Patents Issued in January 18, 2005
  • Patent number: 6843043
    Abstract: In a web packaging machine (10) and method packaging a food product (P) between upper and lower webs (14 and 25), wherein the lower web (14) is transported through a series of stations which form the lower web (14) into a component of a package at a forming station (18), and receive the food product (P) at a loading station (20), and close the package with the upper web (25) at a closing station (26), a pasteurization station (300) is provided between the loading station (20) and the closing station (26) and pasteurizing the food product (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Alkar RapidPak, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanson, Craig R. Bonneville, Tou T. Vang, Vernon D. Karman, Gary Lee Hahn, Nelly Feze, John J. Jurkowski
  • Patent number: 6843044
    Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester includes an overload clutch inserted into the driveline of a crop conveying element of crop pick-up arrangement of the harvesting machine. The overload clutch generates acoustic and/or mechanical vibrations when a defined torque is exceeded, and a knock sensor is provided for sensing when the overload clutch is operating in an overloaded condition. The knock sensor sends a signal to a control arrangement including a signal processor which recognizes a vibration pattern representative of an overload, and in response to such a pattern, sends a control signal for shutting off the drive to various driven components of the harvester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Steffen Clauss
  • Patent number: 6843045
    Abstract: A pickup reel for a harvesting machine comprising a reel support and a first shaft rotatably supported by the reel support and extending along an axis transverse to the frame. A cam is supported by the reel support and defines a generally endless cam path extending about the first shaft. An arm extends radially from the first shaft and is rotatable with the first shaft. A second shaft is connected to the arm and supports a first tine and a second tine located on opposite axial sides of the cam. A cam follower is engageable with the cam and movable along the cam path. A crank arm assembly is connected between the cam follower and the second shaft. The rotation of the first shaft and movement of the cam follower along the cam path cooperate to cause the tips to move along the tip path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: HCC, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Wayne Bickel
  • Patent number: 6843046
    Abstract: A support wheel for an agricultural implement includes a support frame connected with an agricultural harvesting machine and its receiving device; and at least one support wheel connected with the support frame. In a preferred embodiment, the support frame includes first and second supporting arms. The second supporting arm is oriented in a generally vertical direction and is variable in length. In one arrangement, the second support is a lifting cylinder or a telescopic arm and is provided with a damping element. In another arrangement, the support wheel assembly includes at least one steerable support wheel that is pivoted on a pivot shaft by a steering cylinder. A preferred embodiment includes first and second steerable support wheels connected by a coupling mechanism and pivoted about first and second pivot shafts by a common steering cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Ertemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Heidjann, Bernd Holtmann
  • Patent number: 6843047
    Abstract: A novel soil conditioning rotary reel comprised of a rotary reel having a plurality of flat bars attached to support plates in a symmetrical helix arrangement is disclosed. The number of bars and the diameter of the reel are determined by the limitation that the straight-line distance between two adjacent bars be less than six inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventor: Paul Hurtis
  • Patent number: 6843048
    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 mulching blade coupled to the prime mover to rotate in a blade circle within the cutter housing, a mounting ring rotatably mounted in the cutter housing, and a plate connected to the mounting ring. The plate translates along an arcuate path in the cutting chamber between a full bagging position where the plate is laterally spaced from the discharge opening and a full mulching position where the plate obstructs the discharge opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Christopher M. Osborne
  • Patent number: 6843049
    Abstract: Systems and methods for harvesting fresh produce using a produce harvesting apparatus wherein the method includes trimming the fresh produce and placing the trimmed produce into a container. The container is placed onto a transport device located on the produce harvesting apparatus. The container is then transported on the transport device to a wash station and it is washed at the wash station. The container may be shaken during transport after the wash station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Fresh Express, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Brown
  • Patent number: 6843050
    Abstract: A yarn false twist texturing machine for texturing multifilament synthetic yarns (4), wherein a heating device and a false twist unit are arranged within a false twist zone. An aftertreatment zone accommodates a second heating device and a countertwist device. The countertwist device is used to remove any residual twist that is left in the yarn by the false twist unit. To be able to perform a selective treatment by the countertwist device, a first embodiment provides for a twist imparting member yarn guide means for guiding the yarn (4) and being adapted for reciprocal movement between an idle position for not treating the yarn (4) or for threading it and an operating position for treating the yarn (4). In a second embodiment, the countertwist device comprises a movable twist imparting member (28, 29), which is adapted for reciprocal movement between an idle position for not treating or for threading the yarn (4) and an operating position for treating the yarn (4) by twisting it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Wortmann
  • Patent number: 6843051
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a “lean-burn” internal combustion engine in cooperation with an exhaust gas purification system having an emissions control device capable of alternatively storing and releasing NOx when exposed to exhaust gases that are lean and rich of stoichiometry, respectively, determines a performance impact, such as a fuel-economy benefit, of operating the engine at a selected lean or rich operating condition. The method and apparatus then enable the selected operating condition as long as such enabled operation provides further performance benefits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, David K. Bidner
  • Patent number: 6843052
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control system having a nitrogen oxide adsorber and a desulfating device, and a method for desulfating a nitrogen oxide absorber are disclosed. The desulfating device is managed so as to establish an oscillatingly rich and lean exhaust gas composition during a respective desulfating operation, and contains an oxygen accumulator downstream from the nitrogen oxide adsorber. The nitrogen oxide adsorber is effectively desulfated by way of a corresponding desulfating method, and released sulfur compounds are thereby simultaneously oxidized. The exhaust emission control systems can be utilized, for example, with a motor vehicle internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Andreas Hertzberg, Dirk Voigtländer
  • Patent number: 6843053
    Abstract: A fuel system for use in an internal combustion engine comprising a fuel pump having a pumping cycle during which fuel is pressurised to a high level within a pumping chamber for delivery to an injector. The injector is arranged to provide a primary fuel injection event, and a secondary fuel injection event within the same pumping cycle. The injector includes a valve needle which is engageable with a valve needle seating to control fuel delivery and an injection control valve arrangement for controlling movement of the valve needle so as to control the primary and secondary fuel injection events. The fuel system further comprises an accumulator volume for storing high pressure fuel for delivering the secondary fuel injection quantity, and additional valve arrangement for controlling the supply of fuel stored within the accumulator volume to the injector for the secondary injection event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Draper, Anthony T. Harcombe, Andrew R. Knight, David J. C. Law, Lukhbir S. Panesar
  • Patent number: 6843054
    Abstract: An emission abatement assembly includes a pair of NOx traps arranged in a parallel arrangement. A fuel reformer generates a reductant fluid in the form of a reformate gas which is selectively supplied one of the traps during regeneration thereof. During regeneration of the trap, engine exhaust gas is directed through the other trap. A catalyzed soot filter is positioned downstream of the NOx traps. A method of operating an emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Taylor, III, Samuel N. Crane, Jr., Yougen Kong
  • Patent number: 6843055
    Abstract: An oxidation promoting catalyst (42) which converts nitrogen monoxide in exhaust gas to nitrogen dioxide, and a diesel particulate filter (41) which traps soot in the exhaust gas, are installed in an exhaust gas passage of a diesel engine (1). A control unit (21) determines whether or not it is necessary to regenerate the filter based on the exhaust gas pressure detected by an exhaust gas pressure sensor (24), and when it is necessary to regenerate the filter, it increases the nitrogen monoxide in the exhaust gas by performing an advance correction of the fuel injection timing of a fuel injector (14) so as to promote generation of nitrogen dioxide by the oxidation promoting catalyst. The nitrogen dioxide decreases the combustion temperature of the soot trapped by the diesel particulate filter (41), and efficiently regenerates the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Ootake
  • Patent number: 6843056
    Abstract: A transaxle comprised of a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Matthew C. Roney, Shane A. Deters, Daryl Smothers, J. David Pratt, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 6843057
    Abstract: A Stirling engine comprising a casing, a displacer arranged in the casing so as to slide, an expansion chamber and an operation chamber into which, and from which, an operation gas flows with the operation of the displacer, and a power piston that is operated in response to a change in the pressure of the operation gas in the operation chamber, wherein the Stirling engine further comprises a displacer operation means having a moving yoke disposed in the displacer and a pair of electromagnetic solenoids disposed to surround the moving yoke and juxtaposed to each other in the axial direction in the casing; a power piston position detection means for detecting the operation position of the power piston; and a control means for controlling to switch over the excitation of the pair of electromagnetic solenoids of the displacer operation means based on a detection signal from the power piston position detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Yasushi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6843058
    Abstract: The invention is a method for converting waste into electricity or into gypsum and zinc sulfide using a generator, heating the vessel that is part of the generator, loading waste comprising steel into the heated vessel, melting the loaded waste to a molten state using a non-transferred torch to cut and melt the waste and then using a transferred torch to maintain a molten metal pool, adding additional steel to raise the molten metal pool to a minimum depth, raising the temperature to 2000 degrees Centigrade, acquiring EPA approval, loading waste into the vessel at a defined rate, maintaining the molten metal pool further melting any non-melted waste into a molten status with the transferred torch, determining BTU content and gas flow, injecting steam into the vessel, flowing gas from the vessel through scrubbers into storage containers and into a steam boiler, and using the boiler to run a turbine to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Joseph Frank Pierce, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6843059
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor inlet diffuser assembly has at least one diverging annular wall including a flowpath surface bounding a diffuser flowpath. An annular blowing slot is axially located along the annular wall and an annular blowing air flowpath leads to and is in fluid communication with the blowing slot. An annular array of scoops disposed in the diffuser flowpath downstream of the blowing slot have upstream facing openings and are in fluid communication with the blowing air flowpath. The annular scoops are supported on hollow struts. Each of the hollow struts has at least one radially extending flow passage for directing blowing air from the scoop to the blowing air flowpath. The blowing slot opens in a downstream direction with respect to the diffuser flowpath. A row of blowing air compressor blades disposed across the blowing air flowpath may be used to pump up the pressure of the blowing air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Louis Burrus, Jack Rogers Taylor
  • Patent number: 6843060
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a “real time” Time Limited Dispatch (TLD) fault management system and method for evaluating the operational suitability of an engine's electronic control system. The TLD system disclosed herein uses a software algorithm to compute or predict the probability of mission success for a given upcoming mission length (e.g., two hours) and the time remaining to repair control system faults before dispatch is disallowed or the flight suspended, regardless of the probability of success.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Goodrich Pump & Engine Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gallant, Raymond D. Zagranski
  • Patent number: 6843061
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (40) having an active combustion control system (54) including a sensor element (44) positioned proximate the combustion chamber (46) as part of a sensor assembly (84) including a spring-action bellows (74). The sensor assembly is installed through an opening (69) in the casing (48) of the engine to make contact with the combustor wall (62). The bellows is compressed from its resting position by tightening mounting bolts (70) against a mounting flange (66) of the sensor assembly. The spring action of the bellows ensures contact between the sensing assembly and the combustor wall in spite of differential thermal growth between the casing and the combustor. The sensor element may be replaced by simply removing the mounting bolts without further disassembly of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: David Parker, William Richard Ryan
  • Patent number: 6843062
    Abstract: A food container having a separable refrigerant section has a container part having an open upper end and a lower end with a bottom. A separable lid configured and sized to sealingly and releasably engage the open upper end of the container part. A refrigerant section has a top end and a bottom end with the top end being configured and sized to releasingly engage the lower end of the container part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Raymonde Crete
  • Patent number: 6843063
    Abstract: Energy saving in indoor air conditioning is achieved by combining indoor air vertical convection producing means and indoor air conditioning means. A fan for performing suction and exhaust of air for vertically circulating the indoor air through suction and exhaust ports provided on upper and lower parts of a room is operated or stopped according to a difference in temperatures detected on the upper and lower parts of the room. The output of the fan at the time of operation is increased or decreased according thereto to prevent energy loss occurring when warm air accumulates on the upper part and cool air accumulates on the lower part. The operation or suspension of an air conditioner installed indoors, and the amount of energy consumed at the time of operating the air conditioner is controlled depending on a difference between a temperature detected in the room and a preset indoor temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Kazuo Miwa
  • Patent number: 6843064
    Abstract: A method of reducing superheat fluctuation and improving evaporator heat transfer comprises creating turbulent flow in refrigerant supplied to the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Kaveh Khalili, Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 6843065
    Abstract: Heating/defrost constructions of a very low temperature refrigeration system having a defrost supply circuit and a defrost return bypass circuit optimizing the heating/defrost cycle, preventing overload (excessive pressure) of its refrigeration process and protecting components from damaging temperatures. The defrost cycle operates continuously, when required, and provides a shorter recovery period between heating/defrost and cooling operating modes. The rate of the temperature change during cool down or warm up is controlled in an open loop fashion by controlled refrigerant flow in bypass circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: ICC-Polycold System Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin P. Flynn
  • Patent number: 6843066
    Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioning system, in which the total operating capacity of compressors is variably controlled in accordance with a cooling or heating load in a room, and a method for controlling the air conditioning method, thus improving comfortableness in the room, reducing an electric power consumption rate, and increasing cooling or heating efficiency. The air conditioning system includes an indoor heat exchanger for cooling a room by heat-exchanging a refrigerant with air in the room; an outdoor heat exchanger for condensing the refrigerant; a plurality of compressors for compressing the refrigerant; and a control unit for controlling operation of the plural compressors in accordance with the cooling or heating load in the room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang, Ji Young Jang
  • Patent number: 6843067
    Abstract: Disclosed are an air conditioner for cooling or heating air in a room by compressing, condensing, expanding and evaporating a refrigerant, and a method for controlling an electronic expansion valve of the air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a plurality of compressors, for compressing a refrigerant, of which one or more are operated so that refrigerant compression capacity is variably changed according to the variation of a cooling/heating load; and an electronic expansion valve adapted to control the refrigerant compression capacity. The electronic expansion valve controls the flow rate of the refrigerant after one or more of the compressors are stopped, thereby rapidly achieving the pressure equilibrium at inlet and outlet pipes of the stopped compressor(s), shortening a time taken to allow the stopped compressor(s) to be re-operated, and improving reliability in operating the compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Cheol Min Kim, Yoon Jei Hwang
  • Patent number: 6843068
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using humidity level to adjust the temperature set point of an HVAC system for increased occupant comfort. In one illustrative embodiment, the temperature set point for the inside space is moved downward when the humidity of the inside space rises above a predetermined humidity set point threshold value. In warm climates, this causes the air conditioner of the HVAC system to be activated, which lowers the temperature of the inside space to a new lower temperature set point. In some embodiments, the HVAC system retains the new lower temperature set point for a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be dependent on a number of factors, including whether the space is expected to occupied or unoccupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul C. Wacker
  • Patent number: 6843069
    Abstract: An etching apparatus of the present invention has a processing device having a reaction chamber in which an electrode provided with a built-in refrigerant-circulating path is installed, a refrigerator for cooling the refrigerant at a predetermined temperature and circulating the refrigerant in the refrigerant-circulating path at a predetermined flow rate, a controlling device for controlling the temperature or flow rate of the refrigerant, a status monitor for monitoring an operational status, and a temperature control device for controlling the temperature of the electrode by controlling the temperature or flow rate of the refrigerant on the basis of information about the operational status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Harano, Hirofumi Seo
  • Patent number: 6843070
    Abstract: A refrigerant handling system includes coupling apparatus for coupling a refrigerant processing apparatus to an automotive air-conditioning system. The coupling apparatus includes a ball valve including a common port and at least two selectable ports, and a valve member manually movable among a closed condition, wherein the common port is connected to neither selectable port, and three open conditions wherein the common port is connected, respectively, to each of the selectable ports and both of the selectable ports. The common port of the valve is connected to the refrigerant processing apparatus, while the selectable ports are connected, respectively, to conduits for providing connections to the high-pressure and low-pressure sides of the air-conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Anwar Suharno
  • Patent number: 6843071
    Abstract: Portable refrigeration devices (1) including methods for preparing sorbents (30) for use in such devices, and the sorbents (30) prepared in this way. The methods relate to the substantially complete degassing for the maximization of receiving refrigerant vapor from the evaporator chamber (10) of such refrigeration devices (1), and the maximization of heat transfer to heat sink materials (40) in such refrigeration devices (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Tempra Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Cullen M. Sabin, Zbigniew R. Paul, Martin W. Sabin
  • Patent number: 6843072
    Abstract: An earring assembly including two movably connected earring segments and a clasp assembly structured to removably attach the earring assembly to a wearer's ear when in a closed, locked position. The clasp assembly includes a post secured to and extending outwardly from one earring segment and a movable locking arm secured to the other of the earring segments. The locked position of the clasp assembly is at least partially defined by the orientation of the locking arm into locking engagement with a portion of the post passing into the interior of the earring segment on which the locking arm is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Terry T. Lau
  • Patent number: 6843073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ceramizing starting glass of glass-ceramics into glass-ceramics, comprising at least the following steps: 1.1 the starting glass is heated from an initial temperature T1 to a temperature T2 which is disposed above the glass transformation temperature TG at which crystallization nuclei are precipitated; 1.2 the glass is held at the temperature T2 for a period t2 for the precipitation of crystallization nuclei; 1.3 the glass is further heated to a temperature T3 at which a crystal phase grows on the nuclei formed following step 1.1 and 1.2; 1.4 the glass is held for a period t3 at a temperature T3 or heated during this period to a higher temperature T4 until the predetermined properties of the glass-ceramics have been reached; 1.5 the control of the temperature curve is performed with the help of a control loop comprising at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature and a heating unit as an actuator. The invention is characterized in that 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Ulrich Fotheringham, Hauke Esemann, Bernd Hoppe, Rüdiger Sprengard, Michael Kluge, Falk Gabel
  • Patent number: 6843074
    Abstract: A glass sheet is heated to a forming temperature in a heating furnace, the heated glass sheet is conveyed along a conveying plane defined by a plurality of rollers of a roller conveyer, and is moved up and down on the rollers according to the position of the glass sheet to curve a part of the conveying plane with respect to the glass sheet conveying direction to bend the glass sheet to have a desired curvature by its own weight. The rollers are curved rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Youichi Nemugaki, Toshimitsu Sato
  • Patent number: 6843075
    Abstract: A method of controlling process variables, for a fiberizing assembly including a rotary fiberizing disk in the manufacture of fibers from a high temperature, molten, clear or translucent, thermoplastic, fiberizable material, utilizes an optical sensor assembly. The optical sensor assembly includes a water-cooled optical fiber sensor probe which, in effect, only gathers light emitted from the external sidewall surface of the rotary fiberizing disk. The light is conducted from the probe to an electronic unit that converts the light energy into a temperature value. This temperature value is used to monitor the process and to make any changes in process variables, such as but not limited to heat input to the fiberizing disk, rate of rotation of the fiberizing disk, burner air/fuel ratio, required to produce fibers having desired fiber properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Johns Manville International, Inc.
    Inventor: James Bennett
  • Patent number: 6843076
    Abstract: A method of making an optical waveguide preform includes forming a preform including a first portion and a second radial portion, wherein the second portion includes a dopant, and wherein the first portion exhibits a density greater than the second portion. The method further includes stripping at least a portion of the dopant from the second portion. In a preferred embodiment, the stripped dopant has migrated in a previous processing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven B. Dawes, Michael T. Murtagh, Pushkar Tandon
  • Patent number: 6843077
    Abstract: A knitted surface fastener wherein pile loops are formed by knitting-in pile knitting yarns at the same time when a foundation fabric is knitted with foundation yarns. After the pile knitting yarns which form the pile loops stride between two or more wales to form loops, they are entangled with each stitch of the foundation yarns of three or more adjoining courses on a same wales continuously to form stitches. Of the stitches of the pile knitting yarns formed due to the pile knitting yarns entangled per each of the adjoining three or more courses, at least one or more stitches located in the middle are formed in a closed loop. Consequently, the necessity of back coating is eliminated and further, clearly square gaps are formed to achieve ventilation property and transparency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Ishihara, Eiji Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6843078
    Abstract: An electrically conductive fabric for use in articles of clothing worn for shielding against electromagnetic radiation includes a knit body with a first broad surface and an opposite, second broad surface where at least one of the surfaces includes a fleece or raised surface. The conductive fabric further includes stitch yarns of electrically conductive fibers and loop yarns comprising non-conductive fibers. The non-conductive fibers of the loop yarns are finished upon at least one of the first broad surface and second broad surface to form the fleece or raised surface, with electrically conductive fibers of the stitch yarns being embedded among the non-conductive fibers and between and spaced from the first and the second broad surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Malden Mills Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Moshe Rock, Vikram Sharma
  • Patent number: 6843079
    Abstract: A laundry appliance comprises a drum for receiving articles to be laundered, the drum comprising at least two rotatable drum portions and a drive capable of operating the drum in a plurality of different drum modes. The drum modes include a mode in which the rotatable drum portions are driven so as to cause relative rotation between them. A controller (100) controls the appliance to perform a plurality of different wash programs, each wash program having an associated drum mode. Each wash program comprises a sequence of stages, with a drum mode being associated with each stage. The drum modes can differ in respect of (a) use (or non-use) of relative rotation between the drum portions (b) the ratio of time that the drum portions rotate compared to the time that they are at rest, and (c) the speed at which the drum portions are rotated. The intensity of a wash program can be varied, inter alia, by varying the length of the wash stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Dyson Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm John Hird
  • Patent number: 6843080
    Abstract: A lock with bendable shackle element openable in two ways mainly includes a main body, a bendable shackle element, a combination lock core, and a key lock core. The bendable shackle element has an end fixedly connected to the main body, and the other end movably held to a lock slot on the main body. Two ends of the lock slot are first and second locking holes respectively corresponding to the key lock core and the combination lock core, which control a blocking head and a shifting member, respectively, to block or open the two locking holes. The movable end of the bendable shackle element may be moved to one of the two locking holes to open the lock when the combination or the key lock core is released to move the shifting member or the blocking head away from a corresponding locking hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Chun-Te Yu
  • Patent number: 6843081
    Abstract: A secure firearm holder (10) includes an outwardly swinging hinged plate (14) that is hinged to a holder base (12) with a gun (44) mounted at a side of the plate in a ready-to-use orientation when the plate swings outwardly. In a preferred embodiment, a bore shaft (36) is mounted on the hinged plate, the bore shaft extending into the firearm. When the plate is in a first, closed, position, the holder base prevents the gun from being removed from the bore shaft, but when a motivating member (52) rotates the plate to a second position, the gun can be easily and quickly removed from the bore shaft from a ready-to-use orientation. The motivating member biases the lid toward the second position but is held closed in the first position by a latch (50), which latch is remotely releasable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Terry M. Painter
  • Patent number: 6843082
    Abstract: A key operated latch includes a housing which supports a lock plug, a motion control sleeve, and a sleeve-like cam therein. The cam rotates with the lock plug, while the motion control sleeve is stationary. The cam has at least one cam slot, and the motion control sleeve has at least one motion control slot. A shaft extends outward from the housing and has at least one projection which is engaged with both the cam slot and the motion control slot. The cam slot and the motion control slot are configured such that rotation of the lock plug imparts a sequence of rotational and axial movements to the shaft. A latching member attached to the shaft, moves between a latched position and an unlatched position in a sequence of axial and rotational motions in order to selectively secure a door, panel, or the like in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Vickers
  • Patent number: 6843083
    Abstract: A lockable valve cover has a housing with an open end and a pair of opposing slots on opposite sides of the housing extending from the open end for engaging over spaced locations on a pipe on opposite sides of a valve over which the housing is placed, the pipe extending in a first direction through the slots. A pair of openings on opposite sides of the housing are aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with a first opening being larger than a second opening, and a locking plate having a reduced width tongue engages across the housing through the openings, with the tongue projecting through the second opening. A padlock engages a hole in the tongue to lock the housing in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: LMS, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Smith, Danny B. Green, Leonard W. Byrd, George S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6843084
    Abstract: A security system for a storage container including a latch assembly disposed on an interior side of a door for latching the door in a closed position with the storage container. A plurality of reciprocating latch elements are included in the latch assembly for latching the door in a closed position with the storage container. A latch actuator included in the latch assembly moves the latch elements to latch the door. A master lock assembly controls operation of the latch actuator by having a first locking part of the master lock assembly interlocking with a second locking part carried by an elongated shaft connected to an operator on the container exterior. A tamper-resistant control blocks access to the master lock assembly from outside the storage container whereby access to the container interior is prevented when the latch assembly is closed and the master lock assembly is in an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Dave Porter
  • Patent number: 6843085
    Abstract: A locking and latching system of modular construction in which some of the components of the system are pre-assembled prior to their installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door. The modular construction of the lock and latch system can include the outside and inside door handles, the outside and inside locks, the door latch itself, as well as linkages between these components. The modular components can further facilitate the assembly process by being of a design which simplifies the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door without requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby reducing the labor costs associated with assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Dimig
  • Patent number: 6843086
    Abstract: A key chain for retaining objects is provided comprising a rigid curved member with two ends, a chain attached to each of the ends of the curved member, a stop carried on the chain for preventing movement of the object past the stop, and a removable retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: John S. Fitch
  • Patent number: 6843087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cold rolling process for rolling hard metal or metal alloys, comprising applying an effective amount of an oil composition comprising a base stock oil and, based on the total weight of the composition, from 1 to 80% by weight of di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate. Example of hard base metals include steel and nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Francaise
    Inventors: Francis Prince, Jean-Yves Henri Claire
  • Patent number: 6843088
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for hot blow-forming an article from a blank of sheet metal. Simultaneously, a surface of the blank of sheet metal is formed against a form tool body that partially defines a forming surface and against a form tool insert that also partially defines the forming surface and that is positioned within a recess of the form tool body such that a lateral gap is defined between the form tool insert and form tool body. Opposed projections are provided on upper surfaces of the form tool insert and the form tool body adjacent the gap. The projections create a raised portion on the sheet metal panel that corresponds to the gap. The raised portion is removed flush with respect to a visible surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Kruger, Mark G. Konopnicki, Chongmin Kim
  • Patent number: 6843089
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of embossing or imprinting patterns in the surface of a sheet metal article using superplastic forming at suitable SPF temperatures. A template having a pattern is interposed between a forming tool and a sheet metal blank. Gas pressure is applied to the sheet metal blank. This pressure forces the sheet metal against the surface of the lower forming tool having the template there between. The sheet metal blank is stretch formed according to the contours of the surface of the lower forming press and the template. The embossed and shaped sheet metal part is then removed from the forming tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Edward Krajewski, George M. Barton, Gary A. Kruger
  • Patent number: 6843090
    Abstract: A rolling apparatus is capable of rolling a metal ring to an accurate circumferential length and preventing the metal ring from dropping off. The rolling apparatus includes a metal ring support assembly having tension rollers 2a, 2b for supporting a metal ring W, a rolling roller 5 for rolling the metal ring W, a rolling assembly for pressing the rolling roller 5 against the metal ring W, a tension applying assembly having a tension cylinder 23 engaging tension roller support members 8, 10, 25, on which one of the tension rollers 2b is rotatably supported, for displacing the tension roller 2b to apply tension to the metal ring W, and a rolling processing completing assembly 27 for detecting a completion of rolling of the metal ring W and inactivating the rolling assembly and the tension applying assembly. The rolling assembly has a first resilient member 18 interposed between the rolling cylinder 14 and its piston rod 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideshi Sato, Katsuyuki Nakajima, Yoriyuki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6843091
    Abstract: In a straightening machine for straightening sections like rolled beams, wherein tools (11) are arranged on a plurality of mutually parallel driven straightening shafts (8, 9; 21a, 21b, 22a, 22b) disposed above and below the alignment line in the transport direction of the product to be straightened, and of which preferably the upper straightening shafts (2a, 21b) are adjustable for setting the straightening gap, the straightening shafts (2a, 21a, b) are individually adjustable and each have on both sides an adjusting means engaging straightening shaft ends (6, 7; 23a, 23b) whereby in straightening operations at least the adjusting means on the service side (6; 23a) remote from the drive side I is provided with a force (FA) acting opposite to the straightening force (FR) relevant hereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: SMS Demag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Georg Hartung, Werner Kohlstedde, Markus Willems, Hans-Jürgen Reismann, Manfred Riffelmann, Ulrich Svejkovsky, Stefan Ernst
  • Patent number: 6843092
    Abstract: Apparatus for forming an arch is architectural panels including a drive section and an arching section. Each of the drive section and arching section have at least one roller and cooperating follower with the rollers being adapted to engage the underside of the panel with a groove in the followers accepting side legs of the panel. In a preferred embodiment, two cooperating followers float along a common shaft in association with each roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Crown-PN L.L.C.
    Inventors: Percy Greenberg, Leonard A. Jacobsson, Wayne M. Wagner