Patents Issued in January 2, 2007
  • Patent number: 7156049
    Abstract: A device for interacting with biota either on a pre-specified schedule or via actuation by remote signal. Preferably, the biota are fauna and more particularly fish. In selected embodiments, it comprises frangible packaging enclosing means for timing interaction, at least part of the means for programming the device and means for opening the packaging. In select embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus is inserted in fish. Specific examples of the present invention are implanted in triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) to facilitate control of aquatic weeds in bodies of water. When the carp have been in the water for a pre-specified period or, alternatively, long enough to effectively control the target aquatic plants, toxins in the device are dispensed to kill them. Otherwise, the carp may destroy all vegetation and harm the aquatic environment for other aquatic life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: James A. Evans, James P. Kirk, Leandro E. Miranda
  • Patent number: 7156050
    Abstract: Precut, production blank components can be folded manually to form a birdhouse without the need for tools or other aids in assembly, even where the blank components are manufactured from metal, rigid plastic or the like. The precut blank components include a one-piece main panel and a detached panel. The one-piece panel includes a rear section, a base section, first and second side sections, and a top section. Each section includes precut slots, tabs and hinges that act as folding guides, allowing the blank to easily fold into a structure defining an enclosure like the birdhouse. The detached panel then is mounted to the so constructed main panel to cover the enclosure and thereby complete the birdhouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Green Mansion LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Louis Scott, James Robert Rich
  • Patent number: 7156051
    Abstract: A method is provided for raising poultry, such as chickens, for food production. In a first preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, exposing an interior of the facility to natural light cycles of an outside environment for a first period and regulating light cycles of the interior for a second period, thereby mimicking daylight duration variation representative of seasonal changes for stimulating sexual development of the poultry. In a second preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: providing a facility for housing the poultry, providing at least one light-absorbing ventilation fan associated with the facility for ventilating the facility, limiting exposure of an interior of the facility to light to produce a brown-out effect therein for enhancing physical development of the poultry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad W Lorton, Curtis R Wenger
  • Patent number: 7156052
    Abstract: An enclosure is provided having openings for allowing entry of rodents into the enclosure. There is arranged one or more applicators in the form of a suspended flexible web configured to contact rodents entering the chamber and having a chemical on the web for application to the rodents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Bayer Crop Science SA, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Band G Equipment Company
    Inventors: Gary O. Maupin, Marc C. Dolan, Nicholas Hamon, Eric J. Snell
  • Patent number: 7156053
    Abstract: An animal insecticide applicator is presented. The applicator includes a bag for holding a quantity of insecticide, the bag having a top, two sides and a bottom. The bag is formed of a first layer of coarse mesh material through which powder insecticide can pass. A rigid tubular support is coupled with and extends across the top of the bag. A first tie rope is secured to and extends at least partially across a first side of the bag and then through the tubular support in a first direction. This tie rope terminates in a length which is hanging free at a second side of the bag. The second tie rope is secured to and extends at least partially along the second side of the bag. This tie rope is passed through the tubular support in the opposite direction of the first tie rope and includes the length hanging free at the first side of the bag. In one embodiment the applicator also includes couplers for joining two identical bags together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: William C. Cortner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7156054
    Abstract: An animal walker or conditioning system. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a horse walker or conditioner incorporating a direct drive hydraulic motor, the motor configured to provide a powered bearing surface to support and axially rotate a vertical shaft having laterally extending arms emanating therefrom, which arms can be utilized to direct a horse or other animal in a circular path about the vertical shaft. The unique design utilizes an off the shelf direct drive hydraulic motor and conventional power system, with the hydraulic power unit preferably situated away from the vertical shaft, and power and control lines running underground to the hydraulic motor supporting the vertical shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Rick York
  • Patent number: 7156055
    Abstract: A system includes a control switch mounted in a tractor cabin and is electrically mated to a power source of the tractor. A first coolant is housed within the tractor's engine and a second coolant is housed within a trailer's heating system. The first and second coolants have unique boiling and freezing temperatures respectively. A mechanism is included for simultaneously transferring heat from the first coolant to the second coolant while maintaining the coolants isolated. The first and second coolants have first temperatures entering and second temperatures exiting the heat transferring mechanism, respectively. The first coolant second temperature is lower than the second coolant second temperature. Mechanism are included for controlling an input flow rate of the second coolant upstream from the heat transfer mechanism and for replenishing the second coolant as heat is transferred between the first and second coolants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen H. Craig
  • Patent number: 7156056
    Abstract: In a two-cycle, opposed-piston internal combustion engine with optimized cooling and no engine block, the opposed pistons are coupled to a pair of crankshafts by connecting rods that are subject to substantially tensile forces acting between the pistons and the crankshafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Achates Power, LLC
    Inventors: James U. Lemke, William B. McHargue
  • Patent number: 7156057
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electromechanical actuator controlling a valve of an internal combustion engine by means of a first magnetic field, generated in a variable manner by an electromagnet, and a second magnetic field, generated by at least one magnet associated with the electromagnet. According to the present invention, the actuator is characterized in that it comprises at least one connecting part forming a magnetic circuit facilitating the passage of the flux generated by the electromagnet for part of the field generated by the magnet, the connecting part being magnetically saturated by the partial field of the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: CNRS Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Michel Lecrivain, Mohamed Gabsi, Hamid Ben Ahmed, Emmanuel Sedda, Christophe Fageon
  • Patent number: 7156058
    Abstract: Actuators, and corresponding methods and systems for controlling such actuators, provide independent lift and timing control with minimum energy consumption, while supplying sufficient supplemental energy to overcome friction. In an exemplary embodiment, an actuation cylinder in a housing defines a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends in first and second directions. An actuation piston in the cylinder, with first and second surfaces, is moveable along the longitudinal axis. First and second actuation springs bias the actuation piston in the first and second directions, respectively. A first fluid space is defined by the first end of the actuation cylinder and the first surface of the actuation piston, and a second fluid space is defined by the second end of the actuation cylinder and the second surface of the actuation piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Zheng Lou
  • Patent number: 7156059
    Abstract: A variable valve train apparatus operable in a low-speed mode in which a low-speed rocker arm is rocked by a low-speed cam through a roller or a slipper to thereby open or close an intake valve, and in a high-speed mode in which a high-speed rocker arm is rocked by a high-speed cam through a roller or a slipper and a changeover mechanism part on the side of the low-speed rocker arm is pressed by a changeover mechanism part on the side of the high speed rocker arm together with which the low-speed rocker arm is rocked to open or close the intake valve. The axis of the changeover mechanism part is positioned at the middle of the width of the roller or slipper in the axial direction of the rocker shaft to prevent inclination of the high-speed rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuu Yokoyama, Shinichi Murata
  • Patent number: 7156060
    Abstract: A cam drive gear for an engine is described where the distance between the axes of a crankshaft and an idle shaft bearing an idle gear thereon can be made smaller, thereby contributing to a reduction in the size of the engine. In addition, a valve-operating system drive gear for an engine is also described where it is possible to restrain a cam chain from chattering at its portion wrapped around a drive sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Oshita, Toru Kisaichi, Shingo Nakayama, Atsushi Sawa, Ryushi Tsubota
  • Patent number: 7156061
    Abstract: A valve lifter, in which an amorphous hard carbon film is coated at least on the surface that slides against a cam, is characterized in that the surface of a base material (substrate) has an arithmetic mean roughness of Ra 0.01 to 0.03 micrometers, and the maximum length of the scratch on the base surface is made to be equal to or shorter than 250 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Matsui, Masaki Moronuki, Katsuhiro Tsuji, Yutaka Mabuchi, Takahiro Hamada, Hiroyuki Izumi, Tomoyuki Koike
  • Patent number: 7156062
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation system to actuate and control the seating velocity of an internal combustion engine valve is disclosed. The system comprises: a housing; a lost motion system disposed in the housing; a rocker arm having a first contact surface, a second contact surface, and a third contact surface, the first contact surface operatively contacting the engine valve, and the second contact surface operatively contacting the lost motion system; and a valve seating device disposed in the housing, operatively contacting the third contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Vanderpoel
  • Patent number: 7156063
    Abstract: A starting device for an internal combustion engine includes a switching control device for controlling a starter motor. At least one power switching module connects the starter motor to a voltage source and is activated via an assigned control line. A control electronics is provided for controlling the at least one power switching module. A release device which records the power flow of the internal combustion engine makes available, as a function of the running of the internal combustion engine, a release signal for the release of the activating switching procedure by the at least one control line. The release device includes a first release switching channel that works independently of the control electronics and a second release switching channel that cooperates with control electronics. These are set up in such a way that an initiation of the activating switching procedure takes place only during the simultaneous release switching setting of the two release switching channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Denz
  • Patent number: 7156064
    Abstract: An engine start control apparatus has a power generating circuit that generates power by a starting operation of a starter apparatus that starts an engine, an engine starting circuit that is connected to the power generating circuit and to which various devices required to start the engine are connected, and an accessory circuit that is connected to the engine starting circuit and is provided with various devices that are not required to start the engine. In a state in which a supply of power to the accessory circuit is stopped, power is supplied from the power generating circuit side to the engine starting circuit side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Namari, Harumi Hiramine, Masato Ono
  • Patent number: 7156065
    Abstract: A trigger circuit for an engine starter relay includes: (a) a switching device for switching an output of the engine starter relay to a reference potential and for activating the engine starter relay as a function of a trigger signal, which is applied to a trigger input of the switching device; (b) a first logic circuit for the logical linking of a first digital signal of a computer device and a second digital signal of an operating device; (c) a second logic circuit for logically linking the output signal of the first logic circuit with the first digital signal; and a storage device for temporarily storing the state at the outputs of the first and second logic circuit, an output of the storage device being connected with the trigger input of the switching device, the activation of an engine starter relay being ensured in the event that the supply voltage at a computer device falls below a specified value with the result of activating a reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Sommerfeld, Gregor Seiler
  • Patent number: 7156066
    Abstract: An air intake device for an engine has a cleaner element. A housing encloses the cleaner element. The housing communicates with the engine downstream of the cleaner element. The housing has an intake section disposed upstream of the cleaner element. The intake section defines an air passage that has a plurality of inlet openings through which ambient air is introduced into the air passage. The inlet openings communicate with each other upstream of the cleaner element. The cleaner element faces the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 7156067
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for laterally conducting oil within a motorcycle frame space, the motorcycle frame space being longitudinally bounded by an engine having a protrusion, the space being oppositely laterally bounded by an oil filter manifold having a removably attached oil filter, the apparatus including a bushing fitted for oil filter passage and for nesting receipt of an annular bearing surface of the manifold; the apparatus further including an oil sluice and a wholly formed joint interconnecting the sluice and the bushing, the joint orienting the oil sluice so that the oil catch and oil drain ends of the oil sluice may respectively underlie the oil filter and extend laterally from the frame space; the method including steps of extending the bushing into the motorcycle frame space and over the oil filter for nestingly receiving the manifold's bearing surface within the bushing; removing the oil filter; and catching and laterally conducting the oil along the oil sluice for collection outside the frame
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Kent J. Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 7156068
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to dispense with the disadvantages of previous engines either fully or partially. This is achieved by two cylindrical parts which rotate into each other, respectively possessing a wing and which can rotate about an axis of different speeds. Similar to a four-stroke engine, the following occurs: induction of an air-fuel mixture, compression until self-ignition, creation of a working stroke and discharge of combustion gases. The variable inlet and outlet opening times are controlled according to a control bushing and a special stepper motor. The rotating wings are controlled by freewheeling and by unilaterally acting hydrodynamic brakes or secured against reversed rotation. In relation to the cylinder core, two functional variable work chambers arise for each disk discharge elements, which were not possible with the previously rigid engine structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Galip Yüksel
  • Patent number: 7156069
    Abstract: A combustion chamber opening toward a cylinder head is provided on a top surface of a piston, and this combustion chamber comprises a first volume having an inclined surface and a second volume further recessed from the first volume toward a pin boss. Fuel spray F from a fuel injection nozzle is injected toward an inner peripheral wall section of the second volume in a former stage of fuel injection and toward the inclined surface of the first volume in a later stage of fuel injection, and the percentage of the fuel injection period in the former stage against the total fuel injection period is set to the range from 40% to 70%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ono, Tadashi Iijima, Masaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7156070
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine that can be operated in compression ignition mode, comprising a fuel injector (2) for each cylinder; a fuel injection control unit (4) for controlling fuel injection quantity and a piston (5) in each cylinder whose compression action causes a mixture of air and fuel to be ignited. The engine is further provided with inlet and outlet valves (6, 7) and sensors (12–16) for measuring various engine operating parameters, is disclosed. During compression ignition mode, the control unit controls the fuel injector to perform a first fuel injection before, and a second fuel injection after top dead center of the piston stroke during or after a negative valve overlap period. A method for operating the engine and a computer readable storage device (4) having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a computer to implement a compression ignition for an internal combustion engine is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hans Strom, Luclen Koopmans
  • Patent number: 7156071
    Abstract: An intake device includes an intake pipe, a valve having a downstream side including a cutoff portion and an upstream side rotatably attached to an inner wall of the intake pipe, and a partition plate provided in the intake pipe so as to divide an intake passage in the intake pipe into an upper intake passage and a lower intake passage. The valve has an open state in which the upper and lower intake passages are open, a closed state in which the upper and lower intake passages are closed; and an intermediate state in which the lower intake passage is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Abe, Akio Yoshimatsu, Shinya Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7156072
    Abstract: An electronic valve actuation system and control method is described. The valve timing is changed between early and late intake valve closing depending on engine operating conditions. Further, valve timing is adjusted to control engine airflow or engine torque. Finally, air-fuel ratio is adjusted based on feedback from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor as well as an estimate of air, fuel, and residual exhausted from cylinders operating with late valve closing (after bottom dead center) timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gang Song, Ilya V. Kolmanovsky, John Ottavio Michelini, Alexander O'Connor Gibson, Larry Allen Hardy, Michael John Cullen, Mrdjan J. Jankovic, Xiaoying Zhang
  • Patent number: 7156073
    Abstract: A single idle air control passage (5) open toward a suction air passage (2a) downstream from a throttle valve (4), a starter passage (6) and an air screw passage (7) independently branched from an upstream side passage (5a) of the passage (5), an upstream side of passage (6) communicates with atmospheric air, a downstream side thereof communicates with the upstream passage (5a) of the idle air control passage (5), a start opening and closing valve (10) controlling an opening area of the passage is arranged in the starter passage (6), an upstream side of the passage (7) communicates with an atomospheric air, a downstream side communicates with the upstream side passage (5a) of the idle air control passage (5), and an air screw (11) controlling an opening area of the passage is screwed to the air screw passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Kure
  • Patent number: 7156074
    Abstract: With the throttle apparatus of the present invention having a throttle valve 30 disposed at an intake passage, a throttle shaft 240 to open and close the throttle valve 30, a DC motor 51 to drive the throttle shaft 40, and so on, a second drive means 60 is disposed to exert return force to the throttle shaft 40 only for returning the throttle valve 30 to the rest position. With this structure, since return force is not exerted with a normal operation, load to the DC motor 51 is decreased, and an open-close operation can be preformed smoothly. By returning the throttle valve to the rest position utilizing other means than spring force, load to the motor is decreased, and open-close operation is smoothed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mikuni Corporation
    Inventor: Maki Hanasato
  • Patent number: 7156075
    Abstract: For stopping an internal combustion engine, a stop switch prevents the triggering of the ignition. A controller in the ignition circuit determines the state of the stop switch by evaluating signals on the state of the internal combustion engine, corresponding information data is generated, and a corresponding stop flag is set and/or enabled. Depending on this information, the activation of the ignition switch, that controls ignition spark, is either blocked or enabled by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Prufrex-Elektro-Apparatebau, INH. Helga Muller geb Dutschke
    Inventor: Leo Kiessling
  • Patent number: 7156076
    Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus having a fuel supply pump supplying fuel to a high-pressure pump which delivers fuel into a reservoir with a metering device for adjusting the fuel quantity delivered into the reservoir; the metering device has a control valve triggered by an actuator. The control valve has a valve element guided in a cylinder of a valve housing can be slid by the actuator in opposition to a spring and in cooperation with an opening in the cylinder bore connected to an inlet from the supply pump or an outlet to the high-pressure pump, controls a flow cross section from the supply pump to the high-pressure pump. The valve element can close the flow cross section at least almost completely and also control a connection of the inlet from the supply pump or of the outlet to the high-pressure pump to a discharge region, and open this connection when it closes the flow cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Holl, Achim Koehler, Sascha Ambrock, Martin Klander
  • Patent number: 7156077
    Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine uses a fuel pump having an internally mounted pressure-responsive buffer which increases the volume available for fuel within the pump's discharge port upon shutdown of the pump, so as to assist in the mitigation of fugitive hydrocarbon emissions from fuel injectors which might otherwise result from a hot soak of an automotive engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Scott Koller, Donald Ignasiak, Thomas Joseph Luley
  • Patent number: 7156078
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel injection control device for an internal combustion engine capable of setting an overexcitation current time period which allows injectors to be reliably driven even when a fuel pressure sensor is in an abnormal state. A fuel supply control portion is equipped with an injector-valve opening signal generating unit, a first driving current supply signal generating unit, a first driving current supplying unit, a second driving current supplying unit, and a fuel pressure sensor malfunction detecting unit. When a malfunction in the fuel pressure sensor is detected, the first driving current supply signal generating unit sets a first driving current supply time period to a fixed time period which allows injectors to be opened even when a fuel pressure in the internal combustion engine is at its maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akira Furuta
  • Patent number: 7156079
    Abstract: A diesel engine 1 of the present invention comprises: a camshaft 13 with a cam 21; a fuel injection pump 12 having a plunger 84; a tappet for driving the plunger 84; and a slide portion 2b. The tappet includes a roller 80 and a roller tappet 82. The roller 80 serves as a rotor which abuts against the cam 21 so as to drive the fuel injection pump 12, and a roller tappet 82 serves as a support portion for supporting the rotor. The slide portion 2b slidably fits to the support portion. The roller tappet 82 has a tappet guide serving as a projection for restriction of rotation, and the slide portion 2b has a guide groove 92 into which the projection is fitted. Therefore, the rotor and the cam abutting against the rotor can be prevented from abrasion so as to maintain high accuracy in controlling slide stroke of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Kamiyama, Katsuyuki Shiota, Yasuhiro Kanazu
  • Patent number: 7156080
    Abstract: A fuel flow control valve (10) for an in-tank fuel module (M) to control fuel flow to a fuel pump (P) from either a fuel tank (T) in which the module is installed or a fuel module reservoir (V). The valve includes a disc (32) having a plurality of slots (50) formed therein through which fuel flows from an opening (O) in the module to the fuel pump. The disc is mounted on the head (40) of a valve stem (36). This allows the valve to move between one position opening a fuel flow path between the fuel tank and the fuel pump and a second position opening a fuel flow path between the fuel reservoir and the fuel pump, the valve, when opening one of the flow paths, simultaneously blocking the other flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Airtex Corporation
    Inventors: R. David Morris, Eric W. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7156081
    Abstract: A fuel conditioning assembly having an elongated housing with an inlet, an outlet, and a flow through passage there between. The inlet is coupled with a fuel supply so as to receive fuel flow there through into the flow through passage, wherein a turbulent flow of the fuel is initiated and the fuel is influenced by a combination of elements, in compound or elemental form, some of which are maintained in a select location within the flow through passage by a binding element. These elements may include copper, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, magnesium, barium, calcium, iron, zirconium, cerium, platinum, and/or palladium which chemically condition the fuel flowing through the flow through passage by rearranging the molecular bonds of the fuel with a catalytic effect. The fuel, regardless of its type is dispersed into very small droplets having high surface areas thereby lowering the vapor density of the fuel and substantially increasing a fuel burn efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Royce Walker & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joel S. Ratner, legal representative, Lee Ratner, deceased
  • Patent number: 7156082
    Abstract: A system and method to control spark in a cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine. Spark can be controlled in a cylinder while reducing the possibility of producing a spark at a spark plug coupled to an ignition coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vince Winstead, John R. Grabowski, Ilya Kolmanovsky, Michael W. Degner, Alex O. Gibson
  • Patent number: 7156083
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft, a camshaft for actuating a valve of the engine, and a rotating electrical machine that is coupled to one of the crankshaft and the camshaft. The apparatus includes a computer that controls the rotating electrical machine. The rotating electrical machine includes a rotor and a plurality of rotation sensors, each of which outputs a signal corresponding to induced voltage generated by rotation of the rotor. The computer controls the rotating electrical machine based on the signals from the rotation sensors, and detects the occurrence of reverse rotation in the engine when an output pattern of the signals from the rotation sensors is different from an output pattern during forward rotation of the engine. As a result, the apparatus promptly detects the occurrence of reverse rotation of the internal combustion engine without providing additional sensors or rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Munenori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7156084
    Abstract: A detent body with a center bore is secured to the chamber wall of a paint-ball gun. A floating detent with a hollow core and a domed tip reciprocates within the center bore, allowing the tip to extend into the chamber to restrict movement of a paint ball. Axially aligned slots extend through opposing sides of the floating detent. A pin extends through the slots and corresponding pin holes in opposing sides of the detent body to create a stationary abutment for limiting axial movement of the floating detent. A compressive spring disposed within the hollow core between the pin and the inner end urges the outer tip into the chamber. A set screw threaded into the end of the hollow core engages the pin and the floating detent. Rotation of the set screw regulates axial movement of the outer tip into and out of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: JDL Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: John D. Landis
  • Patent number: 7156085
    Abstract: A toy gun includes a barrel having a bay for receiving a soft projectile loaded within a cartridge. A stock is connected pivotally to the barrel and encases a pneumatic cylinder and piston that is primed upon pivotally opening the stock and barrel. The pneumatic cylinder and piston communicate with the bay when the stock and barrel are closed. A trigger releases the piston to force air into the bay for dispatching the projectile from the cartridge—leaving the cartridge within the bay for ejection upon opening of the stock and barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Buzz Bee Toys (H.K.) Co., Limited
    Inventors: Michael G. Lewis, Jeffrey C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7156086
    Abstract: A bow holding stand assembly includes a rod that has a bottom end that is extendable into a ground surface. A plate has a first end, a second end, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side edge and a second side edge. The lower surface is attached to a top end of the rod. A pair of legs is attached to and extends upwardly from the plate. The legs are angled away from the first end of the plate. A bracket is attached to and extends between distal ends of the legs with respect to the plate. A pair of arms is provided. Each of the arms is attached to one of the legs. A bow has a bottom edge and a front surface. The front surface is abuttable against the bracket and the bottom edge is abuttable against the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Carl B. Wells
  • Patent number: 7156087
    Abstract: An outdoor multi-method cooker for preparing a wide variety of different foods at the same time using selective convection, radiant, or conduction cooking operations with or without smoke, or combinations thereof, using a single heat source. The cooker has a horizontal central longitudinal chamber with a firebox at one end and a pair of stacks at the opposed end, a main oven, a pair of lateral smokeless ovens, a warming compartment, and a griddle above the firebox, all disposed transversely on the longitudinal chamber in parallel spaced relation, and a steam table along the upper portion of the longitudinal chamber. The cooker operates on the principle of equalization of natural differential pressures caused by rising warmer air, similar to the draw created by the upper portion of a fireplace, for drafting hot gases or smoke laden hot gases from the combustion source and selectively routing it through passageways into and around the various components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: Albert B. Churchill, III, Robert S. Churchill
  • Patent number: 7156088
    Abstract: A solar collector structural support system that affixes to a mounting surface without penetrating the mounting surface is disclosed. The invention in the preferred embodiment includes a junction element adapted to receive: a plurality of leg members; at least one footing adapted to engage frictionally a mounting surface; and a structural support member; wherein a first junction element of the plurality of junction elements receives: a proximal end of a first leg member and a first structural support member. In addition, the junction element may be adapted to receive a ballast element and the ballast element may be adapted to engage a leg member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Energy Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg Frederick Luconi
  • Patent number: 7156089
    Abstract: An organizational treatment device and method for the treatment of obstructive pulmonary disease comprising both controller and rescue medications such that the need for rescue medication and consequent need for controller medication can be more certainly determined than at present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: Robert E. Weinstein, Allan M. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 7156090
    Abstract: A tracheostomy tube that enables speech. The tube is provided with an inside tube portion to be set in a trachea, an outside tube portion connected to a ventilator, and a balloon provided on the outer circumference of the inside tube portion. The balloon is connected to the inside tube portion so that the inside and outside of the balloon cannot communicate with each other and the inside tube portion has a hole for communicating the inside of the interior of the inside tube portion with the inside of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Hiroaki Nomori
  • Patent number: 7156091
    Abstract: An oral airway, which is used by being inserted into the mouth of a patient who is suffering from unconsciousness or has lost consciousness to secure an airway of the patient, is adapted to be used with a tube to be inserted into the trachea of the patient through the mouth thereof. The oral air way includes a main body, and an insertion part provided on the main body. The insertion part is adapted to be inserted into the trachea of the patient through the mouth thereof so that an appropriate portion of the insertion part at the side of the distal end thereof comes into contact with the root of the tongue of the patient to secure the airway of the patient. The insertion part includes a guide groove for guiding the tube when the tube is inserted into the trachea of the patient, and the guide groove has a structure from which the tube can be separated after the distal end of the tube has been inserted into the trachea of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Koyama, Kei Jin Shu, Takao Nawakura, Yukio Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7156092
    Abstract: Provides an emergency air supply system that is worn around the arm, presumably the wrist, and intended for use in air restrictive emergency conditions. Primarily it has been designed for the need to improve safety for water recreation or water sports where an individual is often caught gasping for air. This device is purposely designed to be no more obtrusive than a piece of clothing, such as a bathing suit, or a watch band would be, in order that it does not unduly restrict the water activity or water sport or any other potentially air restrictive activity you may engage in. The design is intended to encourage usage and increase safety, by way of its structural design that uses the strap-band itself as the mechanical structure of the entire mechanism. Thus creating a unique compact design, that is convenient to wear and provides air when you most need it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Russell Wolfe Otter
  • Patent number: 7156093
    Abstract: A respirator hood is designed to fit over and around the head of a wearer and includes a substantially transparent lens received in a front opening of the hood. An inflatable neck cuff is positioned near a lower portion of the hood and substantially circumscribes an opening through which the wearer inserts his head, with the inflatable neck cuff being supplied by an air source and inflated so as to exert a sealing pressure against the neck of the wearer and to prevent the hood from rising up relative to the head of the wearer. The respirator hood also includes one or more overhead channels which define an air delivery path from the air source over the head of the wearer to the interior of the lens and downwardly across the face of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: E. D. Bullard Company
    Inventor: John H. King
  • Patent number: 7156094
    Abstract: There is described a wearable garment capable of supplying air to a user comprising a plurality of compartments disposed about the garment, a plurality of air storage vessels for fitting into respective ones of the compartments, an air regulator, a connector for connecting the plurality of air storage vessels to the regulator, and a breathing member connected to the regulator in fluid communication therewith, wherein the breathing member allows a user to receive air from the plurality of air storage vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Failsafe Air Vest Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas Anthony Chornyj
  • Patent number: 7156095
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a ventilator in a primary electronic mode or in a back-up pneumatic mode during primary electronic mode failure. A method and apparatus for operating a ventilator in an advanced mode, having a number of ventilatory modes, or in a basic mode, having a limited number of ventilatory modes is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Melker, Michael J. Banner, Samsun Lampotang, Paul B. Blanch, Neil R. Euliano, Ronald G. Carovano
  • Patent number: 7156096
    Abstract: Continuous positive airway pressure systems are provided including an interface defining a plenum chamber therein, and a pair of nasal cannulas connected to and in fluid communication with the plenum chamber of the interface. The nasal cannulas are configured and dimensioned to deliver pressurized air from the plenum chamber to the nares of a patient, wherein each nasal cannula is capable of off axis movement and/or pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Robert M. Landis
  • Patent number: 7156097
    Abstract: An improved nasal cannula and cannula support structure. In a preferred embodiment, an integrated nasal cannula and cannula support device comprise a semi-rigid mono-lumen cannula design comprising a generally L-shaped mono-lumen strut terminating at its distal end with an oxygen supply barrel. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention designed for use with conventional delivery tube pair cannula designs, a nasal cannula support device includes a ridge pole retainer comprising a generally L-shaped strut having a long leg and a short leg. The cannula support is anchored to the wearer's nose and/or forehead such that the cannula delivery tubes and supply barrel are maintained in fixed alignment regardless of the wearer's head motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Norman Cardoso
  • Patent number: 7156098
    Abstract: A nasal air filtration device includes a pair of concave-convex filters, and a support structure incorporating a pair of generally annular bases for supporting the filters, and a bridge that couples the bases, to maintain them in a desired spaced-apart relation and to determine a desired angular relationship between the bases and between the associated filters. The support structure is positionable against the anterior nares to direct the filters into their corresponding nasal cavities. The support structure maintains each of the filters in spaced-apart relation to the surrounding nasal wall. In alternative embodiments, an open frame is mounted to each base and positioned between its associated filter and the nasal wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dolezal Creative Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Dolezal, John D. Wilder