Patents Issued in February 6, 2007
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Patent number: 7172380Abstract: A wheel nut assembly includes a stud (1), a main wheel nut (4) mountable on threads (3) provided on the stud, and a retaining nut (6) engageable with threads (5) provided on the stud to prevent accidental loosening of the wheel nut (4). The threads of the wheel nut (4) and the threads for the retaining nut (6) are of opposite hand. A cap (11) is slidably mounted on the retaining nut (6) and biased into a first position by a spring (16). The cap (11) includes multi-hexagonal profiles (12, 14) for engaging hexagonal profiles (13, 15) provided on the retaining nut (6) and on the main wheel nut (4). Accordingly, in the first position, the retaining nut (6) and the main wheel nut (4) are rotationally locked to each other and because of the opposite hand of the respective threads it is not possible to remove the retaining nut. To release the retaining nut (6), the cap (11) is grasped and pulled to the limit permitted by the spring (16) to permit rotation of the retaining nut (6) and removal thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Wheelsure Technologies LimitedInventors: John Sydney Lees, David Daniel George Vile
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Patent number: 7172381Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an unfastening prevention device which has nothing projecting outside, and can prevent unfastening at either head or distal end of a bolt. An unfastening prevention is attained by covering a cap (6, 16) to screwed up fastening means formed of a bolt (2) and a nut (3). In a groove (6a, 16a) formed on an inner surface of the cap (6, 16) an outer periphery of a spring ring (8) is engaged, an inner periphery of the spring ring being engaged in a groove (7a) of a holder (7), restricting axial direction (2a) and resulting in slip out prevention. Even when a torque is given on the cap (6, 16), the cap idles, fastening condition does not change and unfastening prevention is attained.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignees: Nishioka Byoura Co., Ltd.Inventor: Satoshi Miyazaki
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Patent number: 7172382Abstract: A loading assembly is provided that is configured to load transport containers with bulk material quickly and efficiently. The assembly includes a load bin having a cross section conforming to an open end of a container and a drive mechanism configured to urge the load bin into and out of the container. When fully inserted, the contents of the load bin are completely disposed within the container. The loading assembly further includes a barrier configured to keep the load confined within the container, while the load bin opens to allow the load to remain within the container upon retraction of the load bin. In this manner, the container can be filled to capacity in a single operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: Nathan Frankel
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Patent number: 7172383Abstract: A semiconductor wafer transfer equipment transfers a plurality of semiconductor wafers, held in grooves of carriers in an erected state, to a boat using first and second wafer elevators equipped with a comb-teeth portion and a wafer grip and transfer unit. The first and second wafer elevators correspond to the carriers and the boat and are equipped with a position correction mechanism which corrects positions of comb-teeth openings of comb-teeth members provided on the comb-teeth portion, corresponding to semiconductor wafers housed in the grooves of the carriers.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Koji Fujii, Tomoaki Takeuchi
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Patent number: 7172384Abstract: A loader/attachment assembly is provided. The loader/attachment assembly can be referred to as a loader/bucket assembly when the attachment is a bucket. The loader/attachment assembly can include a bucket and a loader assembly. The bucket includes a bucket attachment region and a bucket face opening. The loader assembly includes a left boom and a right boom. The left boom includes a left first boom end constructed for attachment to a left bracket assembly on a motor vehicle, a left second boom end attached to the bucket attachment region, a left lift cylinder, and a left attachment cylinder. The right boom includes a right first boom end constructed for attachment to a right bracket assembly on a motor vehicle, a right second boom end attached to the bucket attachment region, a right lift cylinder, and a right attachment cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Westendorf Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Neal W. Westendorf, Joseph W. Lagenfeld
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Patent number: 7172385Abstract: The present invention provides parallel, cable based robotic manipulators, for use in different applications such as ultra high-speed robots or positioning devices with between three to six degrees of freedom. The manipulators provide more options for the number of degrees of freedom and also more simplicity compared to the current cable-based robots. The general structure of these manipulators includes a base platform, a moving platform or end effector, an extensible or telescoping central post connecting the base to moving platform to apply a pushing force to the platforms. The central post can apply the force by an actuator (active), or spring or air pressure (passive) using telescoping cylinders. The robotic manipulators use a combination of active and passive tensile (cable) members, and collapsible and rigid links to maximize the benefits of both pure cable and conventional parallel mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventors: Amir Khajepour, Saeed Behzadipour, Robert Dekker, Edmon Chan
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Patent number: 7172386Abstract: A wind and solar power plant, producing electrical energy at any scale, site, and level above the ground, and with almost no wind, comprises rotor trains, mounted on decks of a garage-like building, each rotor train having a plurality of rotors positioned between a shroud and a wind tunnel. The wind is accelerated in a low middle part of the wind tunnel while flows from a high entrance towards a higher and wider exit. The blades of the rotors protrude into the middle part of the wind tunnel causing fast rotation of the rotors around horizontal axes. A super-diffuser, a booster and a wind tunnel are increasing the power of the wind and rotors in hundreds of times. Each rotor train comprises up to six rotors connected with twelve electrical generators. Electrical energy can be also produced by solar panels, mounted on the balconies and on the roof of the building.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventors: Minh-Hoang Dinh Truong, Yevgeniya Sosonkina
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Patent number: 7172387Abstract: A fan guard includes a plurality of extending ribs extending from a blocking plate to an outer frame, a plurality of inner ribs arranged between the extending ribs and extending from the blocking plate to the substantial center in the radial direction, and a plurality of outer ribs arranged between the extending ribs and extending from the substantial center in the radial direction to the outer frame. The number of the inner ribs is set smaller than the number of the outer ribs. Hence, strength to prevent bending of the fan guard due to load application in the axial direction is ensured and increase in ventilating resistance of forced airflow (W) from a blower fan is suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Jiro Yamamoto, Zhiming Zheng
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Patent number: 7172388Abstract: A spring seal for sealing a gap defined between first and second gas turbine engine components. The spring seal has a grasping portion for graspingly receiving a portion of the first component, and a spring loading portion adapted to extend between the first and second gas turbine engine components for spring loading the first and second gas turbine engine components relative to one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventor: Remy Synnott
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Patent number: 7172389Abstract: A method is provided for making a repaired turbine engine stationary vane assembly including at least one airfoil bonded between spaced apart first and second platforms. The method comprises providing a first vane assembly member including at least a portion of the first platform, the airfoil, and a first segment of the second platform bonded with the airfoil. Also provided is a second vane assembly member including a second segment of the second platform with a recess of a shape and size sufficient to receive the first segment of the second platform. The first segment is placed in the recess after which the first and second segments are bonded, for example by brazing or welding. Provided is a more structurally sound repaired turbine engine stationary vane assembly including the first and second vane assembly members bonded together.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Philip Hagle, Timothy Lee Siebert, Jeffrey John Reverman, Dana Leigh Ferguson, Gregory Matthew Ford
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Patent number: 7172390Abstract: A connecting device of a hot swap fan module comprises at least one terminal and a casing. The at least one terminal is electrically connected to the fan so that, when the fan is mounted in a system, electrical connection is formed between the fan and the system. The connecting device further comprises at least one LED (light emitting diode) which is electrically connected to the fan or the at least one terminal for indicating the operating state of the fan, and at least one cover plate protruded from at least one edge of the casing so as to form the whole casing into an L or U-shaped structure. The casing is closely attached to one side face of the fan housing when the casing is assembled to the fan. The casing also has a recess for receiving those lead wires electrically connecting the terminals, the fan, and the LED.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventors: William Lu, Ying-Chi Chen, Te-Tsai Chuang, Ming-Shi Tsai, Kuo-Cheng Lin
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Patent number: 7172391Abstract: An auxiliary tank is filled by a pitch control system, which enables the size of the auxiliary tank to be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Hamilton SundstrandInventor: Paul Armand Carvalho
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Patent number: 7172392Abstract: A wind turbine with at least one blade having a pitch axis that is offset laterally so that the blade does not intersect with an axis of rotation of the wind turbine, and a center of mass and an aerodynamic center are offset from the pitch axis in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the wind turbine. The blade is arranged so that the blade can pitch towards stall against the action of a resilient device and also so that the centrifugal loading on at least one of the blade and one or more components optionally attached to the blade, acts against the spring in a direction to shed power by pitching the blade towards stall and also so that the torque loading provided by a power conversion device acts to pitch the blade in the opposite direction, so as to reduce the amount of load shedding whenever the power is being extracted from the wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Iskra Wind Turbine Manufacturers Ltd.Inventors: Michael Andrew Wastling, John Charles Balson, David Irving, Robert James Cann
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Patent number: 7172393Abstract: A multi-cylinder compressor includes a valve plate having a plurality of cylinder suction ports formed therethrough, and a plurality of cylinder bores centered on an arc having a radius (R). The cylinder bores are substantially equally spaced from each other, and have a diameter (D). The compressor also includes a suction chamber having a substantially annular shape and adapted to be in fluid communication with each of the cylinder bores via the suction ports. Moreover, a center of a first of the suction ports is radially offset in a predetermined direction from a center of a predetermined suction port by a first angle, in which the predetermined suction port has a diameter (d), and the first angle equals {[(360°/N)·([N?1]?n)]+X°}.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Sanden CorporationInventors: Douglas E. Adams, Yoshinobu Ichikawa, Jeongil Park, Werner Soedel
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Patent number: 7172394Abstract: A saddle bearing liner (30) for a variable displacement axial piston pump (10) includes two axially-spaced apart bearing surfaces (62, 64) with an offset central section (54) integrally joining them. A hollow projection (80) extends radially from the convex side of the pressure bearing section (50) and is received with a recess (82) of the housing (12) to locate the liner (30). The liner (30) has radially extending ledges (70, 72) which mate with surfaces (74, 76) of the housing (12) to inhibit skewing of the bearing liner (30) relative to the axis of the bearing surfaces (62, 64). The projection (80) is hollow and opens to the bearing surface (62) so that presurrized fluid from the housing (12) can be injected between the bearing surface (62) and the mating surface (22) of the swashblock (20). The projection (80) also prevents the liner (30) from rotating about the bearing surface axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: The Oilgear CompanyInventors: Robert D. Chung, Anthony M. Claas, Reginald J. Goss, Mark J. Matenaer
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Patent number: 7172395Abstract: A fixed scroll (40) is provided which is made up of a first stationary-side member (41) and a second stationary-side member (46). The first stationary-side member (41) has a first stationary-side wrap (42) and a first outer peripheral part (43) encompassing the first stationary-side wrap (42). The second stationary-side member (46) has a second stationary-side wrap (47), a second outer peripheral part (48), and a third flat-plate part (49). The second stationary-side wrap (47) is formed integrally with the third flat-plate part (49). An orbiting scroll (50) is provided which has a first flat-plate part (51), a first movable-side wrap (53), a second flat-plate part (52), and a second movable-side wrap (54). The first movable-side wrap (53) is formed integrally with the first flat-plate part (51). The second movable-side wrap (54) is formed integrally with the second flat-plate part (52).Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitaka Shibamoto, Ryogo Kato
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Patent number: 7172396Abstract: Two opposed coaxial discoidal elements (35, 37) are diametrically dilatable and are able to move independently of each other axially and pass axially into the tire (P) when the tire is positioned in the mold, in such a way as to dilate each of said discoidal elements (35, 37), for engaging a corresponding annular bead (P1, P2) of the tire and positioning it exactly against the edge of the respective pan (13, 15).Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Cima Impianti S.p.A.Inventors: Tiziano Galigani, Daniele Brogi, Massimo Capecchi
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Patent number: 7172397Abstract: A two-piece water box assembly includes a water box main body and an inline adapter ring. The water box main body and inline adapter ring define the water box cutting chamber, with the inline adapter ring being positioned between the water box main body and the die plate. The adapter ring is fastened through the die plate to the extruder inlet housing with a first plurality of fastening elements. The water box main body is also coupled to the extruder inlet housing, through apertures in the die plate and inline adapter ring, by a second plurality of fastening elements, preferably less in number than the first plurality of fastening elements. When access to the cutter hub or cutting chamber is necessary for cleaning or otherwise, the water box main body can be removed easily by unfastening the second fastening elements only, while the inline adapter ring remains fixed to the die plate and extruder inlet housing, thus maintaining the seal therewith and the die plate insulation gasket.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Gala Industries, Inc.Inventor: Michael A. Fridley
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Patent number: 7172398Abstract: A stabilized filament drawing device for a meltspinning apparatus and a meltspinning apparatus including the stabilized filament drawing device. The stabilized filament drawing device applies a high-velocity flow of air to attenuate the filaments, which are discharged from a device outlet in a discharge direction. The filament drawing device includes multiple inclined guides adjacent to the outlet that cause the filaments and high-velocity flow of air to deviate from the discharge direction. Each of the guides has a major surface that is angled relative to a common plane containing the discharge direction and a cross-machine direction of the device outlet of the filament drawing device. The guides are oriented such that the major surface is also inclined relative to the discharge direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Aktiengesellschaft Adolph SaurerInventors: Rachelle Bentley, Patrick L. Crane, Matthew Duane Thompson
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Patent number: 7172399Abstract: An apparatus for spinning melt-spun filament yarns including a spin beam is disclosed. A polymer melt fed to a spin beam is distributed within the spin beam to a plurality of spinning cans mounted on the spin beam. To reduce costs to the manufacturer for ensuring ease of disassembly of the spin beam, as well as to avoid the need for disassembling the spin beam and having a furnace on hand, the spin beam is provided with an integrated or removably attachable regenerative heater by which the melt-conducting components of the spin beam can be heated to a regeneration temperature of between about 450 to 550° C. to pyrolytically remove the deposits.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Tilman Reutter
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Patent number: 7172400Abstract: The present invention provides an improved multi-mold apparatus for manufacturing friction members, with each mold composed of a set comprising a first (top) mold, a second (bottom) mold, and a frame mold. The apparatus is capable of correcting any misalignment in the mountings of the plurality of molds and accurately aligning the molds by movably supporting at least one of the first mold, the second mold and the third mold by first, second and frame bases, respectively, so that the base and molds are movable laterally, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of advance. Projections are formed on one of the first mold and either the frame mold or the back plate and bonding through-holes are formed on the remaining mold or the back plate, so that the projections engage the holes so as to align the first mold and the frame mold accurately.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.Inventors: Yoshinori Sakamoto, Masanori Ueno
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Patent number: 7172401Abstract: A spinneret assembly for melt spinning a plurality of strand-like filaments, which includes a plurality of internal parts composed of at least one inlet component 2 and a spinneret plate 3 which are braced relative each other in a housing 1 by a supporting means. The inlet component 2 forms a melt inlet 5, and the spinneret plate 3 forms a melt outlet by means of a plurality of spin holes 4. To achieve during operation a self-sealing between the internal parts, the invention provides for arranging an expansion body 8 between the housing 1 and one of the internal parts. The expansion body 8 is formed of a material which has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the housing material, and it generates, upon being heated, a pressure force inside the housing which provides for a self-sealing bracing of the internal parts.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Bernd Kirchhoff
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Patent number: 7172402Abstract: Described is a mold jaw half for an apparatus for the production of transversely ribbed tubes, wherein the mold jaw half (16) has end faces and a base face and in its interior a cooling passage with a coolant feed and a coolant discharge, which open at a spacing from each other at the base face of the mold jaw halves. In order to provide a reduced flow resistance for the coolant through the cooling passage and consequently an increased coolant through-put, resulting in an improved cooling action, it is proposed that the coolant feed and the coolant discharge cross, as seen in a direction viewing on to the end faces of the mold jaw halves, and are oriented in opposite relationship with respect to the advance direction of the mold jaw half. That mutually opposite orientation provides that the coolant is virtually shovelled into the cooling passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Unicor GmbH Rahn PlastmaschinenInventor: Gunther Hofmann
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Patent number: 7172403Abstract: A gypsum wallboard core, and methods and apparatus for making the same are disclosed. Methods of making a gypsum wallboard core include extruding a gypsum slurry containing water, gypsum, slip agents, water-reducing agents, surfactants and, optional additives, through a die and onto a substantially flat, smooth, moving surface. The die has provisions at its outer sides for the introduction of slip agents into the slurry, and provisions at its lateral outer edges for the introduction of a strength-enhancing agent. Once extruded onto the conveyor belt, the slurry is chemically-activated to set and form a hardened board core which then may be easily removed from the conveyor belt and dried.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: National Gypsum Properties, LLCInventor: W. Roy Burke
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Patent number: 7172404Abstract: The invention relates to the production of multi-layered concrete moulded bodies in a moulding machine comprising a moulding insert having a plurality of mould cavities. Relief structures are arranged in the lateral walls of the mould cavities and are dimensioned in such a way that projections formed on the moulded body when the filled concrete material is compacted engage in the relief structures, thereby creating sufficient retaining force for compensating the net weight of the moulded body and enabling the moulded bodied to be extracted from the mould cavities as a result of additional demoulding forces and causing elastic deformation of the projections without any material being cut off from the projections.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Kobra Formen GmbHInventors: Rudolf Braungardt, Erwin Schmucker
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Patent number: 7172405Abstract: Fluid flow grooves (11) with a flat cross section being formed between the back surface of a metal mold (2) for blow molding and a back-up member (4) which adheres tightly to this back surface. A plurality of these fluid flow grooves (11) are provided, and these fluid flow grooves are disposed densely in parallel with partition walls (21) interposed between the grooves. Fluid inlets (12) and outlets (13) are formed in the respective fluid flow grooves (11). A heating fluid or cooling fluid enters the respective fluid flow grooves (11) via the inlets (12) from a fluid supply manifold (14). The fluid flows out of the outlets (13), enters a fluid discharge manifold (15), and is discharged to the outside. Rapid heating and rapid cooling of the metal mold (2) are performed, no irregularity occurs in temperature, and the cycle time can be shortened, so that a metal mold device for blow molding in which the energy consumption is small can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Minoru Kasei Company, LimitedInventors: Kazumichi Nishioka, Naoshige Fukuhara, Naoaki Tachibana
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Patent number: 7172406Abstract: An installation for blow molding thermoplastic polymer containers, including a blowing mold consisting of two portions capable of being assembled and a blowing device with a bell-type nozzle pressed in a sealed manner against a front mold surface mounted on the neck of a blank to be blow molded; a leaking device with a relatively large cross-section which extends from one contact surface of at least one mold portion up to the outside of the mold beyond the support of the bell of the nozzle on the surface. The high pressure blow molding fluid which can penetrate through an interstice between the mold portions which tend to be spaced apart from each other is at least mostly evacuated outside.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: SidelInventor: Alain Evrard
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Patent number: 7172407Abstract: An injection unit for an injection molding machine includes a plasticizing unit in the form of an extruder, a plunger-type injection device, which can be connected to the injection molding machine by an injection nozzle. The plunger-type injection device defines an injection space. The extruder has a forward portion which is connected to the injection space by a melt through channel in which a shutoff valve is disposed. The extruder is operated continuously and includes one or more plasticizing screws, wherein the extruder is configured in such a way that the backup length can expand backwards into the extruder, when the shutoff valve is closed.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbHInventor: Rainer Zimmet
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Patent number: 7172408Abstract: A resin transfer molding (RTM) process is disclosed for rapidly filling a fibrous preform and/or a rigid, porous body with high viscosity resin or pitch. The process is suitable for impregnated multiple porous bodies stacked in a single mold. The process uses a fibrous preform or rigid porous body which is placed into a mold matching the desired part geometry. A resin is injected into the mold at temperature and pressure. After cooling, the infiltrated component is removed from the mold. The mold is constructed from two halves fitted to form at least one mold cavity. A gate fitted with a nozzle is set into one of the mold halves, and a valve admits resin or pitch into the gate area. Venting or vacuum can be applied to the mold. The mold is held in a hydraulic press and an extruder, optionally fitted with an accumulator, supplies molten resin or pitch to the mold.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Wood, Frank Dillon, Richard A. Heckelsberg, Roger W. Holloway, Mark L. LaForest, Neil Murdie, Charles A. Parker, James F. Pigford
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Patent number: 7172409Abstract: A valve pin bushing for a valve gated injection molding apparatus having, a back plate, a valve pin bushing, and a manifold, with axially aligned respective valve pin bores. The valve pin bushing includes a back plate contacting surface and an opposite manifold contacting surface for bearing against the back plate and manifold, respectively. The back plate contacting surface has a surface area larger than a surface area of the manifold contacting surface to draw heat from the valve pin bushing to the cooler back plate. An air gap, which may be sealed by an optional sealing portion, is formed where the flange is spaced away from a central portion of the valve pin bushing near the manifold. The valve pin bushing also includes a tubular member for positioning within the manifold valve pin bore, which defines a portion of the manifold melt passageway.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Mold-Masters LimitedInventor: Payman A. Tabassi
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Patent number: 7172410Abstract: A valve pin adjustment system is provided for use in valve gated injection molding applications which enables adjustments to the positioning of the valve pin without necessitating removal of the clamping plates and valve assembly components, including valve pins. A piston associated with the valve pin includes a cylindrical body having first and second co-axially aligned internally threaded bores of respective first and second diameters. Preferably, the threads formed in the first and second bores are of the opposite hand. First and second externally-threaded cylindrical valve pin positioning members are respectively received in the first and second bores. Each of the positioning members includes a head portion and a tip portion. The tip of the second positioning member is in contact with the head of the first positioning member to lock the first positioning member in place, and the tip of the first positioning member is in contact with a head portion on the valve pin to locate the valve pin.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: Panos Trakas
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Patent number: 7172411Abstract: An injection molding apparatus has a manifold and a plurality of first and second adjustable manifold blocks. The second manifold blocks are in fluid communication and are directly connected to a hot runner nozzle. The second manifold blocks are coupled to the first manifold blocks via connector devices. These connector devices contain a melt channel and allow the second manifold blocks and therefore the hot runner nozzles to be rotated relative to the first manifold blocks around at least two axes. This allows the nozzles to be positioned in front of mold gates that are located at variable elevations with respect to the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Mold-Masters LimitedInventor: Fabrice Fairy
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Patent number: 7172412Abstract: A pyrolysis heater particularly for the cracking of hydrocarbons in the production of olefins has a burner arrangement in the firebox which includes staged combustion low NOx hearth burners firing upwardly in the firebox adjacent to the walls. Wall stabilizing gas fuel injection tips, located at an elevation above the hearth burners, inject fuel upwardly between the walls and the flame from the hearth burners. This prevents rollover of the flame onto the process heater coil and overheating of the coil.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: ABB Lummus Global Inc.Inventors: Erwin M. J. Platvoet, Robert John Gartside, Peter Robert Ponzi, Paul Chapman, Frank D. McCarthy
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Patent number: 7172413Abstract: A gas combustion apparatus of a laundry dryer is provided, by which an initial ignition power is improved to enhance an ignition property. The gas combustion apparatus includes a gas supply; a mixing pipe, having a mixing passage extending from an inlet end to an outlet end, for mixing the supplied gas with primary air, the primary air and gas entering the mixing passage at the inlet end and a gas-and-air mixture exiting the mixing passage at the outlet end; and a flame holder, disposed at the outlet end of the mixing pipe, for separating the gas-and-air mixture exiting the mixing pipe into a complex plurality of jetted streams.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: In Hee Han, Seong Hai Jeong, Soo Won Park
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Patent number: 7172414Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary tube (1), in particular for a rotary tubular kiln for the production of activated carbon, said rotary tube (1) having a plurality of mixing elements (3), in particular metal turning plates, said mixing elements (3) being arranged in the interior (2) of the rotary tube (1) for circulating and/or mixing the charge material (4). The rotary tube (1) has apertures (5) for receiving securing sections (6) of the mixing elements (3), the securing sections (6) being welded to the outer side of the rotary tube (1). This prevents the welding location being exposed to the aggressive conditions in the interior (2) of the rotary tube (1) in the operating state during production of activated carbon, and it is readily possible for the welding location to be inspected from the outside, and for maintenance and repair to be carried out as necessary.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Blücher GmbHInventor: Hasso Von Blücher
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Patent number: 7172415Abstract: An apparatus for grinding the teeth of horses is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tool body. A drive shaft is disposed inside of the tool body. A drive mechanism is connected to one end of the drive shaft. A grinding member is connected to the other end of the drive shaft. The grinding member can pivot through a range of angles relative to the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Flexi-Float, LLCInventors: John B. Harvey, Travis J. Henry
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Patent number: 7172416Abstract: A screw device for orthodontic treatment comprises a screw-body part, a platform part integrally formed with the screw-body part, and a head part. The head part is detachable from and exposed outside the screw-body part and is operatable to hook a spring (or rubber band) for orthodontic treatment. Since the head part is detachable, various types of head parts can be chosen to attach on the same platform part and screw-body part for performing different orthodontic treatments. Cost to manufacture the screw device is lower, and flexibility and convenience to use the screw device are higher. The threads of the screw-body part are divided into at least a first thread portion located near to the platform part and a second thread portion located away from the platform part. The threads of the first thread portion are designed to have relatively narrower width and smaller pitch, while the threads of the second thread portion have wider width and larger pitch.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: Cheng-Yi Lin
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Patent number: 7172417Abstract: Occlusal contact between upper and lower virtual three-dimensional teeth of a patient when the upper and lower arches are in an occlused condition are determined and displayed to the user on a user interface of a general purpose computing device. Various techniques for determining occlusal contacts are described. The areas where occlusal contact occurs is displayed on the user interface in a readily perceptible manner, such as by showing the occlusal contacts in green. If the proposed set-up would result in a interpenetration of teeth in opposing arches, such locations of interpenetration are illustrated in a contrasting color or shading (e.g., red). The ability to calculate distances and display occlusal contacts in a proposed set-up assists the user in planning treatment for the patient. The process can be extended to interproximal contact detection as well. The concepts also apply to dental prosthetics, such as crowns, fillings and dentures.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.Inventors: Peer Sporbert, Hans Imgrund, Dimitij Kouzian, Stephan Maetzel, Rohit Sachdeva, Rüdger Rubbert
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Patent number: 7172418Abstract: The present invention provides an orientation independent apparatus for applying a uniform coating of a dental powder as well as a method of operating the orientation independent apparatus. The present invention can be used in the preparation of a replica tooth during restorative dental work. Included in the present invention is an orientation independent dental powder applicator with a powder reservoir having an introductory circumferential plenum chamber, inner circumferential chamber and outer circumferential plenum chamber. Desiccated pressurized air enters the powder reservoir from a desiccant chamber and fluidizes dental powder located in either the inner circumferential chamber or outer circumferential plenum chamber. The powder reservoir is designed to allow pressurized air to flow around the entire perimeter of either the inner circumferential chamber or outer circumferential plenum chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: James Edward Hamman
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Patent number: 7172419Abstract: The invention provides a suction tip for dental treatment which has no possibility of causing a patient discomfort such as pain when its end portion touches the gingiva or oral cavity mucosa of the patient, and enables an easy suction operation and an easy attachment operation to a suction tube by its secured entire strength. The suction tip for dental treatment has a cylindrical shape as a whole, a front end portion of the cylinder is cut obliquely, and a back end portion thereof is cut vertically, thereby forming a back end opening portion and a front end opening portion. A front end portion which is to touch the gingiva or oral cavity mucosa of a patient is made of soft silicone rubber, and a cylindrical base portion continuing to this front end portion is made of hard silicone rubber. The soft silicone rubber forming the front end portion is gel silicone rubber.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: Minako Hasegawa
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Patent number: 7172420Abstract: The invention concerns an ultrasonic shaping instrument comprising: a mount structure (10), a sonotrode (14) elastically mounted on the mount structure (10), a tool (16) fixed to the sonotrode (14) for carrying out shaping operations, and a control member (12) for controlling and powering the sonotrode (14). The instrument is dimensioned so that the assembly consisting of the sonotrode (14) and the tool (16) has a resonance ultrasonic frequency fo, in a mode selected among traction-compression and torsion, variable between a lower limit fomin and an upper limit fomax, and it does not have itself any other resonance frequency in a range between a frequency fpmin<fomin and a frequency fpmax>fomax.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Ecole D'IngenieursInventors: Gérard Huguenin, Pierre Pasche
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Patent number: 7172421Abstract: A device for use in an endodontic root canal, performed using a dental drill hand set has a first upper unit coupled to the drill hand set. The first upper unit is cylindrical in shape and has a first drill shank shaft therethrough. The upper unit has a first threading on its outside surface. A second bottom unit, cylindrical in shape, is also provided, having a second drill shank shaft therethrough. The second bottom unit has a second corresponding threading on its inside surface. When the second bottom unit is screwed onto the first upper unit a root canal jig is formed having a set height and allowing a shank from the drill hand set to pass through the first and second drill shank shafts, such that when the drill shank of the drill hand set is drilled into an affected tooth for a root canal, the drill shank is prevented from drilling along its entire length into the root of the affected tooth when the bottom of the root canal jig contacts the top of the tooth.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventors: Shahin I. Bina, Danny H. Kuighadush
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Patent number: 7172422Abstract: A device for reshaping human or animal bone with bone replacement material includes at least two spaced apart implants and a bar connected to the at least two spaced apart implants and bridging at least one reshaping location. The bar has notches at the longitudinal sides and transverse grooves at the underside. The bar has slotted holes extending in the longitudinal direction of the bar for receiving the implants, respectively, fasteners of the implants.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: Holger K. Essiger
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Patent number: 7172423Abstract: Substantially solid dental bleaching or treatment compositions in the form of an insert for placement within a dental tray. The compositions comprise a substantially solid dental bleaching composition that has increased adhesiveness to teeth when moistened with saliva or water. The inserts are horseshoe shaped and may be either flat or contoured. The substantially solid dental bleaching composition becomes more adhesive when moistened with saliva or water, yet remains intact and coherent after the dental bleaching composition is placed within a dental tray and over a person's teeth during bleaching (or other treatment).Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Ultradent Products, Inc.Inventors: Peter M. Allred, Dan E. Fischer, Neil T. Jessop
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Patent number: 7172424Abstract: A method is designed to mount a removable restoration tooth on a natural tooth to be restored. The method involves the use of the standardized plastic inner crowns corresponding to the permanent teeth of a human, the standardized metal outer crowns corresponding to the plastic inner crowns, and the standardized abutment conformation devices corresponding to the plastic inner crowns. One of the devices is used as a reference in forming an abutment on the natural tooth. An abutment matrix is made to facilitate the dressing of the plastic inner crown, so as to make a metal inner crown according to the dressed plastic inner crown. The metal inner crown is mounted on the abutment. A metal outer crown corresponding to the plastic inner crown is fitted with the restoration tooth, which is mounted on the natural tooth such that the metal outer crown is fitted over the metal inner crown.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: Wen Yuen Wu
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Patent number: 7172425Abstract: A method of treating bad breath, includes directing a stream of oxidizing gas onto mouth tissue for a period of time sufficient to kill microorganisms.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Curozone Ireland LimitedInventors: Edward Lynch, Jurgen Schemmer
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Patent number: 7172426Abstract: A method of treating mouth ulcerations, includes directing a stream of oxidizing gas onto mouth ulcerations for a period of time sufficient to kill microorganisms.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Curozone Ireland LimitedInventors: Edward Lynch, Jurgen Schemmer
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Patent number: 7172427Abstract: System and process for teaching speech utilizing visual phonemes as physical, representations or surrogates of spoken sounds. Such demonstration teaching tools or implements may be tangible or viewed on a computer, and are provided. These are distinguished by recognizable shapes and colors. They are modeled upon a number of sources including: characters of the International Phonetic Alphabet; shapes of a speaker's mouth configurations; certain English alphabet letters associated with spoken sounds. Visual phonemes representing spoken vowel sounds have warm colors; those representing consonants, cool colors. Combinations of vowel sounds, diphthongs, are represented by visual phonemes displaying blends of warm colors representing each spoken vowel sound in the diphthong combination. The implements may be rigid or flexible, or displayed in electronic form. They may be fabricated to facilitate mounting on a display surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: Sandra D Kaul
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Patent number: 7172428Abstract: An electronic device includes a hollow pivot member interconnecting a main housing and a connector housing of an electrical connector such that the pivot member is rotatable relative to the electrical connector about a first axis and relative to main housing about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a wire unit extending from the connector housing through the pivot member and into the main housing and interconnecting electrically a conductive terminal unit of the electrical connector and a circuit unit in the main housing. Relative rotation between the pivot member and the connector housing about the first axis is prevented by a first positioning unit. Relative rotation between the pivot member and the main housing about the second axis is prevented by a second positioning unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2006Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Inventor: Yea-Yen Huang
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Patent number: 7172429Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor light emitting device where a spatial change in an In composition ratio is small within a plane of an active layer and device properties such as efficiency of light emission are excellent, and a manufacturing method thereof. An active layer having an InGaN quantum well structure is formed in such a manner that a ratio of a photoluminescence light emission intensity at 300 K to a photoluminescence light emission intensity at 5 K becomes 0.1 or less. The ratio of the photoluminescence light emission intensity reflects the degree of the spatial change in an In composition ratio in a quantum confined structure. In addition, a smaller value indicates a higher spatial uniformity in the In composition ratio. Therefore, there is greater spatial uniformity in the In composition ratio in the active layer, increasing the probability of radiative recombination of carriers occurring, by making the ratio of photoluminescence light emission intensity 0.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Tomita, Masayoshi Takemi, Akihito Ohno