Patents Issued in January 31, 2006
  • Patent number: 6990961
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilation and aeration device for a fuel tank (1) of a motor vehicle, comprising a ventilation line (9) leading to the exterior of the fuel tank (1); said ventilation line being connected to the inner area (18) of the fuel tank (1) via a ventilation opening (16) of a ventilation link having a larger throughflow diameter and an aeration opening (21) of an aeration link having a smaller throughflow diameter. The ventilation opening (16) leads into the inner area of the fuel tank (18) at a filling level height (17) which is lower than that of the aeration opening (19) of the aeration link. A roll-over valve (10) is used to seal off the inner area (18) of the fuel tank (1) in relation to the ventilation line (9). The ventilation link and the aeration lead to a common ventilation channel (20) leading to a single roll-over valve (10) whose outlet is connected to the ventilation line (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Fuehling, Hartmut Ranke
  • Patent number: 6990962
    Abstract: An evaporative fuel control system for an internal combustion engine having a canister that absorbs evaporative fuel generated in the fuel tank. An atmosphere open passage connects the canister with the atmosphere. A purge valve is disposed between the intake passage and the canister. A purge controller controls the purge valve so that the evaporative fuel absorbed by the canister is purged and supplied to the intake passage. A leak check system examines leakage in the evaporative fuel control system by causing negative pressure in the evaporative fuel control system during stop of the engine. The leak check system includes a factory test mode which is provided with a decreased leak check time which is shorter than that for normal leak check when the evaporative fuel control system receives a factory test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6990963
    Abstract: An atmosphere-vented valve (a pressure relief section) is opened in a predetermined amount so as to reduce an inside pressure of a canister to a predetermined negative pressure (S14) while preventing an inside pressure in a fuel tank from becoming an excessively negative pressure by closing a charge passageway opening and closing valve (S18), and purging is controlled while the canister inside pressure is being reduced, whereby from a similar principle to that of vacuum distillation, the release of vaporized fuel from an absorbent is promoted so as not only to increase the purge efficiency but also to prevent the application of an unnecessary stress to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hara, Masakazu Kitamoto, Hiroaki Mihara, Koichi Yoshiki, Satoru Kubo
  • Patent number: 6990964
    Abstract: The apparatus has a pneumatic controller, which controls the pressure in a gas conduit (1) in dependence on the pressure in an air conduit (2). Provided downstream of the regulator is a mixing device (4), which has a venturi-like mixing chamber (7). Extending into the inlet opening of the mixing chamber (7) is a nozzle (8), which is connected to the air conduit (2). Defined between the nozzle (8) and the edge (9) of the inlet opening of the mixing chamber (7) is an annular gap (10), which is connected to the gas conduit (1). Also operating in the air conduit (2) is a conical member (11) which is actuated by a linear motor (12). The mixture is withdrawn from the mixing chamber (7) by a fan (5), whose speed is controllable, and fed to the combustion device. The adjusting motor (12) for the conical member (11) operates in dependence on a signal from a sensor, which detects changes in the gas quality, the air pressure and/or the combustion air temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Hovalwerk AG
    Inventor: Werner Ströhle
  • Patent number: 6990965
    Abstract: An engine power booster comprises an electronic voltage generator that converts the direct current (DC) battery voltage of a vehicle at a power input, into an AC ripple voltage of 2.8–5.0 KV peak-to-peak at 2.4–14.0 KHz, that includes a DC voltage of 2.0–3.5. KV which are provided at an electrode output. A wire electrode is connected to the electrode output, and comprises a simple insulated stranded wire stripped bare at a distal end. A corona discharge generates ozone at the distal end during operation inside an internal combustion engine's air intake duct. Such ozone intake increases engine power and fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventors: Birasak Varasundharosoth, Somroj Phanichamnuay
  • Patent number: 6990966
    Abstract: A slit-shaped heater holder 54 outside the heat-exchanger tube 55 can eliminate the use of adhesive in the heater assembly. A flat electrode 53 which is pressed on and in surface contact with the PTC heater 53 can improve the wear resistance of the heater contact, prevent the PTC heater breaking, and even assure the electrical connecting to the broken PTC heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Watanabe, Hiroaki Saeki, Kiyoshi Amou
  • Patent number: 6990967
    Abstract: A potentiometer device, for detecting valve positions, wherein a voltage signal Us is sendable to a control unit having an A/D converter, including a carrier element on which at least one slider track, having a slider element in contact therewith, is disposed; wherein the slider track switches between supply voltage Uv of the control unit and ground, and the slider element is connected with the control unit with a protection resistance over an output, wherein the control unit includes a resistance for detecting a cable disconnect, which is a pull-down resistance between voltage signal Us and ground, or a pull-up resistance between supply voltage Uv and voltage signal Us, wherein a resistance is provided at output, that is, in a first embodiment, a pull-up resistance between supply voltage Uv and voltage signal Us, and, in a second embodiment, a pull-down resistance between voltage signal Us and ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Pierburg GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Junker
  • Patent number: 6990968
    Abstract: An intake port (4) is connected to a combustion chamber (6) of an internal combustion engine (1) via an intake valve (15), and a volatile liquid fuel is injected from a fuel injector (21) provided in the intake port (4). The controller (31) calculates a suspension ratio in the combustion chamber (5) of the injected fuel according to the particle diameter of the injected fuel (52–56), calculates an amount of fuel burnt in the combustion chamber (6) based on the suspension ratio (57), calculates a target fuel injection amount based on the burnt fuel amount (75, 76), and controls a fuel injection amount of the fuel injector (21) based on the target fuel injection amount (76). Precise fuel injection control can be performed without performing adaptation experiments, based on particle diameter data for different fuel injectors by taking the particle diameter as a parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hatsuo Nagaishi, Takashi Nakazawa, Kazuhiko Abe, Yuji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6990969
    Abstract: An automatic choke apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine. The choke apparatus includes a choke valve automatically operable in response to the speed of the engine, a thermally conductive assembly that conducts heat from exhaust gases produced by the engine, a thermally responsive member in thermal communication with the thermally conductive assembly, and a mechanism that moves in response to the thermally responsive member to cause the choke valve to remain in at least a partially open position during engine starting when the thermally responsive member senses a temperature above a predetermined temperature. The thermally conductive assembly at least partially surrounds the path of the exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Briggs and Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: David Roth, James J. Dehn, Thomas G. Guntly, Curtis Schultz, Hisaya Iwata, Steven R. Schlosser, Travis Nickels, Gregory D. Irwin, Kenneth R. Breitenstein, Steven A. Dethloff
  • Patent number: 6990970
    Abstract: A compound archery bow includes a handle having projecting limbs. A first pulley is mounted for rotation around a first axis on a first of the limbs, and a second pulley is mounted for rotation around a second axis on a second of the limbs. A bow cable arrangement extends between the pulleys, and includes a bowstring cable extending from bowstring let-out grooves in the first and second pulleys so that, as the bowstring cable is drawn away from the handle, the bowstring cable lets out or unwraps from the bowstring grooves and rotates the pulleys around the respective axes. First and second cables extend from cable take-up grooves on the respective pulleys to first and second cable let-out means on the respective opposite pulleys. Thus, as the bowstring cable is drawn away from the handle, the first and second cables are each taken up or wound at one end onto one of the pulleys and let out or unwound at the other end from the other pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Rex F. Darlington
  • Patent number: 6990971
    Abstract: The present invention is a pneumatic trigger mechanism intended for use with gas powered projectile guns such as gas powered paintball markers. The present pneumatic trigger mechanism utilizes a specialized pneumatic force amplifier which substantially improves trigger performance and firing cycle time. The pneumatic amplification feature of the present trigger actuator is double acting, in that it provides an increased force advantage for both the firing phase and trigger return phase of the firing cycle. Performance wise, the valving and the pneumatically amplified actuator of the present trigger actuator requires as little about 2 oz. of trigger pull force and as little as 0.01 inch of travel to activate a firing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Colin Bryant Moritz
  • Patent number: 6990972
    Abstract: A concrete saw has a rotating cutting blade that rotates in a first plane to cut a groove in a concrete surface. The blade is guided along that groove by two guides. A rolling or sliding support member on opposing sides of each guide roll or side along the concrete to support the saw blade on the concrete and to position the blade relative to the concrete. The guides and rollers are advantageously on opposing sides of the blade. The guide can be a sliding member but is preferably a rolling disc sandwiched between two rolling supports. A diverter can prevent debris from the blade from getting under the movable support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Soff-Cut International, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Markley
  • Patent number: 6990973
    Abstract: A gas-fired burner for cooking range, which includes at least one burner, which is arranged below at least one grate on which a cooking vessel is to be arranged, the distance between the nozzles of the burner and the upper surface of the grate being directly proportional to the power of the burner and being inversely proportional to the difference between the temperature of the burner and the temperature of the vessel and to the heat conductivity of the vessel and/or food contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Fulgor Elettrodomestici, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Orio Puricelli, David Ward
  • Patent number: 6990974
    Abstract: A mouthpiece for use in an inhaler for a particulate medicament, the mouthpiece having: an inlet and an outlet for the particulate medicament; a number of abutments which extend across the mouthpiece and which are arranged in a staggered configuration such that, in use, medicament is caused to break up as the medicament passes through the mouthpiece; wherein the abutments are blades having an elongate cross section in the direction of travel of the medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Andi-Ventis Limited
    Inventors: John Nicholas Staniforth, David Alexander Vodden Morton, Iain Grierson McDerment
  • Patent number: 6990975
    Abstract: There is provided a system for the delivery of inhalable medicament comprising a monitor (40) for monitoring the breath cycle of a patient, a medicament container (2) having a release mechanism (4, 5) for releasing inhalable medicament therefrom, and an actuator (50) for actuating said release mechanism, the actuator (50) being actuable in response to a signal from the monitor (40). The monitor (40) provides the signal at a trigger point which is coupled to the end of the exhalation part of the breath cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Smithkline Beecham Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Patrick Jones, Gregor John McLennan Anderson
  • Patent number: 6990976
    Abstract: An asthma drug inhaler is provided with a whistle. The whistle may be attached to a small opening for air intake. The air intake may be part of a mouthpiece located on an inhalation passage of finely powdered drug. The whistle makes a sound when the inhalation is properly done.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Akihiko Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 6990977
    Abstract: A substance delivery apparatus for use with a system for supplying breathable gas to a human or animal includes a sensor to measure the pressure of the supplied breathable gas and to detect inhalation by the human or animal; and a reservoir, a conduit, a pump, and a diaphragm to deliver the substance to the human or animal during inhalation at a pressure higher than the supplied pressure of the breathable gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Michel Calluaud, Victor Yerbury
  • Patent number: 6990978
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the vaporization of materials that releases active constituents for inhalation without the creation of harmful byproducts such as carcinogens associated with combustion and inhalation of substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Shaahin Sean Shayan
  • Patent number: 6990979
    Abstract: Breathing equipment with a circuit for breathing gas and with a flat calcium hydroxide absorber (1) is cooled by an evaporating agent with improved cooling. A gas volume flow of at least 60 L per minute is admitted to the outer surface (14) of the calcium hydroxide absorber (1) receiving the evaporating agent by at least one gas delivery device (5). The evaporating agent is delivered to the outer surface (14) of the calcium hydroxide absorber (1) by an admitted pressure from an evaporating agent reservoir (10) via at least one connection line (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Jochim Koch
  • Patent number: 6990980
    Abstract: A system and method of providing bi-level CPAP therapy is provided that incorporates an infrared carbon-dioxide sensor to determine whether a patient is inhaling or exhaling. Patient exhalation causes the infrared light to be absorbed, while patient inhalation reduces the presence of carbon-dioxide causes little or no absorption of carbon-dioxide. The level of carbon-dioxide in an associated patient breathing interface is monitored for thresholds that trigger higher CPAP pressure upon inhalation and lower CPAP pressure upon exhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Invacare Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph B. Richey, II
  • Patent number: 6990981
    Abstract: Eyewear with a disposable shield that is OSHA compliant with no holes or perforations in the side shields. This protective eyewear consists of a flexible, anti-fog, anti-glare coated disposable material to maximize protection of a wearer's eyes and face from splashes, sprays, spatter or droplets of blood or other potentially infectious materials while giving the wearer a maximum range of vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Embrace Healthcare
    Inventors: Gene DuBois, Alan Kenneth Stratton
  • Patent number: 6990982
    Abstract: A percutaneous tissue removal apparatus having a flexible drill shaft, a cutting tip mounted on the shaft a power source for transmitting motion to the shaft to move the cutting tip against tissue and a suction source for removing tissue fragments along the shaft to a location outside the tissue mass while cutting. The apparatus may include a container for collecting one or more selected components of the harvested tissue fragments for implantation of the fragments preferably into the body of the patient from whom they were removed. Where the tissue to be cut is bone, a cutting tip is preferably made of a polymeric material which is softer than the cortical portion of the bone, although the cutting tip may be made of a ceramic or a composite material. A second flexible shaft may be provided either within or about the flexible drill shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Bonutti IP, LLC
    Inventor: Peter M. Bonutti
  • Patent number: 6990983
    Abstract: A disposable, portable, pocketable, foldable and reusable cigarette ashtray which is formed from a single blank of fire retardant paper or other suitable material into a box shape that will fit into a vehicle cup holder. The ashtray consists of four sides, a bottom, three cavity leaf panels and a folding top lid. The cavity leaf panels slope into the container forming upper and lower cavities. When the ashtray is full of cigarette butts, a top lid panel is folded over the top cavity, locked in place and then safely disposed of. The back panel is supplied with an adhesive strip for attaching the ashtray to a surface. The ashtray is sized to act as a package for two packs of cigarettes. It is inexpensive to produce and can be folded for convenient packaging and portability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Hugh Marion Lyman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6990984
    Abstract: A hand held nail polish removal tool includes a housing having a main body connected by an elongated neck to a head. An abrasive member is removably attached to the head and the tool contains a vibrator for causing the abrasive member to vibrate so that when the abrasive member is positioned against a finger or toe nail, the abrasive member will abrade away any polish on the nail. The polish removal process may be accelerated by applying a solvent to the abrasive member. This may be done by dipping that member in a solvent or by incorporating a solvent dispensing system in the housing which allows a solvent to be delivered via the head to the member's abrasive surface. Preferably, the tool is powered by rechargeable battery in the housing. Various different abrasive cover members for attachment to the head are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Barry O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 6990985
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting a fingernail includes a cover which is formed to fit over the fingernail. The cover is made from a material which restricts ultraviolet light from contacting the fingernail, thus preventing yellowing when the user is tanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Nail Savers, LLC
    Inventors: Eileen Allen, Chris Scheurn
  • Patent number: 6990986
    Abstract: A hair curler suitable for retaining curls of hair and allowing the administration of hair treatment products to the hair curls while in their retained position, comprising a permeable elastic tube (10) open at one end (10b), the open end and a circumferential region (14) of the tube intermediate the ends being either of a smaller diameter or higher modulus of elasticity than the major part of the tube. The hairdresser draws the tube (10) over his or her forefinger and winds the hair around the portion of the tube (10) between the end (10a) and the waist (14). Once fully wound, the open end (10b) is drawn “inside out” to secure the curl in place, without the need for the hairdresser to apply any manual gripping action. The permeability of the tube allows the administration of hair treatment products while the curl is in the secured position and, when treatment has finished, the tube is easily removed by drawing the rim (16) of the open end (10b) back over the treated hair curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Rudolfo Valentini
  • Patent number: 6990987
    Abstract: Equipment and methods are provided for combining with a typical heat exchanger having numerous fin tubes, the combination allowing the containment of cleaning fluid used to clean fin tubes with high pressure liquid cleaning devices in which cleaning fluid is discharged into one end of each fin tube and out the other. An enclosure is attached to an opened end of a heat exchanger having U-shaped fin tubes, the enclosure having cleaning tool access portions for separately exposing each of at least two pluralities of the fin tubes entry ends, while continuing to cover the remaining fin tube pluralities, and the fin tube exit ends. Fluid splashed at the cleaning fluid entry end of the fin tubes and cleaning fluid exiting the fin tubes is captured and drained by the enclosure. Alternatively, a second enclosure captures exiting cleaning fluids in heat exchangers having straight fin tubes and two openable ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Gary Ray Smith
  • Patent number: 6990988
    Abstract: A liquid processing system of the present invention controls a temperature of a processing liquid being in a stand-by circulation line by control means for controlling the heaters to heat the processing liquid stored in the tank, while controlling the opening/closing means to pass the cooling medium into the tank with the stored processing liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Sadayuki Fujishima
  • Patent number: 6990989
    Abstract: An instrument treatment station includes a station body having a first and second elongate and spaced channel walls. The channel walls define an elongate instrument channel therebetween. The station body defines an elongate drain channel in fluid communication with the instrument channel. The station body further defines a source port in fluid communication with the instrument channel for delivering a fluid flow into the instrument channel for treating an instrument therein. The instrument treatment station may accommodate arrays of aligned instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences (SV) Corp
    Inventor: Tom W. Yang
  • Patent number: 6990990
    Abstract: A walker for aiding an individual rising from or returning to a seated position is disclosed. The walker comprises a frame structure including a first side frame having a first anterior leg and a first posterior leg, a second side frame having a second anterior leg and a second posterior leg, and a center frame connecting the first side frame and the second side frame. The walker further includes a first support assembly attached to the first anterior leg of the first side frame, the first support assembly including a first support handle being rotatable in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first anterior leg. Thus, the first support handle is effective in aiding the individual rising from or returning to the seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventors: Glen R. Wilensky, John F. Miller
  • Patent number: 6990991
    Abstract: A safety device is provided for a gas distribution system in an airplane, containing at least one pressure regulator (5) between a pressurized gas source (2) and a supply line. Reliability of operation is improved with the provision of a pressure-limiting device (4) with two lines (41, 42) arranged in parallel with two pressure-limiting valves (43, 44, 45, 46) each arranged in the same direction in series. The pressure-limiting device (4) is arranged upstream of the pressure regulator (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Dräger Aerospace GmbH
    Inventors: Rüdiger Meckes, Herbert Meier, Wolfgang Rittner
  • Patent number: 6990992
    Abstract: A damper device includes a first baffle capable of opening or closing a first opening portion by turning about its axis and a second baffle capable of opening or closing a second opening portion by turning about its axis. A common drive source for driving the first baffle and the second baffle and a gear train by which the output from the drive source is transmitted to the first baffle and the second baffle are also provided. The device also includes a first rotary shaft driven by the gear train for driving the first baffle and a second rotary shaft driven by the gear train for driving the second baffle. The first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft are arranged to be extended from the positions adjacent to each other on the gear train toward one side in an axial direction of the gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichiro Noritake
  • Patent number: 6990993
    Abstract: A vacuum drainage system operable to remove waste from a source. The system includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the source and a substantially vertical riser having a first portion in fluid communication with the accumulator and a second portion downstream of the first portion and in fluid communication with a vacuum source. A first valve is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The first valve is selectively operable to provide fluid communication between the first portion and the vacuum source. An air inlet is disposed a distance downstream of the first valve and is selectively operable to provide fluid communication between the outside atmosphere and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Acorn Engineering Company
    Inventors: Volker W. Hafner, Thomas K. Zinn, Enrique P. Loreto
  • Patent number: 6990994
    Abstract: A valve is provided that includes a body portion defining a conduit and a control element coupled to the body portion and configured to selectively engage the body portion adjacent the conduit. The control element is configured to be axially repositioned based on axial movement of the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Kelsyus, LLC
    Inventors: David L. Reeb, Brian E. Le Gette
  • Patent number: 6990995
    Abstract: A valve-leaf protective structure for pressure regulator of air tank used in diving mainly includes a valve-leaf seat being provided at a lower center with a retaining hole and at two sides with two raised supports, each of which is provided at an upper inner surface with a rotary shaft hole; and a valve-leaf protective cover located between the two raised supports of the valve-leaf seat, and provided at two upper outer ends with two sideward projected rotary shafts for rotatably mounted in the two rotary holes on the raised supports. A lower side of the protective cover is formed into a tongue having a hook provided at a lowermost end thereof to detachably engage with the retaining hole at the lower center of the valve-leaf seat. Therefore, the protective cover may be pivotally turned about the rotary shafts between the raised supports to close or open the valve-leaf seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Hsing-Chi Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6990996
    Abstract: A replacement torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly for use within an automatic transmission including two cooperating valves, namely a regulator apply valve and an isolator valve, disposed in fluid communication with a line pressure circuit and a torque converter clutch apply circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment the regulator apply valve employs a regulator apply valve sleeve, which provides support to the regulator apply valve to prevent side loading. Modified control lands on the regulator apply valve have a reduced cross-sectional area calculated to increase the influence of the pulse width modulated solenoid, which provides an output pressure in response to the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid coil in pulse width modulated converter systems. In an alternative embodiment an isolator valve sleeve is utilized for instances wherein the isolator valve bore has extreme wear that cannot be corrected solely by the installation of the replacement isolator valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Maura Jane Stafford
  • Patent number: 6990997
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for distributing a fluid. A fluid distribution device includes a flow chamber comprising an inlet and an outlet, an equalization chamber; and a diaphragm separating the flow chamber and the equalization chamber, wherein a valve positioned in a flow path between the flow chamber inlet and the flow chamber outlet comprises a valve body coupled to the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: USFilter Corporation
    Inventor: David Haruch
  • Patent number: 6990998
    Abstract: A fuel tank assembly has a fuel tank with a fuel flow control device disposed at least partially in the fuel tank, and which communicates with a fuel filler pipe through which volatile fuel is added to the fuel tank. In one embodiment, the fuel flow control device includes a fill tube that controls the manner in which fuel enters the fuel tank, preferably to reduce generation of fuel vapor when fuel is added to the fuel tank. In one embodiment, the fill tube is a flexible tube and includes a float adjacent to an outlet end of the fill tube so that the outlet end of the tube is responsive to the level of liquid fuel in the fuel tank for at least some levels of fuel in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Karim Amellal, Benedict R. Bonazza, George Earl Maroney, Steve L. Toth
  • Patent number: 6990999
    Abstract: Valve base module comprises a tank core passage extending within a plane containing a longitudinal axis, said plane oriented in non-perpendicular relation to a surface of said valve housing comprising at least a P, T, A, and B port and standard mounting holes for mounting said valve base module to at least one of a sub-plate or bar manifold. The plane is disposed at an offset angle ? relative to a second plane to permit one or more of at least P, T, A, and B ports to connect a first surface to an opposing second surface of the valve housing to form one or more of at least P?, T?, A?, and B? ports that permit the following additional modules to be mounted thereto: pilot control PCM, thermal insulating TIM, power supply PSM, pressure reducing PRM, diagnostic DM, load sense LSM, position feedback sensor PFSM, and manual override MOM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: KJP Investments LLC
    Inventor: Kishor J. Patel
  • Patent number: 6991000
    Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a liquid includes a manifold having a high pressure passageway adapted to be coupled to a source of the liquid and to deliver the liquid at an elevated pressure to a dispenser. The manifold further includes a low pressure passageway for exhausting pressurized liquid from the high pressure passageway. A pressure relief valve is coupled between the high pressure passageway and the low pressure passageway. The pressure relief valve has a valve member mounted for movement relative to a valve seat. One side of the valve seat defines a high pressure side in communication with the high pressure passageway and another side of the valve seat defines a low pressure side in communication with the low pressure passageway. A dynamic seal engages the valve member on the low pressure side and prevents leakage of the liquid from the low pressure side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Jeter, Robert J. Woodlief
  • Patent number: 6991001
    Abstract: A compressed air control apparatus for compressed air systems of motor vehicles includes a pressure controller (2), an air dryer (4) and a multi circuit protection valve (3). The pressure controller (2) controls the pressure in the compressed air control apparatus. The pressure controller (2) includes an outlet valve (8). The air dryer (4) dries the compressed air flowing through the compressed air control apparatus. The multi circuit protection valve (3) supplies a plurality of circuits (I, II, III, IV, V) with compressed air. The multi circuit protection valve (3) includes a plurality of overflow valves (23), at least one solenoid valve (32) and a regeneration conduit (36). Each of the overflow valves (23) is associated with one of the circuits (I, II, III, IV, or V). The at least one solenoid valve (32) arbitrarily operates the overflow valve (23), and it controls a regeneration phase of the air dryer (4) in which water is removed from the air dryer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Heer
  • Patent number: 6991002
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, an automated medication preparation system including a plurality of automated syringe preparation stations is provided and includes (1) a first automated gripper for removing a tip cap from a barrel of one syringe and placing the removed tip cap at a first location; (2) an automated device having a positionable cannula that is operatively connected to an aspirating device for drawing a prescribed dosage amount of medication from a supply and delivering the dosage to the syringe by injecting the medication through the cannula and into uncapped barrel in a just-in-time for use manner; (3) a second automated gripper for replacing the removed tip cap on the syringe barrel after the medication is injected therein; and (4) a station for making the syringe tamper evident that includes an instrument for joining the tip cap to the syringe luer connector in a localized area (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: ForHealth Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel A. Osborne, Jose R. Gonzalez, Dennis Tribble
  • Patent number: 6991003
    Abstract: A system for automatically purifying solvents has a solvent holding portion having at least one solvent stored therein, a filter holding portion having at least one filter tube located therein, a peripheral device, and a computer. The computer has a memory and a processor, and the processor is configured by the memory to perform the steps of: receiving an electronic selection of a solvent to be automatically purified; automatically causing the flow of the electronically selected solvent from the solvent holding portion to the at least one filter tube; and automatically filling a collection vessel with the purified solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: M.Braun, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Calandra, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6991004
    Abstract: A combination gravimetric and volumetric fluid dispenser is disclosed which includes a scale linked to a controller. The controller is linked to a plurality of two stage valves which control the dispensing of large quantities of base materials. The controller is also linked to a plurality of nutating pumps which together with the controller controls the dispensing of smaller quantities of additive materials. The dispensing system disclosed is particularly useful for paints or other liquid formulations where larger quantities of base materials are added and which can be added by weight and whereby precise measurements of the larger base materials is not particularly required. However, the incorporation of nutating pumps and the addition of smaller amounts of additives by volume using the nutating pumps enables precise dispensing of the additives, such as colorants for paint. The larger containers or reservoirs of base material may be disposed at a remote location from the dispensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Kaufhold, Steven R. Page, Donald A. Rummelhart
  • Patent number: 6991005
    Abstract: A piercing apparatus for piercing a small compressed gas bottle to quickly inflate an expandable sack (1) comprises a small gas bottle (6), a housing (20) carrying in an inner chamber (21) thereof a piercing element (7) having a bit (72) provided with an axial passageway (73) communicating with the sack (1), and a release mechanism (8), being charged by a counteracting spring (89) to push the piercing element (7) against the small bottle (6). The release mechanism comprises a release element, being connected to a flexible transmission (30) of control means (3), as a protuberance (87), and the piercing element (7) is fixed on a front end of a collet chock (70), which is provided with fingers (88) to grip the protuberance (87). The collet chock (70) is slidable between a gripping condition and a releasing condition of the protuberance (87) upon the operation of control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Benedetto Fedeli
  • Patent number: 6991006
    Abstract: A closing mechanism for a filling tube of a fuel tank in an automobile, including: a first housing portion adapted to be fastened in an opening of the body of the automobile, a closing slide member which supported for linear or pivotal, movement transverse to the axis of the opening, the closing slide member and a portion of the housing portion together form a funnel-like guide means such that upon a movement of a fuel nozzle towards the guide means the closing slide member is moved into an open position whereby the nozzle can be moved further into the opening, a second housing portion having a first end connectable to the first housing portion and a second end attachable to the end of the filling tube, the second housing portion having a second opening aligned with the first opening, and a closing flap for the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Uwe Stapf
  • Patent number: 6991007
    Abstract: A semi-automatic mortising machine includes a support base, a support bar, a guide device, a working device, a distance adjusting device, and a dust collection box. Thus, the displacement direction can be controlled in a manual manner during the working process, and the cutting operation is performed in an automatic manner so as to cut the mortises and tenons in the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Chi-Lo Chang
  • Patent number: 6991008
    Abstract: A power tool, such as, for example a router. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a housing and a hand grip attachable to one of the base and the housing, and the hand grip may be contoured to fit a hand of an operator and may be at least partially formed of an elastomeric material. In some aspects, a router includes a housing and a hand grip connected to the housing. In some aspects, a router is operable above a workpiece and under a table. In some aspects, a router includes a base, a motor housing and an adjustment mechanism supported by at least one of the base and the motor housing for adjusting the position of the motor housing relative to the base. In some aspects, a case for a router includes a base plate operable to support a router with a bit attached to the router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Randy McDonald, Dale Borchardt, Troy Thorson, Jeffrey C. Hessenberger, Christopher Berg, Jeffrey S. Holly
  • Patent number: 6991009
    Abstract: A work surface guide for portable hand-operated power tools allows their adaptation to a fixed-bed form (for example, a circular saw may be used as a radial arm saw or sliding miter saw). A pair of parallel rails are spaced laterally outwardly and above a table or other work surface so that the power tool may slide along these rails to cut matter located in a cutting area situated below and beneath the rails (and protruding from the edge of the work surface beneath the rails). A board fence is pivotally attached to one of the rails to extend onto the work surface, thereby allowing the board fence to be adjusted to some desired angle, a board to be situated against the board fence to protrude beneath the rails and into the cutting area, and the power tool to be run along the rails to cut the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: William Wedeward
  • Patent number: 6991010
    Abstract: A splitting head for a log splitting apparatus includes abutting primary and secondary splitting assemblies, each having a circular securing ring that holds wedge members having cutting edges directed toward the log. The cutting edges of the secondary assembly split into smaller pieces the pieces produced by the primary assembly, producing a bundle of elongated pieces of firewood in parallel array and wherein the center of the bundle has not been compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: John R. Smith