Patents Issued in February 14, 2006
  • Patent number: 6996964
    Abstract: A mobile harvesting method, which permits the automated harvesting of produce, preferably lettuce. The apparatus consists in its most basic form of a vehicle having a bandsaw positioned at a front portion thereof, the blade of which is positioned to slice the lettuce head at the desired location. The apparatus further includes a conveyor that transports the harvested produce from the cutting site and onto the apparatus. Preferably, the apparatus additionally features a washing conveyor, washing station, inspection station, and elevator conveyor, to assist in the further processing of harvested produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventors: Frank J. Maconachy, David Offerdahl, Chris Garnett
  • Patent number: 6996965
    Abstract: A conditioning element for a treatment device to accelerate drying of forage. The conditioning element includes an active part to work the forage and a first connecting part to connect, in a pivoting manner about a connecting axis, the conditioning element to a support. The conditioning element additionally includes a third part arranged such that: a center of gravity of the active part and a center of gravity of the third part lie on each side of a plane passing through the connecting axis and roughly perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the conditioning element, and a center of gravity of the third part is distant from a plane passing through the connecting axis and containing the center of gravity of the active part. The conditioning element may find application particularly in the field of agricultural mowers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kuhn S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Baptiste Ligouy
  • Patent number: 6996966
    Abstract: Blocking device of the unwinding of the threads from the feeding bobbins of a twisting spindle with superimposed bobbins inserted on their hollow pin, in which the threads are blocked with mechanical interceptors brought into their unwinding range at the entrance of the respective hollow pins and activated by means of sensors of the twisted thread situated downstream of the thread-guide curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Savio Macchine Tessili S.p.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Badiali, Ruggero Nicodemo, Giovanni Ghinami
  • Patent number: 6996967
    Abstract: When a cable support structure according to the present invention is applied to a slide door in a vehicle, a first support member (20) and a second support member (30) support one end portion and another end portion in a cable guide (1) in a state capable of swinging them in a vertical direction approximately perpendicular to a sliding direction (Q) of a slide door (SD). Accordingly, even in the case where an attitude angle of the slide door (SD) with respect to the vertical direction is changed in correspondence to the slide movement, or a vertical position is changed, it is possible to prevent an unreasonable force from being applied to the cable guide (1) on the basis of the above-described attitude or position change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinao Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6996968
    Abstract: An oil scavenge system includes a tangential scavenge scoop and a settling area adjacent thereto which separately communicate with a duct which feeds oil into an oil flow path and back to an oil sump. A shield is mounted over the settling area to at least partially shield the collecting liquid oil from interfacial shear. A multiple of apertures are located through the shield to permit oil flow through the shield and into the duct. The scavenge scoop forms a partition which separates the duct into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion processes upstream air/oil mixture that is captured by the tangential scoop while the second portion receives the oil collected in the settling area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Peters, Dwayne Messerschmidt, J. Axel Glahn, Kenneth L. Allard, Hsianmin F. Jen, Larry W. Spires, Roger M. Barnsby
  • Patent number: 6996969
    Abstract: A multi-mode shutdown system in combination with a fuel metering unit of an engine to prevent normal fuel delivery during engine malfunction such as the engine overspeeding. The multi-mode shutdown system includes a shutdown solenoid capable of closing a pressurizing valve to prevent fuel flow to the engine for creating a shutdown mode of operation with no fuel flow to the engine. The multi-mode shutdown system also includes a minimum flow solenoid in fluid communication a source of fuel at a minimum flow rate for creating a minimum flow mode of operation with fuel provided to the engine at the minimal flow rate. In the minimum flow mode, the shutdown solenoid and minimum flow solenoid establish a flow path for the fuel to the engine manifold at the minimal flow rate. During normal operation, the fuel metering unit regulates the fuel flow to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Goodrich Pump & Engine Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Dalton
  • Patent number: 6996970
    Abstract: A fuel control system (10) in a turbine engine includes a centrifugal boost pump (20) that receives fuel from a fuel tank and increases the pressure of the fuel. A piston pump (40) boosts the fuel pressure to levels required by the turbine engine and meters an amount of fuel delivered to the turbine engine. A speed controlled electric motor (30) drives the piston pump (40). The electric motor (30) is driven by an electronic speed control wherein by controlling motor speed, fuel flow to the turbine engine is controlled, and fuel flow is directly proportional to the speed of the motor (30). Accordingly, the system (10) seeks precision of fuel control that can be achieved with an accuracy of better than +/?3% over a 30:1 fuel flow range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: William Lorenz
  • Patent number: 6996971
    Abstract: A jet-propelled rotary engine comprises a stator and a rotor operatively coupled to the stator for rotation of the rotor relative to the stator about a rotor axis. The rotor comprises at least first and second jet assemblies wherein the first jet assembly defines a first converging flow region, a first diverging flow region downstream of the first converging flow region, and a first discharge port and wherein the second jet assembly defines a second converging flow region, a second diverging flow region downstream of the second converging flow region, and a second discharge port. The rotary engine further comprises a combustion region having an upstream portion and is adapted to cause a combustion reaction of an oxygen-fuel mixture in the combustion region in a manner to form combustion reaction products which comprise at least a part of thrust matter to be discharged through the discharge ports of the first and second jet assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Innovative Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Schlote
  • Patent number: 6996972
    Abstract: A method of ionizing a liquid propellant is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of applying an electrical charge to a showerhead, delivering a liquid propellant under pressure into a chamber defined within the showerhead, and emitting the liquid propellant under pressure through a plurality of micro-nozzles interspaced within the face of the showerhead to create a plurality of jets that collectively produce an electrospray having charged particles. An electric thruster that implements such a method is also disclosed herein. The thruster includes a showerhead having an inlet and a plurality of micro-nozzles, a reservoir for supplying propellant to the showerhead via the inlet, means for accelerating charged particles, and a power source connected to the showerhead and the accelerating means. The propellant is emitted under pressure from the micro-nozzles to produce an electrospray having charged particles. The charged particles are accelerated by the accelerating means to produce thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Weidong Song
  • Patent number: 6996973
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rocket engine nozzle comprising a system for controlling jet separation of the flow in the nozzle, wherein said control system exhibits a plurality of separation triggering elements (5, 10) arranged in such a way as to generate, from mutually spaced initiation points (9), distinct zones (6) of jet separation, so as to form a three-dimensional separation of the flow. The flow control system can exhibit at least two triggering elements (5, 10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Agence Spatiale Europeenne
    Inventor: Christian François Michel Dujarric
  • Patent number: 6996974
    Abstract: An engine diagnostic system includes a catalytic converter and an outlet O2 sensor. The outlet O2 sensor generates an outlet signal that is based on an oxygen level of exhaust gases exiting the catalytic converter. A controller adjusts a secondary fuel trim based on the outlet signal. The controller indicates a fault status if the secondary fuel trim has achieved a fuel trim limit and the outlet signal is out of a diagnostic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Anilovich, David N. Belton, David A. Frank, Ian J. Mac Ewen
  • Patent number: 6996975
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an exhaust treatment apparatus having an NOx reduction system comprising first and second catalyst beds in series with associated first and second ammonia injectors. The first catalyst bed with its associated ammonia injector preferably targets removing only about 80 to about 95% percent of the NOx in the vehicle exhaust. The second catalyst bed with its associated injector preferably target removing about 70 to about 100% of the remaining NOx. Staging the reduction system in this manner improves control over NOx reduction and reduces the risk of ammonia slip. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods of treating vehicle exhaust to remove NOx and an SCR reactor comprising a housing having an entrance port, an exit port, and an ammonia injection port, wherein the injection port is configured to inject ammonia in between SCR catalyst beds contained in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Subbaraya Radhamohan, Michael Eugene Crane
  • Patent number: 6996976
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a device to a pipe. The apparatus is particularly useful for the installation and/or replacement of retrofit sensors and injectors to the piping of engine exhaust systems and emission control systems, and is designed to be used on pipes of different dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Cleaire Advanced Emmision Controls
    Inventors: Marc D. Rumminger, Michael Streichsbier, Dean B. Wehrley, Richard G. Lemke
  • Patent number: 6996977
    Abstract: A method of avoiding damage to a decoupling hose mounted between two tubes of a motor vehicle exhaust system, said hose comprising a deformable inner portion, an outer sealing leakproofing portion in the form of a continuous and leaktight sleeve having a flexible central zone and two rigid endpieces, and an intermediate portion in the form of a wad of thermal lagging extending substantially over the entire length of the outer sleeve, each rigid endpiece extending at least over a length such that its peripheral end edge connected to the flexible central zone overlies the inner portion of the hose which is subjected to deformation, wherein, in order to avoid any damage to the wad of thermal lagging by said peripheral end edge of each endpiece, the method consists in defining the effective length of the endpieces in such a manner that for the wad of thermal lagging having an initial thickness H0 and a compressed thickness Hc when compressed by said peripheral edge of each endpiece during maximum transverse defle
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hutchinson
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Simon, Claire Girot
  • Patent number: 6996978
    Abstract: A torque converter stator for improved fluid coupling and acceleration is provided. The stator includes a plurality of circumferential long and short blades for increasing torque to an automatic transmission by employing reaction force produced when a flow transmission oil within the torque converter impinges an exterior surface of the blades. The stator utilizes the plurality of circumferential short blades for increasing torque during times a vehicle starting or accelerating and for permitting an obstructed fluid coupling in the turbine and impeller are a coupling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: David J. Goerend
  • Patent number: 6996979
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for a hydraulic excavator having a motor drive which acts on at least two closed drive circuits which are connected in parallel, each have a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor and which operate on a common output drive, connecting lines being provided between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor of a respective drive circuit, is intended to be improved such that mutual contamination of the components of different driving means with particles in the event of damage is largely avoided and it is also made easier to ascertain the damage. This is achieved by the connecting lines (L11, L12; L21, L22) of each drive circuit (A1, A2) being arranged only between the hydraulic pump (P1, P2) and the hydraulic motor (HM1, HM2) of the respective drive circuit (A1, A2) in such a way that there is no hydraulic connection between the different drive circuits (A1, A2), the respective drive circuit (A1, A2) each having its own control valve (S1, S2) connected to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Terex / O&K GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Esch, Gottfried Drieschner
  • Patent number: 6996980
    Abstract: A hydrostatic module is disclosed, including a pair of shafts rotatably supported by a frame. Two yokes are pivotally mounted on the frame, each having complimentary surfaces to the other yoke and to the frame, minimizing the space occupied by the yokes. Stop means are provided on the yokes and on the frame to limit the pivotal movement of the yokes. A hydrostatic power unit is carried by each yoke, each connected to one of the shafts. A control system, having a single piece control housing containing servo pistons, pivots the yokes. The servo pistons independently determine the orientation of the yokes. A single piece fluid control porting plate is secured to the control housing to route hydraulic fluid to multiple locations within the control housing. A fluid manifold serves as a main structural element, with intimate proximity between the manifold and the control housing allowing simplified fluid exchange therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventors: John Fleming, Scott Meyer, Doug Kardell, Christopher P. Masini
  • Patent number: 6996981
    Abstract: In order to provide a rotationally balanced hydraulic swash plate plunger unit, a swash plate plunger pump casing is provided with an unbalanced flange to balance a casing which has a swash plate member therein, without requiring a separate counter weight. A hydraulic swash plate plunger pump includes a pump swash plate member, installed in the pump casing and rotatably supported in an inclined manner therein, and a pump cylinder having a plurality of pump plungers slidably disposed therein. An unbalanced five-sided flange portion is formed integrally with the outer wall of the pump casing, to rotationally balance the entire unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Ito, Yasushi Fujimoto, Hideo Okuzaki
  • Patent number: 6996982
    Abstract: A spool valve includes a first valve port coupled to a fluid source at a first pressure range, a second valve port coupled to a fluid source at a second, lower, pressure range, and first and second output ports coupled to a hydraulic device. The valve includes a valve spool configured to selectively channel fluid from the first and second valve ports to the first and second output ports, respectively, while in a first position, from the second valve port to both the output ports while in a second position, and from the second and first valve ports to the first and second output ports respectively, while in a third position, and a check valve to permit one-way fluid passage from the second output port to the first valve port. The valve may include an anti-reverse check valve configured to prevent fluid from flowing into the valve via the first output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6996983
    Abstract: A rotary Stirling-type engine (100) having a heat chamber (105) with a compressing turbine (107) at one end and a valve assembly (108) through which gas enters the heat chamber (105). At the order end is a nozzle housing (109) for gas exit. A shaft (110) extends from the turbine (107) and is mounted in a bearing (111). Another shaft (112) extends from the nozzle housing (109), mounted in bearing (113). A rotor flywheel (114) is also mounted on shaft (110) and fixed in place by socket pin (115). The engine also contains insulating jacket (120), regenerating a housing (122) and a heat sink (126). In the engine, gas is compressed by the turbine (107) until it opens valve (108). The passes through and expands in the heat chamber where it receives heat radiation (eg. Solar) through a glass window (121). The gas cannot escape back through the valve (108) but rather through two circumferentially mounted nozzle adjusters, spinning the whole central assembly, including the compressing turbine (107), as it escapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Michael John Vernon Cameron
  • Patent number: 6996984
    Abstract: A pressure intensifier for generating a relatively large force includes a plurality of pistons driven in advancing and retracting directions. The pressure intensifier includes a body having a cavity used as an internal fluid reservoir. Furthermore, a damping mechanism limits the relative acceleration between pressure intensifier components during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: BTM Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin G. Sawdon, Steven J. Sprotberry
  • Patent number: 6996985
    Abstract: An expansion reservoir is disclosed, which has a fluid chamber defined by a reservoir bottom and a flexible reservoir top movable relative to the reservoir bottom as a function of the reservoir filling level, wherein a hydraulic connection to a master cylinder is provided at the reservoir bottom while the reservoir top comprises a substantially liquid-tight but air-permeable connection to the atmosphere, in order to allow pressure compensation between an air volume left in the filled fluid chamber and the atmosphere. The hydraulic connection to the master cylinder comprises an extension protruding into the fluid chamber, which extension defines a predetermined volume V in the fluid chamber which is larger than the air volume left in the filled fluid chamber. In addition thereto, the reservoir top may take the form of a rolling lobe bellows, which comprises a plurality of wall portions substantially concentric at least in the undeformed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: FTE Automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Diethard Bornkessel, Rainer Leuschke, Elliott Scott
  • Patent number: 6996986
    Abstract: A control system of this invention for use with a variable geometry turbocharger is designed to enable turbocharger control based solely on engine speed. The control system takes measured engine speed and sends the same to an engine control unit (ECU) having an actuator position v. engine speed map. The ECU utilizes only the measured engine speed to determine a desired actuator position from the map, and produces a control signal for effecting actuator operation. The control signal generated by the ECU can be converted to an analog signal by pulse width modulation, for example. The control signal is sent to an actuator for placing the actuator into the desired actuator position. The actuator is connected to a variable geometry member in the turbocharger so that operation and placement of the actuator into the desired actuator position thereby places the variable geometry member into a desired position to effect the desired change in turbocharger operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Don Arnold
  • Patent number: 6996987
    Abstract: A tool for securing a connector on a conductor using an explosive charge includes a first tool member, a second tool member, a drive member, a lock member and a limiting member. The second tool member is movably mounted on the first tool member. A breech chamber is defined in at least one of the first and second tool members. The breech chamber is adapted to receive the explosive charge. A breech opening is defined in at least one of the first and second tool members. The breech opening communicates with the breech chamber. The tool is adapted to forcibly move the drive member responsive to an explosion of the explosive charge in the breech chamber. The second tool member is movable between a closed position, wherein the breech opening is closed, and an open position, wherein the breech opening is open to allow loading and unloading of the explosive charge into and from the breech chamber, by moving the second tool member relative to the first tool member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Owen Gregory, Steve Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6996988
    Abstract: A thermal collection system has a first tank for storing relatively hot working fluid and a second tank for storing relatively cold working fluid. A heat exchanger is connected for receiving the relatively hot working fluid from the first tank for providing heat to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger discharges the working fluid at a lower temperature than a temperature of the relatively hot working fluid of the first tank. A solar panel collector is connected for receiving the lower temperature working fluid from the heat exchanger and for heating the lower temperature working fluid and feeding same to a first control valve. The first control valve is operative for feeding working fluid from the solar collector selectively to one of the first tank and the second tank. The second tank has a second control valve selectively operative for permitting working fluid from the second tank to flow to the solar collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: EMC2
    Inventor: Robert W. Bussard
  • Patent number: 6996989
    Abstract: A process to recover energy from a gas having a temperature of above 650° C. and an absolute pressure of more than 1.7 bar and having non-solidified alkali containing compounds and particles by performing the following steps: (a) cooling the gas to a temperature of below 550° C. by means of a shell-tube heat exchanger, wherein the hot gas is passed at the shell side and coolant water is passed at the tube side, wherein steam is formed, from which steam energy is recovered; (b) separating the particles from the gas by means of one or more sequentially arranged centrifugal separation devices to a dust level of below 400 mg/Nm3; and (c) expanding the gas in an expander to recover energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Hubertus Wilhelmus Albertus Dries, Andreas Ekker, Evert Wesker
  • Patent number: 6996990
    Abstract: A flow controller is disposed between a preburner section in a diffuser and prior to the main fuel injector and catalytic sections in a turbine combustor. The flow from the burner section is typically not uniform in temperature and velocity and the flow splitter renders the flow substantially uniform at the fuel injector and catalyst inlet. The flow splitter comprises substantially equal mass annular flow areas defined by a first outer frustoconical element and the diffuser wall, a second element defining with the first element a second annular area and a central bluff disk defining with the second element the interior annular area. Vanes are provided on the flow splitter to enhance turbulent flow and substantially preclude swirling flow. As a result, flow uniformity at the catalyst inlet and main fuel injection is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Constantin Alexandru Dinu
  • Patent number: 6996991
    Abstract: A fuel system for a turbine engine for reducing CO emissions caused during fuel staging processes while the turbine engine operates at reduced loads. The fuel system may include a first premix injector assembly and a second premix injector assembly, each formed from one or more injectors. In at least one embodiment, the first premix injector includes four injectors assembled into two pairs, and the second premix injector includes four injectors assembled into two pairs. The two pairs of the second premix injector assembly may be positioned between the two pairs forming the first premix injector assembly, thereby reducing the interface between fueled and unfueled areas, which reduces CO emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Satish Gadde, William Ryan
  • Patent number: 6996992
    Abstract: A gas collection pipe (1) carrying hot gas establishes the connection between the combustion chambers (9) of a gas turbine plant and the flow channel (13) of the gas turbine. The gas collection pipe (1) has two inlet pipe connections (2), which open via an elbow (3) axially into a gas ring channel (4), which is joined to the flow channel (13). Cooling air is guided on the outside along the elbow (3). A plurality of ribs (8) are arranged at spaced locations from one another on the outside on the gas collection pipe (1) in the area of the elbow (3) on the side facing away from the flow channel (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Man Turbo AG
    Inventors: Hans-O. Jeske, Klaus Mohr
  • Patent number: 6996993
    Abstract: A pulse tube refrigerator system comprises a pulse tube refrigerator and a compressor coupled together via a high pressure line and a low pressure line. Cryogenic fluid is transferred to the PTR via the high pressure line and returned to the compressor via the low pressure line. The system further comprises an acoustic tuning device coupled to the low pressure line between a low pressure output from the PTr and a lower pressure input to the compressor, such that noise and vibration in the PTR system are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Oxford Magnet Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: David Michael Crowley
  • Patent number: 6996994
    Abstract: A superconducting machine includes a superconductive device and a vacuum enclosure containing and thermally insulating the superconductive device. A cold-trap is configured to condense gases generated within the vacuum enclosure, and a coolant circulation system is adapted to force flow of a cryogen to and from the superconductive device and the cold-trap. A cryogenic cooling system is configured to cool the cryogen in the coolant circulation system upstream of the superconductive device. A vacuum retention method, for a high-temperature superconductive HTS device, includes applying vacuum to the HTS device to thermally insulate the HTS device, condensing gases generated around the HTS device using a cold-trap, flowing a cryogen to and from the HTS device, and flowing the cryogen to and from the cold-trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Robert Adolph Ackermann
  • Patent number: 6996995
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for freezing, thawing, and storing biopharmaceutical materials which includes a flexible container, a conduit, and a temperature control unit. The flexible container is adapted to receive a biopharmaceutical material therein for freezing, thawing, and storing. The container is formed of a first substantially flat sheet of flexible material joined together by a seam with a second substantially flat sheet of flexible material so as to lie substantially flat when empty. The container fully encloses an interior portion for receiving the biopharmaceutical material. Also, the container is configured to form a three dimensional shape when filled with the biopharmaceutical material, wherein the three dimensional shape has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The conduit is connected to the flexible container with the outside of the container being in fluid communication with the interior portion via the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Integrated Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Voute, Maxime N. Lok, Leonidas Cartwright Leonard, Timothy Gerard Hughes, Richard Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 6996996
    Abstract: A sealed spray cooling system for reducing coolant loss within thermal management systems. The sealed spray cooling system includes a spray housing defining a spray chamber having at least one atomizer and a seal member attached to the spray housing about the spray chamber for sealing against a semiconductor forming a sealed spray area. Alternatively, the spray unit is comprised of a first member, a second member having at least one atomizer, the second member pivotally attached to the first member forming an interior cavity between thereof, and a seal member attached to the second member for sealing against a semiconductor within the first member thereby forming a sealed spray area. A vacuum manifold is preferably fluidly connected to the spray cavity thereby reducing the pressure within the spray cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Isothermal Systems Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Tahir Cader
  • Patent number: 6996997
    Abstract: Methods of diagnosing a temperature control unit and methods of performing a diagnostic check on a temperature control unit. The methods generally include monitoring at least one function of the temperature control unit, storing information relating to the at least one monitored function, determining from the information relating to the at least one monitored function whether the unit has a malfunction. Some methods generally include setting a flag to one of a first setting and a second setting, the flag being set to the first setting if the unit has no malfunction and the flag being set to the second setting if the unit has at least one malfunction, and enabling the diagnostic check when the flag is set to the first setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Wiff, Jay. L. Hanson, Bill A. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6996998
    Abstract: An air conditioning or refrigeration system includes an attached refrigerant receptacle associated with the system. During shipment or storage, the pressure within the system may exceed a selected threshold for the low pressure side. Under such circumstances, a pressure relief device automatically allows refrigerant to flow from the system into the attached receptacle, which brings the pressure within the system back to an acceptable level for the low pressure side. Various optional shutoff devices are disclosed that can be incorporated into the design to simplify receptacle removal or recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras, Thomas J. Dobmeier
  • Patent number: 6996999
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for more effectively managing humidity of an inside space using an air conditioner are provided. In one illustrative embodiment, the system determines whether the humidity level in an inside space is above a predetermined humidity threshold, and if so, changes a control parameter such as a minimum “on” time for the air conditioner. If the humidity level in the inside space is not above the predetermined humidity threshold, the control parameter is not changed, or changed less than when the humidity level is above the predetermined humidity threshold. Rather than changing (i.e. increasing) the minimum “on” time, it is contemplated that any control parameter that increases the “on” time of the air conditioner may be used including, for example, changing (i.e. decreasing) the maximum cycle rate allowed for the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul C. Wacker
  • Patent number: 6997000
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to prevent refrigerant from flowing out into a vehicle compartment due to damage to an evaporator or piping associated therewith. A solenoid valve is arranged at an inlet of an evaporator, and a check valve is arranged at an outlet of the evaporator. When operation of a system is to be stopped, the solenoid valve is closed while a compressor is kept operating for a predetermined time to suck out refrigerant from the evaporator to a downstream side of the check valve, so that during stoppage of the operation, the check valve prevents the refrigerant from flowing back into the evaporator. Thus, even if the evaporator arranged in the vehicle compartment or piping associated therewith is damaged, a situation where a large amount of refrigerant flows out of the evaporator into the vehicle compartment does not occur because no refrigerant remains in the evaporator, making it possible to prevent occupants in the vehicle compartment from being put in a grave situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: TGK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisatoshi Hirota
  • Patent number: 6997001
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of operating a refrigeration cycle which is capable of preventing oil from staying in an evaporator and ensures high coefficient of performance as well as sufficient circulation of oil. An electronic expansion valve is controlled such that during normal operation, refrigerant is always in a superheated state at the outlet of an evaporator, and the refrigerant is periodically forced to have negative superheat for a predetermined time by a superheat control device. Thus, during normal operation, the refrigerant sucked into a variable displacement compressor always has superheat, whereby the refrigeration cycle can operate with high coefficient of performance and an engine driving the variable displacement compressor can be operated at high fuel efficiency. Also, the refrigerant is temporarily controlled so as to have negative superheat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: TGK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisatoshi Hirota
  • Patent number: 6997002
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioning unit and method of operating the same. The air conditioning unit has a power level control unit (6) for controlling the level of power supplied to a motor (2a) of a compressor. The power level control unit (6) is comprised of a first supplying unit (6a) for supplying first level power to the compressor motor (2a), and a second supplying unit (6b) for supplying second level power to the compressor motor (2a). If an operation cycle of the compressor corresponds to a loading operation, the power level control unit (6) supplies first level power for compressing a cooling agent through the first supplying unit (6a). Further, if an operation cycle of the compressor corresponds to an unloading operation, the power level control unit (6) supplies second level power less than the first level power through the second supplying unit (6b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joong-Ki Moon, Je-Myoung Moon, Dong-Kue Lee, Jong-Hun Ha
  • Patent number: 6997003
    Abstract: A method for controlling load capacity in an air conditioning unit comprising the steps of initializing a saturated condensing temperature upper bound (SCT_UP), comparing a saturated condensing temperature (SCT) to a maximum condensing temperature threshold (MCT_TH), unloading a single load capacity step, allowing the air conditioning unit to stabilize, and setting the SCT_UP equal to the SCT after the unloading, and increasing the load capacity by one capacity step if increased load capacity is required, the SCT is less than or equal to the MCT_TH, and the SCT<the SCT_UP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michal K. Grabon, Ba-Tung Pham
  • Patent number: 6997004
    Abstract: A battery-powered air conditioning unit is mounted in the trunk of an automobile and is controlled by controls located on the dashboard of the automobile. The air conditioning unit will cool the trunk interior volume when activated whereby perishable items stored in the trunk can be kept in an air conditioned environment without being stored in the passenger compartment of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Ruby M. Pittman
  • Patent number: 6997005
    Abstract: An efficient refrigeration system for mounting on the wall of a food storage structure, includes cooling coils and heat exchange vanes, and a lower inlet and an upper outlet. A centrifugal fan and motor are removably mounted as a sub-unit on mating tracks, on the sub-unit and the housing, and are held in place by quick release arrangements, for ease in repair and/or replacement of the sub-unit. An expansion valve for the refrigeration system is mounted near the inlet. An additional fan for cooling the electric motor forms part of the sub-unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Omniteam Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Haasis
  • Patent number: 6997006
    Abstract: A cooling system that has a heat exchanger which is housed in one enclosure and is constituted of a plurality of heat exchange modes, and the heat exchanger includes a refrigerant forced circulation mode, a refrigerant natural circulation mode, and a ventilation mode. A temperature detector performs switching to an optimal mode, to thereby cool the inside of the enclosure of a housing accommodating equipment including a heat-generating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Susumu Kameyama, Yu Seshimo, Yasufumi Hatamura, Masaoki Ino, Hiroyuki Kobayakawa, Toshihiko Enomoto, Makoto Saitou
  • Patent number: 6997007
    Abstract: A cooler is formed with a front and rear wall and two end walls. A bottom wall is coupled to the lower edges of the front, rear and end walls. The front, rear and end walls form a rectangular opening. A lid has an outwardly extending periphery pivotally coupled to the lid. The lid is adapted to rest in contact with the rectangular opening when the cooler is in the closed orientation. A light assembly has an interior illumination member and a switch. The switch is operable to inactivate the panel when the lid is in the closed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Christopher A. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 6997008
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a draining unit to drain defrost water, produced by both an evaporator and a refrigerant pipe, to an outside of a cabinet thereof. The refrigerator having a storage compartment defined in the cabinet, with an evaporator provided in the cabinet to supply cool air to the storage compartment. A first defrost water tray having a first drain port is positioned under the evaporator to drain the defrost water produced by the evaporator. A second defrost water tray is positioned under both the refrigerant pipe extending to the evaporator and the first drain port of the first defrost water tray, so as to guide a draining of the defrost water produced by the refrigerant pipe and the defrost water drained from the first drain port of the first defrost water tray. The second defrost water tray having a second drain port which is connected to a drain guide hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Dal Lee, Gi-Joong Jeong
  • Patent number: 6997009
    Abstract: Ventilation element for a cooler for cooling bulk material, comprising a tray-like component provided with at least one opening for the supply of cooling gas as well as an insert which can be releasably fixed in the tray-like component and forms a support surface which can be ventilated from below for the bulk material, the insert consisting of a plurality of longitudinal profiled sections and connecting elements disposed transversely with respect thereto. The longitudinal profiled sections and the connecting elements are constructed in such a way that they can be pushed into one another during assembly of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Polysius AG
    Inventor: Ralf Martens
  • Patent number: 6997010
    Abstract: The present invention provides a regenerative heat pump system including a heat pump cycle, first storage vessel for storing a heat storage material, heat exchange device between first refrigerant and heat storage material for heating and decomposing the heat storage material by heat from a refrigerant, and heat exchange device between second refrigerant and an other heat storage material for transferring heat from the separated heat storage material to the refrigerant. The system also includes second storage vessel for storing the decomposed heat storage material, and heat generating device for generating heat by recombining the heat storage material stored in the second storage vessel and for heating a heating medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiro Suzuki, Tetsuo Terashima
  • Patent number: 6997011
    Abstract: A sliding rail for a wire-tube evaporator has an elongated rail body to be mounted on the evaporator and to protect the latter against abrasion caused by a frozen product container that slides above or on the evaporator. The sliding rail includes at least a tubular clamp for fixing the rail body on a refrigerating pipe of the evaporator. The tubular clamp is mounted on an arm projecting laterally relative to the rail body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgaraete GmbH
    Inventors: Silvia Gerstner, Siegfried Grasy
  • Patent number: 6997012
    Abstract: A method of liquefying a gas is disclosed and which includes the steps of pressurizing a liquid; mixing a reactant composition with the pressurized liquid to generate a high pressure gas; supplying the high pressure gas to an expansion engine which produces a gas having a reduced pressure and temperature, and which further generates a power and/or work output; coupling the expansion engine in fluid flowing relation relative to a refrigeration assembly, and wherein the gas having the reduced temperature is provided to the refrigeration assembly; and energizing and/or actuating the refrigeration assembly, at least in part, by supplying the power and/or work output generated by the expansion engine to the refrigeration assembly, the refrigeration assembly further reducing the temperature of the gas to liquefy same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: William T. Zollinger, Dennis N. Bingham, Michael G. McKellar, Bruce M. Wilding, Kerry M. Klingler
  • Patent number: 6997013
    Abstract: The inert gas generating system includes a compressed air source, a cooling air source, and a separation module. The separation module includes first and second inlets and outlets. The first inlet is coupled to the compressed air source. The first outlet is coupled to the first inlet via a bundle of hollow fiber membranes. The second inlet is coupled to the cooling air source, and the second outlet is coupled to the second inlet via a space surrounding the bundle of hollow fiber membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Shaw Aero Devices, INC
    Inventor: Philip E. Jones