Patents Issued in February 23, 2006
  • Publication number: 20060037271
    Abstract: A compressed building block formed of a pre-mix of fly ash, either of the Class C type, is combined with either ground or pulverized wood chips, or with fine sand, and a plasticizer, and accelerator, then moisturized, and lastly either extruded or compressed in a mold into the configuration of a block. The block lacks a binder, except Portland cement for select military applications. A mold retardant may be added to the mixture, to provide the formed block with further beneficial attributes. The blocks may be formed by a system for extruding such blocks from the formulation, or they may be formed by means of a hydraulic or other press and pressed into the configuration of the desired block, needed for the construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20060037272
    Abstract: Generally, the invention is a dry stack building block for constructing a masonry wall. The dry stack unit has a front section having an outer surface, an inner surface, a bottom surface, and a top surface. The dry stack unit also has a rear section substantially parallel to the front section having an outer surface, an inner surface, a bottom surface, and a top surface. Two or more webs coupling the inner surface of the front section to the inner surface of the rear section have a top surface and a bottom surface. Two or more pairs of lugs may extend above the top surface of the front section and the top surface of the rear section. Each pair of lugs may have a first lug offset from a second lug in an axis perpendicular to the inner surfaces of the front section and the back section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: FSN Research, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20060037273
    Abstract: A frame construction for a low rise building. In the construction, a wall frame panel is made of thin light-gauge section steel by bonding together a surface member, a lower frame member, vertical frame members and an upper frame member. Roof or floor support girders are made of heavyweight section steel having H-shape or channel shape. The girders are coupled to frame construction panels by bolts or hold-down fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Shinichiro Hashimoto, Yoshimitsu Murahashi, Shigeaki Tohnai, Tatsuo Ezaki, Atsushi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20060037274
    Abstract: A collapsible free-standing frame structure includes N bowable resilient legs, where N is an integer greater than one, a multi-hinge, and a leg restraint. The multi-hinge includes a hinge body and N leg interconnectors for interconnecting the legs to the hinge body. The leg interconnectors are pivotally mounted to the hinge body for limited pivotal motion between closed positions, in which the interconnected legs are clustered around a central axis which extends through the hinge body, and open positions, in which the interconnected legs extend radially relative to the central axis. A pivot stop prevents the leg interconnectors from pivoting beyond the open positions. To erect the frame structure, the leg interconnectors are pivoted to their open positions, the interconnected legs are bowed against the pivot stop, and the distal ends of the bowed legs are attached to a leg restraint which maintains the legs in the bowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Sam Perez, Byron Glaser
  • Publication number: 20060037275
    Abstract: A tilt support structure is disclosed. The structure comprises a force exerted unit and a restriction unit, characterized in that the cross section of the end portion of the force exerted unit is larger than that of the middle section and the force exerted unit is mounted into the restriction unit, the restriction unit includes a single or a plurality of sleeves and in combination with concrete, cement slurry or enhanced steel beam or steel plate to form an external frame to restrict the main force exerted unit so as to prevent damage as a result of compression and the structure is stable under compression or pulling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Chiao-Yu Jen, Pi-Yao Chuang, Wu-Jing Huang
  • Publication number: 20060037276
    Abstract: A tie for insulated concrete forms that has a Z-bend configuration so that the tie is nestable with similar Z-bend ties in order to optimize the cubic volume and the weight of a container of nested ties for shipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Jeff Sweeney, Wei Chen, Charles Ward
  • Publication number: 20060037277
    Abstract: A coating for support beams in buildings to protect their structural integrity in case of high heat events, for roofs and the like to inexpensively provide protection from ultraviolet light, for wood or steel substrates to inexpensively provide flame or chemical resistance respectively, and for protection of various other building substrates. The coating comprises an adhesive and a recycled ceramic powder and may also comprise a recycled granular ceramic material. An additive to sealants, caulking, and other construction materials to inexpensively provide improved fire resistance and insulation and other enhanced properties. The additive comprises a recycled ceramic powder and may also comprise a recycled granular ceramic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Fitzgibbons
  • Publication number: 20060037278
    Abstract: Method of constructing a wall includes constructing a wall defining an upper region, a lower region, and a transition region between the upper and lower regions. The method includes erecting an exterior wall, the exterior wall including at least one layer, and the at least one layer including a wall segment having a height extending from the lower region to the transition region. The exterior wall segment may include a first material. Interior wall includes at least one layer, the at least one layer including a wall element having a height extending within the lower region. The interior wall element may include a second material. Method includes providing a non-post-tensioned reinforcing element in the lower region and providing a post-tensioned reinforcing element in the upper region of the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Stephen Crane, Shawn Griffin, David Honan
  • Publication number: 20060037279
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for laying out a dormer that projects outward from a main roof and has a gable end and a dormer roof originating at a dormer point and terminating at an outer edge of the dormer roof near the gabled end. The dormer includes roof sheathing supported by dormer trusses. The dormer trusses include a gable truss and a plurality of valley trusses. The method of the present invention includes receiving a plurality of dormer inputs from a user. A plurality of layouts for the roof sheathing on the dormer roof are generated as a function of the dormer inputs. One or more layouts are then recommended to a user to reduce a quantity of roof sheathing waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Dean Onchuck
  • Publication number: 20060037280
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to metal roofs. In one aspect, a method of placing a roof system over an existing low sloped roof is provided. The method includes measuring a slope of the existing low sloped roof to determine the location of irregularity points. Thereafter, at least one shim member is placed proximate each irregularity point and at other predetermined locations. Next, an airspace is formed between the existing low sloped roof and the roof system and then the roof system is operatively attached to the existing low sloped roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Charles Smith
  • Publication number: 20060037281
    Abstract: A wooden door with panel ribs (2.10, 2.12, 2.14) in the hollow core of the door wherein the ribs are made from scrap wood pieces. Since the scrap wood pieces are usually too short for this purpose, a method is also described that teaches means to connect the ribs made from the scrap wood pieces into useful lengths by the use of notches, connector blocks and conventional fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Toong Yong, Tong Yong
  • Publication number: 20060037282
    Abstract: An improved interior wall construction that provides both sound attenuating and fire resistant properties. The improved wall construction eliminates the need for conventional vertical studs by including at least one rigid interior structural panel comprised of compressed straw. A compressed straw panel is situated in a substantially layered configuration with conventional non-woven insulation, at least one air space and a gypsum board sheet on each face. Connection between the compressed straw panel and at least one gypsum board sheet is comprised semi-flexible substantially Z-shaped resilient channel members. The Z-shaped channel members and compressed straw panel each being capable of partially attenuating sound energy passed therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Derek Layfield
  • Publication number: 20060037283
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for inserting a folded airbag into an oblong cover, which is characterized in that the airbag, before or during insertion, is compressed into an insertion tool and is then inserted into the oblong cover by means of said insertion tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Ralf Krause, Karl-Heinz Egle, Jorg Ruschulte
  • Publication number: 20060037284
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for loading stacked food product into packages. Open top containers are arranged in rows and movable into a loading station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface having an end region extendable to a position arranged above the containers of a row of the containers. A guiding and pushing apparatus is arranged above the row and includes guides that are lowered to capture a row of stacked food products on the conveying surface, and plungers within the guides that lower and press a top of the stacks. When the conveying surface is retracted from beneath the guides and the row of containers, the guides are lowered further, adjacent to the containers, and the plungers are lowered with respect to the guides to push the stacks into the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Glenn Sandberg, James Wrona, James Pasek
  • Publication number: 20060037285
    Abstract: A method for filling a flexible container with a flowable material is provided, including the steps of filling the flexible container, suspending the flexible container, transferring the weight of the flexible container from being suspended to being supported by a support surface, and applying a hoop force to the flexible container to substantially maintain a configuration of the flexible container. The flexible container can be a bag-type container for containing flowable material such as chemicals, food products, agricultural products, and plastic pellets. As the container is lowered from the suspended position to a bottom-supported position, the hoop force is applied around the perimeter as the perimeter changes during transfer of the flexible container from being suspend to being bottom-supported. The hoop force can be applied by stretch wrap. Alternatively, the first flexible container can be lowered into a second flexible container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Randall Cary, David Ours, Michael Bauman
  • Publication number: 20060037286
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage material. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Herbert Bernhard
  • Publication number: 20060037287
    Abstract: For the prevention of contamination of a vial with traces of medicinal fluids, for example cytostatics and antibiotics, which may be spilt on the outside of the vial while filling, the vial is provided with a tight-fitting protective envelope, preferably made of a transparent synthetic material, as a last step in the production process. Because of this, a possible contamination which remains on the outside of the vial is encapsulated between the vial and the envelope. Hereby, a user is no longer exposed to toxic substances, because the user will not touch the vial itself, but will touch the envelope. An additional advantage of the provision of the envelope is that if breaking of the vial occurs, the envelope will keep the pieces of broken glass together and will possibly prevent the medicinal fluid from leaking away.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: Pharmachemie B.V.
    Inventor: Dick De Vos
  • Publication number: 20060037288
    Abstract: A method and sorting system for packaging products, wherein the products have been sorted in advance, in particular wherein the sorting is based on detecting and classifying at least one single characteristic, such as for instance weighing, wherein the method and the apparatus further provide that at least one single derived characteristic of the said at least one single characteristic is reproduced on the package, for instance with a printer. In a suitable manner, in packaging, a characteristic is reproduced on the package in real time which is applicable and usable for buyers or customers, or also for further operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Hendrik van den Bosch, Peter Neumann
  • Publication number: 20060037289
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a waste disposal apparatus including a container having a first end and a second end. A tubing cassette for supplying tubing is mounted proximate the first end of the container. A first sealing member and a second sealing member are moveable between an open position, wherein tubing from the tubing cassette can pass between the first and second sealing members, and a closed position, wherein the first and second sealing members can be activated to create a seal in the tubing. The first and second sealing members are guided by guide pins that travel along stepped channels for moving the first and second sealing members between the open and closed positions, and for pulling the tubing and waste packages through the waste disposal apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Chomik, Stewart Schmehl
  • Publication number: 20060037290
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus for wrapping a carton around a packaged product comprises a box mandrel conveyor including a plurality of mandrels which support the packaged product thereon. Packages are precisely fed to the mandrels of the box mandrel conveyor by a conditioning conveyor. Carton blanks are delivered to a conveying system for a carton magazine and are conveyed in vertical confronting relation to a mandrel. Each mandrel moves the carton blank against a large radius plows device thereby causing the carton blank to be folded around a mandrel containing a package. Folding and compression devices are provided for folding and compressing an end panel against a manufacturer's flap. Suitable flap closing means close the end flaps and upper and lower flaps after the mandrel is withdrawn from the carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Brenton Smith
  • Publication number: 20060037291
    Abstract: A cyclone dust collector and a vacuum cleaner having the same. The cyclone dust collector has a cyclone body shaped to have a relatively wider upper portion and a relatively narrower lower portion and also has a suction port and a discharge port, a grill member connected to the discharge port, a dust receptacle connected to the cyclone body, and a blocking member for partially blocking the grill member. Air drawn in through the suction port moves in an increasingly wider radial path as it travels upwardly to the discharge port, increasing the centrifugal force on suspended particles as they travel toward the discharge port. The shape of the cyclone body prevents turbulent flow from being generated. Dust is prevented by the blocking member from attaching to the grill member before being centrifuged, performance of the grill member is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Yong Heo
  • Publication number: 20060037292
    Abstract: A device having a function of adsorbing airborne molecular contamination (AMC), such as a photomask box, a wafer box used in integrated circuit manufacturing, or an LCD panel box used in LCD manufacturing, is characterized in that an adsorbing AMC unit is located in the box for adsorbing airborne molecular contamination to prevent the airborne molecular contamination from reacting with the mask or wafer to affect the mask pattern distribution or yield of devices formed on the wafer or LCD panel. The adsorbing AMC unit packaged with adsorbing material is located in the box body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Tsu-Lung Fu
  • Publication number: 20060037293
    Abstract: Provided is a blast medium pot for a blast cabinet for delivering blast particulate. The blast medium pot includes a housing portion, a hollow pressure vessel, and a plunger assembly disposed therebetween. The pressure vessel has a blast inlet disposed at an upper end of the interior chamber and a compressed air inlet fluidly connected to a compressed air source for pressurizing the pressure vessel. The plunger assembly has a valve body located within the pressure vessel and is sized and configured such that direct engagement thereof against the blast inlet creates a fluid-tight seal. The plunger assembly is configured such that the valve body is selectively movable between open and closed positions wherein compressed air may be maintained within the pressure vessel when the valve body is in the closed position and blast particulate may pass through the blast inlet when the valve body is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Ron Storer, Robert Robinson
  • Publication number: 20060037294
    Abstract: A cyclone dust collecting apparatus has a cyclone body having an air inlet for drawing in, contaminant-laden air and an air outlet connected with a vacuum suction source. The vacuum provided by the vacuum source draws air from the air outlet, which passes through the cyclone body from the air inlet. As the air flows through the cyclone body, it forms a whirling stream in the cyclone body. The whirling stream creates a centrifugal force on particles that are suspended in the air, which, because of their greater mass, causes them to become separated from air that is drawn out of the whirling stream and into the air outlet by the vacuum source. The air outlet is provided with a passage guide member arranged in the air outlet that reduces the speed of air discharged via the air outlet and also for guiding a flow streamline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Jang-keun Oh, Chul-heung Kim
  • Publication number: 20060037295
    Abstract: A movable filter system is provided for moving one or more filters of a filter assembly between an operative position and a maintenance position. In one embodiment, a filter assembly is secured to a telescoping rod assembly so that it may be moved between operative and maintenance positions. Positioning the rod assembly vertically allows gravity to move the rod assembly to an extended position, and a winch and cable may be used to move the rod assembly to a retracted position. Keyways and channels may be used within the rods of the telescoping rod assembly so as to maintain rotational positioning of the filter assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Scott Gubler, Daniel Esplin
  • Publication number: 20060037296
    Abstract: There is provided a framed filter for insertion into a filter housing having a frame surrounding at least part of a filtration media with a fluid inlet face and a fluid outlet face, the frame comprising at least one longitudinally extending sidewall portion provided with one or more flexible side seals which side seal is provided with at least one longitudinally extending rib extending in the lengthwise direction of the seal on an outwardly facing surface of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Dean Duffy
  • Publication number: 20060037297
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ceramic honeycomb filter, wherein a value obtained by dividing the cube of a porosity (%) in the partition walls having the catalyst (the porosity is a proportion of the volume of the total pores contained in the partition walls, to the total volume of the partition walls including the total pores) by a mean diameter (?m) of all pores, is 0.8×104 or less, and a porosity (%) of pores of 100 ?m or above in diameter in the partition walls (the porosity is a proportion of the volume of the pores of 100 ?m or above in diameter, to the total volume of the partition walls including the total pores) is 5% or less. With this ceramic honeycomb filter, particulate matter such as soot, deposited on the partition walls can be treated at low temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Hijikata
  • Publication number: 20060037298
    Abstract: A compressed wire mesh filter for an airbag assembly has one or more wires wrapped around the outer perimeter of the filter prior to final compression of the mesh to increase the hoop strength of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: George Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20060037299
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a resilient and flexible discharge deflecting chute of a lawn mower. A discharge deflecting chute utilizing a flexible sheet shaped into a chute-like form by a frame is disclosed. A flexible, resilient discharge deflecting chute is provided which has memory characteristics and returns to shape even after substantial deflection from obstacle contact. Preferably, a flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient stiffness to substantially maintain its shape in normal operation. The flexible, resilient material selected for this discharge deflecting chute has sufficient flexibility to deflect substantially when contacted by obstructions during mowing operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Jeffrey Kallevig
  • Publication number: 20060037300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use with a fruit-bearing tree, the device being adapted to be mounted to a tree trunk and when mounted the device includes; a catching means which in use has an upper perimeter and an aperture through which a tree trunk passes; a support means having a collar attachable around the tree trunk, a support ring and at least two support members, wherein the support ring is mounted to the catching means at a location spaced inwardly from the upper perimeter, the collar is located above the catching means and the support members extend between the collar and the support ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Tim Straatmans
  • Publication number: 20060037301
    Abstract: A weed extraction tool is disclosed, comprising an elongated handle, a prong assembly, and a step assembly. The prong assembly includes a rod having a plurality of prongs attached at a lower end thereof and a pivot pin holder near its center. The step assembly comprises a flat step portion at one end, a plurality of fingers at another end, and two sides near the center of and under the step assembly. An opening is formed in the top side proximate its center, and each side includes a side opening. The rod of the prong assembly is inserted through the opening in the top side of the step assembly such that a pivot pin may be inserted through one side of the step assembly, through the pivot pin holder, and through the other side of the step assembly, so as to pivotably fix the prong assembly to the step assembly. As such, the opening of the top side of the step assembly is sufficient only to allow the step assembly to pivot between closed and open positions with respect to the prong assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Ronald Gray
  • Publication number: 20060037302
    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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Peters, Dwayne Messerschmidt, J. Glahn, Kenneth Allard, Hsianmin Jen, Larry Spires, Roger Barnsby
  • Publication number: 20060037303
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit (APU) inlet muff anti-icing system that uses high pressure, high temperature APU compressor delivery air to melt any accumulation of ice and snow near the bottom of the muff with a tracer line coupled to a perforated gull wing fairing mounted within the inlet muff and that uses the compressor delivery air as the primary stream for an ejector to suck ice and snow melt accumulating near the fairing overboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Publication number: 20060037304
    Abstract: An exciter circuit for a gas turbine engine delivers a first single high-energy spark followed by subsequent sparks of relatively lower energy to ensures start reliability by specifically clearing ice build-up at the ignition plugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Mehrer, Daih-Yeou Chen, Joseph James
  • Publication number: 20060037305
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio detected by an air-fuel ratio sensor is periodically varied by executing a PI control. During the PI control, a time period in which the detected air-fuel ratio passes through a predetermined rich-side range is defined as a rich-side time constant, and a time period in which the detected air fuel ratio passes through a predetermined lean-side range is defined as a lean-side time constant. A rich-side time delay represents a time period in which an air-fuel correction amount is increasingly corrected to exceed a rich-side threshold, and a lean-side time delay represents a time period in which the air-fuel correction amount is decreasingly corrected to exceed a lean-side threshold. These time constants and time delays are compared with a determining value to diagnose degradation of an air-fuel ratio sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Nagashima, Yukihiro Yamashita, Naoki Yoshiume
  • Publication number: 20060037306
    Abstract: A system and method to control an engine wherein at least intake valve timing is retarded relative to a crankshaft position depending on engine operating conditions. According to the method, at least a portion of the fuel is injected during the intake valve open period with retarded valve timing. The method can reduce fuel consumption, reduce transient fuel requirements, improve engine performance, and reduce CO emissions, at least under some conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Pozar, Robert Stein, Jeff Lyjak, Marcus Fried, Thomas Leone
  • Publication number: 20060037307
    Abstract: A combustion control method for the rich pulse control of Diesel engines with Lean NOX Trap systems includes identifying areas within a Diesel engine operating regime in which reduced recirculated exhaust gas and air with increased pre-mixed combustion is effective in providing fuel rich combustion, and a second, lower load, region in which low temperature combustion is particularly desirable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Shizuo Sasaki, Gary Neely
  • Publication number: 20060037308
    Abstract: Hydrogen-rich reformate gas is produced by a fuel reformer (2) from fuel vapor containing hydrocarbon, which is produced by a fuel vaporizer (6), by means of a partial oxidation reaction and a steam reforming reaction. A fuel injector (8, 9) supplies fuel to the fuel vaporizer (6), and an air injector (8a) supplies air to the fuel vaporizer (6). A glow plug (13) partially oxidizes the air-fuel mixture inside the fuel vaporizer (6). By controlling the air supply amount in relation to the fuel supply amount to obtain an excess air factor corresponding to a predetermined rich air-fuel ratio, a part of the air-fuel mixture in the fuel vaporizer (6) is partially oxidized, and the remaining fuel vapor is heated by the oxidation heat. As a result, the partial oxidation reaction and steam reforming reaction in the fuel reformer (2) are performed with a favorable balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Motohisa Kamijo, Takashi Aoyama, Takao Izumi
  • Publication number: 20060037309
    Abstract: An emission control system is provided for an engine for reducing NOx emissions, the system comprising an ammonia injector, a controller for controlling the ammonia injector and a catalyst, wherein the controller includes a transmitter for transmitting information regarding the amount of ammonia used and the amount of NOx reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Werner Funk, Phillip Roberts
  • Publication number: 20060037310
    Abstract: An airflow control valve is composed of a housing forming an air passage therein and an electromagnetically driven valve disposed in the air passage. The valve divides the air passage into an upstream passage having an air inlet port and a downstream passage having an outlet port open to an exhaust pipe. A barrier facing an exhaust gas blown back from the exhaust pipe is formed in the downstream passage in order to reduce an amount of deposits accumulating on and around the valve due to foreign particles contained in the exhaust gas. The barrier may be a dead end space in which the exhaust gas stagnates or a wall interfering with a flow of the exhaust gas. A one-way valve may be disposed immediately downstream of the valve to prevent the exhaust gas from flowing toward the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Sakata, Satoshi Ishigaki
  • Publication number: 20060037311
    Abstract: A chain chamber of an engine, which accommodates a cam chain for driving a camshaft, is formed between a first cylinder and a second cylinder aligned in the direction along the camshaft. A first-cylinder valve chamber and a second-cylinder valve chamber each accommodate a corresponding valve for supplying secondary air to an exhaust system. The first and second chambers overlap the chain chamber and lie adjacent to each other above the chain chamber. The first-cylinder and second-cylinder valve chambers have first and second valve chamber openings, respectively. A first and a second valve chamber cover for opening and closing the respective valve chamber openings are integrally formed together. This construction reduces the number of engine parts associated with a secondary air system and simplifies the sealing structure of secondary air introduction hoses and cover members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20060037312
    Abstract: A NOx storing catalyst (11) comprising a precious metal catalyst (46) and NOx absorbent (47) is arranged in an exhaust passage. When the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is lean, the storing catalyst cold stores the NO2 contained in the exhaust in the absorbent when the catalyst is inactive and hot stores the cold stored NO2 in the absorbent when the catalyst is made active. The NO2 contained in the exhaust is cold stored in the absorbent when the catalyst is not activated, and when a predetermined NOx storing catalyst restoring condition (107) is met, a NOx storing catalyst restoring control (109, 115) including raising the NOx storing catalyst temperature to a predetermined temperature to active it (109) is executed so as to restore the cold storing capability of the NOx absorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohei Yoshida, Shinya Hirota, Takamitsu Asanuma, Yasuaki Nakano, Shunsuke Toshioka
  • Publication number: 20060037313
    Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter assembly for use with a geared transmission in a vehicle powertrain. The transmission includes a gear pump with a pump driving member and the torque converter assembly includes an impeller shaft drivably engageable with the pump driving member. The impeller shaft and the pump driving member are configured to effect full driving engagement of the impeller shaft with the pump driving member as the torque converter is assembled with the geared transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Joe Chicky
  • Publication number: 20060037314
    Abstract: Invention explains how to get more energy than energy is spent using gravitational and buoyant forces and under which conditions this is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Tomislav Vucetic
  • Publication number: 20060037315
    Abstract: A discrete step rotary actuator (1) comprises a stator (2), a rotor (3) and at least an actuating element (10) made with a shape memory active material, the actuating element (10) having a first portion (11) anchored to said stator and a second portion with a terminal element (12). The rotor has a sequence of seatings (14) arranged as a circumference, into which the terminal element (12) can engage in a sequential way. Elastic means (13) placed between the actuating element (10) and the stator (2) induce the shift of the terminal element (12) between two consecutive seatings (14), during the passage of the active material from its shortened to its extended configuration. The passage of the active material from the extended configuration to its shortened configuration imparts the rotor (3) a rotation couple with respect to the stator (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Alessandro Zanella, Francesco Butera, Stefano Alacqua
  • Publication number: 20060037316
    Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for testing the operation of a rotary flow device, such as a turbine or compressor of a turbocharger with a variable-geometry mechanism, such as adjustable vanes, is provided. The system includes a flow generator configured to provide a flow of gas through the device, a power source configured to adjust a position of the variable vanes or other variable-geometry mechanism of the device, and a controller configured to selectively control the adjustment of the position of the vanes. The controller and power source can be configured to actuate the variable vanes to at least one predetermined position so that an operational condition of the device can be determined according to the flow of air through the device. For example, the system can detect the operation of a valve or other adjustment device that controls the position of the vanes. Further, the system can monitor the flow of gas through the device to detect the configuration and operability of the vanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Marlyn Richey
  • Publication number: 20060037317
    Abstract: Variable turbocharger apparatus (2) comprising a housing (4), a compressor (6) mounted for rotation in the housing (4), a turbine (8) mounted for rotation in the housing (4), a first inlet (10) for enabling air to be conducted to the compressor, an outlet (12) for enabling air from the compressor to be conducted to an engine, a second inlet (14) for enabling exhaust gases from the engine to be conducted to the turbine (8) in order to rotate the turbine (8), a chamber (16) which surrounds the turbine (8) and which receives the exhaust gases from the second inlet (14) before the exhaust gases are conducted to the turbine (8), and a bearing assembly (18) for permitting the rotation of the turbine (8), the variable turbocharger apparatus (2) comprising vanes (22) which are mounted in the chamber (16) and which are for accurately directing exhaust gases on to the turbine (8), a piston (24) which is slidable and which is positioned between the housing and the turbine (8), and control means (26) which is connected t
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Malcolm Leavesley
  • Publication number: 20060037318
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine, especially an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, comprising an air path for intake air wherein a compressor (12), an exhaust gas turbocharger (18) and a throttle valve (22) are arranged. An outlet of the compressor (12) is connected to an inlet of the exhaust gas turbocharger (18). An air channel (14) is provided which bridges over the compressor (12). The throttle valve (22) is arranged downstream from the exhaust gas turbocharger (18). A compression throttle valve (16) is arranged in the air channel (14) which bridges over the compressor (12), said valve selectively continuously closes the air channel (14) which bridges over the compressor (12) and controls compression of the compressor (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Manfred Kloft, Florian Noodt
  • Publication number: 20060037319
    Abstract: An energy conversion apparatus and method using captured energy of building wind resistance, supplemented by solar radiation and by liquefied air transferred to the building or made by excess captured energy. The energy sources are combined, as available, to drive a compressor for supplying intake working fluid of an engine of a reserve system, wherein the liquefied air provides pre-compression cooling of an atmospheric air portion of the working fluid. The liquefied air is stored and transferred between buildings and between buildings and vehicles, as required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Jay Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20060037320
    Abstract: A process, device and system are provided for utilizing waste heat from a waste heat source, especially from an internal combustion engine, by a coolant being heated and by this heat being used to drive a turbine. The device utilizes waste heat with a waste heat source (10, 20) cooled by a coolant, with a turbine (11) and with an evaporating device (16) for the coolant. To increase the efficiency of such a process and such a device and system, and to reduce the design effort and the maintenance effort, the coolant is evaporated after it leaves the waste heat source (10, 20) and the evaporating means is provided after the waste heat source (10, 20) when viewed in the direction of flow of the coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: Ralf Richard Hildebrandt