, of the main catalytic system (35). Water is made to flow through the first stage heat exchanger (H1) to the fifth heat exchanger (H5) in a direction opposite to that in which the exhaust gas flows, thereby exchanging heat with the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Koygo Kabushi Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tanaka, Seiji Nishimoto, Haruhiko Komatsu, Tsuneo Endoh, Tsuyoshi Baba, Masashi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 6832477
    Abstract: Actuators that employs a shape memory alloy component as the driving element include linear and rotational devices. An Intrinsic Return Means (IRM) may be imparted to the SMA actuator, thereby reducing the use of a spring return mechanism. The rotational actuator may include a cylindrical bobbin with a helical groove to receive an SMA wire. A number of turns may be placed in a small length of bobbin to amplify the rotational excursion. In another rotational actuator, a plurality of narrow, coaxial rings are provided, the rings being nested in close concentric fit or stacked in side-by-side fashion. Each ring is provided with a groove extending thereabout to receive an SMA wire and contraction of the wire causes each ring to rotate with respect to the adjacent ring. In an embodiment for linear actuation, the invention provides a bar-like component having SMA wires joined between bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventors: Mark A Gummin, William Donakowski, Geoffrey A. Gaines
  • Patent number: 6832478
    Abstract: An electrically insulative layer of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes an inorganic material formed upon a portion of an SMA substrate. A conductive material formed upon a portion of the electrically insulative layer in a trace pattern includes a first end, a second end, and a heating element disposed between the first and second ends. The SMA substrate is trained to deform at a transition temperature achieved when electricity is conducted through the conductive material via first and second interconnect pads terminating the first and second ends of the trace pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Anderson, James F. Kelley, Naim S. Istephanous, Steven L. Waldhauser
  • Patent number: 6832479
    Abstract: An upper die and a lower die are combined. A core for molding a concavity and another core are combined with the combined upper die and the lower die at respective prescribed positions. A core for through-hole molding is constructed by the junction of cores that are severally formed with the upper die and the lower die integrally on the extension line of the central axis of the core for molding a concavity. A through-hole is molded with the core for through-hole molding. A concavity in which a valve mechanism is equipped and a communicating hole through which the concavity communicates with the through-hole are molded with the core for molding a concavity. The core for through-hole molding includes an impact hole, in which a tip of the core for molding a concavity is impacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Bosch Braking Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Nakagawa, Yukihiro Honda
  • Patent number: 6832480
    Abstract: An improved system and method for using a portion of an oxidized process gas stream resulting from the destruction or abatement of industrially generated pollutants such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) in a thermal oxidizer. This system and method produces steam and/or electric power using the heat of a portion of the oxidized gas stream without requiring any increase in the amount of auxiliary fuel that is normally used in the oxidizer. Further, although carbon dioxide (CO2) is generated in the oxidation of the pollutants using the oxidizer, the generation of steam and/or electric power from the oxidized gas stream is accomplished without the generation of any additional CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Gene Anguil
  • Patent number: 6832481
    Abstract: A performance-enhancing fuel nozzle is disclosed. The nozzle suitable for use in combustors which combine high-swirl-number combustion in a pilot zone with low-swirl-number combustion in a main combustion zone. The nozzle includes a fuel delivery member adapted for fluid communication with a fuel source and a flow conditioning member having a fuel exit port. The fuel exit port is in fluid communication with the fuel supply and is adapted to ensure that the recirculation region adjacent the nozzle tip remains flame free. In one aspect of the invention, the fuel concentration profile of the nozzle is characterized by a radially-outward region that is flammable and a radially-inward region that is substantially non-flammable. In another aspect of the invention, the fuel exit port being is disposed a radially-outward portion of the flow conditioning member. In another aspect of the invention, the flow conditioning member is characterized by a swirl number lower than about 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Herbert Koenig, Bernd Prade
  • Patent number: 6832482
    Abstract: A method for providing cooling air to the venturi and the combustion chamber in a low NOx emission combustor as used in a gas turbine engine that includes the steps of providing an annular air passage surrounding said combustion chamber and venturi where said cooling air under pressure enters the combustion chamber/venturi near the aft portion of the combustion chamber, passing the air along the combustion chamber, past the venturi where the air exits near the front portion of the convergent area of the venturi. The method prevents any channel/passage cooling air from being received into the combustion chamber, and at the same time, introduces the outlet of the cooling air, after the air has passed over the combustion chamber of the venturi and has been heated, back into the premix chamber thereby improving the efficiency of the combustor while reducing and lowering NOx emission in the combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Power Systems Mfg, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent C. Martling, Zhenhua Xiao
  • Patent number: 6832483
    Abstract: Disclosed is a burner apparatus comprising an inner tube defining a second channel and an outer tube defining a first channel surrounding the inner tube, air supplying means for supplying air to the first channel and the second channel, and gas supplying means for supplying fuel gas to the first channel and the second channel, either the first channel or the second channel being used as a main combustion channel and the other being used as a pilot combustion channel, the main combustion channel and the pilot combustion channel receiving the supply of fuel gas for combusting it. The main combustion channel includes a mixing promoting member against which the fuel gas discharged from the first supply opening into the main combustion channel is collided to be diffused in the main combustion channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Osaka, Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Moriya, Tsutomu Wakabayashi, Takahiro Sako, Yuji Nakamura, Shonosuke Koga, Masamichi Ippommatsu, Seiichi Ito
  • Patent number: 6832484
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-shield brick, in particular for lining a combustion chamber wall, comprising a hot side that can be exposed to a hot medium, a wall side that lies opposite said hot side and a peripheral side that lies adjacent to the hot side and the wall side and that has peripheral lateral face. A tensioning element, pre-stressed in the peripheral direction is provided on the peripheral side, whereby a compressive stress generated perpendicularly to the peripheral lateral face. The invention also relates to a combustion chamber comprising a combustion chamber lining, which has heat-shield bricks of this type and to a gas turbine comprising a combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniel Hofmann, Paul-Heinz Jeppel, Hans Maghon, Uwe Rettig, Milan Schmahl, Christine Taut
  • Patent number: 6832485
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, apparatus is provided for producing power comprising a reformer for reforming a hydrocarbon material and producing syngas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a combustion chamber of a gas turbine unit that receives the syngas and combusts the syngas and produces flue gases comprising carbon dioxide and other gases that are supplied to the gas turbine contained in the gas turbine unit. In addition, the apparatus includes a bottoming cycle unit of a combined cycle power plant that produces power and from which combustion gases exit. A carbon dioxide separator is also included in the apparatus that receives combustion gases exiting the bottoming cycle unit and separates carbon dioxide from the other combustion gases. A compressor is provided that supplies the separated carbon dioxide to the reformer for reforming of the hydrocarbon material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Ormat Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Chaim Sugarmen, Uriyel Fisher, Zoltan Bihari