Patents Issued in October 25, 2005
  • Patent number: 6957509
    Abstract: A decoy rig 100 is described having a number of individual decoys 102 deployed at intervals along the length of a shaft 104. The decoys 102 are deployed at an angle relative to the shaft 104 axis, and oriented around the shaft 104 diameter similar to the blades of a turbine rotor in relation to a turbine shaft. When driven by natural forces the anchor 110 holds decoy rig 100 in place against water or air flow inducing a differential pressure across the decoys 102 providing the motive force to rotate the decoy rig 100. In operation, the decoy rig 100 floats centered at or near the water surface and is moved by external forces such as wind, water current or tide, or may be mechanically driven thus causing 360 degree revolution movement by the individual decoys 102, effectively simulating the diving and feeding action of the decoy's live counterparts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Bradley Russell Wright
  • Patent number: 6957510
    Abstract: An improved fly swatting apparatus (10) including: a hollow handle member (20) provided with a dispensing slot (23) for disinfectant wipes (22), a shaft member (30) connected on one end (31) to the handle member (20) and connected to the other end (32) to the paddle element (41) of a paddle member (40) wherein, the opposed faces of the paddle element (41) are provided with pluralities of apertured adhesive sheets (43) (43) wherein, the apertures (44) (44) of the adhesive sheets (43) (43) are aligned with the apertures (42) (42) of the paddle element (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Ronald F. Kominkiewicz
  • Patent number: 6957511
    Abstract: Beginning with a smooth ground aluminum blank with a relatively thin layer of leveled Ni—P, circumferential electropolishing/texturing is carried out to achieve a smooth oriented surface. A conductive slurry is provided between the disc and a porous texturing tape which is in contact with a conducting plate or equivalent conductor. The disc serves as the anode, and the conducting plate as the cathode, while the slurry, being conductive, functions as an electrolyte. In the presence of current, a reverse electroplating occurs so that the Ni—P dissolves to form Ni2+, or nickel ions which are carried away by the conductive slurry. The conductive slurry further supports or carries therein abrasive material so that by moving the porous texturing tape past the disc surface, the texturing tape picks up the abrasive material in the slurry and simultaneously with the reverse electroplating, provides the desired mechanical abrasion to achieve texturing of the disc surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Leigh, Connie Liu, David Kuo
  • Patent number: 6957512
    Abstract: A method for the propagation of and aeroponic growing of plants comprises transplanting a living plant into a vessel of polymer foam having at least one cavity distal to the plant; applying water to the foam sufficient to saturate the foam, whereby roots of the plant extend into and grow within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Smithers-Oasis Company
    Inventors: Roxanne E. Bakula, R. Alexander Masson, Charles F. Walton
  • Patent number: 6957513
    Abstract: An integrated sash lock and tilt latch assembly for a sash window is disclosed. The integrated assembly comprises a handle movable among a first, a second and a third position to adjust the assembly among a respective locked, unlocked and tiltable position. The integrated assembly further comprises a rotor coupled to the handle and comprising a locking cam and the rotor. The integrated assembly further has a pawl operably associated with the handle and abuttingly engages the rotor. The assembly also has a keeper adapted to receives at least a portion of the locking cam and a latch bolt adapted to be slidably disposed in a sash window. A connector is also provided which has a first end and an opposed second end. The first end of the connector is coupled to the latch bolt and the second end of the connector operably engages the appending member of the pawl. The assembly also has a spring for biasing the latch bolt towards one of the guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Dean Pettit, Mark B. Eenigenburg, Mark V. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6957514
    Abstract: A driving member for a power window device of a motor vehicle has a U-shaped body (1) formed of two body-halves (2, 3) joined to each other by one of their ends, the body halves defining an interior portion (4) adapted to receive the lower end of a window pane of the vehicle. The U-shaped body (1) is adapted to be slidingly driven by a driving cable along a rail of the power window device, and the interior portion (4) of the body (1) is provided with parallel longitudinal protrusions (5) disposed in a stepped arrangement. The arrangement forms a first series of protrusions (6) which extend upwardly relative the window pane and a second series of protrusions (7) which extend downwardly relative the window pane both series (6, 7) of protrusions (5) being symmetrical so that the window pane rests on one of the series (6) slightly sloped according to the position that the window pane assumes in the power window device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Melchor D. Castellon
  • Patent number: 6957515
    Abstract: A device for holding a work piece over head, wherein the device is employed between a first wall support and a second wall support and the wall support are interconnected to support a ceiling support, which includes a first removable support connector for connecting the device to the first wall support, a first cross member hingedly connected to the first removable support connector at one end and having another end which is elongated and includes an inwardly extending opening thereby forming a female end, a second removable support connector for connecting the device to the second wall support generally opposing the first wall support, and a second cross member connected hingedly connected to the first removable support connector at one end and having another elongated male end which is of a size and configuration to be slidably received within the female end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Mark D. Hatfield
  • Patent number: 6957516
    Abstract: A window having a frame with a windowpane disposed therein is provided. A first impedance discontinuity element is disposed between the windowpane and the frame adjacent a portion of a periphery of the windowpane. A second impedance discontinuity element is disposed adjacent another portion of the periphery of the windowpane. The first and second impedance discontinuity elements have different impedances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Smart Skin, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryoush Allaei
  • Patent number: 6957517
    Abstract: A splice plate for a faceted curved beam formed in the field from a straight beam. The splice plate can be used to fix the bends of either a convex or a concave curved beam used in the grid of a curved suspended drywall ceiling so that the cross beams in the grid are positioned in contact with the curved drywall board of the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventor: Joseph Auriemma
  • Patent number: 6957518
    Abstract: A two-plate splice connection assembly for connecting the lower end of an upper tubular pole member to the upper end of a lower tubular member which eliminates the need for having an individual positioned on the outside of the tubular pole member and an individual positioned on the inside of the tubular pole member when the splice plates are secured together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan A. Koch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6957519
    Abstract: A construct for buildings includes a steel pipe member and reinforcing elements provided in a hollow portion of the interior of the steel pipe member to cross the interior of the steel pipe member in the longitudinal direction. Inserting holes for the reinforcing elements are formed at mounting positions for the reinforcing elements on an outer peripheral portion of the steel pipe member. These inserting holes are successively formed from the outer peripheral surface of the steel pipe member to the interior thereof. The reinforcing elements are inserted from these inserting holes from the outer peripheral surface of the steel pipe member to the interior orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the steel pipe member. The steel pipe member and the reinforcing elements are welded and joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Minoru Hiragaki
  • Patent number: 6957520
    Abstract: A process of retrofitting an existing window that uses a gasket to secure a sacrificial member and a glazing. The sacrificial member forms a replaceable protective barrier between the glazing and occupants of a vehicle such as a bus. The gasket is traditionally used to secure the sacrificial member and the glazing to the window. Over time, after several removal and re-installations during replacement of the sacrificial member or the glazing, the gasket typically becomes unfit for subsequent use. The gasket is replaced with a rigid retainer member that fits into an existing recess that receives the gasket. The retainer member secures the sacrificial member and the glazing to the window so as to permit repeated changes of the sacrificial member without removal of the retainer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Transit Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Farrar, Dale Carson
  • Patent number: 6957521
    Abstract: In an envelope-filling station for mail processing systems having an envelope-feeding arrangement for single, open envelopes, an intermediate envelope-conveying arrangement extending at an angle thereto in the direction of an angle stop arrangement provided for the purpose of aligning the envelope, and an envelope-advancing arrangement from which the envelopes are accepted from the angle stop arrangement, a simplification of the design, and effort needed to control the component parts is achieved when the angle stop arrangement, with the exception of a stopping straightedge that is to be provided to achieve extremely precise alignment of an envelope that is supplied at an angle, contains as a further part of the angle stop arrangement a conveying nip between the upper strand of an intermittently driven conveying belt of the envelope-advancing arrangement and a pressure-exerting roller that is pre-tensioned near the beginning of the upper strand of this conveying belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Botschek, Martin Sting
  • Patent number: 6957522
    Abstract: An inventive method, system and apparatus are provided for syringe handling, and more particularly, for syringe labeling, filling and capping operations. To facilitate syringe handling, an inventive apparatus includes a plurality of syringe bodies interconnected in a predetermined orientation by a belt. Such belt may be of pliable construction and may define a predetermined spacing in between adjacent ones of the syringe bodies, such predetermined spacing corresponding with a distance between holders provided in a handling apparatus. The syringe handling apparatus may provide for the placement of contents-related information on belt segments between adjacent syringe bodies and for separating the belt segments, wherein a flap is left interconnected to each syringe body. The syringe handling apparatus may alternatively or also provide for automated filling of the syringe bodies wherein cap removal, filling and cap replacement operations are completed free from manual handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Baxa Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Eugene Baldwin, Jason Conrad Morton
  • Patent number: 6957523
    Abstract: A system to form, fill and seal (FFS) flexible bags including the steps of: a total printing of the film as it winds off the supply reel; a dry cleaning; a gimballed aligning for the folding of the printed and washed film; a hot-bar welding of the folded film; a valve welding controlled by an algorithm; a humidification treatment of the valve cavity; a shaping of the bags by hot tools also controlled by an algorithm; and a high precision dosage of the filling liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventor: Alberto Siccardi
  • Patent number: 6957524
    Abstract: A method of sealing a container including a container and a closure member for sealing the container over a range of internal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Coors Global Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip J. Lucas
  • Patent number: 6957525
    Abstract: An electrically conductive yarn comprises stainless steel fibers. The electrically conductive yarn comprises at least one elongated element, which has an outer surface being provided out of metal or metal alloy having a lower specific electrical resistance than the stainless steel fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: N.V. Bekaert S.A.
    Inventors: Steve Verstraeten, Jan Pavlinec, Pol Speleers
  • Patent number: 6957526
    Abstract: A pressure-actuated rocket system comprises a bottom base, a detonator and a rocket body. A top base is placed on a top surface of the bottom base. At least one through hole is located on a side of the top base and extended to an opening of the top surface. The hollow detonator has a closed and an opened ends. The rocket body is a bottle with fins. After soda powder is placed inside the detonator and vinegar is filled into the rocket body, the bottom base, the detonator and the rocket body are held inclined. The openings are aimed at the inclined bottom base in turn, the pressure-actuated rocket system is then turned upside down. Soda powder subsequently falls and reacts with vinegar, and gas is generated. A pressure accumulates inside the rocket body until it is high enough to shoot the rocket body up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Chitsan Lin
  • Patent number: 6957527
    Abstract: A device for periodically estimating the temperature of an exhaust-gas purifying catalyst provided in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine. The device includes first, second, third, and fourth estimation blocks. The first estimation block estimates the temperature of exhaust gases that are discharged from the combustion chamber, as a steady catalytic temperature under a steady operation of the internal combustion engine, based on operating conditions of the internal combustion engine. The second estimation block estimates a representative temperature of the interior wall of the exhaust pipe extending from the internal combustion engine to the catalyst, based on the estimated steady catalytic temperature. The third estimation block estimates a catalyst inflow exhaust-gas temperature that flows in the catalyst, based on the estimated steady catalytic temperature and the estimated representative temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsunori Ueda, Kenichi Nakamori, Ken Fujiwara, Hideyuki Handa
  • Patent number: 6957528
    Abstract: The reduction of NOx in diesel engine exhaust gas, typically at about 200° C. to 400° C., is accomplished using a dual bed NaY—CuY zeolite reduction catalyst. The effectiveness of the catalyst in reducing the nitrogen oxides is markedly increased by the separate and sequential additions of plasma reformed diesel fuel and ozone to the exhaust before it contacts the powdered catalyst. Reformed diesel fuel is obtained by withdrawing fuel from on-board storage, heating the withdrawn volume and stripping a more volatile fraction with air and passing the air/volatile diesel fuel fraction through a non-thermal plasma reactor. Ozone is obtained by blowing ambient air through a second non-thermal plasma reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Byong Kwon Cho
  • Patent number: 6957529
    Abstract: An exhaust control system for a cylinder fuel injection engine having a cylinder injection injectors directly injecting a fuel into combustion chambers and a catalytic converter provided in an exhaust passage from said combustion chambers for purifying an exhaust gas, such that the air/fuel ratio in the combustion chambers is periodically made richer for quickening activation of catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Iihoshi, Minoru Ohsuga, Toshiharu Nogi, Takuya Shiraishi, Noboru Tokuyasu
  • Patent number: 6957530
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter which has at least a hydrodynamic circuit including at least one pump wheel and one turbine wheel, wherein each of these wheels is provided with an outer shell to accept a set of vanes which form flow chambers, the inner edges of the vanes away from the outer shell being connected to an inner shell, which acts as part of an internal torus. At least the vanes of the turbine wheel have connecting elements both on the inner edges and on the outer edges, which connecting elements pass through openings in the shells to fasten the vanes to the shells, being provided for this purpose with a predetermined minimum overhang with respect to the edge of the associated vane, this minimum overhang making it possible for the connecting elements to be plastically deformed in such a way that they can grip the rear surfaces of the shells, i.e., the surfaces facing away from the vanes, and thus fasten the vanes to the shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Hermann Schleicher, Jürgen Ackermann
  • Patent number: 6957531
    Abstract: A center section for a hydraulic pump and motor mounted in a transaxle casing. The center section has a protuberance formed thereon, a pair of flat surfaces separate from the protuberance and at least one fastener opening formed in the center section for receiving a fastener engaged to the casing. The protuberance is adapted to mate with a center section locator formed in the casing to establish an X-Y orientation for a central axis while the fastener provides a Z-axis locator for the center section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Eric S. Phanco, Kenneth J. Rawski
  • Patent number: 6957532
    Abstract: A powertrain unit includes a hydraulic continuously variable transmission including a transmission housing, and a dipstick for checking an oil level in the housing. The width of the powertrain unit is reduced by positioning the dipstick laterally inside the housing. The hydraulic continuously variable transmission includes a fixed-displacement swash plate plunger pump and a variable displacement swash plate plunger motor, which are connected through a closed hydraulic circuit. The outer circumference of a portion of a pump casing of the plunger pump for is reduced in diameter to form a reduced diameter portion. The dipstick is positioned so that a gauge portion thereof extends from an area near the outer circumference of the reduced diameter portion down to the bottom of the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Ito, Shinya Koyama
  • Patent number: 6957533
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for opening of doors. Electromechanical systems contain many expensive components and are thereby expensive to manufacture. Installed electromechanical systems are expensive in operation by virtue of the high and energy-demanding friction which always are present in mechanical constructions. The present operating device is less energy-demanding by the formed transmission of power via two piston-like parts (5 and 6). A driving device (2) is arranged to drive the piston-like part (5) and the second piston-like part (6) is connected to an operable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Besam International HB
    Inventor: Olle Olsson
  • Patent number: 6957534
    Abstract: A master cylinder for a hydraulic disc brake includes a housing defining a cylinder, the cylinder having a first and second end along its axis. A piston is received in the cylinder and has a radial seal between the piston and the cylinder. A lever is pivotably associated with the housing for pivoting between a rest position and an actuated position relative to the housing. A push rod is operatively associated with the piston and the lever to move the piston axially within the cylinder as the lever is actuated between the rest and actuated positions. A threaded engagement between a first end of the push rod and the lever is configured to cause movement of the rest position of the lever relative to the housing when a rotating force is applied to the push rod causing axial rotation of the push rod. An indexing structure is operatively associated with the push rod for providing index axial rotation of the push rod upon application of the rotating force to the push rod causing axial rotation of the push rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne R. Lumpkin
  • Patent number: 6957535
    Abstract: In a variable exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine including an exhaust gas turbocharger to which exhaust gas is supplied from the engine to provide a torque for driving the turbocharger, an additional device is provided which includes an electrical or mechanical drive for supplying an additional torque to the exhaust gas turbocharger in order to maintain the exhaust gas turbocharger at a certain speed at which it is capable of generating a desired inlet air pressure for the charge air supplied to the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Siegfried Sumser, Peter Fledersbacher, Helmut Finger, Manfred Stute
  • Patent number: 6957536
    Abstract: Systems and methods capable of producing electrical power from solar energy through the use of air cycles without fossil fuel combustion. The system includes a solar receiver, a generator, a compressor, and an expander. The expander is coupled to the generator to drive the generator and coupled to the compressor to drive the compressor. The system uses solar generated heat from the solar receiver to heat compressed air from the compressor. The solar generated heat can be directly transferred from the solar receiver to the compressed air as the compressed air flows through receiver tubes of the solar receiver, or the solar receiver can transfer the solar generated heat to a liquid metal, with the liquid metal transferring thermal energy to the compressed air. The expander receives and expands the heated compressed air to drive the generator to produce electricity, and to drive the compressor to compress air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Z. Litwin, Adon Delgado, Jr., Michael P. Moriarty, Charles M. Jones
  • Patent number: 6957537
    Abstract: Manifolds are shaped cross star having curved surfaces inside thereof, and holes are bored in four corners of the manifolds. In mounting a combustor to a casing, oil in the manifolds is transmitted to the holes by way of the curved surfaces. As a result of this, oil is prevented from staying, and coking is prevented from occurring, inside the manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeo Hirasaki
  • Patent number: 6957538
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combustion chamber for a gas turbine having at least one closed-circuit-cooled burner insert which can be disposed in an inlet opening of the combustion chamber for the purpose of feeding and/or igniting a combustible gas/air mixture, and having an outlet opening. The object of the present invention is therefore to create an arrangement enabling simplified manufacture and assembly to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Tiemann
  • Patent number: 6957539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decreasing the level of carbon dioxide present in the fumes discharged by a power generator burning a mixture of a combustive agent and of a fuel containing hydrocarbons, wherein a gaseous mixture comprising at least part of said combustive agent and at least part of said fumes is compressed, all or part of the carbon dioxide present in the compressed gaseous mixture is eliminated by absorption, a fuel is mixed with the gaseous mixture, the resulting mixture of fuel and gaseous mixture is burnt and the fumes from the combustion process are expanded. The invention also relates to a power generator for implementing said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Etienne Lebas, Alexandre Rojey, Gérard Martin
  • Patent number: 6957540
    Abstract: A power plant (10) including a boiler unit portion (12) and a gas turbine unit portion (14) operable in multiple modes, including operation of the boiler unit portion independent of the gas turbine unit portion. Exhaust gas from the gas turbine is cooled in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) (52, 54) where steam is produced. The exhaust gas may also be provided to support combustion in a separately fueled boiler (16). The exhaust gas may be extracted from any location within or downstream of the HRSG. Steam produced in the HRSG and/or in the boiler may be supplied to a steam turbine unit (42, 44, 46). Dampers (60, 62, 74) are provided to selectively direct the gas turbine exhaust to the boiler or to bypass the boiler. An existing boiler fired steam power plant may be reconfigured to have the described arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Briesch, Robert M. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6957541
    Abstract: A casing air temperature Ta and a steam temperature Ts are measured, and if an absolute value ?T of a difference between these two temperatures is within a predetermined temperature, the gas turbine is connected to the generator. After the connection is done, the load is gradually increased, and the coolant changeover signal is sent from a processor to a controller. The coolant is then changed to the steam, thereby completing the connection of the gas turbine with the generator and the changeover of the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Hyakutake, Yasuhiro Fujita
  • Patent number: 6957542
    Abstract: A fuel tank body has a double-layer structure composed of an inner tank shell and an outer tank shell, so that an inter-tank-shell space is formed therebetween. Because heat of fuel in the fuel tank body is discharged into the inter-tank-shell space, the temperature of fuel in the fuel tank body is prevented from rising. If the pressure in a canister becomes negative due to a negative pressure in an intake system of an engine, more specifically, a negative pressure in a surge tank leading to an air cleaner, high-temperature air in the inter-tank-shell space between the inner tank shell and the outer tank shell flows into the canister. On the other hand, low-temperature air flows from the air cleaner into the inter-tank-shell space which has become negative in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Kido, Masahide Kobayashi, Takashi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6957543
    Abstract: An air cycle water producing machine utilizes a combination of cooling turbine, heat exchanger and fresh air cycling to increase water output while minimizing the amount of energy required to operate the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Igor Reznik
  • Patent number: 6957544
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention recites a temperature control subsystem for use with an air conditioning system. The temperature control subsystem comprises a temperature sensor located in proximity to a heat-generating device disposed within a housing, where the temperature sensor generates data corresponding to the temperature of the heat-generating device. The temperature control subsystem further comprises an air-flow control feature coupled to the housing, whereby the air-flow control feature is configured to regulate the delivery of cooling air to the housing. Cooling air is provided by the air conditioning system. A local control subsystem is coupled to the air-flow control feature to control the air flow of cooling air to the housing so that the air flow is adjustable to correspond to the temperature data received from the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Andrew H. Barr
  • Patent number: 6957545
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus preferentially ventilates a space close to a seat and/or a steering wheel on which a passenger directly makes a contact in a passenger compartment while a vehicle is parked. The uncomfortable feeling of a passenger that might occur when he/she is getting into the parked vehicle can be reduced using a small capacity in the air conditioning as compared to the air conditioning apparatus ventilating the whole space in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Aoki
  • Patent number: 6957546
    Abstract: A portable ice skating rink comprises, in a kit, a plastic sheeting, a protective band for the sheeting, and a number of rigid tubular members, flexible connectors and corrugated clips. To assemble the kit, the tubular members are connected to each other in a closed loop using the flexible connectors inserted in facing ends thereof and with corners of the loop being formed by curving some flexible connectors. The sheeting is then laid over the ground of the area enclosed by the loop while extending outwardly over and past the loop. The protective band is laid over the sheeting opposite the loop and the clips are installed thereat to secure the sheeting to the so formed frame with the clips running continuously all along the frame such as to protect the sheeting. Portions of the frame can be raised to level it and the sheeting can then be pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Farley Ice Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Farley, Nicolas Farley
  • Patent number: 6957547
    Abstract: A condensing unit that is adapted to receive compressors and condensers of varying dimensions. A base of the condensing unit supports a compressor having a predefined dimension and a condenser having a predefined dimension. The base includes a plurality of mounting mechanisms. The compressor engages one of the plurality of mounting mechanisms depending on the predefined dimension of the compressor. The base also defines a plurality of inner and outer support channels adjacent one another about a periphery of the base. The condenser is supported by one of the support channels depending on the predefined dimension of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry C. Goodman
  • Patent number: 6957548
    Abstract: In evaporative cooling by injecting extremely fine water droplets into an airstream, the addition of cyclic injection provides superior control of the temperature drop of the air. The cyclic operation of the injection enables effective air cooling of outdoor and semi-outdoor areas, such as outdoor restaurants, even under conditions of high humidity. Small high pressure pumps that can be cycled on and off every few seconds for many millions of cycles make the air cooling method practical and effective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Gregory Steinriede
  • Patent number: 6957549
    Abstract: A cool air supplying apparatus of a refrigerator comprises a guide passage formed at a rear wall of a refrigerating chamber and provided with a plurality of discharge ports towards the refrigerating chamber for guiding cool air to a rear side of the refrigerating chamber, and a direction control unit installed at the guide passage for selectively opening and closing the discharge ports in order to control a discharge direction of cool air discharged into the refrigerating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Bae Kim, Sang-Ho Park, Byeong-Gyu Kang, Youn-Chul Choi
  • Patent number: 6957550
    Abstract: A cooling technique involves: reducing a pressure of a cooling fluid to a subambient pressure at which the cooling fluid has a boiling temperature less than a temperature of a heat-generating structure; bringing the cooling fluid at the subambient pressure into thermal communication with the heat-generating structure, so that the coolant absorbs heat, boils and vaporizes; thereafter removing heat from the coolant so as to condense substantially all of the coolant to a liquid; and thereafter extracting a selected portion of the cooling fluid that has been cooled, the selected portion being a vapor that includes a non-condensable gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William Gerald Wyatt, Richard M. Weber
  • Patent number: 6957551
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an installation for implementing a method for cryogenic air separation, whereby at least one constituent of the air used is obtained as a product by means of a selected method variant. Said installation comprises at least one coldbox in which a module is arranged. The invention is characterized in that several classes are predefined, each class determining the dimensions of the coldbox pertaining thereto, and the coldbox of each class being large enough to hold the module for at least two different product quantity requirements and/or at least two different method variants. A coldbox of a certain class is selected and the module is arranged in the coldbox of said selected class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Linde AG
    Inventors: Stefan Moeller, Wolfgang Bader
  • Patent number: 6957552
    Abstract: A manual glass lathe used for shaping and coloring clear glass tubes. The manual glass lathe, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a tubular handle, designed to be held in one hand, and a thumbwheel located towards the working end of the handle, and is used by a glass-blower to precisely control the spin of a glass workpiece and the proximity of the workpiece to a flame and to various shaping tools and/or fuming rods. The handle makes use of an interior arrangement of bearings and o-rings to center and hold the mandrel, and also comprises an inner sleeve used as an inertial weight to enhance spinning momentum. Also a method for using such a manual glass lathe to shape and fume glass workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Robert Janes
  • Patent number: 6957553
    Abstract: A method for the continuous wet stretching of industrial hides and other similar products comprises the following steps: a) removal of uniformly wetted hides following a treatment with liquids, such as tanning, re-tanning or the like, b) partial pre-drying of the wetted hides so as to reduce their residual relative moisture to a value of between 35% and 65%, c) stretching of the moist hides by means of localized mechanical stresses applied in directions which are substantially perpendicular to the plane of lie of the hides so as to achieve a predetermined increase in surface area, d) drying of the stretched hides until they have a residual relative moisture of between 7% and 30% so as to stabilize and thermally fix the stretched hides. The hides are kept in substantially constant relative humidity conditions with the mechanical stresses distributed uniformly over the entire surface area of the hides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Officine di Cartigliano S.p.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Polato
  • Patent number: 6957554
    Abstract: The use of lime and sodium sulfide in leather making creates a lot of environmental concern. However, there is no commercial beam house process that could totally eliminate the use of lime and sodium sulfide. In this invention, a novel bio-chemical process has been standardized employing specific enzymes and non-toxic chemical that could totally eliminate the use of lime and sodium sulfide in leather processing. It has been found that the extent of hair removal and opening up of fiber bundles is comparable to that of the conventional limed leathers. Performance of the leathers is shown to be on par with conventionally leathers. The process also enjoys reduction in chemical oxygen demand and total solids load compared to conventional process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Subramani Saravanabhavan, Palanisamy Thanikaivelan, Jonnalagadda Raghava Rao, Balachandran Unni Nair, Thirumalachari Ramasami
  • Patent number: 6957555
    Abstract: A merchandise locking device for retrofit attachment to a product display hook installed on a merchandise display panel. The locking device attaches without tools to the upper wire arm of the display hook for pivoting movement between “lock” and “open” positions. A laterally opening recess in the locking device receives the lower arm of the display hook and a locking arm, rotatably mounted in the body of the locking device by a rotor element, closes the recess to lock the device to the lower arm and prevent the removal of merchandise therefrom. A simple key carried by store personnel enables the rotor to be released to free the locking device from the lower arm and permit the removal of merchandise. The locking device consists of four elements, including the key, and can be manufactured at very low cost, suitable for mass merchandise applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Trion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Nagel, Joseph F. Kologe
  • Patent number: 6957556
    Abstract: An improved disk-tumbler lock and key for use with a gun-lock device includes a key specifically adapted to be ring-mounted so that it may be worn by and is thus available for the user at all times. The particular shape of the key includes those characteristics which would be desirable for such a key which will function as a ring for the most part, including a sufficient strength to endure physical abuse resulting from common use as a ring, attractive appearance so that the user would be willing to wear it for extended periods, and an inconspicuous jewelry-like appearance to avoid unwarranted attention. In addition, the particular shape of the key and the mating keyway in the lock assembly are aimed at further improving the speed and reliability at which the key may be inserted into the lock assembly aided only by the user's tactile senses. The physical shape also lends itself to be easily and inexpensively manufactured using various fabrication processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Don Dongcho Ha
  • Patent number: 6957557
    Abstract: A new and improved thread rolling die for forming a new and improved threaded fastener, and a new and improved method or technique of manufacturing the new and improved threaded fastener, is disclosed wherein the new and improved threaded fastener comprises a first, primary thread lead, and a pair of second, auxiliary thread leads alternatively interposed between successive threads of the first, primary thread lead. As a result of the provision of the pair of second, auxiliary thread leads being interposed between successive ones of the threads of the first, primary thread lead, not only is additional axial reinforcement provided for the threaded fastener, but more importantly, the lateral or transverse distance through which the material comprising the blank member must be displaced or moved in order to form the successive threads of the first, primary thread lead is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. LeVey
  • Patent number: 6957558
    Abstract: An encaustic metal tile fabrication equipment includes a roller unit operated to roll an encaustic metal sheet into a corrugated encaustic metal sheet, a shape forming mechanism having a first shape forming mold unit and a second shape forming mold unit and operated to process the corrugated encaustic metal sheet into an encaustic metal tile having a bend with a recessed portion, and a cutting unit operated to cut the finished encaustic metal tile to the desired size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Sen-Jung Chuang