Patents Issued in February 13, 2007
  • Patent number: 7174703
    Abstract: An ion thrusting system is disclosed comprising an ionization membrane having at least one area through which a gas is passed, and which ionizes the gas molecules passing therethrough to form ions and electrons, and an accelerator element which accelerates the ions to form thrust. In some variations, a potential is applied to the ionization membrane may be reversed to thrust ions in an opposite direction. The ionization membrane may also include an opening with electrodes that are located closer than a mean free path of the gas being ionized. Methods of manufacture and use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ionfinity LLC
    Inventor: Frank T. Hartley
  • Patent number: 7174704
    Abstract: A variable geometry convergent-divergent nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes a centerbody extending rearward along a longitudinal axis of the engine which has a throat section of increased diameter. An inner shroud surrounds the centerbody and cooperates with the centerbody to define the throat of the nozzle. An outer shroud surrounds the inner shroud and cooperates with the centerbody to define the exit area of the nozzle. Both shrouds are independently translatable to provide independent control of the nozzle throat area and the nozzle expansion ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Bernard James Renggli
  • Patent number: 7174705
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust-gas aftertreatment device, and an operating method is for operating the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is operable with a lean mixture and a rich mixture, the internal combustion engine having an exhaust-gas aftertreatment device, which includes a nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter and a particle filter. When lean exhaust gas flows through the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter, it removes nitrogen oxides from the exhaust gas by storing them, and, when reducing exhaust gas flows through the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter, it produces ammonia through reduction of stored and/or supplied nitrogen oxides and releases it to the exhaust gas. Downstream from the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter, the exhaust-gas aftertreatment device includes a SCR catalytic converter, which reduces nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas, using ammonia produced by the nitrogen oxide storage catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Klaus Binder, Josef Günther, Andreas Hertzberg, Brigitte Konrad, Bernd Krutzsch, Heinz-Jost Ölschlegel, Stefan Renfftlen, Dirk Voigtländer, Michel Weibel, Marko Weirich, Günter Wenninger, Rolf Wunsch
  • Patent number: 7174706
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control system for an internal combustion engine is located on a vehicle and provided with a particulate filter to accumulate particulate matters in an exhaust gas of the engine. The system has a pressure difference detector, an exhaust flow rate detector, a regeneration controller and a detection accuracy increaser. The pressure difference detector detects a differential pressure in the particulate filter. The exhaust flow rate detector detects an exhaust flow rate of the engine. The regeneration controller determines to regenerate the particulate filter based on the differential pressure and the exhaust flow rate. The detection accuracy increaser increases a detection accuracy of the differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tsukasa Kuboshima, Masumi Kinugawa
  • Patent number: 7174707
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for a combustion engine having an exhaust pipe, and a particle filter located in the exhaust pipe including a membrane which is permeable to gas components generated by a combustion process in the combustion engine but impermeable to soot and ash particles generated by the same combustion process, and also a method for cleaning such a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Lucas Megas, Astrid Drewsen
  • Patent number: 7174708
    Abstract: A method is provided for backwashing, by heating, a particulate filter to be purified of exhaust gases (G) of an internal combustion engine (M), in particular an internal combustion engine equipping a motor vehicle (V). The method includes controlling the start-up of a device for heating (1) the filter (F) when the engine (M) delivers an engine torque at a predetermined low threshold (Cbas).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes Europeen
    Inventors: Sebastien Remi Bardon, William Pierre Mustel
  • Patent number: 7174709
    Abstract: A turboscreen for use with diesel exhaust systems comprises a plurality of parallel metal V-shaped wires joined with a peripheral band. The turboscreen is reversibly provided within a housing assembly that permits removal of the interior screen without detaching the housing assembly from the exhaust system. The interior screen can be removed from the housing by removing and/or loosening bolts that connect the plates of the housing and withdrawing the screen. Maintenance times and repair costs are thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventor: John Trager
  • Patent number: 7174710
    Abstract: An improvement to the Nelson Flywheel Power Plant comprising a piston (100 and 101) in each outer chamber (40 and 41) situated at the interface of the compressible fluid and incompressible fluid (120) and slidably adjoining the center shaft (14) and rotatable housing (10). A method of using the improvement comprising the steps of introducing a compressed fluid along a path (110) that acts on one of the pistons (100) to move the incompressible fluid along a path (120); then moving the spool (15) to permit return of the incompressible fluid; and then introducing a compressed fluid to act on the other piston (101) to return the incompressible fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Rodney Nelson
  • Patent number: 7174711
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system of the present invention comprising control valves for controlling the direction and flow rate of pressure oil discharged from a hydraulic pump, hydraulic actuators which the pressure oil is fed to and controlled by the control valves, the hydraulic actuators including hydraulic cylinders and a hydraulic motor, and a first return passage provided as a passage for returning return oil present at the head side of one of the hydraulic cylinders to the tank, the first return passage being in communication with the tank, and a second return passage for returning return oil from each of the other hydraulic actuators including the hydraulic motor except for the hydraulic cylinders to the tank, the second return passage having a back pressure check valve and a replenishing passage, the replenishing passage being configured so as to provide a back pressure developed by the back pressure check valve to the low pressure side of each of the other hydraulic actuators to prevent cavitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Nanjo, Naoki Sugano, Etsujiro Imanishi, Yutaka Toji, Hidekazu Oka
  • Patent number: 7174712
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle comprising a transaxle and a bypass mechanism. The transaxle has a plurality of mounting holes for use in attaching the transaxle to the vehicle. Further, the transaxle has at least one mounting hole more than is used to attach the transaxle to the vehicle. The bypass mechanism comprises a bypass linkage. Finally, the bypass linkage is supported by the mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Joseph L. Brookens, Thomas D. Wiley
  • Patent number: 7174713
    Abstract: An engine management system uses physically based models to determine the composition and mass of the fresh air/exhaust gas mixture suctioned by an internal combustion engine. The models are closely coupled to each other in a partial manner and are used to simulate the filling of the combustion chamber with the suctioned fresh air/waste gas mixture in order to simulate the flow of the mass of re-circulating exhaust gas, the behavior of the exhaust gas manifold upstream and downstream from a turbine, the storage behavior of the intake manifold, and the behavior of the intake pipe or inlet manifold whereby the fresh air/exhaust gas mixture is fed to the combustion engine from a corresponding mixing point where the suctioned fresh air is mixed with the exhaust gas re-circulated via the exhaust gas re-circulation line. As a result, a plurality of additional state variables can be determined without additional sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Georg Nitzke, Thorsten Rebohl, Jens Jeschke
  • Patent number: 7174714
    Abstract: Turbocompound systems can be used to affect engine operation using the energy in exhaust gas that is driving the available turbocharger. A first electrical device acts as a generator in response to turbocharger rotation. A second electrical device acts as a motor to put mechanical power into the engine, typically at the crankshaft. Apparatus, systems, steps, and methods are described to control the generator and motor operations to control the amount of power being recovered. This can control engine operation closer to desirable parameters for given engine-related operating conditions compared to actual. The electrical devices can also operate in “reverse,” going between motor and generator functions. This permits the electrical device associated with the crankshaft to drive the electrical device associated with the turbocharger as a motor, overcoming deficient engine operating conditions such as associated with turbocharger lag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 7174715
    Abstract: A steam transformer (200) receives steam through a steam inlet (203), and the steam is mixed in a mixing zone (231) with water entering through a water inlet (205). Steam cooled by contact with the water exits the steam transformer through a cold steam outlet (216). Between the mixing zone (231) and the cold steam outlet (216) is positioned a demister (214) that restricts the passage of water droplets. The steam transformer (200) is used to condition the steam temperature in steam turbine and combined cycle turbine facilities when adjustment of steam temperature is required, such as for cold starts of turbines. The steam transformer (200) may be installed into a bypass circuit or directly inline. A number of differing configurations and designs are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Pamela Kay Armitage, Erich Schmid
  • Patent number: 7174716
    Abstract: A machine designed as a centrifugal compressor is applied as an organic rankine cycle turbine by operating the machine in reverse. In order to accommodate the higher pressures when operating as a turbine, a suitable refrigerant is chosen such that the pressures and temperatures are maintained within established limits. Such an adaptation of existing, relatively inexpensive equipment to an application that may be otherwise uneconomical, allows for the convenient and economical use of energy that would be otherwise lost by waste heat to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: UTC Power LLC
    Inventors: Joost J. Brasz, Bruce P. Biederman
  • Patent number: 7174717
    Abstract: The present invention includes a fuel distributor for a fuel nozzle in a gas turbine engine comprising an inner tubular body and an outer tubular body respectively having an outer body inner surface and an inner body outer surface adapted to be in sealing contact one with the other, at least two helical fuel channels defined in at least one of the inner and outer surfaces and being in fluid communication with a fuel inlet, and a channel exit port for each helical fuel channel. The present invention also includes a method of distributing fuel in a fuel nozzle comprising the steps of providing at least two helical channels in the fuel nozzle, each having a channel exit port, providing a fuel inlet cavity in fluid communication with the helical channels, and flowing fuel in the fuel inlet cavity, the helical channels and the channel exit ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Lev Alexander Prociw
  • Patent number: 7174718
    Abstract: A device for controlling propulsive gas mixing at an outlet of an aircraft jet engine, wherein propulsive jets are composed of a hot primary jet exiting from a nozzle of the jet engine and a secondary flux flowing between an external wall of the nozzle and an internal wall of the jet engine including a divergent trailing edge on the wall that generates conditions of a separation of the primary jet close to an existence limit value and a primary jet controller that enables control of passage of the primary jet from a separated state to a reattached state, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-CNRS
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Bonnet, Joel Delville, Erwan Collin, Jean Tensi, Eric Moreau, Gerard Touchard
  • Patent number: 7174719
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an interstage seal assembly positioned in a plenum between the compressor section and turbine section. The seal assembly includes an annular seal member positioned in the plenum adjacent to the compressor section for restraining a fluid flow between the compressor section and the turbine section, and an annular heat shield member positioned in the plenum adjacent to the turbine section for limiting heat transfer from the turbine section to the compressor section. The annular heat shield member includes a plurality of slots formed on a surface of the heat shield member in a radial direction of the annular heat shield member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-heui Kim
  • Patent number: 7174720
    Abstract: The present invention includes an appliance that has a cook vessel and a Peltier device. The Peltier device may have a motive heat distribution system on its waste side. The active side of the Peltier cools and heats the cook vessel in the absence of a motive heat distribution system. The present invention may also operate in the absence of an extraneous temperature regulation system. Methods of cooling and heating food are also part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Brian C. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7174721
    Abstract: A cooling load 90 is enclosed within the envelope of the pressure vessel that contains the working fluid in a pulse tube cooler in a load space 95 adjacent to a regenerator 58 of that pulse tube cooler. Flow-smoothing means 63, which include stacked screens and perforated plates, or diffuser nozzle 104 or diffuser cone 106, spreads the flow of fluid that enters the cold end of pulse tube 66.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Matthew P. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7174722
    Abstract: The invention provides a heat exchanger operable, for example, with Stirling cooling system. The heat exchanger includes a first member having an inner surface defining a flow path for a working fluid. The first member also includes an outer surface spaced from the inner surface. The heat exchanger also includes a second member cooperating with the first member to define a first substantially enclosed heat exchanging chamber having a height and extending along at least a portion of the outer surface. The heat exchanger also includes at least one first blind conduit including an opening communicating with the first substantially enclosed heat exchanging chamber and a distal end spaced from the opening. The second member and the at least one first blind conduit cooperate with one another to define an enclosed path for a two-phase fluid to move along back and forth between the outer surface and the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohinder Singh Bhatti
  • Patent number: 7174723
    Abstract: A liquid cooler is disclosed that includes a housing and at least two heatsinks attached with the housing. The heatsinks each include a top wall with an inwardly facing wall, a bottom wall with an inner surface, interior sidewalls and an interior lower wall. The inner surface is formed to surround and contact a portion of an outer surface of a container. The inwardly facing wall, the interior sidewalls, and the interior lower wall define a cavity. The interior lower wall of the cavity includes at least one heat fin. An outer covering is included and surrounds the heatsink. A method of rotation is provided to rotate the heatsink and the outer covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Philip Molfese
  • Patent number: 7174724
    Abstract: The chiller includes a semi-cylindrical tank (36) that conforms to the perimeter of its auger (38) so that the water can be raised to a water level (68) high above the auger shaft (44). Streams of water (84) are directed from the pulling side (80) across the lower portion of the tank beneath the auger shaft (44) to the dead side 82 of the tank at intervals along the tank so as to disperse the lower portion of the masses (23) of buoyant birds (22) from the more crowded pulling side (80) of the tank, beneath the auger shaft (44) toward the more vacant dead side (82) of the tank, thereby distributing the products more evenly throughout the tank and causing more water turbulence in the tank, thereby increasing the rate of heat transfer from the birds and avoiding having the birds cross over the auger shaft moving backward in chiller into a following flight of the auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Morris & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Morris, III, Terry A. Wright, John P. Shell, Robert E. Cathey
  • Patent number: 7174725
    Abstract: There is provided a rotary compressor capable of preventing deterioration of performance following plug fixing carried out to prevent falling-off of a spring member. The rotary compressor comprises a cylinder constituting a rotary compression element, a roller engaged with an eccentric portion formed in a rotary shaft of an electric element, and eccentrically rotated in the cylinder, a vane abutted on the roller to divide an inside of the cylinder into a low pressure chamber side and a high pressure chamber side, a spring member for always pressing the vane to the roller side, a housing portion of the spring member, formed in the cylinder, and opened to the vane side and a hermetically sealed container side, a plug positioned in the hermetically sealed container side of the spring member, and inserted into the housing portion to fit into a gap, and an O ring attached around the plug to seal a part between the plug and the housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Tadano, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Kenzo Matsumoto, Dai Matsuura, Kazuya Sato, Takayasu Saito, Toshiyuki Ebara, Satoshi Imai, Atsushi Oda, Takashi Sato, Hiroyuki Matsumori
  • Patent number: 7174726
    Abstract: A distributor, for use in a refrigerant system for conveying refrigerant between an expansion device and an evaporator, having a longitudinal body, an actuator, a plug, a first nozzle, and a second nozzle. The longitudinal body having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal passage between the first and second ends. The first nozzle being affixed within the passage. The second nozzle being rotatable within the passage for alignment and misalignment with the first nozzle. The second nozzle having a plurality of gear teeth engageable with the actuator, which is adjustable. A method of mixing refrigerant fluid while passing through the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Grau, Nazih Khatib, Michael P. Wells
  • Patent number: 7174727
    Abstract: A cogeneration system including a pre-heater to pre-heat outdoor air blown toward the outdoor heat exchanger during a heating operation of a heat pump type air conditioner, an auxiliary evaporator to evaporate a refrigerant emerging from the outdoor heat exchanger during the heating operation of the heat pump type air conditioner, and waste heat recovering means to transfer waste heat of the engine to at least one of the pre-heater and the auxiliary evaporator. The cogeneration system exhibits a high energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Cheol Min Kim, Cheol Soo Ko, Sim Bok Ha, Baik Young Cheong
  • Patent number: 7174728
    Abstract: A data acquisition system and method includes monitoring a cooling system having a refrigerant compressor, evaporator, and condenser, and employs a number of sensors to monitor various operating parameters of the system. A database stores predefined operating parameters for a plurality of cooling systems. The operating parameters are provided to a computer, which compares the provided operating parameters of the monitored cooling system with the predefined operating parameters to provide diagnostic results for the monitored cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagaraj Jayanth
  • Patent number: 7174729
    Abstract: A damper cleaning apparatus for a two compartment refrigerator having a damper for controlling airflow between compartments. The damper cleaning apparatus includes a damper drive mechanism for opening and closing the damper. A controller for controlling the damper drive mechanism repeats a cleaning operation at a set interval. The cleaning operation includes plural repetitions of at least partially opening the damper and then at least partially closing the damper. Optionally, the controller waits for the defrosting apparatus to be turned off and then subsequently performs the cleaning operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Cushman, Stephen Ruedger
  • Patent number: 7174730
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling an air conditioner having a multi-compressor capable of improving an ability that corresponds to a room cooling load or a room heating load and capable of reducing an energy loss of the air conditioner. To this end, a compressing capacity of compressors by a temperature difference between a previous room temperature and a desired temperature predetermined by a user is pre-stored. Then, the pre-stored compressing capacity is varied on the basis of a temperature difference between a present room temperature and the desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Won Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7174731
    Abstract: This invention relates to a rotational speed control system including a plurality of motor drivers for driving motors, and the object thereof is to drive a plurality of motors at the same rotational speed without depending on the number of motor drivers and without depending on the characteristics of each motor driver. A remote controller 31 and a motor driver 202 are connected to a motor driver 201. The motor drivers 201 and 202 control motors M11 and M12 at a prescribed rotational speed, respectively. A rotational speed instructing signal 91 indicative of the rotational speed is supplied from the remote controller 31 to the motor driver 201, and further supplied from the motor driver 201 to the motor driver 202. Because the rotational speed instructing signal 91 indicates a rotational speed which is transmitted in a digital value between the motor drivers 201 and 202, both of the motors M11 and M12 are driven at the rotational speed indicated by the rotational speed instructing signal 91.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Okano
  • Patent number: 7174732
    Abstract: Cooling control device for a condenser is provided which includes the condenser, a cooling device for cooling the condenser, and a control device for controlling the cooling device. The cooling device includes a first cooling fan for cooling a gaseous-phase portion of the condenser, and two second cooling fans for cooling a liquid-phase portion of the condenser independently of the first cooling fan. The control device also includes a pressure control section for optimally adjusting a pressure within the gaseous-phase portion, and a temperature control section for optimally adjusting a temperature within the liquid-phase portion. The pressure control section operates the first cooling fan, in accordance with a detected pressure within the gaseous-phase portion, to adjust the pressure within the gaseous-phase portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Taniguchi, Makoto Uda
  • Patent number: 7174733
    Abstract: A vehicular air-conditioner wherein when a detected temperature of an inverter temperature sensor (22g) exceeds a predetermined value, an inverter (6) driving an electric motor (4) of an electric compressor (3) operates in an overheat protection mode for driving the electric motor by a heat protection speed different from the speed command value from the air-conditioning controller (20), secures the refrigerant flow rate, and cools itself. At this time, when a condenser fan (8) or vehicle compartment blower (14) is stopped by passenger operation or air-conditioning control, it is operated to promote the heat exchange at the heat exchangers, whereby it becomes possible to prevent an increase in the refrigerant pressure in the condenser (7) and prevent frost at the evaporator (11) and possible to protect against failure of function of the refrigeration cycle (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuyo Oomura, Toshinobu Homan
  • Patent number: 7174734
    Abstract: A damper in a refrigeration system having a first compartment and a second compartment connectable through a passageway is provided. The damper comprises a damper door, a temperature responsive unit, and a heating element. The damper door is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The temperature responsive unit is operatively coupled to the damper door. The heating element is coupled to one end of the temperature responsive unit to conductively heat the temperature responsive unit when activated. The temperature responsive unit expands to move the damper door to the open position in response to conductive heating from the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Davern, James E. Pearson, Paul H. Tuma
  • Patent number: 7174735
    Abstract: In the air-conditioning system, a primary side to generate heat includes a heat storage and a heat source and produces cool or warm water using an inexpensive commercial power source such as a nighttime power source. A system collaboration unit is disposed between a motor to drive a water pump and a power source. The unit is connected to the motor via a cable. An output from the inverter is connected to the motor via a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Satoh, Seiji Yanagisawa, Shu Watabe, Yukihiro Fujita, Akio Shima, Yuji Tanaka, Shinichi Takahashi, Hiroshi Kunii
  • Patent number: 7174736
    Abstract: A method of enhancing a freezing capacity of a low-temperature delivery vehicle is that cool cold devices by a freezing machine, each of which has an eutectic material therein, to a temperature lower than eutectic temperatures of the cold devices, and then put the cold devices in a chamber of a vehicle, which the vehicle has a refrigerator to provide a cold airflow to the chamber via an outlet on a wall of the chamber. The cold devices have to be taken out after a predetermined period and cooled again to recycle. The low-temperature delivery vehicle of the present invention has a van body having a chamber therein, a refrigerator having an outlet on a wall of the chamber to provide a cold airflow to the chamber, and a plurality of cold devices in the chamber of the van body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: T.Join Transporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: I-Hsiung Chen, Ying-Chien Jang, Ming Chang Hu
  • Patent number: 7174737
    Abstract: A refrigeration plant includes at least two cold heads thermally coupled to parts of a particularly superconducting installation. The parts are to be chilled via a conduit system in which a cooling agent circulates according to a thermosyphon effect. The cold heads are connected in parallel by a forking of the conduit system. Sections of the conduit system, which are positioned between the forking and the cold heads, are configured at least in part so as to be low heat conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Frank, Peter van Hasselt
  • Patent number: 7174738
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an electronic device that includes a fluid heat exchanger, a chiller, and a pump. The fluid heat exchanger transfers heat from a hot portion of the surface of the electronic device to a fluid and has a body through which the fluid may be circulated. The body has a protrusion having a first surface that may be thermally coupled to the hot portion such that the surface of the body is sufficiently distant from the surface of the electronic device that sufficient ambient air may circulate therebetween so as to substantially prevent condensation from forming on the surface of the electronic device and from forming on and dripping from the heat exchanger when the fluid is cooled to at least the dew point of the ambient air and circulated through the body. A heat-conducting path is provided from the first surface to a region of the body that is thermally coupled to the fluid when the fluid is circulated through the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Coolit Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Robin Walter Scott
  • Patent number: 7174739
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved drain valve for dew condensation in an air chiller unit mounted on an aircraft. The drain valve 160 attached to a drain of a drain pan in an air chiller unit is equipped with a valve seat member 162 having an opening 162a at the center and a valve member 164 disposed to contact the lower surface of the valve seat member 162. The valve member 164 is made of thin silicon rubber, and arms 164b created by slits formed thereto support a valve means 164e with extremely small spring constant. While the air chiller unit is operating, the valve means 164e is air tightly attached to the opening 162a of the valve seat by negative pressure, closing the drain valve. When the operation stops and dew drops gather on the valve means 164e, the valve means 164e is displaced by the weight and the valve is opened. When there are no dew drops, the valve is closed to prevent moisture from entering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventor: Masaji Ozaki
  • Patent number: 7174740
    Abstract: A built-in type compressor/condenser unit for an air conditioner with an efficient installation structure for installing an increased capacity outdoor unit is provided. The built-in type compressor/condenser unit includes a louver frame installed on a rectangular shaped space formed on an outer wall of a building. The louver frame is divided into a suction area and a discharge area, each with a plurality of louver blades. The compressor/condenser unit casing is positioned proximate the louver frame, with the surface of the casing which faces the suction area and the discharge area of the louver frame open, and the remaining surfaces of the casing closed. A compressor, an air-cooled condenser, and a cooling fan are installed in the compressor/condenser unit casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics. Inc.
    Inventors: Kang-Wook Cha, Si-Kyong Sung, Dong-Hyuk Lee, Seong-Min Kang, Tae-Geun Kim, In-Gyu Kim, Young-Ju Bae, Jae-Hyung Koo, Byung-Il Park, Kyeong-Ho Kim, Yang-Ho Kim, Young-Ho Hong, Kyeong-Wook Heo
  • Patent number: 7174741
    Abstract: Air conditioner including a case having air inlet and outlet passages therein perpendicular to each other, and a plurality of air inlet and outlets at ends of the air inlet and outlet passages, a regenerative heat exchanger at a cross point of the air inlet and outlet passages for making indirect heat exchange of the external air and room air flowing through the air inlet and outlet passages, a compressor, a flow path control valve for shifting, and guiding a flow path of refrigerant from the compressor proper to respective operation modes, first and second heat exchangers, an expansion device, a first fan in the air inlet passage for blowing external air into a room through the first heat exchanger, and a second fan in the air outlet passage for blowing the room air to an exterior through the second heat exchanger, thereby ventilating as well as heating or cooling the room at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Won Hee Lee, Yoon Jei Hwang, Chan Ho Song
  • Patent number: 7174742
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for servicing refrigeration system (12) which provides a single device for recovering and reclaiming refrigerant, flushing the refrigerant system with solvent, and recharging the system with refrigerant. Refrigerant is recovered and reclaimed by withdrawing the refrigerant from the refrigeration system, vaporizing the refrigerant, removing the contamination from the refrigerant, liquefying the refrigerant, and then storing the cleaned refrigerant. The refrigeration system, or a component of it, can then be cleaned with solvent, using the same apparatus used to flush the refrigeration system with solvent. After flushing, the solvent is processed by vaporizing the solvent, removing the contamination from the solvent, liquefying the solvent, and then storing the cleaned solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond H. Thomas, Kane D. Cook, Guillermo J. Hitters, Gary M. Knopeck, Raymond Chia
  • Patent number: 7174744
    Abstract: A manufactured dry ice product containing ozone entrapped or absorbed on said dry ice. The dry ice product can be used to chill and preserve food products and provides the added benefit of ozonation of the food product to kill bacteria. Novel processes for ozonating liquid and solid CO2 are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignees: American Air Liquide, Inc., Air Liquide America, L.P.
    Inventors: John E. Schreiber, James T. C. Yuan, Meenakshl V. S. Sundaram, David Burgener, Yves Bourhis, Mike F. Smith, Steven A. Fisher, Edward F. Steiner
  • Patent number: 7174745
    Abstract: An apparatus for press-forming a molten gob made of meltable material, especially of glass or glass ceramics, into a body of specific shape with compression moulds which form with each other a form cavity for receiving the gob. The compression moulds consist at least in the zone of the forming surfaces of an open-pore material and the compression moulds are connected to a pressure gas source in order to produce a gas stream which emerges from the forming surfaces. The open-pore material of the forming surfaces the pores close to the forming surfaces are smaller than the pores remote from the forming surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Christian Kunert, Andreas Langsdorf, Norbert Greulich-Hickmann
  • Patent number: 7174746
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ceramizing starting glass of glass-ceramics into glass-ceramics, comprising at least the following steps: 1.1 the starting glass is heated from an initial temperature T1 to a temperature T2 which is disposed above the glass transformation temperature TG at which crystallization nuclei are precipitated; 1.2 the glass is held at the temperature T2 for a period t2 for the precipitation of crystallization nuclei; 1.3 the glass is further heated to a temperature T3 at which a crystal phase grows on the nuclei formed following step 1.1 and 1.2; 1.4 the glass is held for period t3 at a temperature T3 or heated during this period to a higher temperature T4 until the predetermined properties of the glass-ceramics have been reached; 1.5 the control of the temperature curve is performed with the help of a control loop comprising at least one temperature sensor for sensing the temperature and a heating unit as an actuator. The invention is characterized in that 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Fotheringham, Hauke Esemann, Bernd Hoppe, Rudiger Sprengard, Michael Kluge, Falk Gabel
  • Patent number: 7174747
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the thermal performance of fibrous glass insulation in the admix recycling of the insulation, which includes the use of corrugated hose in the recycling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventors: Alain Yang, Murray S. Toas, Mark Trabbold
  • Patent number: 7174748
    Abstract: A movable sinker (8) can move a tip portion (8c) forward and backward relative to a needle bed gap (2) through pivotal displacement by setting, as a support point, a concave portion (5a) of a needle plate (5). A wire spring (10) energizes the movable sinker (8) so that the tip portion (8c) is moved forward into the needle bed gap (2). A stopper (20) on which an abutment portion (8e) of the tip portion (8c) of the movable sinker (8) abuts to control the movable sinker (8) to be pivotally displaced by the energization of the wire spring (10) is provided in a position in the bottom portion of the base (4) near the needle bed gap (2). The maximum amount of press-in of the tip portion (8c) of the movable sinker (8) is regulated by an abutment of the abutment portion (8e) on the stopper (20). The stopper (20) can adjust a forward and backward movement amount relative to the needle bed gap (2) by a position adjusting mechanism (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Shima Seiki Manufacturing Limited
    Inventor: Minoru Sonomura
  • Patent number: 7174749
    Abstract: A fabric construction utilizing a tying yarn knitting arrangement wherein a portion of the tying yarns are threaded to engage needles so as to form two stitches with one on either side of the inlay warp yarn at rows of stitch formation. The neighboring stitches resist yarn separation and resultant combing while also blocking the commencement and propagation of de-knitting when a tying yarn is broken thereby enhancing seam strength character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Gerard Ternon, Ramesh Keshavaraj
  • Patent number: 7174750
    Abstract: It is to provide a three-dimensional warp-knitted fabric in which breathability and cushioning property especially are well suited for a motor vehicle seat in a manner that a feeling of stickiness and steaminess when sweating is eliminated. The three-dimensional warp-knitted fabric comprising front and back ground structures, one of which has a smaller number of loops (1), the other ground structure having a larger number of loops (2); and connecting yarns for connecting these two ground structures (4). One of the ground structures (1) and the other ground structure (2) being knitted with different number of needles, and the number of loops of the ground structure having the smaller number of loops (1) being 30 to 75% that of the other ground structure having the larger number of loops (2). Moreover, the per-area weight of the ground structure having the small number of loops is 60 to 150% of the ground structure having the larger number of loops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Seiren Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Shirasaki, Yukito Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7174751
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of using a durable, cylinder-like device that is inserted within the main cylinder part of a kingpin lock. One preferred embodiment, of several, has an outside diameter in close tolerance to the inside diameter of a kingpin lock device. In addition, the holder is easily insertable into the kingpin lock device. A round hole is located within the wall of the holder such that the hole in a cylinder wall of each kingpin lock device aligns with the hole in the holder. The diameter of the hole in the holder is sufficient to allow a metal tongue to be inserted from the kingpin lock device through the hole in the holder. Then a key in the lockpin device is removed leaving the lock device secured to the holder. In addition, the holder has a metal plate perpendicularly welded to the cylinder part. The surface could be the underside of a trailer or box or in a storage compartment behind the cab of a tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Juan Nepomuseno Escalante, III
  • Patent number: 7174752
    Abstract: A security device that can be used to secure devices, such as laptop computers, of varying sizes, and includes two securing members that are telescopically connected together and which have opposed restraining members for securing a device there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Compucage International Inc.
    Inventor: Steve N. Galant
  • Patent number: 7174753
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a method for protecting from unauthorized access one or more ports of a system integrated into a structure for injection of a material into one or more cavities in the structure. The method includes coupling a base to the structure, the base including the one or more ports for injection of the material into the one or more cavities in the structure and one or more slots. The method further includes removably coupling a cover to the base to prevent unauthorized access to the one or more ports, the cover comprising one or more tabs each adapted to engage with a corresponding slot of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Centex Corporation
    Inventors: Jeryl E. Gahlhoff, Jr., Robert M. Swartz