Patents Issued in May 15, 2007
  • Patent number: 7216485
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the airflow in a turbine component having a plurality of airflow holes. The method comprises the step of depositing an overlay metallic coating on the surface of the turbine component in a manner such that at least some of the airflow holes are partially filled such that the volume of the partially filled airflow holes is changed so as to adjust the airflow through the turbine component. Also provided is a turbine component having a plurality of airflow holes, at least some of the airflow holes being partially filled with the overlay metallic coating to change the volume thereof so as to adjust the airflow through the turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Michael Caldwell, Thomas John Tomlinson, Robert George Zimmerman, Jr., Raymond William Heidorn, Gilbert Farmer
  • Patent number: 7216486
    Abstract: Relevant fuel-gas properties (XG) are measured on an ongoing basis while a gas turbine group is operating. The C2+alkane content of the fuel gas is of particular interest in this context, since it has a significant influence on the ignitability of the fuel gas in the combustion chamber. The operating parameters of the gas turbine group are acted on directly as a function of the measured fuel-gas properties. In particular, in the case of the example of a gas turbine group with sequential combustion, the distribution of the fuel mass flows ({dot over (m)}EV, {dot over (m)}SEV) between the combustion chambers (4, 8) of the gas turbine group is varied. Furthermore, if there is provision for inert media, such as water or steam, to be introduced, it is possible for the mass flow of inert media ({dot over (m)}ST) to be controlled as a function of the measured fuel properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Klaus Doebbeling, Ken-Yves Haffner, Rolf Rüetschi, Hanspeter Zinn
  • Patent number: 7216487
    Abstract: A fuel system includes a turbine engine, and an electric motor that are independently drivable relative to one another. The electric motor has a speed that is selectively controlled based upon a desired fuel flow. A centrifugal pump is driven by the turbine engine. The centrifugal pump provides a desired fuel pressure for the fuel system. A positive displacement pump is driven by the electric motor The positive displacement pump is in fluid communication with the centrifugal pump, for example in a series arrangement. The positive displacement pump meters a desired volume in response to the speed of the second drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand
    Inventor: Douglas A. Parsons
  • Patent number: 7216488
    Abstract: An ignition device assembly for a gas turbine engine combustor includes a body and a shroud. The body extends from an inlet end to an outlet end, and the shroud extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the body, and axially from a first end to a tip end. The shroud includes a tip portion and a body portion. The body portion includes a plurality of metering openings and a plurality of first outlet openings. The plurality of metering openings are for channeling cooling air to the ignition device body, and the plurality of first outlet openings are for channeling spent cooling air from the ignition device body. The tip portion includes a plurality of discharge openings extending therethrough for channeling cooling from the ignition device body. The plurality of first outlet openings are between the shroud tip portion and the plurality of shroud metering openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stephen John Howell, John Carl Jacobson, Barry Francis Barnes, Ramy Michael Souri
  • Patent number: 7216489
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for lightoff detection in a turbine engine that provides improved accuracy and consistency. The system and method use engine temperature and engine rotation speed sensor data to determine a first time interval during which the lightoff is estimated to have occurred. A peak gradient in the temperature sensor data within the first time interval and a peak gradient in the engine rotation sensor data within the first time interval are then determined. The temperature peak gradient time and the engine rotation peak gradient time are then used as boundaries to determine a narrowed time interval within the first time interval. The minimum gradient in the engine rotation sensor data in the narrowed time interval is determined, with the minimum gradient time in the engine rotation sensor data comprising an accurate estimate of lightoff time for the turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Onder Uluyol, Dale Mukavetz, Sunil K. Menon
  • Patent number: 7216490
    Abstract: In an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for providing chilling in a localized area comprises a chiller compartment and an independent cooling source thermally coupled to the chiller compartment by a thermally conductive interface. The cooling source provides a separate controllable temperature to the chiller compartment, which is adapted to be removably positioned in a selected temperature controlled environment. In another aspect a refrigerator comprises a freezer unit, a fresh food unit and a chiller compartment adapted to be removably positioned in either the freezer unit or the fresh food unit as a secondary chilling compartment. In another aspect a method of chilling comprises cooling a modular chiller compartment using an independent cooling source, chiller compartment being removably positioned within a temperature controlled environment and the cooling source and the chiller compartment being thermally coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Anand Ganesh Joshi
  • Patent number: 7216491
    Abstract: An icemaker assembly includes an ice tray having an ice forming compartment, a water line configured to advance water from a water source to the ice tray, a valve operable to selectively block advancement of water through the water line while an actuation signal is generated, a control system operable to generate the actuation signal for a water advancement period, a water level detection system for determining if a level of water in the ice forming compartment is below a threshold value and generating a control signal in response thereto. The control system is further operable to alter a magnitude of the water advancement period in response to generation of the control signal. Water is initially advanced into the ice forming compartment for a first period of time during a first ice making cycle by opening the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co
    Inventors: Ronald E. Cole, Laurence S. Slocum, Young Tremblay, legal representative, Dennis Tremblay, deceased
  • Patent number: 7216492
    Abstract: A portable refrigeration unit for cooling a refrigerated space, the unit comprising an evaporator unit that is separable from a condensing unit, the evaporator unit and condenser unit being connected by extended lengths of flexible hosing, such that the evaporator unit can be positioned within the space and the condenser unit positioned external to the space during cooling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Gerald Sellers
  • Patent number: 7216493
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a plurality of walls forming a refrigeration compartment, an evaporator is positioned proximate at least one of the walls, a thermal insulator is positioned proximate the evaporator, and an airflow duct is positioned proximate the thermal insulator such that the thermal insulator is between the evaporator and the airflow duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ziqiang Hu
  • Patent number: 7216494
    Abstract: A supermarket refrigeration system may include a plurality of supermarket refrigeration cases, each including an evaporator and an associated compressor connected downstream therefrom. A common condenser is connected downstream from the compressors, and a receiver is connected downstream from the common condenser and upstream from the evaporators. A liquid header extends throughout the supermarket and connects the receiver and the evaporators. A discharge header extends throughout the supermarket and connects the compressors to the common condenser. An oil-bearing refrigerant mixture may circulate through a refrigerant circulation path to lubricate the compressors without undesired pooling and without an oil separator. The system may further include a selectively operable defrost circuit which uses hot refrigerant mixture for defrosting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Matt Alvin Thurman
  • Patent number: 7216495
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e.g., imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel.) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas D. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7216496
    Abstract: There is provided a heating medium circulating apparatus which is small and which does not require a very large installation space. In a heating medium circulating apparatus wherein a temperature controlling object being an object to be temperature-controlled, a main heat exchanger 88 for carrying out main heat exchange with a heating medium, and a circulating pump 84 are provided in a heating medium circulating system 78, a sub-heat exchanger 96 using a thermoelectric element 100 is provided in the heating medium circulating system downstream of the main heat exchanger to control the temperature of the heating medium. Thus, the apparatus itself is small, and the installation space is not very large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Koichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7216497
    Abstract: The present invention provides an airflow control loop that uses averaged airflow measurements without the problems that are normally encountered with averaging measurements, such as the delay introduced into the airflow control loop. This is accomplished, in the present invention, through a predictive control scheme. The predictive control scheme of the airflow control loop calculates the damper sensitivity, calculates the damper runtime needed to achieve setpoint, and then runs the damper for the determined period of time. In addition to the unique airflow control loop used to maintain the constant airflow into the room, the present invention also implements a digital form of proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) control to maintain the room temperature. The digital form of PID control uses non-linear gains which vary according to how far the measured temperature is from setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Automated Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Gerry Glancy Hull, Steven Treece Tom, Raynold Lee Saar
  • Patent number: 7216498
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to determine the pressure of a supercritical refrigerant within a heat exchanger of a transcritical vapor compression system. A plurality of measurements, e.g., temperature, are obtained at spaced locations on the heat exchanger and the location of the minimum temperature gradient, i.e., maximum specific heat value of the refrigerant, is determined (“the inflection point”). Obtaining the refrigerant temperature at the inflection point allows the refrigerant pressure to be determined. Alternatively, the temperature of the refrigerant at a second point can be determined together with the change in specific enthalpy between the inflection point and the second point to thereby determine the pressure of the refrigerant. The system can be regulated by controlling the location of the inflection point or by controlling the temperature difference of the refrigerant at the inflection point and a second point, e.g., the outlet of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Dan M Manole, Alicia Frostick
  • Patent number: 7216499
    Abstract: An icemaker for a refrigeration device contains a refrigerant circuit and an ice container that is located in a subassembly housed in a refrigeration compartment of the refrigeration device. The ice container is in thermal contact with the refrigerant circuit by a first heat exchanger. A second sub-assembly that is located in a freezer compartment of the refrigeration device contains a second heat exchanger of the refrigerant circuit. Water in the ice container is cooled by the dissipation of heat from the second heat exchanger to the freezer compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Flinner, Georg Hausmann, Stefan Holzer, Jörg Stelzer
  • Patent number: 7216500
    Abstract: A refrigerated worksurface for processing food products includes a base and at least one cooling element supported on the base. A preparation surface is positioned on the base atop the cooling element and is configured to be cooled by the cooling element. A cooling system is configured to circulate a coolant through the cooling element so that a temperature of the preparation surface is maintained within a predetermined range. The cooling element may be one or more cooling element pans or may be a passage beneath the preparation surface for flow of fluid through the passage and in contact with an underside of the preparation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Dover Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley R. Schwichtenberg, J. Keith Norton
  • Patent number: 7216501
    Abstract: The indoor unit for an air conditioner comprises a cross flow fan, an indoor heat exchanger, an auxiliary pipe, an indoor fan motor, a motor cover section, a front drain pan, a rear drain pan, and a communication passage. The communication passage is arranged adjacent to the motor cover section along the rotational axis in a top plan view and serves to link the front drain pan and the rear drain pan together. The cross flow fan, the indoor fan motor and the communication passage are arranged such that in a top plan view they are positioned along the rotational axis in the following order: the cross flow fan, the indoor fan motor, and the communication passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuichi Terada
  • Patent number: 7216502
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having at least one refrigerating compartment; a door to open and close an opening of the refrigerating compartment; a water dispenser provided on the door to supply drinking water; a drawer provided inside the refrigerating compartment; and a filter assembly disposed behind the drawer to filtrate water supplied to the water dispenser. Thus, the refrigerator has more available space and the filter assembly can be exchanged by the user with ease. Further, the refrigerator has a better appearance inside the cooling compartment and the cost for the filter assembly is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bu-kil Jeong, Sung-chul Kang
  • Patent number: 7216503
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined plant/heat pump circuit with a compressor, a multi-way valve arranged downstream, an external heat exchanger as well as an interior heat exchanger and an internal heat exchanger. A multi-way valve is integrated into the refrigerant circuit such that a line loop is created in which one after the other the internal heat exchanger and an expansion element passable in one direction are arranged and such that the internal heat exchanger is always at the high pressure level and the internal heat exchanger is always at the low pressure level of the refrigerant circuit thereby avoiding the condensation of the refrigerant in the internal heat exchanger in heat pump operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Heyl
  • Patent number: 7216504
    Abstract: A temperature controlled food service container is formed with an inner portion having side walls and an opening for the receipt of food, and an outer portion having sidewalls spaced from the inner portion with a eutectic gel, disposed between them. A ledge extends from the periphery of the outer portion with a flange extending from the inner portion seated against the ledge; and is held by an ultrasonic bond joining the ledge to the flange. The food container has ribs along the sidewalls of the inner and outer portions. Peripheral channels and ridges are formed respectively on the ledge and flange for welded engagement with each other, the channels having enlarged segments which extend beyond the cross-sectional dimension of a respective ridge received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Cambro Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Mark A. Armer, Fred Gates, Jeff Nicholson, James A. Ingram
  • Patent number: 7216505
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a recirculating system with single feed that incorporates a liquid transfer vessel that helps prevent the vessels in the system from flooding, provides easy displacement of liquid refrigerant from the flooded vessels while economizing refrigerant liquid lines with insulation, pumps, and valves in the refrigeration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Carter & Burgess, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcos R. Braz
  • Patent number: 7216506
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a main body with at least one storage compartment and a component compartment having a rear opening, the refrigerator including a cover to cover the opening of the component compartment, the cover provided with air inlets and air outlets which are spaced apart from each other; a compressor and a condenser provided in the component compartment respectively corresponding to the air inlets and the air outlets; and a fan provided between the condenser and the air outlets, to expel air within the component compartment through the air outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youn-tae Shin, Eun-mog Yang
  • Patent number: 7216507
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbons from a liquefied natural gas (LNG) stream is disclosed. The LNG feed stream is divided into two portions. The first portion is supplied to a fractionation column at an upper mid-column feed point. The second portion is directed in heat exchange relation with a warmer distillation stream rising from the fractionation stages of the column, whereby this portion of the LNG feed stream is partially heated and the distillation stream is totally condensed. The condensed distillation stream is divided into a “lean” LNG product stream and a reflux stream, whereupon the reflux stream is supplied to the column at a top column feed position. The partially heated portion of the LNG feed stream is heated further to partially or totally vaporize it and thereafter supplied to the column at a lower mid-column feed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ortloff Engineers, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyle T. Cuellar, John D. Wilkinson, Hank M. Hudson
  • Patent number: 7216508
    Abstract: Jewelry-forming components of a body member having a first magnetized portion and a further element associated therewith for magnetically repelling or attracting and receiving another jewelry-forming component. A plurality of such components can be magnetically coupled to form an article of jewelry, generally in the form of a ring, bracelet, necklace or chain link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Kretchmer, Joseph John Stupak, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7216509
    Abstract: It is described a sol-gel process that allows to obtain dry gels, and possibly the corresponding dense glassy bodies, having higher dimensions compared to similar known processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Degussa Novara Technology S.p.A.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Costa, Massimo Sparpaglione
  • Patent number: 7216510
    Abstract: A process for forming glass or glass ceramics is disclosed, wherein a glass ceramics form (12) is made from a starting glass by molding, which is transformed by a heat treatment into a keatite glass ceramic comprising predominantly keatite mixed crystals. With such a keatite glass ceramics form (12) formed bodies can be prepared from blank parts by sagging under gravity force at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the blank part (14) (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Doehring, Ralf Jedamzik, Hauke Esemann, Eva Hoelzel
  • Patent number: 7216511
    Abstract: A glass tempering furnace having a chamber, rollers extending laterally within a chamber to form a transport surface for the plate glass, radiant coils positioned along the bottom of the chamber underneath the rollers, a plurality of spaced nozzle assemblies arranged in lateral side-by-side fashion within the chamber above the rollers, and fans coupled to the nozzle assemblies to draw heated air from the chamber and force the heated air onto the top surface of the plate glass. Heating elements, preferably electrically heated rods, extend between each of the nozzle assemblies and are positioned within the return path of the heated air after it is flowed onto the plate glass surface. The air then rebounds from the glass plate prior to the air again being drawn up into the fan and blown back down onto the glass. Air is then again drawn from the furnace chamber and forced through ducting to a nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: HHH Tempering Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Haws, Jay Rosen
  • Patent number: 7216512
    Abstract: A field-installable connector includes a connector housing and a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough. A laser processed stub optical fiber is disposed within the one fiber bore of the ferrule and extends a predetermined distance beyond the rear face of the ferrule. An alignment feature is operable for self-centering the stub optical fiber and a field optical fiber to perform a mechanical splice using a camming means. A method of laser processing a stub optical fiber includes rotating the stub optical fiber and sweeping a laser beam directed at a desired angle back and forth across a surface of the optical fiber. An oscillating motion of the laser is driven by an intermittent sinusoidal signal that results in two deposits of energy onto the stub optical fiber followed by a cooling period before subsequent deposits of energy occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jeff D. Danley, T. Brian Wacaster, Joel C. Rosson
  • Patent number: 7216513
    Abstract: A permanent magnet applies first sliding resistance in-between a holding arm and a guide rail. A carriage is provided with an electromagnet for magnetically applying second sliding resistance in-between the holding arm and the carriage. Although the holding arm persists in moving through inertia when the carriage stops movement, a sliding resistance that is the sum of the first sliding resistance and the second sliding resistance acts on the holding arm, and it is possible to promptly stop. Since the second sliding resistance does not act when the carriage brings the holding member, it is possible to reduce a load. When the carriage starts bringing the holding arm, a difference between the first sliding resistance and the second sliding resistance becomes the sliding resistance, and it is possible to decrease sliding resistance that acts when bringing is started, and reduce occurrence of an impact and a noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Shima Seiki Manufacturing Limited
    Inventors: Takuya Miyai, Norio Kotaka, Masanori Inumaki, Hirokazu Nishitani
  • Patent number: 7216514
    Abstract: The invention provides a cloth washer, a dish washer-dryer and a control system associated therewith, which facilitate establishing of a special operating program. The cloth washer comprises selector means for selecting one of a plurality of basic operating programs, which are individually preprogrammed with specifications of washing operation, rinsing operation and spin-dry operation, special operating program setting means for establishing a special operating program by correcting at least one of the specifications of the washing operation, the rinsing operation and the spin-dry operation preprogrammed for the one selected by the selector means among the plurality of basic operating programs, and control means for controlling the washing operation, the rinsing operation and the spin-dry operation according to the special operating program set by the special operating program setting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Sakita, Shoichi Matsui
  • Patent number: 7216515
    Abstract: A method for displaying a partial stroke mode of a washing machine is disclosed, which permits a user to recognize that a stroke mode other than a currently selected stroke mode is not performed if the user selects a partial stroke mode. The method for displaying a partial stroke mode of a washing machine having a display device includes the steps of displaying a whole washing stroke mode, which sequentially processes a series of stroke modes related with washing, and a partial washing stroke mode which processes some of the stroke modes if a power supply is applied, displaying courses corresponding to the partial washing stroke mode in the display device if the user selects the partial washing stroke mode, and displaying a guide message for a selected course in the display device if the user selects a desired course in the displayed courses. The method acts to prevent the user's undesired washing stroke mode from being performed and provides the user with convenience for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Kwon Koo, So-Young Cho
  • Patent number: 7216516
    Abstract: A wobble joint particularly useful for supporting a wash plate in a wash basket of an automatic washing appliance includes inner and outer races formed with mating part-spherical surfaces having common centers of curvature about a longitudinal axis of the joint. Anti-rotation structure acts between the inner and outer races to prevent relative rotation of the races about the longitudinal axis, and cooperates with the part-spherical surfaces to restrict the races to two degrees of tilting movement about respective tilt axes disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to one another, such that one of the races is thereby supported for wobbling movement relative to the other of the races. In a washing appliance application, the wash plate is fixed to the outer race and wobbles relative to the inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Paul Skvarla, Leland Nels Olgren
  • Patent number: 7216517
    Abstract: A padlock with a status indicator includes two locking units. The two locking units operate independently to execute locking and unlocking operations. The lock has a body that contains an indicator in the lock underneath. After the execution of the unlocking operation has been done sequentially, the indicator switches from an indication position to the other indication position. Thus through the window, which is formed on the body surface and corresponding to the indicator location, the indication positions of the indicator may be recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Sinox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Renny Tse-Haw Ling, Yung-Li Kuo
  • Patent number: 7216518
    Abstract: A mechanical dial combination lock for use in safes, file cabinets, security doors, vaults and warehouse doors. The disk type mechanical combination lock features a plurality of annular code discs, a base disc, a latch, an unlatching mechanism, a positioning mechanism, a dialing mechanism, a repositioning mechanism, a code-detecting mechanism, a casing and a dial. The dial combination lock is easily operated by persons familiar with conventional dial-face type combination locks, and yet is may be operated faster, and permits the combination code to be easily changed to any of a greater number of possible code combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Zhijun Shao
  • Patent number: 7216519
    Abstract: A device for determining the quality of a part includes a sensor for detecting a strain on a selected portion of a part forming machine. A controller utilizes the detected amount of strain to make a determination regarding the quality of a corresponding part. In one example, the sensor detects a compressive or tensile strain on a machine frame when the sensor is aligned to detect a strain parallel to a direction of a force applied during the part formation process. The controller uses one or more characteristics of the sensor output and determines whether the detected amount of strain is within an acceptable range. In one example, monitoring the strain during the formation of a plurality of acceptable parts provides information for determining the acceptable range. The disclosed arrangements allow for making part quality determinations without requiring a sensor to be “in line” with the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: OES, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiet Ngo, Paul Hogendoorn, Michael Reeve
  • Patent number: 7216520
    Abstract: An insert installation apparatus comprises a housing having a body section and a nose piece. The nosepiece comprises a forward end and a rearward end, where the rearward end of the nose piece is attached to the body section. The apparatus comprises a rotary power source and reciprocating means which are employed to set a threaded insert in a work piece. The rotary power source has an extension member which connects the rotary power source to the first end of a drive shaft which is received by the extension member. The second end of the drive shaft is operationally coupled to a partially threaded mandrel which extends out of the forward end of the nose piece. The apparatus further comprises mandrel shock absorbing means which allow the mandrel to reciprocate with respect to the nose piece from a first position to a second position, where the mandrel shock absorbing means operates independently from the reciprocating means which usually employed to set the threaded insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: AVK Industrial Products
    Inventor: Ramon C. Villanueva
  • Patent number: 7216521
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a combined machining equipment for steel tubes, and a machining method is of a small size, can easily be moved, and is capable of not only flaring a steel tube, but also grinding a flared surface, forming a groove, and peeling off a lining. A main shaft (121) is rotatably mounted on a slide frame (141) slidable with respect to a common mount (103), and a second machining head (124) is mounted on a flange on the distal end of the main shaft (121). An auxiliary shaft (131) is slidably disposed in the main shaft (121) for rotation therewith. A first machining head (134) is mounted on a mount base (132) on the distal end of the auxiliary shaft (131).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7216522
    Abstract: A metal extrusion press has a pair of fixed crossheads spaced along a press axis from each other and a plurality of elongated upper and lower members extending axially between and rigidly connected to the crossheads. Each member includes a rod axially tensioned between the crossheads and a beam axially compressed between the crossheads. A movable crosshead is between the fixed crossheads, and a container is between the movable crosshead and one of the fixed crossheads. Respective crosshead and container guide units support the movable crosshead and container on the members and engage around the members. Rollers are engaged between each of the guide units and the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: SMS Eumuco GmbH
    Inventor: Valentin Gala
  • Patent number: 7216523
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pair of pressing jaws for hydraulic or electric pressing tools for pressing fittings onto pipes or for the press connection of electric cables, the two pressing jaws being disposed for rotation about a common axis and each pressing jaw forming a bearing eye for this purpose. In order to configure a pair of pressing jaws of the type in question in a more functionally advantageous manner, it is proposed that each pressing jaw forms two bearing eyes with coaxial bearing openings, and the bearing eyes are disposed in an interengaging manner in the assembled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Gustav Klauke GmbH
    Inventor: Egbert Frenken
  • Patent number: 7216524
    Abstract: A vehicle body repair apparatus comprises a platform with cross member retainers, unibody clamps, at least one pulling assembly, at least one movable cross member, a scissors lift, and a lifting assembly. The lifting assembly comprises an actuator at an angle with respect to the platform, so a toggle action exists that enables the scissors lift to raise the platform from a minimal height position from a floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventors: Clarence R. Brewer, Sr., Chad Michael Jarvis
  • Patent number: 7216525
    Abstract: A method for compensation of the zero error of a Coriolis gyro. The frequency of the read oscillation is modulated. The output signal from a rotation rate control loop or quadrature control loop for the Coriolis gyro is demodulated in synchronism with the modulation of the frequency of the read oscillation to obtain an auxiliary signal. The auxiliary signal is a measure of the zero error. A compensation signal is produced and passed to the input of the rotation rate control loop or quadrature control loop, with the compensation signal being controlled such that the magnitude of the auxiliary signal is as small as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: LITEF GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7216526
    Abstract: The amount of wear on the vanes of a sliding vane rotary pump is determined by inserting a wear inspection dip stick into a wear inspection port providing in a housing of the sliding vane rotary pump. The wear dipstick includes one or more mark providing an indication of the amount of wear on the vanes, and a marking member which provides an indication of current vane length and allows a maintenance person to easily determine when a pump replacement is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Rapco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Lotzer, Richard W. Plenkers, Mark A. Gaulke
  • Patent number: 7216527
    Abstract: A gas detector capable of accurately measuring particular components (odors or the like) contained in an ambient gas to be measured, being compact, and capable of being easily formed to be portable, or producing low noise and capable of being small-sized. Having zero gas cylinder (9) as a supplying unit of a zero gas and component parts disposed within its enclosure (2) and using syringe (3) as a gas intake/exhaust unit, it alternately introduces a test gas, i.e., an ambient gas taken in from outside enclosure (2) through piping (12a), and the zero gas supplied from zero gas cylinder (9) into sensor unit (7) and measures the test gas, while having operation of each unit controlled by data processor (11). Thus, accurate measurement of the test gas is achieved by relatively comparing results of measurement on the gases at each measurement. In addition, gas detector (1) can be moved to a spot where measurement is to be made to have the test gas there measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Imoto
  • Patent number: 7216528
    Abstract: There is provided a diaphragm sealed valve particularly advantageous in chromatographic systems. The valve is provided with first and second body and a seal member compressibly positioned therebetween. The first body comprises a first, a second and a common port, each opening and being interconnected to the others in a recessed fluid communication channel extending in a first interface of the first body. The valve is also provided with first and second plungers, each having a closed position wherein the plunger presses down the seal member against the seat of the corresponding port for closing said corresponding port, and an open position wherein the plunger extends away from the seat for allowing a fluid communication between the corresponding port and the channel. Complex valves are also provided as well as chromatographic systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Mecanique Analytique Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Gamache, André Fortier
  • Patent number: 7216529
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling a nanofiltration or reverse osmosis module system designed for treating a supply fluid or for detecting living micro-organism leaks, each module comprising nanofiltration or reverse osmosis membranes and joints connecting said membranes, including steps which consist in: selecting in the supply fluid a dissolved compound present in significant amount but normally highly retained by the membranes; measuring the concentration value of said compound in a downstream zone of a module of said system; comparing said measured value with a reference value; and recognising the existence of a fault in said zone of the system when said measured value is higher than the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignees: Veolia Eau - Compagnie Generale des Eaux, Syndicat des Eaux d'ile de France (SEDIF)
    Inventors: Claire Ventresque, Valerie Gisclon-Lallemand, Guy Bablon, Gérard Chagneau
  • Patent number: 7216530
    Abstract: The invention may be used for detecting fluid leaks in a fluid containment element having a primary element enclosed in a secondary element. A fluid container may have a reservoir with an upstanding test cylinder with a selected fluid volume. A device may be disposed in the test cylinder to determine the level of a test fluid. There may be a closure for a top opening and the closure may have a hole. A nonexpandable conduit may connected at a first end to the hole and at a second end to a pressurized gas supply. The fluid container may have an outlet port therein and a first end of an outlet nonexpandable conduit may be connected to the outlet port. A block valve may be disposed in the outlet nonexpandable conduit. The fluid container may be pressurized by the introduction of a gas from the pressurized gas supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Matthew E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7216531
    Abstract: A compression tester adapter includes a plug fitting, a connector fitting and a flexible hose connected to the plug fitting and to the connector fitting to adapt a standard internal combustion engine cylinder compression tester hose assembly to a 16-millimeter threaded spark plug socket in an internal combustion engine cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Young, Richard Holl
  • Patent number: 7216532
    Abstract: A method is provided for recommending proper tire pressure using a tire pressure recommendation system having a processor. The method comprises obtaining a cold placard tire pressure (PPl) for a cold placard air temperature (TPl) and obtaining a measured outside air temperature (TOutside). The cold placard tire pressure (PPl), the cold placard air temperature (TPl) and the measured outside air temperature (TOutside) are entered into the tire pressure recommendation system. The recommended tire pressure (PRe) is then calculated with the processor for the measured outside air temperature (TOutside), the recommended tire pressure (PRe) being based upon the cold placard tire pressure (PPl).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A Rimkus, J. David Rosa
  • Patent number: 7216533
    Abstract: A method of testing a downhole formation using a formation tester on a drill string. The formation tester is disposed downhole on a drill string and a formation test is performed by forming a seal between a formation probe assembly and the formation. A drawdown piston then creates a volume within a cylinder to draw formation fluid into the volume through the probe assembly. The pressure of the fluid within the cylinder is monitored. The formation test procedure may then be adjusted. The test procedure may be adjusted to account for the bubble point pressure of the fluid being monitored. The pressure may monitored to verify a proper seal is formed or is being maintained. The test procedure may also be performed by maintaining a substantially constant drawdown rate using a hydraulic threshold or a variable restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm D. McGregor, Gregory N. Gilbert, Mark A. Proett, James M. Fogal, David Welshans, Glenn C. Gray, Svetozar Simeonov, Laban M. Marsh, Jean Michel Beique, James E. Stone
  • Patent number: 7216534
    Abstract: In a thermal type flowmeter 60, a heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 which is shaped as a coil is fit close into an approximately central portion of a duct pipe 63. A flow rate computing circuit 65 supplies electric power to the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 in accordance with an instruction received from a control portion, the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 develops heat, and the heat developing at the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 heats up a hole transporting material 8 which flows through the duct pipe 63. Further, the flow rate computing circuit 65 which is electrically connected with the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 detects a difference between an upstream-side temperature and a downstream-side temperature, and calculates the flow rate (mass flow rate) of the hole transporting material 8 based on this temperature difference, the amount of heating, physical properties data such as the specific heat and the heat capacity regarding the hole transporting material 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Masuichi, Yukihiro Takamura, Sanzo Moriwaki, Hideki Adachi