Patents Issued in November 14, 2006
  • Patent number: 7134259
    Abstract: A vacuum sealer includes a base member formed with a hollow platform having a first sealing ring secured on the platform and a support. A drawing hole is defined in the top of the platform within the first sealing ring. A heating plate is laterally secured on a front edge of the platform. A pumping device is mounted on the support for drawing out the air in a plastic bag that is purposed to be sealed. A transparent presser has a rear side pivotally mounted on the platform and selectively pressed on the top of the platform. A second sealing ring is secured on a bottom of the presser and fully airtightly abuts the first sealing ring when the presser is pressed on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Mao-Sen Huang
  • Patent number: 7134260
    Abstract: A wrapping packaging machine (10) for the wrapping of an object (11), comprising a track (20) having the shape of a closed loop. The track carries a wrapping film (42) feed device (40) placed in conjunction with an elongated body (30), such as a flexible band or chain. The object is moved by a drive (21) provided in conjunction with the track, by using friction or a toothing (32). The track is openable, allowing one track half (20a) to be moved or turned aside to permit a change of the flexible body and the plastic film band roll (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Octomeca Oy
    Inventor: Arno Haloila
  • Patent number: 7134261
    Abstract: In the working machine wherein the output of an engine generator is directly supplied to a motor for travel without using the intermediary of a battery, preventing the engine from slowing down. The generator G is directly connected to the motor 7 and there is no battery that stores the output of the generator G. CPU 102 decreases the power supply for the motor 7 when it has been anticipated that the engine revolutions will be decreased. The number of the engine revolutions is detected according to the period of the waveform of an output of the generator G. The alternating current waveform that has been drawn out from one phase of the winding of the generator G is shaped into a rectangular waveform. CPU 102 detects the period of the shaped waveform. When the detected period has become larger, the CPU 102 determines that the engine revolutions is about to decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Inui, Hiroo Kanke, Tsutomu Wakitani, Toshiaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7134262
    Abstract: Drying of wet ground surfaces provided with stalks includes removing droplets from stalks with comb-shaped slitted, cubical or squared projections provided on an underside of a broad plank, and guiding the removed droplets along the slitted, cubical or squared projections toward lower edges of the slitted, cubical or squared projections and from there onto the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Wilhelm Erwig
  • Patent number: 7134263
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hand operated gardening and landscaping tools for use in cultivating soil and/or removing inferior or unwanted plants from a selected area. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination scuffle and rake assembly. The combination tool allows an operator to cut unwanted weeds below the ground surface and thereafter groom the weeded area without having to use separate tools to complete the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: John Tedesco
  • Patent number: 7134264
    Abstract: An adjustable connector for a lawn rake has a sleeve, a rake head and a lever. The rake head is connected in front of the sleeve. The lever is attached pivotally to the sleeve and has a cam head operationally pressing against a shaft of the lawn rake when the lever is pivoted to lock the handle in the sleeve. By directly pressing the cam head of the lever against the handle, other accessories such as separate compression clamps in the prior art are obviated so that the structure of the adjustable connector is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Kan-Liang Wu
  • Patent number: 7134265
    Abstract: A core-in-sheath type composite stretch yarn, having excellent stretchability and soft hand and capable of being dyed in dark colors, comprises a core portion constituted from a elastic yarn formed from at least one elastic fiber and having an ultimate elongation of 70% or more and a sheath portion formed from a non-elastic yarn comprising a plurality of non-elastic fibers having an ultimate elongation of 70% or more and surrounding around the core portion, and is useful for producing a woven or knitted stretch fabric having a high stretch percentage and capable of being dyed in dark colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventor: Yukihiro Shigemura
  • Patent number: 7134266
    Abstract: A sheathed yarn having a natural appearance comprises a core yarn and a sheath which is made from a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material of the sheath comprises less than 20 wt.-% of staple fibers, especially of natural origin. The sheathed yarn exhibits excellent mechanical properties and usage properties such as fire resistance, weatherability, resistance to sunshine, and an external appearance generating physically pleasant visual, tactile and olfactory sensations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tissage et Enduction Serge Ferrari SA
    Inventors: Eric Bourbon, Andre Ravachol, Romain Ferrari
  • Patent number: 7134267
    Abstract: A rope and method of making the same. The rope comprises a plurality of yarns. At least one of the yarns comprises first and second sets of fibers. The first fibers are formed of a first material, and the second set of second fibers at least partly surrounds the first fibers. The second fibers are formed of a second material. The first material defines a set of operating characteristics adapted to bear tension loads on the rope. The second material defines a set of operating characteristics adapted to affect at least one surface characteristic of the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Samson Rope Technologies
    Inventors: Justin Gilmore, David E. O'Neal, Danielle D. Stenvers, Chia-Te Chou, Ronald L. Bryant, Eric W. McCorkle
  • Patent number: 7134268
    Abstract: The present inventions relate generally to a shackle assembly and a method for installing and/or releasing the shackle assembly subsea. The shackle assembly of the present invention comprises first and second plates mounted on either side of a shackle body eyelet and a shackle pin mounting assembly for use in mounting a shackle pin using a shackle pin pulling tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventor: George Siappas
  • Patent number: 7134269
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine (10) comprises a second compressor (14), a first compressor (16), a heat exchanger (18), a combustor (20), a first turbine (22), a second turbine (24) and a third turbine (26) arranged in flow series. The first turbine (22) is arranged to drive the first compressor (16). The second turbine (24) is arranged to drive the second compressor (14). There are means to inject liquid into the gas turbine engine (10). The means to inject liquid is arranged to inject liquid upstream (46) of the second compressor (14), within (48) the second compressor (14), between (50) the second compressor (14) and the first compressor (16), within (52) the first compressor (16), between (54) the first compressor (16) and the heat exchanger (18) or within (56) the combustor (20) to boost the power of the gas turbine engine (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Philip P. Walsh, Paul Fletcher
  • Patent number: 7134270
    Abstract: An external combustion engine comprising a body (8), at least one working chamber (18), combustion chamber (13), crankcase (21) and compression chamber (6), at least one working piston (20), compression piston (7) and crank mechanism (22), and a valve gear and a heat exchanger, and wherein the required air is drawn by suction from the air surrounding the engine via valves or equivalent. After the working cycle, the expanded hot air is directed from the working chamber (18) through a valve (12) or (24) past the heater (17) into the combustion chamber (13), to be used as combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tigan Holding Oy
    Inventor: Rein Tigane
  • Patent number: 7134271
    Abstract: An aft FLADE gas turbine engine including a fan section drivenly connected to a low pressure turbine section followed by an aft FLADE turbine having at least one row of aft FLADE fan blades radially extending across a FLADE duct circumscribing the aft FLADE turbine, and at least one thrust vectoring nozzle in pressurized fluid flow receiving communication with the FLADE duct. One embodiment of the engine includes spaced apart right and left hand FLADE exhaust nozzles in pressurized fluid flow receiving communication with the FLADE duct and offset from a main engine exhaust nozzle located downstream of the aft FLADE turbine. Right and left hand valves disposed in right and left hand ducts extending between a FLADE airflow manifold in pressurized fluid flow receiving communication with the FLADE duct may be used to vector thrust. The right and left hand FLADE exhaust nozzle may be fixed or thrust vectoring nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Lewis Baughman, James Edward Johnson
  • Patent number: 7134272
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system includes, an internal combustion engine, an exhaust passage of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine, a hydrogen-catalyst provided in the exhaust passage, an NOx purifying catalyst provided on a downstream of the hydrogen-catalyst of the exhaust passage to reduce nitrogen oxides, and a control unit. The hydrogen-catalyst has a function of transmitting or generating hydrogen. In the purifying system, the control unit executes enrichment condition control for reducing an air/fuel ratio (A/F)r during enrichment to prolong a time of enrichment (tr) as a flow rate of exhaust gas emitted from the internal combustion engine is lowered in intermittent enrichment of the air/fuel ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Niwa, Junji Ito
  • Patent number: 7134273
    Abstract: A diesel engine emission control system uses an upstream oxidation catalyst and a downstream SCR catalyst to reduce NOx in a lean exhaust gas environment. The engine and upstream oxidation catalyst are configured to provide approximately a 1:1 ratio of NO to NO2 entering the downstream catalyst. In this way, the downstream catalyst is insensitive to sulfur contamination, and also has improved overall catalyst NOx conversion efficiency. Degradation of the system is determined when the ratio provided is no longer near the desired 1:1 ratio. This condition is detected using measurements of engine operating conditions such as from a NOx sensor located downstream of the catalysts. Finally, control action to adjust an injected amount of reductant in the exhaust gas based on the actual NO to NO2 ratio upstream of the SCR catalyst and downstream of the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher John Mazur, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Patent number: 7134274
    Abstract: There are provided a NOx storage reduction catalyst which is provided in an exhaust passage for an internal combustion engine, and concentration detection means whose detection state can be changed between a first detection state in which a total concentration of sulfur oxide and hydrogen sulfide in exhaust gas that has passed through the NOx catalyst is detected, and a second detection state in which a concentration of the sulfur oxide in the exhaust gas is detected. An operating state of the internal combustion engine is controlled such that the sulfur oxide is released from the NOx catalyst (sulfur poisoning recovery process).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takamitsu Asanuma
  • Patent number: 7134275
    Abstract: A diesel particulate filter (41) traps particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas of a diesel engine (1) for a vehicle. The filter (41) is regenerated by raising the exhaust gas temperature so that the trapped particulate matter burns. A controller (31) calculates a particulate matter combustion amount PMr during regeneration, and in accordance with increases in the combustion amount PMr, raises the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas by operating an intake throttle (42) and/or a variable nozzle (24) of a turbocharger (21). As a result, the filter (41) is held at an optimum temperature for regeneration regardless of the residual particulate matter amount, and hence the time required for regeneration can be shortened without damaging the heat resistance performance of the filter (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Tsutsumoto, Junichi Kawashima, Makoto Otake, Terunori Kondou, Takao Inoue, Shouichirou Ueno, Toshimasa Koga
  • Patent number: 7134276
    Abstract: A cylinder block brake for a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle is provided. A braking member is located in a housing adjacent to a motor cylinder block and has a first position where it is not engaged to the motor cylinder block and a second, braking position where it is engaged to the motor cylinder block. A brake actuation shaft is located in the housing and has a cam portion located along its longitudinal axis. The cam portion is positioned to engage the braking member so that rotation of the brake actuation shaft moves the braking member between the engaged and disengaged positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Shane A. Deters
  • Patent number: 7134277
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump of a driving force distribution apparatus for right and left axles includes a pump shaft, a swash plate supported tiltably, swash plate tilting and holding mechanism unit for tilting and holding the swash plate to one side or to the other side depending on the direction of rotation of the pump shaft, and a hydraulic oil supply mechanism unit having a cylinder block. The cylinder block holds pistons which reciprocate inside cylinder holes while making contact with a tilt surface of the swash plate at their extremities. When the pump shaft rotates in a forward or reverse direction, the pistons reciprocate to supply hydraulic oil sucked from a tank to a suction port of an operation control valve. Thus, the driving force distribution apparatus can apply relative rotating forces to right and left axles even during backward running, with no increase in the size of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7134278
    Abstract: An axle driving apparatus comprises: a common housing; a pair of coaxial axles disposed in the housing; a common input shaft for receiving power from a prime mover, the common input shaft being extended perpendicular to the axles in the housing and passed through a gap between the axles; and a pair of stepless transmissions sharing power from the common input shaft, and transmitting power to the respective axles. The pair of stepless transmissions are arranged in the housing symmetrically centered on an axis of the common input shaft. The axle driving apparatus further comprises: a PTO shaft disposed coaxially to the common input shaft; a clutch disposed in the housing and interposed between the common input shaft and the PTO shaft; and a brake which is applied simultaneously to disengagement of said clutch so as to prevent inertial rotation of said PTO shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Shigenori Sakikawa
  • Patent number: 7134279
    Abstract: Present implementations provide an approach that allows for a double-acting, multi-cylinder, thermodynamically resonant, alpha configuration free-piston Stirling system. The system includes overstroke preventers that control extent of piston travel to prevent undesirable consequences of piston travel beyond predetermined limits. The overstroke preventers involve controlled work extraction out of the system or controlled work input into the system. Implementations can also include duplex linear alternators, and/or frequency tuning systems, and/or vibration balancing configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Infinia Corporation
    Inventors: Maurice A. White, John E. Augenblick, Allen A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7134280
    Abstract: A lift table maintains levelness while lifting a support surface via two or more lift cylinder assemblies. A hydraulic circuit is connected to the cylinder assemblies, and includes synchronizer with multiple isolated chambers corresponding to the lift cylinder assemblies, a rod extending axially through the chambers, and pistons mounted on the rod and associated with the isolated chambers. An axial passageway extends continuously through the rod and is connected to first passageways for communicating hydraulic fluid to one side of the chambers. The hydraulic circuit operably connects a pump to the axial passageway of the synchronizer and to second passageways connected to the chambers and to the cylinder assemblies for controlling and providing synchronized movement of the at least two lift cylinder assemblies. The hydraulic circuit includes valving for an automatic re-synchronization cycle, fill cycle, and air purge cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: J.R. Automation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Eugene C. Bair
  • Patent number: 7134282
    Abstract: A turbocharger system for a combustion engine and method of installing a turbocharger system includes a turbocharger having an oil inlet and an oil outlet configured for being coupled to an oiling system. An oil pump is connected to the oil outlet of the turbocharger and is further connected to the oiling system. The turbocharger system also includes mounting hardware for mounting the turbocharger to an exhaust pipe away from the engine at or below the oil level of the oiling system. In one embodiment, the method of installing the turbocharger system includes removing an existing muffler from the vehicle and mounting the turbocharger at or near the location of the existing muffler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Squires Turbo Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Squires
  • Patent number: 7134283
    Abstract: A sealed-shaft gravity-buoyancy energy system and method of use thereof, wherein a wheel is powered by ball masses which fall under gravitational force, thereby causing the wheel to rotate. The ball masses are collected and inserted into a fluid shaft, wherein the fluid shaft comprises at least two separate columns having valves at the ends thereof to provide a sealing function, thereby preventing fluid loss. Buoyant force raises the ball masses to the top of the device, wherein the ball masses are deposited once again onto the wheel. A generator or other device utilizes the rotational force of the wheel to create energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Victor Villalobos
  • Patent number: 7134284
    Abstract: A fuel conditioning system for a turbine plant may include an inlet fuel module followed by a turbine fuel module for each turbine, the modules being monitored and controlled by a programmable logic controller. The inlet fuel module may include a metering station, an inlet pressure control station, an inlet scrubber station, and an inlet coalescing filter station. Each turbine fuel module has a turbine pressure control station, a turbine super-heater station, and a turbine coalescing filter station. The fuel conditioning system may also include a trip transient mitigation system and a latent fuel venting system. The programmable logic controller collects data from all of the stations and systems as well as the turbine and then uses self-correcting algorithms to control the stations and systems. The programmable logic controller also stores the data collected and transmits the data to an off-site storage and verification center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Paul Lohn
  • Patent number: 7134285
    Abstract: An adiabatic power generation method and apparatus includes at least one combusting device to combust any suitable fuel and an oxygen-containing gas to produce hot high pressure combustion gases. Also includes modified present art combustors, wind and solar energy sources. A portion of the expanded gases, or ambient air is mixed with the combustion gases to form a mixture of gases as working fluid that is fed to a work-producing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Indru J. Primlani
  • Patent number: 7134286
    Abstract: A simplified floating collar mounting arrangement for receiving a fuel nozzle swirler body of a gas turbine engine combustor is provided. The assembly comprises a floating collar mounted between a spaced-apart mounting flange and cap, and slidably trapped therebetween such that relative radial movement is permitted. The arrangement offers reduced part count and simplicity, and therefore improves reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Lorin Markarian, Bhawan Bhai Patel
  • Patent number: 7134287
    Abstract: The endcover assembly for a combustor includes an endcover having an aperture, an insert disposed in the stepped bore opening through an internal face of the endcover, a fuel cartridge extending through the insert and aperture and a seal cover on the external face of the endcover. Seal cover/endcover annular seals are disposed in registering axial cavities to seal against fluid leakage externally of the endcover assembly. Generally C-shaped and W-shaped seals are disposed in the cavities between the stepped shoulders of the insert and aperture to seal against leakage through the internal face of the endcover. The seals maintain sealing engagement during assembly and thermal distortion during turbine usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Keith Cletus Belsom, Larry Lou Thomas, Donald Timothy Lemon, Bradley Donald Crawley, Matthew Eugene Roberts, David Kevin Spikings
  • Patent number: 7134288
    Abstract: A system enclosure uses two heat exchangers and a thermoelectric cooling module to manage heat within the system. An airflow enters the system and is heated by server blades. Portions of the airflow split and travel to various portions of the system enclosure. Some heat is removed from the airflow by passing through the first heat exchanger before circulating around downstream subsystems. The first heat exchanger contacts the cold side of a TEC module, to reduce the temperature of that airflow. The air then enters the network switch module or other subsystem where it is further heated. Thereafter, the second heat exchanger ‘bypasses’ those components by reinserting the upstream heat back into the downstream airflow. The second heat exchanger contacts the hot side of the TEC module. The mixture of all heated air is then expelled from the system enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Joseph Crippen, Jason Aaron Matteson, William Joseph Piazza
  • Patent number: 7134289
    Abstract: A cooling system including a thermosyphon subsystem and a spray cooling subsystem, each being configured to evaporatively cool a component, and a controller configured to selectively operate the spray cooling subsystem based on the cooling requirements of the component. The controller controls a valve limiting the operation of the thermosyphon when the spray cooling system is active. The component is configured to run in a plurality of performance states including a low power state and a high power state. The spray cooling system operates when the component is in the high power state. The controller can order the component to operate in a lower power state if the cooling systems are inadequate to the cooling needs. The cooling needs are determined with a component temperature sensor, a vapor temperature sensor, a vapor pressure sensor, or a power usage sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Chandrakant D. Patel, Cullen E. Bash, Ratnesh Sharma
  • Patent number: 7134290
    Abstract: In a transport refrigeration system which is susceptible to having its drive motors connected to a power source in reverse phase relationship to thereby operate the drive motors in reverse, provision is made to measure the current flow to the motors during operation in each direction and for comparing those current flows to determine which is greater and therefore representative of operation in the proper direction. A backup method is also provided for sensing the ambient temperature of the air downstream of the condenser coil, both before and during motor operation to determine whether the temperature during motor operation is greater than that prior to operation to thereby indicate a proper connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Nader S. Awwad, John R. Reason, Thomas F. Mallinson
  • Patent number: 7134291
    Abstract: The invention is a process for determining the charge level of a vapor cycle environmental control system, having a condenser, evaporator, and an expansion valve, comprising the steps of providing a neural network having four input neurons, two hidden neurons and one output neurons; determining the number of degrees below the saturation temperature of the liquid refrigerant exiting the condenser and providing this measurement to the first input neuron; sensing the condenser sink temperature and providing the measurement to the second input neuron; sensing either the refrigerant outlet temperature from the condenser or the evaporator exhaust air temperature and providing the measurement to the third input neuron, sensing the evaporator inlet temperature and providing the measurement to the fourth input neuron; and using the trained neural network to monitor the charge level in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher J. Horan, William J. Stasi
  • Patent number: 7134292
    Abstract: Disclosed are a full ice level sensing apparatus and method in which a full ice level of ice cubes in an ice bank is sensed by means of upward and downward movements of an elevating member, thereby minimizing an operational area of the elevating member required to sense the full ice level and increasing an effective volume of a freezing chamber. The full ice level sensing apparatus includes an elevating member disposed so as to rectilinearly move up and down into the ice bank, elevating means for rectilinearly moving the elevating member upward and downward, and sensing means for sensing whether or not the ice bank is at the full ice level based on the position of the elevating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 7134293
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a live well includes a cooling chamber, and a pump connected in fluid communication between the cooling chamber and the live well for circulating water between the live well and the cooling chamber. At least one thermoelectric cooler is positioned in a heat exchange relationship with the cooling chamber for removing heat from the cooling chamber and from water circulating in the cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: R&R Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford R. Rabal
  • Patent number: 7134294
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for refrigeration system control includes a control system operable to meet cooling demand and control suction pressure for a plurality of refrigeration circuits each including a variable valve and an expansion valve. The controller controls the variable valve independently of the expansion valves to meet cooling demand by determining a change in a measured parameter and controlling at least one of the variable valves based upon the change to an approximately fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Computer Process Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Abtar Singh, Jim Chabucos, Paul Wickberg, John G Wallace
  • Patent number: 7134295
    Abstract: A compressor unit includes a compressor, an inverter for driving the compressor, and an over-current protective device for protecting the inverter against an output over-current. A control part controls the output voltage of the inverter when the compressor is started based on a ambient temperature detected by a temperature sensor so that the input current of the inverter does not exceed the working current value of the over-current protective device having temperature characteristics varying according to the ambient temperature. Thereby, a start torque can be increased by increasing the output voltage of the inverter without operating the over-current protective device when the compressor is stated at a low temperature when a start load is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasunori Maekawa
  • Patent number: 7134296
    Abstract: A method for generating refrigeration for cooling a product gas wherein a first or working gas undergoes a staged expansion to a first temperature and a subsequent turboexpansion to a second higher temperature and both the expanded gas and the turboexpanded gas provide cooling to the product gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Edward Howard
  • Patent number: 7134297
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the low-temperature fractionation of air in a rectification unit, which comprises a pressure column (1) a low-pressure column (2) and a condenser-evaporator system having at least two falling-film evaporators (203, 204). Oxygen-rich liquid from the low-pressure column (2) is introduced into the evaporation passages of the first and second falling-film evaporators (203, 204) and is partially evaporated. Unevaporated oxygen-rich liquid from the first falling-film evaporator (203) is transferred into the evaporation passages of the second falling-film evaporator (204).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Linde AG
    Inventors: Horst Corduan, Dietrich Rottmann
  • Patent number: 7134298
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a press-forming method for glass capable of uniformly heating press dies and a preform and preventing oxidation of the press dies. According to the press-forming method for glass of the present invention, a preform is placed between a pair of press dies in a press-forming chamber and the preform and the press dies are heated in an inert gas atmosphere. After the temperature of the press dies reaches a predetermined value, evacuation of the press-forming chamber is initiated. After the pressure of the press-forming chamber reaches a predetermined value and the temperature of the press-forming chamber are stabilized at a second predetermined value, the preform is press-formed. Preferably, an exhaust rate for evacuating the chamber is limited to a predetermined value or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Fukuyama, Hiroshi Murakoshi, Shusaku Matsumura
  • Patent number: 7134299
    Abstract: The invention relates to a meltdown device for the production of high-UV transmittive glass types, comprising a meltdown tank for a melt bath a feed opening for the supplying or laying-in of highly pure raw material for the melt bath a draw-off opening for the drawing-off of material melted in the melt tank a cover arranged above the melt tank, in which the infeed opening to the melt tank is arranged above the melt bath in the region of the cover the draw-off opening is arranged in the zone of the bottom of the melt tank a heating arrangement. The heating arrangement comprises heating elements, in particular electrodes that are arranged on the melt tank in the zone of the melt bath, as well as an agitating arrangement for stirring of the melt bath and uniform intermixing and sub-mixing into the melt of material from the mixture lying on the melt surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Karl Mannemann, Johann Faderl, Steffen GrĂ¼n, Silke Wolff
  • Patent number: 7134300
    Abstract: A method for controlling the foam produced when a molten material encounters reduced pressure in a vacuum chamber includes passing the molten material through an aging zone in the vacuum chamber in which the molten material is allowed to drain from between the bubbles of the foam and then collapsing the bubbles of the drained foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James C. Hayes, Rand A. Murnane, Ronald W. Palmquist, Frank Woolley
  • Patent number: 7134301
    Abstract: A mold cooling system is disclosed for the blank mold halves of an I.S. machine. The mold halves are supported at their bottom by a lower hanger assembly which includes a discrete plenum for each of the mold halves. Each plenum is isolated and has its own air supply which includes an adjustable flow control. This provides complete control of the mold cooling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Willi Meyer, Thomas Mueller
  • Patent number: 7134302
    Abstract: A security device includes a carrier for a tell-tale provision having electro-magnetic characteristics. The device is adapted to be releasably secured to an article to be protected, in particular to the shaft of a golf club, in a tamper-resilient manner and to retain the tell-tale provision in a spaced relationship from the article. In this way any adverse magnetic effects on the tell-tale provision by ferromagnetic parts of the article are avoided. Preferably, the tell-tale provision is spaced at least 3 mm from the article to which the device is secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sports-Tag Limited
    Inventor: Alan Jeffrey Gorst
  • Patent number: 7134303
    Abstract: A device (1) for socket-deforming an end of a tube, for example a tube of a heat exchanger, and for cutting that tube to a desired length, the cutting taking place at the end to be deformed. The The device (1) comprises a deformation and cutting member (5) to be inserted into the tube to be worked, the member (5) comprising deforming means (15) arranged to at least locally modify the inner diameter of the deformation and cutting member (5) by varying its perimetral dimensions, said deforming means (15) being arranged to cooperate, for effecting said dimensional variation, with actuator means (40) with a movable support (12), the deforming elements carrying cutting elements (31) for separating an end tube portion by acting from the inside of the tube without chip removal, in order to obtain a deformed tube of the required length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: OMTR S.R.L.
    Inventor: Ersilio Re
  • Patent number: 7134304
    Abstract: A micro-roll forming device for providing a cylindrical blank metal article with a minute convexoconcave bearing surface, comprises a powered article holding structure that, when energized, rotates the cylindrical blank metal article about its axis; a forming tool that includes a form roller with a corrugated circular ridge; a tool holding structure that holds the forming tool in such a manner that the corrugated circular ridge of the form roller is directed toward and in contact with an outer surface of the cylindrical blank metal article rotatably held by the article holding structure; a biasing member that is incorporated with the tool holding structure to press the form roller against the outer surface of the cylindrical blank metal article with a given pressing force; and a powered moving structure that, when energized, moves at least one of the article holding structure and the tool holding structure in such a manner that the selected one moves in both a first direction perpendicular to an axis of the u
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuomi Nakayama, Minoru Ota, Manabu Wakuda, Kazuhiko Takashima
  • Patent number: 7134305
    Abstract: A wire feeder driving mechanism capable of driving a wire feeder of a spring manufacturing machine to perform a three-dimensional movement. The spring manufacturing machine includes a machine base and a work table. The work table has an opening and a plurality of tool seats. The opening provides the feeding chuck of the wire feeder a moving space. The tool seat is provided to install a tool set to move back and forth on the work table. The wire feeder is assembled with a plurality of axial driving devices. The axial driving device is able to receive power and to move perpendicular to each other. The metal wire led through the wire feeder is thereby able to approach the tool seat in a three-dimensional manner. The spring manufacturing machine is therefore able to produce various complicated springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: David Wu
  • Patent number: 7134306
    Abstract: A crimping assembly roll crimps a cover part over an underlying structure. The crimping assembly includes a base. A first roller extends out from the base and is rotatable with respect thereto. A second roller extends out of the base and is rotatable with respect thereto. In addition, the second roller is movable axially with respect to the first roller. A transmission is operatively connected to the first roller and the second roller such that the first and second rollers roll at the same speed. The crimping assembly also includes a pneumatic motor connected to the transmission to selectively drive the transmission and roll the first and second rollers as the first and second rollers roll over the cover part to force the cover part into engagement with the underlying structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Muxlow, Steve Chandler
  • Patent number: 7134307
    Abstract: A plate rolling mill includes a pair of work rolls that hold and press down a plate material therebetween, a plurality of backup rolls that prevent the work rolls from being deformed, and intermediate rolls each of which is disposed between the work roll and the backup roll so as to be shiftable. Each of the intermediate rolls has a contact roll portion that contacts with the backup roll, and an extension barrel portion that is connected to an end of the contact roll portion and does not contact the backup roll at any shifted position. The contact roll is formed to have a convex shape such that a convex center of the contact roll is positioned at a side of the extension barrel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Honjo, Takayuki Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7134308
    Abstract: The invention relates to an extruder tool for producing a cylindrical body which consists of plastic mass and has at least one recess extending in the interior thereof. The extruder tool comprises an extruder nozzle which has a narrowing region and a nozzle mouthpiece. The nozzle mouthpiece forms a cylindrical channel. In addition, a carrier device is provided, at which a number, which corresponds with the number of internal recesses, of threads is fastened or which has a number, which corresponds with the number of internal recesses, of channels for threadlike pressing of a volatile filler material into the mass flow. The carrier device consists of a number, which corresponds with the number of internal recesses, of carrier elements preferably of pin-like construction. Each of the carrier elements is fastened to the extruder nozzle in the region of the nozzle mouthpiece or in the tapering region and is preferably adjustable in radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Arno Friedrichs
  • Patent number: 7134309
    Abstract: A pre-hemming apparatus for use with a hemming die includes a driving member adapted to be centrally disposed below the hemming die. A plurality of link arms are operatively, pivotally connected to the driving member. A lever arm is operatively connected to each link arm. A flanging member is operatively connected to each lever arm at an end thereof. A plurality of mounts for supporting the lever arms are adapted to be mounted to a side of the hemming die. Each lever arm is pivotally connected to one of the mounts intermediate ends of the lever arm. An actuator is operatively engagable with the driving member. Actuation of the driving member moves the flanging members towards the hemming die through the lever arms and the link arms for pre-hemming, and away from the hemming die cycling the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: TESCO Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Toeniskoetter