Patents Issued in February 14, 2006
  • Patent number: 6997115
    Abstract: A compact, hinged, foldably deployable table utilizes a main square or rectangular member which pivotally supports a pair opposing side members from a position flatly adjacent the main member to a position at a right angle from the main member. An overlying top frame section folds from a position parallel to the main member and adjacent the side members, to a position at a right angle with respect to the main member. Locking members in the top frame positively engage and stabilize the side members. An overlying top which fits exactly within the upper frame is carried by the frame and provides sturdy support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventors: Joshua C. Lockwood, Tramale Chatman
  • Patent number: 6997116
    Abstract: A kitchen assembly includes a vertically adjustable dining table capable of selectively shifting to a position depending on consumer requirements. More specifically, the kitchen assembly includes a countertop having a main work surface supported above a first base portion in a substantially horizontal plane and a vertically adjustable tabletop assembly. The tabletop assembly includes a dining surface supported by a plurality of vertically adjustable support members above a second base portion designed to shift the dining table along an adjustment path. A protective apron is arranged between the respective surfaces to prevent foreign objects from entering the adjustment path. Through operation of a control, a user can selectively set the vertical height of the dining table with respect to the countertop. Preferably, the user can set the height of the table through operation of a remote control, irrespective of the presence of objects on the dining surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Evelyn M. George, M. Michael Khosropour
  • Patent number: 6997117
    Abstract: Improved lectern table, made up of a bearing column (1) that rests on a base (2) to be fixed to the floor, while at its upper part it incorporates a board (3) situated in tiltable assembly, having on the rear of the column (1) a support (4) by way of an upwards directed arm on which a module (5) foreseen of a microphone (6) is situated which stands out above the board (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Figueras International Seating, S.A.
    Inventor: José Figueras Mitjans
  • Patent number: 6997118
    Abstract: A gasifier system and process comprises a pulse combustion device in communication with a fluid channel for producing a gas stream having heat or fuel value. The pulse combustion device is operated under sub-stoichiometric conditions such that combustion and steam reforming both occur in the fluid channel. The pulse combustion device also produces a pulsating combustion product stream and an acoustic pressure wave. The acoustic pressure wave serves to cause agglomeration of particles contained within the combustion stream for easy removal. In one embodiment, a sulfur capturing agent is injected into the fluid channel for not only removing sulfur from the combustion product stream but for also facilitating particle agglomeration. Ultimately, a gas stream containing hydrogen is produced that may be used in various processes, such as in the production of electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Manufacturing & Technology Conversion International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Momtaz N. Mansour
  • Patent number: 6997119
    Abstract: A process for controlling both fireside ash deposits and corrosion, and fouling, corrosion, and emissions due to SO3 formation within a fossil-fuel-fired combustion system, such as a furnace forming part of an electrical power generating plant. A solution of a soluble magnesium compound, which can be derived from wastes, such as the bleed stream from the power plant's SO2 scrubber, is injected into the combustion products within the furnace in the form of a fine spray and at a point at which the temperature is sufficiently high to produce submicron-size MgO particles. The SO3 reacts with the MgO particles to form MgSO4. Insoluble magnesium compounds can be added to the solution to produce larger (micron sized) MgO particles on thermal decomposition. The micron-sized MgO particles are deposited on furnace surfaces to reduce ash deposits and to reduce catalytic generation of SO3. The boiler wastes can be reacted with other industrial process waste products to provide marketable chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Jerrold E. Radway
  • Patent number: 6997120
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a vehicle, such as a tractor, and a planting apparatus that is movable across the ground by the vehicle. The vehicle desirably has a guiding system for automatically guiding the vehicle to follow a predetermined planting path as the vehicle moves across the ground. The guiding system can comprise, for example, a global positioning system for determining the instantaneous positions of the vehicle and an automatic steering system for steering the vehicle based on positioning information from global positioning. As the vehicle moves the planting apparatus along the planting path, the planting apparatus plants a row of plants, such as trees or other agricultural products, at spaced apart locations along the planting path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Gabriel
  • Patent number: 6997121
    Abstract: An agricultural implement for forming a furrow in a soil, is described and which includes a rotatable shank; a resilient, movement limiting member disposed in force transmitting relation relative to the rotatable shank; and a pair of wheels mounted for earth engaging movement, and respectively positioned on the opposite sides of the rotatable shank, and wherein the pair of wheels are positioned substantially laterally outwardly and rearwardly of an intended direction of movement of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: The McGregory Company
    Inventor: Paul H. Buchholtz
  • Patent number: 6997122
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for dispensing aggregates for lawn improvement. Aggregates are delivered to the site in a primary dispensing vehicle, which is configured to allow a smaller secondary dispensing vehicle to be loaded with the aggregate directly from the primary vehicle. The process includes aerating the soil, distributing a variety of soil amendments evenly over the area to be treated and then dragging a unique drag mat over the area to make a smooth contour and to even the distribution of the aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Richard Guzman
  • Patent number: 6997123
    Abstract: A method of modifying a grinder-mixer unit into a seed tender unit includes the steps of providing a grinder having a frame, a generally upright bin, a mixing auger within the bin, a grinding device and an outlet device. The outlet device and the grinding device are removed from the frame. A seed output opening is formed in the bin and a false floor plate is mounted within the bin to direct seed towards the opening, and a seed transfer device having a lower end and an upper end is connected at the lower end to the seed output opening, a seed feed control device is interposed therebetween and the seed transfer device is connected to a power device for engaging the seed transfer device to transfer seed from the lower end to the upper end of the seed transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Darrell Denker
  • Patent number: 6997124
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for generating a loop or a file used in an embroidery frame and the device comprises a fore-back driving part including a fore-back driving motor, a first gear driven with said motor, a second gear driven by a means coupling with said first gear, a third gear driven by a co-axis of rotation with said second gear, a first stop bar to switch said motor positioned at the lower part of said co-axis and cam-shaped stoppers placed within the area covered by the rotation of said first stop bar; a left-right driving part including a left-right rotating motor, a fourth gear driven with said motor, and a shaft having a fifth gear associated with said forth gear at the one end and a worm gear at the other; and a lead arm part connect to said shaft and including a lead arm to generate a loop, a lead arm body to joint said lead arm, lever stoppers to suppress the rotation of the motor and a second stop bars placed with the area covered by the rotation of the lead arm wherein said ea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Chung-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 6997125
    Abstract: The automated sewing device itself includes several known constitutional elements similar to those of the earlier described prior-art automated sewing devices. Namely, a known sewing machine (M) having a sewing needle (32), a pressure foot member (31), and a feed dog member (33) is fixedly provided on a table (3), and a stationary guide plate (2) having a pair of first and second guide grooves (20A)(20B) formed therein is fixedly mounted on the table (3). And, movably attached on that stationary guide plate (2) is a movable guide plate (1) which has a pair of guide rollers (12)(12) rotatably provided on the reverse side thereof. Designation (30) denotes a guide member disposed adjacent to the sewing needle (32), which is so designed that both end portions (53) and (63) respectively of the first and second base materials (5)(6) will be slidably contacted therewith and thereby be guided in a direction to that sewing needle (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihito Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Takei
  • Patent number: 6997126
    Abstract: A process for joining adjacent panels of plural layered upholstery, including the steps of adjacently positioning first and second panels, each having an offset backing and exterior layers, and substantially aligning longitudinal peripheries of the first and second panels. Stitching the panels together along a first stitching line positioned inboard of the longitudinal peripheries and substantially parallel thereto, and stitching portions of the first and second panels outboard of the first stitching line to an inboard portion of one or more of the panels along at least a second stitching line. In a preferred embodiment, the exterior layer in the first panel is offset laterally relative to the backing layer in an inboard direction, wherein the lateral offset imparts a substantially regular contour to portions of the exterior layer proximate the first stitching line and inboard thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kimberly Murley
  • Patent number: 6997127
    Abstract: A method is provided for upholstering an automotive interior component such as a seat or door panel. According to the method, a single piece of fabric is provided with a pattern that includes an interior portion and a pair of integral outboard bolsters. In a preferred embodiment, the interior portion is printed with a design that visually distinguishes the interior portion from the bolsters. The fabric is then sewn along pre-selected areas to form pinch seams and side panels may be joined to the pattern. Printing and sewing the pattern in this manner causes the resulting cover to appear as if it were made from multiple pieces of discrete fabric. However, by using the single piece of printed and sewn fabric, the need for multiple rolls of material, laborious pattern cutting, and excess scrap are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Michigan Industrial Trim
    Inventors: Ron Guy, Steve Hurite
  • Patent number: 6997128
    Abstract: A stand-up type personal watercraft comprises a body including a hull and a deck covering the hull from above, the body having a foot deck at a rear portion of the deck, on which an operator rides, a water jet pump configured to propel the watercraft, and a four-cycle multi-cylinder engine provided within the body and configured to drive the water jet pump, wherein the engine is disposed forward of the foot deck within the body and substantially at a center position in a longitudinal direction of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 6997129
    Abstract: An apparatus having at least one paw hingedly attached to a compartment side of a lid configured for covering a hatch of a compartment. At least one catch is positioned on a wall of said hatch for engagingly receiving the at least one paw. A spring is positioned for urging engagement of the paw with the catch. The paw includes an angled portion which, upon closing of the lid, rotates the paw to allow the lid to be closed over the hatch and the paw to then engage the catch. A user may rotate the paw to disengage the paw from the catch, to thereby open the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Skeeter Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford R. Rabal
  • Patent number: 6997130
    Abstract: A motorboat engine cover made from a metal panel having a plurality of air passages cut therethrough, wherein the air passages are formed such that the panel has no air pockets on its underside, and wherein the metal panel is configured to be mounted horizontally above a motorboat engine such that substantially unrestricted airflow occurs between the metal panel and the motorboat engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Paul Fretwell
  • Patent number: 6997131
    Abstract: An apparatus for folding a boat tower, including a hinge assembly and a releasable member. The releasable member includes two members, one of which has at least one spring loaded bolt, or locking pin, engaging a corresponding opening in the other member, thereby locking the two members in fixed relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: J & J Machine and Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Jackson, Steven W. Jackson, Scott A. Jackson, John R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6997132
    Abstract: A semi-submersible offshore vessel has a substantially ring-shaped lower pontoon, starboard and port forward columns extending upwards from the lower pontoon, and starboard and port aft columns extending upwards from the lower pontoon. An upper deck structure connects upper portions of the columns with each other. The upper deck structure has a substantially rectangular module recess for receiving one or more operation modules, for example, carrying hydrocarbon-processing equipment. The upper deck structure is generally C-shaped, having a forward torsion box extending transversally between the starboard and the port forward columns of the semi-submersible offshore vessel, and two mutually parallel longitudinal side beams extending aft from the starboard and port forward columns to the starboard and port aft columns, respectively, in such a way that the module recess exhibits an open aft end, the width of which substantially corresponds to the width of an operation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: GVA Consultants AB
    Inventor: Gerry Steen
  • Patent number: 6997133
    Abstract: An inflatable floating device has an inflatable body which includes front and rear ends, a hand grip disposed on a top side of the inflatable body adjacent to the front end, a rudder portion projecting downwardly from a bottom side of the inflatable body, a counterweight disposed in the inflatable body adjacent to the bottom side, and two leg support parts disposed on the top side of the inflatable body. The bottom side of the inflatable body is convexed downwardly between the front and rear ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventors: Rong-Jyh Song, Tsung-Ping Yen
  • Patent number: 6997134
    Abstract: A drum breader and coating recirculation system that includes a spreader positioned at an end of the drum, the spreader having a plurality of angled surfaces to distribute coatings evenly; a screening platform positioned downstream of the spreader having a drive device for imparting straight-line angular displacement to the screening platform; and a drum feed conveyor positioned downstream of the screening platform, the drum feed conveyor having a belt extending at least partially along an upward angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: FMC Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Phillip Bayus, David Alan Bailey, Ramesh M. Gunawardena, Michael Miller, Harold Eugene Patterson
  • Patent number: 6997135
    Abstract: A valve assembly adapted to be used in a milking operation where the valve assembly comprises an actuator portion and a valve portion where the valve portion has a milking position and a cleaning position where when in a milking position a transverse slot located between a cleaning fluid passage and a first milking passage provides a fluid short circuit so in the event of a leak the cleaning fluid passage and the first milking passage will not communicate with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Dave DeWaard
  • Patent number: 6997136
    Abstract: A teat cup assembly comprises an inflation having a plurality of radially-extending longitudinal ribs circumferentially spaced about the inflation and having a T-shaped cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Avon Hi-Life, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan B. Coates
  • Patent number: 6997137
    Abstract: A litter box cleaning system includes an upright cabinet with a litter pan pivotally mounted in the upper end to move between a horizontal use position and a tilted dump position. A slot is formed in the pan front wall to dispense litter and waste material when the rearward end of the pan is lifted to the dump position. A waste receptacle in the cabinet is positioned below the pan slot such that litter and waste from the pan free-fall into the receptacle for storage and removal. In a second embodiment of the invention, the front wall of the pan is spaced away from the cabinet front wall, and a flap is hinged to the front of the pan to block litter material from falling from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Ricke
  • Patent number: 6997138
    Abstract: A pet enclosure having a moisture and odor-resistant, plastic, rattan-like material woven onto a frame. The enclosure is foldably collapsible for compact storage and shipping, and is quickly and easily assembled with minimal or no tools. An elevated floor panel is securely but removably engaged to the framing of the enclosure. An access door pivots inwardly and outwardly, and can be latched in a closed position or an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6997139
    Abstract: An atomization system for odor control in a livestock storage facility includes a reservoir capable of holding a sufficient quantity of an odor control product; a pump in communication with the reservoir; a circulation loop running throughout the livestock storage facility and communicating with the pump and the reservoir; and a plurality of atomization nozzles connected with the circulation loop for distribution of the odor control product onto surfaces of the storage facility and the livestock. The odor control product contains a mixture of vegetable oil, a natural acidic compound, alcohol, and water. Advantageously, the acidic compound in the odor control product is vinegar or concentrated citrus juice. A water supply line is also connected to the circulation loop through a water pump to provide a cooling mist throughout the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Gary L. Rapp
  • Patent number: 6997140
    Abstract: An identification apparatus for animals or carcasses carrying electronic identification devices, (EID) (2) moving past an antenna (10). The identification apparatus including motion sensing means (12, 13, 14, 17) and marking means (16) adapted mark the animals or carcasses according to whether EID (2) is present, absent or non-functioning, whereby the animals' carcasses can be identified, drafted or sorted according to marking supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Aleis Trakit Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: John Douglas Frank Finlayson
  • Patent number: 6997141
    Abstract: A tube support structure for heat transfer tubes in a steam generator has a plurality of tube support bars which are installed between the heat transfer tubes. At least one of the support bars has a first metal layer and a second metal layer. The first metal layer is preferably spot welded to the second metal layer at intervals. The first metal layer and second metal layer have different thermal expansion coefficients so that at room temperature the support bar is flat, and at the operating temperature of the steam generator the first layer forms a convex shape between the intervals to support the adjacent tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Babcox & Wilcox Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Nansheng Sun
  • Patent number: 6997142
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine in accordance with one aspect of the invention is characterized by comprising a combustion chamber, a reformer, and a control portion. A predetermined fuel component is burnt in the combustion chamber. The reformer has a reforming catalyst, and that produces a reformed gas which contains the fuel component obtained by reforming a mixture of fuel and air and which supplied to the combustion chamber. The control portion sets an air-fuel ratio of the mixture in the reformer such that a reforming efficiency of the reformer is held within a predetermined range, and sets an amount of the mixture supplied to the reformer such that an actual output torque of the internal combustion engine coincides with a target torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Wakao, Kazuhiro Sakurai, Takaaki Itou, Hiroki Ichinose
  • Patent number: 6997143
    Abstract: An integrated heat exchange and fluid control device is provided having an inlet, a valve, a heat exchange section in fluid connection with the valve, a bypass section in fluid connection with the valve, and an outlet section in fluid communication with the bypass section and the heat exchange section. The valve is configured to distribute flow of the coolant into the heat exchange system and/or the bypass section. In the heat exchange sections, coolant is substantially cooled by a second fluid or airflow. In the bypass section, the coolant is substantially prevented from being cooled by the second fluid or airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Davide Fausto Piccirilli, John William Myers, David C. Letteer
  • Patent number: 6997144
    Abstract: A cylinder head structure for an internal combustion engine that is disposed on the upper surface of a cylinder body in which a plurality of cylinders are arranged in the lengthwise direction thereof, and that has an exhaust port, an intake port and a fuel injector mounting hole for each of the cylinders; a boss for bolt hole having a bolt hole for inserting a cylinder head bolt on the exhaust port side and a boss for bolt hole having a bolt hole for inserting a cylinder head bolt on the intake port side being provided between the exhaust ports and between the intake ports of the neighboring cylinders, and a partitioning wall being formed for coupling the boss for bolt hole on the exhaust port side to the boss for bolt hole on the intake port side and for sectionalizing the cooling water chamber, wherein the boss for bolt hole on the intake port side is provided with guide portions that guide the cooling water flowing into the cooling water chamber to the side of the fuel injector mounting hole from the exhau
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Tomohiro Sugano, Keiji Shimotani, Hideki Kubo, Yumiko Umemura
  • Patent number: 6997145
    Abstract: A recycling system for linear motors includes a dual piston within a cylinder housing that is moved from an upper position to a lower position by combustion pressure such that a first portion of the piston pumps compressed air from a first air chamber within a first bore of the cylinder housing and a second portion of the piston pumps compressed air from a second air chamber within a second larger bore of the cylinder housing. An exhaust valve is opened by the compressed air for venting the combustion chamber to atmosphere. The dual piston moves within the cylinder housing from the lower position to the upper position assisted by the compressed air such that a portion of the volume of the combustion chamber is converted into a portion of the volume of the second air chamber. A control valve is opened in response to movement of the dual piston through the upper position for allowing airflow from the second air chamber into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Joseph S. Adams
  • Patent number: 6997146
    Abstract: In method and apparatus for controlling starting of a solenoid-operated valve for an internal combustion engine, when a request for a start of the solenoid-operated valve is generated, a provisional target position to which an armature is likely to be moved is determined, and the armature is moved to the determined provisional target position. If the provisional target position is difference from a predetermined target position, the armature is moved to the target position after being moved from the neutral position to the provisional target position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Yoeda, Shigeo Kikori, Tomohiro Oda, Hitoshi Akimoto
  • Patent number: 6997147
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic unit for actuating the valves of an endothermic engine is provided with a hydraulic actuator for lifting a respective valve by means of a pressurized liquid and a spring antagonistic to the hydraulic actuator in order to close the valve and to discharge the liquid from the hydraulic actuator in the final closure phase of the valve through a discharge branch provided with a calibrated orifice to slow down the expulsion of the liquid and maintain a substantially constant closing velocity of the valve during discharge of the liquid from the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Panciroli
  • Patent number: 6997148
    Abstract: An engine valve actuator for an internal combustion engine is provided. The actuator includes a housing having an opening. An adjustment member is disposed in the housing and defines a fluid chamber having a chamber wall. A piston is also disposed in the opening. The piston defines a piston chamber and has a pressure surface, a protrusion extending from the pressure surface, and a groove disposed in the pressure surface surrounding the protrusion and in fluid communication with the piston chamber. A fluid passageway is adapted to controllably communicate pressurized fluid to the housing opening. A push rod is operatively engageable with the piston and is adapted to controllably actuate an engine valve of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Yu-Zhang Chang
  • Patent number: 6997149
    Abstract: A spark control system and method for an engine having an intake cam phaser and/or an exhaust cam phaser, and having engine sensors, comprises a principal calculation module that determines a principal spark advance value based upon actual rotational position of the cam phasers, and an output calculation module that determines an output spark advance value based upon the principal spark advance value and spark modifiers determined from the engine sensors. The actual rotational positions of the cam phasers are obtained from predictive calculations or rotational position sensors on the cam phasers. The principal calculation module includes two separately calibrated look-up tables, indexed by the actual rotational position of the cam phasers, whose outputs are scaled and combined to determine the principal spark advance. The spark modifiers include temperature base, coolant, induction air temperature, equivalence ratio, and piston slap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Victoriano Ruiz
  • Patent number: 6997150
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing phaser for an internal combustion engine having at least one camshaft comprising a plurality of vanes in chambers defined by a housing and a spool valve. The vanes define an advance and retard chamber. At least one of the vanes is cam torque actuated (CTA) and at least one of the other vanes is oil pressure actuated (OPA). The spool valve is coupled to the advance and retard chamber defined by the CTA vane and the advance chamber defined by the OPA vane. When the phaser is in the advance position, fluid is routed from the retard chamber defined by the OPA vane to the retard chamber defined the CTA vane. When the phaser is in the retard position fluid is routed from the retard chamber defined by the CTA vane to the advance chamber defined by the CTA vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Roger T. Simpson
  • Patent number: 6997151
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device for adjusting the angle of rotation of a camshaft in relation to the angle of rotation of a crankshaft, by means of a wobble plate mechanism situated between the camshaft and the crankshaft, in which mechanical means for limiting the adjustment of the angle of the angle of rotation are situated between the crankshaft and the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Detlef Axmacher, Massimilliano Gasparro, Dirk Neubauer, Frank Pachan, Lars Pfutzenreuter, Markus Wilke
  • Patent number: 6997152
    Abstract: A lock-pin cartridge for a valve deactivation rocker arm assembly. The cartridge comprises a body having an axial bore having first and second ends, the second end having a closure and a passage therethrough. A piston assembly comprising a locking pin and a piston is disposed in the bore. The locking pin extends through the second end passage to provide latching and unlatching of rocker arm elements. The piston is spaced apart from the ends to define a hydraulic chamber and a spring chamber within the bore on opposite sides of the piston. A spring is disposed in the spring chamber for urging the piston assembly toward one of the first and second ends. The hydraulic chamber includes means for communicating with a supply of hydraulic fluid for actuating the piston assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne S. Harris
  • Patent number: 6997153
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to fulfill, in a way that is superior to that of the previous state of the art, the demands placed by the engine on a variable valve control with regard to the shaping and accuracy of the valve lifting curves, to the simplicity of the structural design of the valve drive and of the associated adjusting mechanism, and to mechanical losses due to friction. These demands are met without any additional structural complexity, and, more particularly, without any changes to the overall height. This feat is achieved by means of the provision of a rotatable drive consisting of a housing (G), a shaft (W), an intermediate element (Z), and of an output element (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Helmut Schön, Peter Kuhn
  • Patent number: 6997154
    Abstract: A switch element (1) is proposed for valve shut-off, fabricated as cam follower for a plunger rod valve drive of an internal combustion engine, having an outer part (2) and an inner element (4) axially movable in its bore (3) and with rotational security (15) relative to the guided inner element (4). The outer part (2), inside the bore (3), has an annular groove (6), and the inner element (4) has a radial bore (7) with two diametrically opposed pistons (8), which to couple the elements (2, 4) in their axially remote relative position achieved by a lost-motion spring (5) are displaceable towards the annular groove (6). On their cam-side under side, emanating from their radially outward, bulbous face, the pistons (8) segmentwise comprise a plane transverse surface as contact area for a facing under side (27) of the annular groove (6). The latter is intersected by two diametrically opposed oil ports (11) running offset 90° from the pistons (8) in circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Nobert Geyer, Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 6997155
    Abstract: An engine starter structure for remote-control toy car is disclosed to include a cylinder block, a coupling block mounted inside the cylinder block and connected to the output shaft of the engine of the remote-control toy car, a side cover covering the cylinder block, and a starter block, which is mounted inside the cylinder block of the engine and engaged with a rod at the coupling block and has a coupling tube with a serrated front coupling edge suspending in the center through hole of the side cover for receiving the starting rod of a small electric engine starter for rotating the coupling block and the output shaft to start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Ke-Way Lu
  • Patent number: 6997156
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and recording medium for controlling starting of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus for controlling starting of an internal combustion engine is provided with a clutch for connecting and disconnecting a motor and the internal combustion engine, which is installed in a vehicle. When starting the internal combustion engine, the clutch is released and the motor is maintained in an actuated state, and the clutch is engaged after the motor enters a predetermined rotation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Tanei, Masae O-Hori
  • Patent number: 6997157
    Abstract: The intake manifold assembly comprises three blocks each molded from a plastic material by injection molding, the three blocks consisting of a first block defining a half of the surge tank, a second block defining a half of the individual intake pipes and a third block defining a remaining half of the surge tank and a remaining half of the individual intake pipes. Thereby, the intake manifold assembly may be provided with various features for defining a pair of intake pipe sections arranged in a mutually parallel relationship while being made to be suitable for an injection molding process. Because the surge tank are defined by the first and third blocks while the individual intake pipes are defined by the second and third blocks, the intake manifold assembly essentially consisting of three blocks can internally define essential features required for a dual port intake device without requiring additional component members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Ikuma, Kazuyori Kito
  • Patent number: 6997158
    Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly for use in a diesel engine includes a combustion chamber being defined intersecting a crown of a piston, the combustion chamber being defined by a first curved surface having a reentrancy formed proximate a first curved surface first end and having a post formed proximate a first curved surface second end, a corner being formed at a juncture of the first curved surface second end and the post, adjacent surfaces being direct smooth junctures. A piston and a method of forming a combustion chamber are further included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Zhengbai Liu
  • Patent number: 6997159
    Abstract: Electrically controlled fuel injection systems should be able to operate at low voltage. In order to operate an electrically controlled fuel injection system at low voltage, the voltage available to an electrical actuator is monitored. The electrical actuator is coupled to a valve positioned within a passageway in which high pressure actuation fluid flows to and from an hydraulically actuated device, such as a fuel injector and/or an engine brake. If the voltage available to the electrical actuator falls below a predetermined voltage, the pressure differential across the valve is reduced. Although the principal application of the present invention is in the fuel injection system, the present invention has application in any electrically controlled fluid system at low voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Stockner, Rene Schulz, Olaf Ohligschlaeger, Ronald D. Shinogle, Bernhard Kirsch, Clifford E. Cotton, III
  • Patent number: 6997160
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine, which makes the engine speed increased rapidly at the engine starting, converge to a target engine speed by a feed-back retard control of an ignition time, is disclosed. In the control device, if the ignition time when the engine speed converges at the target engine speed is in the advance side than a target ignition time, the ignition time is retarded to the target ignition time and an amount of intake air is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Oi, Nobuo Yagihashi
  • Patent number: 6997161
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine includes a flow rate sensor that detects an intake air flow rate that represents a flow rate of air admitted into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of the air admitted into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine, a characteristic change estimation unit that estimates a characteristic change in the internal combustion engine in accordance with the intake air flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor and the intake air pressure detected by the pressure sensor, and a control unit capable of correcting a control amount of the internal combustion engine so as to compensate the characteristic change thereof in accordance with an estimation performed by the characteristic change estimation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Naohide Fuwa, Hisayo Dohta
  • Patent number: 6997162
    Abstract: An air flow sensor for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An air flow rate measurement meter, a pressure gauge, electronically controlled throttle body, and the microcomputer, etc. are integrated as one body, and the correction of the air flow rate, the control, and the fault diagnosis, etc. are done in the integrated microcomputer. The air flow sensor outputs an air flow rate signal in which the error is deleted to suppress the discharge of the harmful exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, carries out the self-diagnosis of the breakdown of the air flow sensor or the electronically controlled throttle body to prevent the accident beforehand, and controls to obtain the best intake air amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hirayama, Shinya Igarashi, Takayuki Itsuji, Yasuo Makie
  • Patent number: 6997163
    Abstract: A throttle apparatus includes a throttle body having a motor insertion hole in which a motor is received. The throttle body has an undercut groove perpendicularly extending with respect to the axial direction of the motor around the insertion hole. A metallic plate is inserted into the undercut groove, so that a motor engaging hole formed in the metallic plate is attached to the throttle body, and a motor engaging hole formed in the metallic plate engages with the motor. A sensor cover is attached to the metallic plate, so that a notch formed in the metallic plate engages with an engaging boss integrally formed in the sensor cover to steadily receive a motor, such that the motor is restricted in the axial direction of the motor and in a direction which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Arai, Katsuya Torii, Isao Makino
  • Patent number: 6997164
    Abstract: A Common Rail injection system of an endothermic engine, the injection system including at least one fuel pressure accumulating tank, of the rail type, having an input in fluid communication with a high-pressure pump and a plurality of outputs for feeding corresponding injectors by using pressure regulating means connected and depending on an electronic control unit. Advantageously a virtual pressure sensor includes a fluid-dynamic model of the accumulating tank suitable to estimate and to obtain fluid pressure values used by the electronic control unit for driving the injection means of the Common Rail injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Esposito Corcione, Mario Lavorgna, Giuseppe Palma, Olga Scognamiglio