Patents Issued in May 26, 2005
  • Publication number: 20050109000
    Abstract: A rod for rotating rod-bands for agricultural machines, and a method of making the same, are provided. The rod comprises a rod body and metallic securement pieces serving for placement on flexible, pull-resistant belts. The securement piece has a first, flat length section secured to one of the belts by rivets or the like, and a second length section with a sleeve-like configuration for accommodating the rod body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Jan Mulder
  • Publication number: 20050109001
    Abstract: A transverse conveying auger includes a tubular body and spiral-shaped flutes provided around the body. The flutes extend from the respective outer ends of the body to the center of the body. At the center of the tubular body, a center end disk is provided, to which the respective flutes are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Norbert Wolters, Clemens Rickert
  • Publication number: 20050109002
    Abstract: A utility cart for lawn and garden applications and adapted for mounting on a lawnmower for catching vegetation clippings from the lawnmower. The cart includes at least one wheel that is in a stowed position when the cart is mounted on a lawnmower such that the at least one wheel bears no weight of the cart. The cart has substantially rigid walls and a handle movable between stowed and deployed positions. The handle pivots with respect to the cart by way of pins in a pivot slot and a guide slot. The slots include locking portions that receive the pins and prevent the handle from pivoting with respect to the cart to facilitate hauling items in the cart and to facilitate lifting the cart off of a lawnmower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Timothy Peter, Fredric Schreiner, Robert Woelfel
  • Publication number: 20050109003
    Abstract: A grass collecting system having a grass collecting duct for transmitting grass clippings reaped by a mower unit to a grass catcher in a grass collecting position, the grass catcher being swingable to a grass discharge position. The grass collecting duct includes a top plate and right and left side plates for guiding the grass clippings from the mower unit to the grass catcher. An outlet portion is defined by an end of a space surrounded by the top plate and the right and left side plates. A grass clippings discharge path is formed for transmitting the grass clippings received from said mower unit, from the outlet portion (6B) of the grass collecting duct (6) into the grass catcher (5). A bottom plate unit (63) disposed in the outlet portion to be swingable about a pivot shaft (73) from a guide position for preventing falling of the grass clippings to an upstanding position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Shibata, Hideya Umemoto, Nobuyuki Yamashita, Eriya Harada, Takashi Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20050109004
    Abstract: An anti-wrapping device is described for preventing crop from being wrapped about the central shaft of a reel rotatably supported on side arms of a header of a combine. The device comprises an annular cover plate for securing to the axial end of the reel to prevent the crop from becoming entangled with projections from the reel and a tubular shroud for mounting on the header support arm to surround the central shaft of the reel, the axial end of the shroud being positioned when in use in close proximity to the annular cover plate of the reel to avoid any crop being caught therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Duquesne, Thierry Devriese, Marc Jonckheere
  • Publication number: 20050109005
    Abstract: A drive for transferring sideward motion from a first or driving elongate sickle knife to a second or driven elongate sickle knife longitudinally aligned with the first sickle knife. A double rack and pinion arrangement is used including at least one pinion mounted at a fixed location, a first sidewardly extending rack is connected to the first sickle knife for sideward movement therewith and a second sidewardly. extending rack is connected to the second sickle knife for sideward movement therewith, the racks both being enmeshed with the pinion such that sideward movement of the driving knife causes corresponding opposite sideward movement of the longitudinally aligned driven knife.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Polk, Bin Lou
  • Publication number: 20050109006
    Abstract: A method and a system for collection of harvested tree-fruit having a collection device mounted on a hauled cart. For fruit collection, two arms are extended under the foliage of a tree to spread an apron hung between them, in a fruit receiving position. After harvesting is completed, and the apron contains the harvested fruit, the arms draw the apron away from under the tree, and swing through an arc of a circle to stop in a fruit discharge position, where fruit is discharged by gravity into the open top opening of the cart. Then, the arms are returned back from the discharge position to the fruit receiving position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: DOTAN LTD.
    Inventors: David Chiel, Eitan Zehavi
  • Publication number: 20050109007
    Abstract: A baler having an inlet area for receiving netwrap wherein it is a short distance between the drum roller and the closest belt roller. The netwrap guide at bottom of baler includes a feed pan having flexible net guides that are narrower than the bale forming belts. This netwrap guide has supporting cross members underneath it but there are no cross members in close vicinity to the lower belt roller to keep excess crop from accumulating there. There is also a netwrap guide at front of the baler for feeding netwrap material into contact with the periphery of a formed bale, including a guide positioned generally above the pickup for directing crop material previously inserted into the bale formation chamber and the netwrap material away from the pickup. The baler also has a novel netwrap feeding and cutting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: William Hood, Thomas Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20050109008
    Abstract: A cable structure for weight lifting exerciser includes a core comprising a braid of steel wires and a first Nylon layer is wrapped to an outer periphery of the core and a second Nylon layer is wrapped to an outer periphery of the first Nylon layer. The first Nylon layer and the second Nylon layer have different colors. Therefore, the color of the first Nylon layer becomes a visible warning color when the second Nylon layer is worn out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Yung-Pin Kuo
  • Publication number: 20050109009
    Abstract: A chain link for a conveying chain of a machine of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular a storage device for a rod-shaped tobacco product, includes holding means for a hinge pin and a hinge pin bearing for connecting the chain link to adjacent chain links, and a carrying surface for carrying a tobacco product, which carrying surface is arranged substantially parallel to the hinge plane defined by the hinge axes. The chain link is designed laterally for cooperation with a deflection plate of the machine which rotates about a substantially vertical axis. During cooperation with the deflection plate the chain link is designed to pivot about a longitudinal pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The chain link has a guide element which cooperates with the deflection plate and which is designed in such a way that a pivot movement of the chain link about the longitudinal pivot axis is counteracted by a frictional force exerted by the deflection plate on the guide element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Muller, Jan Stellmacher
  • Publication number: 20050109010
    Abstract: A power system includes a fuel preconditioner adapted to convert a fuel to at least one conditioned fuel, a pulse detonation combustor, and a turbine. The pulse detonation combustor is adapted to receive the conditioned fuel and a primary oxidizer and to detonate a mixture including the conditioned fuel and the primary oxidizer and exhaust a number of detonation products. The turbine is positioned downstream from and in flow communication with the pulse detonation combustor. A power plant includes at least one fuel preconditioner and a number of power systems. Each power system includes a pulse detonation combustor and a turbine positioned downstream from and in flow communication with the pulse detonation combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Anthony Dean, Ivett Leyva
  • Publication number: 20050109011
    Abstract: The de-icing device is intended for the vane (10) of the inlet guide wheel (4) of a turbojet (2), comprising a fixed part (12) arranged on the upstream side and a mobile flap (18) arranged on the downstream side, in which said fixed part (12) comprises a trailing edge (16) substantially in the shape of a ā€œUā€, with one of the branches (162) being located on the intrados side (I) and the other branch (164) being located on the extrados side (E). It comprises at least one emission window (202), oriented substantially along an upstream-downstream direction, and arranged along the branch (162) of the ā€œUā€ located on the intrados side (I) of the trailing edge (16). The inlet guide wheel (4) vane (10) is equipped with at least such a de-icing device. The aircraft engine (2) comprises at least one vane (10) equipped with such a de-icing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: SNECMA MOTEURS
    Inventors: Yannick Courtot, Francois Marlin, Jean Danielo
  • Publication number: 20050109012
    Abstract: An aft FLADE gas turbine engine includes a fan section drivenly connected to a low pressure turbine section, a core engine located between the fan section and the low pressure turbine section, a fan bypass duct circumscribing the core engine and in fluid communication with the fan section, and a mixer downstream of the low pressure turbine section and in fluid communication with the fan bypass duct, and an aft FLADE turbine downstream of the mixer. At least one row of aft FLADE fan blades disposed radially outwardly of and connected to the aft FLADE turbine and radially extending across a FLADE duct circumscribing the fan bypass duct. The aft FLADE turbine may be a free turbine or connected to and rotatable with the low pressure turbine section. A power extraction apparatus may be disposed within the engine and drivenly connected to the aft FLADE turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: James Johnson
  • Publication number: 20050109013
    Abstract: A casing for a gas turbine includes a construction providing improved structural efficiency. Improved load paths and means for transmitting loads in the engine case are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Andreas Eleftheriou, Kevin Lobo, Maurice Weinberg, Quantal Liu
  • Publication number: 20050109014
    Abstract: A catalyst recovery method is capable of maintaining NOx purification performance by efficiently releasing SOx occluded in a NOx catalyst in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The air fuel ratio of exhaust gas in a fuel supply period (? t1) is made further richer (C2) than a predetermined rich air fuel ratio (C0) with increasing length of a set stop period (? t2). Provided within a stop period (? t2) is an excessively lean period (? t3) in which the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas becomes higher (C3) with increasing length of the stop period (? t2), whereby an amount of reducing agent to be added is increased, thus making it possible to ensure a sufficient amount of SOx released from the NOx catalyst. As a result, the length of the stop period (? t2?) is shortened, so the SOx occluded in the NOx catalyst can be efficiently released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kotaro Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20050109015
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine exhaust system 10 comprises an exhaust gas recirculation pipe 22 which, in use, recirculates engine exhaust gas into the engine air intake. A particulate filter 18 is provided and a burner arrangement 36 is arranged to burn off particulates caught by the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Nicholas Birkby
  • Publication number: 20050109016
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively cooling a gas turbine engine component for the purpose of controlling blade tip clearance during transient conditions, wherein cooling air is admitted intermittently according to a desired a duty cycle based on a present or anticipated transient condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Richard Ullyott
  • Publication number: 20050109017
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, an intake pipe, and an afterburner. As the intake valve communicates an exhaust gas stream to an EGR valve, an afterburner affixed to an inside wall of the intake pipe captures and burns large particles contained in the exhaust gas stream to prevent obstruction of the EGR valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: John Wirkus, Robert Killion
  • Publication number: 20050109018
    Abstract: An engine control equipment capable of activating a catalyst and preventing exhaust gas from deteriorating in order to early perform combustion by compressive self-ignition is disclosed. The engine control equipment is an engine control equipment including a catalyst for burning a mixed gas in a combustion chamber by compressive self-ignition and purifying exhaust-gas components in the combustion chamber and a controller for controller the catalyst which determines the activation of the catalyst and activates the catalyst in accordance with a determination result based upon determining the activation of the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Minoru Ohsuga, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Publication number: 20050109019
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine, particularly a diesel internal combustion engine having a catalyst arrangement and also at least one evaporator/burner arrangement upstream of the catalyst arrangement in the exhaust gas flow path, the evaporator/burner arrangement including a housing arrangement, with an evaporator/burner chamber formed therein which is open to the exhaust gas flow path, an evaporator medium for receiving liquid hydrocarbon and for delivering hydrocarbon vapor to the evaporator/burner chamber, a heating device for heating the evaporator medium, and an ignition device for starting the combustion of the hydrocarbon vapor present in the evaporator/burner chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Walter Blaschke, Gunter Eberspach, Gerd Gaiser
  • Publication number: 20050109020
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an in-cylinder injection valve and an intake passage injection valve. A control apparatus of the engine determines whether the temperature of a component located in the exhaust passage is higher than or equal to a predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the component is higher than or equal to the predetermined temperature, the control apparatus increases, without changing the total amount of fuel supplied to the cylinder, the ratio of a fuel injection amount of the intake passage injection valve to a fuel injection amount of the in-cylinder injection valve compared to a case where the temperature of the component is not higher than or equal to the predetermined temperature. Therefore, the catalyst is reliably prevented from being overheated, while preventing the fuel economy from deteriorating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Masaharu Ichise, Toshimi Kashiwagura, Shinichiro Nogawa, Koichi Yonezawa
  • Publication number: 20050109021
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method intended for desulfation of a nitric oxide trap (22) and regeneration of a particle filter (24) arranged in an exhaust line (20) for treating exhaust gas from an internal-combustion engine (10), notably a Diesel engine. According to the invention, the saturation rate of the trap and the clogging rate of the filter are evaluated and, as soon as one of the rates reaches a threshold value, the fuel/air ratio of the exhaust gas is increased without it reaching fuel/air ratio 1, then desulfation of trap (22) is performed in association with regeneration of particle filter (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Remi Noirot, Michel Castagne, Jean-Baptiste Dementhon
  • Publication number: 20050109022
    Abstract: In an exhaust gas purifying system (1) for applying NOx purification by a NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst (42) and PM purification by a DPF (41) to the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, when it is judged that both regeneration of the DPF (41) and sulfur purge of the NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst (42) are necessary, the DPF regeneration control for raising the temperature of the DPF (41) is performed and the sulfur purge control for decreasing the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas flowing into the NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst (42) is intermittently repeated. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently purge the sulfur accumulated in the NOx occlusion reduction type catalyst while preventing deterioration of fuel efficiency and discharge of NOx, HC, and CO into atmospheric air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Daiji Nagaoka, Masashi Gabe
  • Publication number: 20050109023
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a honeycomb filter for purifying exhaust gases which makes it possible to alleviate a thermal stress generated due to occurrence of a local temperature change and which is less likely to generate cracks and superior in strength and durability, an adhesive that has a low thermal capacity and is capable of alleviating the thermal stress, a coating material that has a low thermal capacity with a superior heat insulating property and is capable of alleviating the thermal stress, and a manufacturing method of the honeycomb filter for purifying exhaust gases that can improve precision in the outside dimension, and reduce damages in the manufacturing processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: IBIDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kudo, Masafumi Kunieda
  • Publication number: 20050109024
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a motor vehicle having a variable displacement engine includes an exhaust valve assembly that is moveable between an open position and a position blocking at least some of the exhaust gases. The blocking of some the exhaust gases increases backpressure that reflects sound waves. The reflection of sound waves provides for the conditioning of noises eminating from the exhaust system. The exhaust valve assembly utilizes an electric actuator. The exhaust valve assembly includes heat insulation features for isolating the electric actuator from heat radiating from the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: John Nohl, David Woerner, Gregg Speer
  • Publication number: 20050109025
    Abstract: Fluid transmission devices combine and separate fluid flowing therein, and are particularly useful in engine exhaust systems. Given the ever-increasing complexity of exhaust systems, there is a need to reduce construction costs, labor costs, and costs associated with maintaining an inventory of parts. The present fluid transmission device and method of manufacturing comprises a tubular member having a wall, an integral flow redirection member, and an opening. The integral flow redirection member is formed from the wall by cutting a slit in the wall and depressing the wall adjacent the slit until at least a portion of the wall extends within the tubular member. The opening is also formed from depressing the wall. Finally, the flow direction member redirects at least a portion of fluid flow traveling within the tubular member through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Paul Kenyon, Michael Blackie, Keith Schrock
  • Publication number: 20050109026
    Abstract: The circuit includes a main pump, a hydraulic motor, two main ducts, a selector for connecting the main ducts to the main pump or to a reservoir or for isolating them therefrom, a boost duct, and two pressure limiters disposed between the main ducts. A relief valve device that can take up a retention position and a relief position in which it connects one main duct (14, 16) to a relief enclosure can take up its relief position when, with the selector isolating the main ducts from the main pump and from the reservoir, the difference between the pressure in the main duct to which the control duct is connected and a relief pressure higher than the boost pressure changes sign.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Louis Bigo, Jean-Pierre Lebrun, Jean-Philippe Raisin, Eric Gest
  • Publication number: 20050109027
    Abstract: An axle driving apparatus in which a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor which constitute a hydrostatic transmission are disposed on a center section. In a horizontal portion of the center section are provided a pair of linear oil passages in parallel to each other. A pair of arcuate ports are provided on a pump mounting surface formed on the horizontal portion of the center section. The pair of arcuate ports are substantially perpendicular with respect to the direction in which the oil passages extend. The axis of slanting movement of a movable swash plate of the hydraulic pump extends laterally of the vehicle body on which the axle driving apparatus is provided. The rotating direction of an arm provided on a control shaft for slantingly operating the movable swash plate is coincident with the operating direction of a control rod connected with a speed changing member. Thus, the link mechanism for connecting the speed changing member and the control arm for the movable swash plate is simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Kenichi Takada, Ryota Ohashi, Hironori Sumomozawa, Hiroaki Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20050109028
    Abstract: A turbocharged engine control system is provided that comprises an exhaust gas after-treatment system and a variable-capacity turbocharger. The turbocharged engine control system is configured to estimate a clogging ratio of the exhaust gas after-treatment system based on an equivalent surface area of the exhaust gas after-treatment system. A correction value is determined based on a turbine outlet pressure and the correction value is added to the clogging ratio. A target nozzle opening value is corrected such that the nozzle opening value increases as the exhaust gas after-treatment system becomes more clogged. Consequently, as the exhaust gas after-treatment system becomes clogged, the increase in pressure on the inlet side of the exhaust turbine (which acts as back pressure with respect to the engine) is suppressed and the increase in the internal EGR ratio caused by residual gas is also suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shirakawa, Makoto Sakai
  • Publication number: 20050109029
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine which has charge-air supercharging by means of an exhaust-gas turbocharger and secondary air injection, the flow path of which is selected in such a way that the quantity of secondary air injected has an influence on the rotational speed of the turbocharger. By monitoring the rotational speed of the turbocharger, an increase in the rotational speed caused by the secondary air injection is determined, and the quantity of secondary air injected is worked out from the increase in rotational speed. This has the advantage that there is no need for complex temperature-measuring methods as have hitherto been employed. Rotational speed measurement can be carried out contactlessly and with absolutely no wear in particular by means of inductive rotational-speed sensors. Moreover, these inductive rotational-speed sensors can be miniaturized and produced at extremely low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Michael-Rainer Busch
  • Publication number: 20050109030
    Abstract: A renewable energy system comprising: a cylindrical closed circulated wind tunnel, an electric turbine engine is mounted on the inside wall of said wind tunnel, numerous wind electric generators are mounted on the inside wall of said wind tunnel, also numerous aerodynamic air fins are mounted on the inside wall of said wind tunnel. An electric motor is coaxially mounted on said electrical turbine engine. A solar cells panel is provided to supply the said electric turbine engine with solar electricity. Also an air compressor is provided to supply compressed air into said closed circulated wind tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: John Manolis, Pete Manolis
  • Publication number: 20050109031
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a rankine cycle suitable for a use for a motor vehicle. In a waste heat collecting system having the rankine cycle and a refrigerating cycle, when ECU receives an air-conditioning signal from A/C ECU, the refrigerating cycle is operated, by preceding the operation of the rankine cycle. In the case that there is no air-conditioning signal and a temperature of an engine cooling water is higher than a predetermined value, the rankine cycle is operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Atsushi Inaba, Shinichi Hamada, Shigeru Hisanaga, Tadashi Hotta
  • Publication number: 20050109032
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a condenser of the type having a housing inside of which is disposed a bundle of water tubes, a steam inlet for steam to flow inside the housing for contacting the tube bundle for cooling, and having a stagnant air zone during operation wherein any air in-leakage preferentially collects and condensate in the air zone becomes subcooled. A trough or drain is placed beneath the stagnant air zone for collecting subcooled condensate from the stagnant air zone. Collected subcooled condensate is transported from the trough or drain in a pipe to said steam inlet. The transported condensate is injected with an injector for contacting with steam entering the condenser, whereby the injected condensate is heated by the steam for expelling dissolved oxygen in the injected condensate. Advantageously, the condenser is fitted with an array of temperature sensors at the stagnant air zone for determination of its presence and/or size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Joseph Harpster
  • Publication number: 20050109033
    Abstract: A gas turbine group is provided with at least one cooling apparatus for cooling the working medium before and/or during the compression. The cooling power of the cooling apparatus can be adjusted by suitable means. A controller controls the cooling power of the cooling apparatus as a function of a control deviation in the useful power of the gas turbine group. The cooling controller interacts with other controllers of the gas turbine group in such a way that the gas turbine group is itself always operated at least close to its full load operating state. In this context, it is preferable for the inlet guide vane row of the compressor to be maximally open, and for the hot-gas temperature on entry into the turbines to be controlled so that it is constantly at an upper limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Jost Braun, Jurgen Hoffmann, Uwe Moller
  • Publication number: 20050109034
    Abstract: A CAES plant comprises an atmospheric combustion chamber situated downstream from the expansion machine. The flue gas produced in the process passes through a heat exchanger. In the heat exchanger, the storage fluid, which flows to the expansion machine from the storage, is heated by heat exchange. In the inventive power plant, the storage fluid is used directly for combustion of a fuel without exposing the expansion machine to corrosive flue gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Rolf Althaus, Martin Koller, Karl Wiederhold
  • Publication number: 20050109035
    Abstract: A fuel metering device (101) and method for metering fuel to an engine (129) provides bumpless transfer to a backup mode. A common cavity (125) provides pressure relief, fuel metering and bypass of fuel flow. A metering valve (120) for scheduling fuel flow to the engine (129) and the metering valve (120) is controlled in either a primary mode or a backup mode. A pressure relief valve (123) limits the maximum pump discharge pressure of a fuel pump. A bypass valve (122) maintains a constant pressure across the metering valve (120) by redirecting non-metered fuel flow back to a pump stage inlet. An electrical clutch (131) determines whether the metering valve (120) function is accomplished by said primary mode or said backup mode. Bumpless transfer to a backup is accomplished automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Dennis Demers
  • Publication number: 20050109036
    Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a catalytic combustor for reducing the pollutant emissions of combustion. The catalytic combustor described herein employs a novel heat exchange system for rapidly and economically bringing the combustor to a temperature wherein catalytic combustion may occur with minimal production of toxic products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Boeing
    Inventors: Alan Von Arx, Mark Horn
  • Publication number: 20050109037
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a heat exchanged membrane reactor for electric power generation. More specifically, the invention comprises a membrane reactor system that employs catalytic or thermal steam reforming and a water gas shift reaction on one side of the membrane, and hydrogen combustion on the other side of the membrane. Heat of combustion is exchanged through the membrane to heat the hydrocarbon fuel and provide heat for the reforming reaction. In one embodiment, the hydrogen is combusted with compressed air to power a turbine to produce electricity. A carbon dioxide product stream is produced in inherently separated form and at pressure to facilitate injection of the CO2 into a well for the purpose of sequestering carbon from the earth's atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Harry Deckman, John Fulton, Jeffrey Grenda, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Publication number: 20050109038
    Abstract: An engine shutdown device for controlling a fuel shut-off valve to thereby selectively interrupt fuel flow to an engine. The device comprises a normal switch connected to the fuel shut-off valve and configured to respond to at least one of a normal shutdown signal and an emergency shutdown signal. The device further comprises an emergency switch connected to the fuel shut-off valve and configured to respond to the emergency shutdown signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Peter John Matthews
  • Publication number: 20050109039
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a turbine engine system and method for actively managing blade tip clearances during part load operation of the engine. Aspects of the invention relate to extracting a portion of the combustion gases from the combustor section of the engine and routing these heated gases to the blade rings or other stationary structure surrounding the turbine blades. Upon exposure to the combustion gases, which can be mixed with compressor exit air, the stationary structure will thermally expand, causing blade tip clearances to increase. Thus, concerns of blade tip rubbing are minimized. Once the engines achieves steady state operation, the flow of the combustion gases to the blade rings can be substantially restricted so that only compressor exit air is supplied to the stationary structure. Consequently, the stationary structure will contract and the blade tip clearances will decrease, thereby increasing the efficiency of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Abdullatif Chehab, David Little
  • Publication number: 20050109040
    Abstract: A merchandising cooler has a thermoelectric cooling module with a thermoelectric array. Direct current is supplied to the thermoelectric array, thereby producing a cold side and a hot side. The thermoelectric array is mounted in an insulated container so that either the cold side or the hot side is in thermal communication with the interior space of the container and the other side is in thermal communication with the ambient environment. Depending on the arrangement and current flow, the device can either cool or heat displayed merchandise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Gregory Hansen
  • Publication number: 20050109041
    Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature control circuit for a semiconductor light-emitting device, in which scale of the circuit is not enlarged and noise due to the current switching is not generated. In the temperature control circuit of the present invention, although the DC voltage VATC supplied to the Peltier device is generated by the DC-to-DC converting from the external power VCC, the DC voltage VATC is feedback controlled so as to coincide with a target value of the DC voltage that is set based on an error signal generated by detecting a voltage drop of the Peltier device and comparing this drop voltage with a reference voltage. A control signal for setting the temperature of the laser diode to the target temperature through heating up or cooling down the Peltier device by flowing a current corresponding to an error between the target temperature and a practical temperature detected by the thermistor in the Peltier device from the thermoelectric controller current driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Keiji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20050109042
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic refrigerator having a relatively small size which utilizes one or more piezoelectric drivers to generate high frequency sound within a resonator at a frequency of between about 4000 Hz and ultrasonic frequencies. The interaction of the high frequency sound with one or more stacks create a temperature gradient across the stack which is conducted through a pair of heat exchangers located on opposite sides of each stack. The resonator has an asymmetrical, round configuration which enhances the cooling power of the thermoacoustic refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Orest Symko, Ehab Abdel-Rahman
  • Publication number: 20050109043
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a method of transporting a cryogenic device between first and second facilities. The exemplary method includes actively maintaining cryogen in the device within desired parameters. According to another embodiment, the present technique provides a portable resource supply, which provides resources to a cryogenic imaging device during transportation. Advantageously, the portable supply unit may actively maintain cryogen in the imaging device within desired parameters. Moreover, the portable supply unit may reduce the likelihood of a loss of cryogen and a loss of superconductivity in the imaging device. Furthermore, the present technique provides a maintenance system for cryogenic imaging devices. As one example, the maintenance system may include an intermediate facility having resources for maintaining a cryogenic imaging device during transportation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Chan
  • Publication number: 20050109044
    Abstract: A cryostat (1) having a sealable housing (2) is described, the housing (2) enclosing a coolable cryostat chamber (3). For cooling the cryostat chamber (3), a refrigeration device (4), a control system (5) and a power supply (6) are provided. For cutting frozen samples, a microtome is arranged in the cryostat chamber (3). A temperature-controllable heating plate (7) is integrated into the housing (2) of the cryostat (1), outside the cryostat chamber (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Claudia Dorenkamp, Stefan Kuenkel
  • Publication number: 20050109045
    Abstract: A cryostat (1) having a sealable housing (2) is described. The housing (2) encloses a coolable cryostat chamber (3), and a refrigeration device (4), a control system (5) and a power supply (6) are provided for cooling the cryostat chamber (3). For cutting frozen samples, a microtome is arranged in the cryostat chamber (3), a staining station (7) being integrated into the housing (2) outside the cryostat chamber (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Claudia Dorenkamp, Stefan Kuenkel
  • Publication number: 20050109046
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manipulation and management process of cryogen such that it controls both the fluid body movement as well as internal currents within the cryogen. Small volumes of a desired substance introduced into this managed cryogen for the production of frozen or solidified pellets or granules are better managed as to shape, size, deformation, frozen satellites, fines and agglomeration and overall desired quality. These benefits result from the dispersion of the gas produced, as well as the heat transferred, resulting from the introduction of the relatively hot substance to the cryogen. The fluid body movement assists in maintaining a distance between the individual solidifying pellets or granules thereby minimizing deformation as a result of physical contact. The output characteristics and desired quality of the pellets can be more effectively controlled and managed, as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: J. Irvine, David Ladd
  • Publication number: 20050109047
    Abstract: An air conditioner is provided. A predetermined character and/or its applied character image are/is displayed on a display window of the air conditioner. The character and/or the character image are/is changed depending on the operational states of the air conditioner, so that the user perceives the operational state of the air conditioner more conveniently. The air conditioner has advantages in that the user can perceive the operational state of the air conditioner more conveniently, the user can be stimulated to purchase the product, and a use term of the air conditioner can be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Jung Park, Sung Hwang, Ju Ock
  • Publication number: 20050109048
    Abstract: An air conditioner having an enhanced user perception and a controlling method thereof are provided. A predetermined character and/or its applied character image are/is displayed on a display window of the air conditioner. The character and/or the character image are/is changed depending on the operational states of the air conditioner, so that the user perceives the operational state of the air conditioner more conveniently. The air conditioner has advantages in that the user can perceive the operational state of the air conditioner more conveniently, the user can be stimulated to purchase the product, and a use term of the air conditioner can be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Choong Lee
  • Publication number: 20050109049
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present technique provides a method for servicing an imaging device having a cryogenic cooling system. In the exemplary embodiment, servicing of an MRI scanner may be scheduled via a model correlating a measured condition of the MRI scanner's cryogenic cooling system to a kind of imaging device event. According to another embodiment, the present technique provides a method for developing a model for predicting a cryogenic cooling system event by analyzing data from a population of similar cryogenic cooling systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Chan