Patents Issued in May 29, 2007
  • Patent number: 7222452
    Abstract: A gunsight reticle defines a system of dimensioned indicia spaced at specific separations to improve aiming accuracy of a gun. The indicia may include perpendicularly intersecting center vertical and center horizontal hairlines, and four (or more or less) horizontal range-marker lines disposed at specific angular separations below the horizontal hairline in bisected relationship with the center vertical hairline. Spacing of the range marker lines below the center horizontal hairline is proportional to bullet drop at selected ranges, depending upon ballistic characteristics of bullet used. Relative lengths of said range-marker bars on each side of the central vertical crosshair are proportional to a specific crosswind (say 10 mph) at target range reflected by respective range marker. The method involves employing this reticle to determine distance to target, and using distance thus determined to ascertain a precise aiming point on the reticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas D. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 7222453
    Abstract: The insertable pest catching device is an invention that because of its unique geometry and design provides for the simple and cost effective catching of pests such as hornets and yellow jackets. The device is principally intended for use in combination with an empty plastic two-liter volume soda pop bottle or the like. In practice, an attractant such as a predetermined amount of sugar water is placed into a capped plastic bottle and the funnel shaped device is retentatively pressed into the side of the bottle. The device in combination with the bottle creates an attraction to pests. The pests are guided into the bottle through the funnel and subsequently die within the bottle. After a predetermined quantity of pests are trapped within the bottle, the bottle, with the device still inserted may be discarded as an entire assembly. Thus the disassembly, mess, and washing common with prior art pest catching devices is avoided. In certain embodiments, multiple devices may be inserted into a single bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Michael A. Uhl
  • Patent number: 7222454
    Abstract: An automated plant watering device and method of watering for use with any existing planter 20 wherein a digital timer 12 is used to set the days, times and duration of watering for the associated plant 14. The water 26 is transferred from a reservoir 18 to the soil in the planter 20 via a small submersible pump 28 disposed within the reservoir. A sensor 16 disposed within the reservoir 18 detects a low water condition and activates a visual 34 and/or audible 36 alarm to alert the user that the reservoir needs to be refilled. An auxiliary reservoir 38 may be used to feed the primary reservoir 18 via a siphon hose 42 when the caretaker anticipates being absent for a prolonged period and would be unable to refill the reservoir when needed. An additional element of the present invention includes an aerator 40 that will emit a fine mist to the leaves of the plant during the winter months. An additional element of the present invention is a splitter 45 to water multiple planters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Carl Wan-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 7222455
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for suppressing cracking, stem browning, and water loss in fruit or vegetables, such as cherries. The methods comprise applying to fruit or vegetables an amount of a wax emulsion effective to suppress cherry cracking, stem browning, and water loss. The wax emulsion used in the methods of the invention typically comprises a matrix of complex hydrocarbons, one or more emulsifying agents, and water. In some embodiments, the wax emulsion comprises from about 0.125% to about 25% (weight/weight) of carnauba wax, from about 0.1% to about 16% (weight/weight) of oleic acid, and from about 0.03% to about 6% (weight/weight) of morpholine, and from about 53% to about 99.7% (weight/weight) of water. In some embodiments, the wax emulsions further comprise one or more osmoregulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Washington State University Research Foundation
    Inventor: Lawrence E. Schrader
  • Patent number: 7222456
    Abstract: An impact resistant shutter assembly, such as Bahama and Colonial-style shutter assemblies, for protecting glass of external openings of a structure, where the shutter assembly is resistant to damage by flying debris from high wind storms and hurricanes, said shutter assembly designed to meet governmental building code requirements for resistance to flying debris from hurricanes. The shutter assembly comprises a generally rectangular frame fabricated of a light-weight metal, such as aluminum, having a pair of side members, and top and bottom members. Extending between and into the side members are a plurality of angled slats, where the ends of the angled slats are anchored within the side members by a pair of rod members passing through apertures in proximity to the slat ends. Optionally, a locking mechanism may be provided to secure a pair of shutter assemblies during the periods of high winds and hurricanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Carey
  • Patent number: 7222457
    Abstract: A sliding door for selectively opening and closing an opening is disclosed. The door is comprised of a door panel having a top, a bottom, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The door panel translates laterally relative to the opening between a closed position and an open position. The door has a guide, a guide follower, and a reset member. The guide is mounted to a mounting surface located between the upper and lower extent of the opening, and comprises a first end disposed proximate the opening and a second end opposite the first end. The guide follower is attached to the door panel and disposed in operable engagement with the guide. The reset member is disposed proximate the second end of the guide. The reset member has a surface that is angularly oriented to facilitate operable engagement and alignment of the guide follower with the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Rytec Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Delgado, Louis B. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7222458
    Abstract: A tilt-latch (10) adapted for releasably securing a pivotable sash window (12) disposed within opposed guide rails (16) on a master frame (14) of a window sash assembly (11) is disclosed. The sash window (12) comprises a top sash rail (20), a base (22) and two stiles (24,26) connected together at their extremities. The tilt-latch (10) comprises a housing (42) adapted to be supported by the top rail (20). The housing (42) has an outward end opening (44) and a cover (51). A latch bolt (46) is disposed within the housing (42) and has a nose (47) adapted for engaging a respective one of the guide rails (16). The latch bolt (46) also has a slot (66). The tilt-latch (10) further has an actuator (48) having a post (90). The post (90) is received by the slot (66). The tilt-latch (10) also has a spring (50) for biasing the latch bolt (46) through the outward end opening (44). The actuator (48) is connected to the latch bolt (46) and is sized to be positioned over the entire cover (51) of the housing (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Allen D. Polowinczak, Vincent F. Eslick
  • Patent number: 7222459
    Abstract: A sliding door locking system includes: a plurality of latch mechanisms including a front latch mechanism mounted on a front part of the sliding door; an outside handle mechanism disposed outwardly of a windowpane of the sliding door; and a remote control mechanism provided in the sliding door inwardly of the windowpane so as to exert on each of the latch mechanisms an operating force from the outside handle mechanism. A first transmission cable for transmitting the operating force from the outside handle mechanism extends to the front latch mechanism side while bypassing the windowpane. The first transmission cable and a second transmission which is cable for transmitting to the remote control mechanism an operating force transmitted from the first transmission cable to a relay lever, are coupled to the relay lever. The relay lever is pivotably supported in a casing of the front latch mechanism and positioned inwardly of the windowpane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventor: Masayuki Taniyama
  • Patent number: 7222460
    Abstract: A cover for a concrete construction has a pair of anchor-engaging members extending from a disk-shaped body. The anchor-engaging members include fins which are configured to engage an anchor formed into a recess of a concrete block or wall to cover the recess. The cover is easily installed to the anchor by positioning the cover over the recess and urging the anchor-engaging member into engagement with the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Dayton Superior Corporation
    Inventors: Sidney E. Francies, III, Mark S. Hallam, Harry B. Lancelot, III
  • Patent number: 7222461
    Abstract: A light transmission system and method for a building according to which shading surfaces are provided on the roof of the building for preventing direct sunlight from passing through a roof light, while permitting the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass through the roof light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: The Nasher Foundation
    Inventors: Renzo Piano, Duncan Campbell, Alistair Guthrie
  • Patent number: 7222462
    Abstract: A sill pan system is provided for installation along the bottom plate of a framed-in window or door opening to prevent water leakage. The system includes end pieces that are fitted in the bottom corners of the opening and a central web that spans, partially overlaps, and is adhered to the end pieces. The central web is formed of a transparent or translucent plastic to allow visual confirmation that a good seal is formed between the overlapping portions of the web and end pieces. The web is formed with inside flanges and flashing strips that are connected with flexible hinges so that web material can be rolled into a roll. The components may be formed with an abrasion resistant upper surface cladding and the central web may be formed with longitudinally extending drain channels for directing water to the ends of the pan for drainage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Astro Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Ellingson
  • Patent number: 7222463
    Abstract: A roof ventilation system having a strip with an air-permeable portion located adjacent to a ridge slot. Stand-off clips are provided which can be placed over the air-permeable strip at fastener locations which are located on flat portions of the roof panels. The stand-off clip is U-shaped and include a flange at each end of the U-shape. The flanges extend in the same direction. A sealing material may be placed beneath the air-permeable strip at such fastener locations to prevent the ingress of moisture beneath the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Martin J. Rotter
  • Patent number: 7222464
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to install an anchor bolt while securing the pull-out strength of the anchor bolt even when the anchor bolt installation position encounters a reinforcement in concrete. An anchor bolt according to the present invention includes a first anchor bolt 2 having an embedded portion shorter than a reinforcement covering margin, a second anchor bolt 7 having an axis at a position deflected from an axis of the first anchor bolt 2, and a coupling member 5 integrally fixing the first anchor bolt 2 and the second anchor bolt 7. Further, in an installing method of an anchor bolt according to the present invention, when a first anchor hole bored at the anchor bolt installation position encounters a reinforcement, a second anchor hole is bored at a position in a direction other than the arrangement direction of the encountered reinforcement, to thereby install the anchor bolt according to the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Suehiro-System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morio Suehiro
  • Patent number: 7222465
    Abstract: A board suitable for installation on the side of a building has a front surface suitable for exposure to the weather, a rear surface, an upper end and a lower end, wherein the board has a stacking foot at either the upper end or lower end of the board, and has a stacking notch at the other of the upper end or lower end, with the stacking notch and the stacking foot enabling two of the boards to be stacked together with the stacking foot of each of the boards nested in the stacking notch of the other board, thereby providing stability for the stacked boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine M. Watson, Brian J. Guhde, Donn R. Vermilion, Thomas E. Grace, Sr., Chris W. Cicenas, Joshua D. Dickman
  • Patent number: 7222466
    Abstract: A foldable truss member suitable for commercial displays includes a plurality of side members that are adjacently hinged together. The side members include support members and bridging members having extensions. The side members are joined into a foldable structure with a hinge member between the support member and extensions of adjacent side members. A display structure can be formed by connecting locking members between two truss members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Eagle Development Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph L. Schipani, Richard K. Strayer, Mark Brauer, Walter Croll, Paul Miklautsch, Patrick M. Hamilton, Charles Austen Angell, Jennifer Dianne Astwood, Shaohui Qiu, Lee Powers, Kyle Gudmunson, Brian Clemens, Brett R. Johnson, Charles Graves
  • Patent number: 7222467
    Abstract: A frame assembly for at least partially enclosing a raised floor structure includes a bottom frame member positioned adjacent an associated raised floor structure. A pair of spaced apart side frame members are connected to and extend upwardly from the bottom frame member. A top frame member is spaced from the bottom frame member and connected to the pair of side frame members. At least one picket extends between and is connected to the top and bottom frame members. The at least one picket is oriented approximately parallel to the side frame members. A screen is selectively mounted to at least one of the top and bottom frame members and the side frame members. The screen is located adjacent the at least one picket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Patio Enclosures Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Nowell, Jerry D. DeLiberato, Tony P. Bouquot
  • Patent number: 7222468
    Abstract: A doorjamb end cap and method of installation therefor, wherein application of the present invention to wooden doorjambs permits the enclosed or encased portion thereof to effectively resist or avoid the onset of rot therein, and wherein the present invention is effectuated without expensive extrusion processes and/or thermoplastic melt and adhesive applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: George Liu
  • Patent number: 7222469
    Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include a channel formed by a longitudinally extending well and/or at least one pair of axially extending ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel D. Griggs, Dennis J. May
  • Patent number: 7222470
    Abstract: Various processes and relevant devices for causing polymer films, which are extensible to adhere to the edges of openings of plastic or PET or even metal containers, by releasing electrostatic charges opposite in sign to those of containers and/or the polymer films to be applied thereto. The processes derive from a single general inventive concept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Ribi Pack S.p.A.
    Inventor: Guido Ribi
  • Patent number: 7222471
    Abstract: A packing tool for packing large articles such as image forming apparatuses has a pallet to place the article, and an article-fixing member to secure the article to the pallet. The article-fixing member is accommodated in an accommodating section in the pallet. When securing the article to the pallet, the article-fixing member is pulled out and wound around the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Juusei Matsumoto, Tomoaki Arai, Satoshi Ishihara, Sakae Ishikawa, Takefumi Adachi, Hisao Chikano, Satoshi Kitaoka, Junichi Murano
  • Patent number: 7222472
    Abstract: Wrapping material utilized by a packaging machine is advanced along a set feed path through a station where an accessory material, typically adhesive, is applied in spots to selected areas of the surface, whereupon the material is charged electrostatically at a first station, and thereafter sensed at a second station to reveal the distribution of the charges; the electrostatic charges register more strongly on and around the spots, so that by measuring any variation in strength relative to the remainder of the surface, identifiable with faulty application of the adhesive, substandard material can be detected before it reaches the wrapping stations of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Bruno Tommasini
  • Patent number: 7222473
    Abstract: A riding stirrup (10) includes a hanger rod (11) for connecting the stirrup to a saddle, and a stirrup loop (12) connected to the hanger rod. The stirrup loop (12) defines a stirrup opening (14) through which a rider may extend their foot when the rider is sitting in the saddle. The stirrup loop (12) also includes an elongated base support tread (17) positioned generally at the bottom of the loop. The base support tread (17) extends at a slant with respect to a stirrup centerline (CL) which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hanger rod (11), through a midpoint of the rod, and through the base support tread. This slant places the distance between an outer tread section (21) and the hanger rod (11) greater than the distance between an inner tread section (20) and the hanger rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: David E. Jones
  • Patent number: 7222474
    Abstract: Ground sensing apparatus for a header of an agricultural harvesting machine, configurable for sensing the ground with a cutter bar of the header in a fixed and/or raised position. The apparatus utilizes a linkage arrangement in connection with a sensor shaft and a skid shoe deployable to a lowered position and movable when in the lowered position for effecting rotations of the sensor shaft and thus signaling to an appropriate control, information relating to contact with the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: James F. Rayfield, Gary L. Bich
  • Patent number: 7222475
    Abstract: In an agricultural combine, a header float system using a floating header having a frame, a support member supporting the frame from the ground, and a suspension variably supporting the frame from the combine. The suspension comprises a sub-frame removable attaching to the combine, links movably attaching the frame and the sub-frame, and one or more float cylinders moveably supporting the frame from the sub-frame. A float circuit connects to the float cylinder, and a float valve connects the float circuit to a main hydraulic circuit. A pressure sensor connects to the float circuit, and a controller communicates with the float valve and the pressure sensor. The controller maintains pressure in the float circuit at a target value by continuously reading the pressure sensor and commanding the float valve to add or subtract hydraulic fluid in the float circuit until pressure equals the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Duane Michael Bomleny, Jay Tyler Hulscher, Travis L. Bunde
  • Patent number: 7222476
    Abstract: A hand-pushed mower of which blade height setter is provided with a sphere rolling on the ground, many small spheres holding the sphere as to freely roll, a semi-spherical receiving member forming a gap between an upper spherical face of the sphere to hold the many small spheres in the gap, and a scraping ring frame portion disposed to be parallel to and having a predetermined interval with a lower end edge of the semi-spherical receiving member. The scraping ring frame portion is disposed to be near the surface of the sphere as to scrape foreign matter on the surface of the sphere. A window portion for removing the foreign matter is formed between the lower end edge of the semi-spherical receiving member and the scraping ring frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: VIV Engineering Inc.
    Inventor: Tadashi Hishida
  • Patent number: 7222477
    Abstract: An automatic end of row detection and compacting sequence for a cotton harvesting machine which is initiated responsive to the machine ceasing harvesting at the end of a crop row, as represented by a condition such as raising a picker drum of the machine from a harvesting position to a non-harvesting position. Steps of the sequence can include ceasing operation of augers of compactor apparatus located in the cotton receiver are turned off, and moving the compactor apparatus downwardly within a cotton receiver of the machine and against cotton accumulated in the lower region of the receiver, one or more times, for further and better compacting the cotton. Then, when the machine is aligned with a new swath or row and a condition such as the picker unit being lowered to the harvesting position, normal operation of the compactor apparatus can be resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Covington, Tracy R. Archer, Timothy A. Meeks, Dwight D. Lemke
  • Patent number: 7222478
    Abstract: A crop harvesting header includes a compact arrangement of side-by-side mounted intake and mowing units, cross conveyors and deflection coveyors, which operate to efficiently deliver cut crop to a central outlet at the rear side of the header. Some of the compactness is attributable to a drive arrangement which makes it possible to mount the axes of rotation of certain cross conveyors respectively within the cylindrical envelopes described by the peripheries of the vertically spaced intake disks of the intake and mowing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ulrich Bruening, Klemens Weitenberg, Martin Huening, Leo Schulze Hockenbeck
  • Patent number: 7222479
    Abstract: A crop harvesting mechanism having a reel assembly with a reel that is rotatably supported at each end by a respective reel support. A reel carrier arm is provided for each of the reel supports and the supports are movable along the reel carrier arm. A horizontal adjustment actuator moves the reel support along the reel carrier arms over an adjustment range. The reel carrier arms are constructed with an upward or downward oriented curve, inside of the adjustment range over which the reel holding devices can be shifted by the actuator. The reel operates below a cutting bar in its forward position and in a position moved further back that is above and behind the cutting bar so that collisions are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Martin Stahl, Günter Kempf
  • Patent number: 7222480
    Abstract: A self-propelled forage harvester includes a chassis, an operator's cabin arranged on the chassis, a chopper drum, an ascending lower discharge chute extending from the chopper drum inside the chassis to a level above the chassis, a front attachment, a drive unit, at least two axle units, wherein the front attachment in its non-working position is arranged substantially in a region of one of the axle units, wherein the operator's cabin in its non-working position and the drive unit are arranged substantially in a region of a further axle unit, wherein the front attachment and the operator's cabin are at least movable from a working into a non-working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Erdmann, Markus Deppe
  • Patent number: 7222481
    Abstract: Hybrid cables, a process for obtaining such and a composite fabric usable in a tire incorporating the hybrid cables are disclosed. A tire and a mounted assembly which each incorporate such a composite fabric is also disclosed. The hybrid cable has a ratio of final tangent modulus:initial tangent modulus greater than 10. This hybrid cable consists of a textile core of an initial modulus of less than 900 cN/tex and a textile wrap of an initial modulus greater than 1300 cN/tex which is helically wound around the textile core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Philippe Esnault, Hubert Pacherie, Pierre Chavaroche
  • Patent number: 7222482
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes: an exhaust gas purifying catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine; fuel cutting means for cutting fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine at the time of deceleration of the internal combustion engine; and catalyst degradation suppressing means for suppressing degradation of the exhaust gas purifying catalyst by prohibiting operation of the fuel cutting means when it is determined that the degradation of the exhaust gas purifying catalyst advances, wherein the catalyst degradation suppressing means sets an operation permitting period, during which the operation of the fuel cutting means is permitted after completion of a fuel quantity increasing operation of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mamoru Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 7222483
    Abstract: There is provided a device for supplying secondary air, which comprises a secondary air passage for supplying secondary air, to an exhaust passage of an engine, upstream of an exhaust purification device provided in the exhaust passage, a pump provided in the secondary air passage for supplying a secondary air, a battery used for driving the pump, at least one opening-closing device for opening and closing the secondary air passage, and a pressure sensor provided between the pump and the opening-closing device for detecting a pressure in the secondary air passage. A malfunction of at least one of the pump and the opening-closing device is detected on the basis of at least one of the pressures detected when the secondary air passage is opens and when the secondary air passage is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Oi, Kaoru Ohtsuka, Shinya Kondo, Hiroyasu Koyama, Tetsuji Nagata
  • Patent number: 7222484
    Abstract: A hydraulic system has at least one primary hydraulic functions and a plurality of secondary hydraulic functions all of which are connected in parallel to a supply conduit and a return conduit. A first pressure relief valve prevents pressure in the supply conduit from exceeding a first limit and second pressure relief valve prevents the pressure at the secondary hydraulic functions from exceeding the lower second pressure limit. Novel pressure relief circuits are provided which enable only two pressure relief valves to provide one of two pressure limits at more than two hydraulic functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Husco International, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Dornbach
  • Patent number: 7222485
    Abstract: A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission comprises: a hydraulic pump; a power input shaft engaged with the hydraulic pump to transmit power from a power source to the hydraulic pump; a hydraulic motor in hydraulic communication with the hydraulic pump; a casing that houses the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor; a port block mounted to the casing, the port block having a block main body and a cover member connected to a power input side of the block main body, said cover member having an outer surface; a cooling hydraulic path provided in the port block in a region where the block main body and the cover member meet, the cooling hydraulic path being connected to a first hydraulic path in the port block, the cooling hydraulic path having a plurality of bends; a cooling fan provided on the power input shaft to provide air flow directly to the outer surface of the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Shibata, Yoshio Tomiyama, Takashi Kuramoto, Hiroshi Shimada, Takeshi Komorida, Kenji Nishihara, Masashi Osuga
  • Patent number: 7222486
    Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for use with a hydraulic apparatus. The diaphragm assembly includes a cap formed of a rigid material and a diaphragm formed of an elastomeric material. The diaphragm is generally tubular and includes an upper annular collar portion defining an open upper end of the diaphragm and a main body portion extending downwardly from the collar portion, defining a closed lower end of the diaphragm, and including, in cross-section, a plurality of hollow radially extending circumferentially spaced arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: FTE Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Keith V. Leigh-Monstevens
  • Patent number: 7222487
    Abstract: A wheel assembly with tangentially attached fluid receptacles around the perimeter rotates to power a gravity driven fluid electricity generating assembly. A plunger pump assembly with a drive wheel powered by the wheel assembly pumps a quantity of fluid to fill a fluid receptacle with each motion of a lever arm eccentrically attached to the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: William G. Hinkley
  • Patent number: 7222488
    Abstract: A fabricated cowl for a double annular combustor of a gas turbine engine having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, including an outer annular portion, an inner annular portion, and a middle annular portion. A plurality of circumferentially spaced radial slots are formed in at least one of the annular portions. The outer annular portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced windows of desired size formed therein, wherein a plurality of outer radial members connecting the outer annular portion and the middle annular portion are provided between adjacent windows therein. Similarly, the inner annular portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced windows of desired size formed therein, wherein a plurality of inner radial members connecting the inner annular portion and the middle annular portion are provided between adjacent windows therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gilbert Farmer, Steven Clayton Vise, Walter Byron Houchens, III, Craig Douglas Young
  • Patent number: 7222489
    Abstract: An integrated thermoelectric module is formed of a set of thermoelectric elements, consisting of N type and P type conductor and/or semiconductor elements electrically connected in series and thermally connected in parallel, the thermoelectric elements being electrically connected in series and/or in parallel and thermally connected in parallel and being assembled on flexible supports of polymeric material, capable of electrically isolating said circuit, but having a high thermal conductivity efficiency. Each support is connected to a heat exchanger by means of connection materials having low thermal impedance allowing optimum connection even at low adhesion pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Peltech S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giorgio Pastorino
  • Patent number: 7222490
    Abstract: An NMR spectrometer comprising an NMR magnet system (27) disposed in a helium tank of a cryostat and an NMR probe head (11) disposed in a room temperature bore of the cryostat, which contains a cooled RF resonator (9) for receiving NMR signals from a sample to be investigated, and a cooled pre-amplifier (10), wherein the NMR probe head (11) is cooled by a common multi-stage compressor-operated refrigerator (2), wherein the refrigerator (2) comprises a cold head and several heat exchangers (5, 6) at different temperature levels, wherein the refrigerator (2) is disposed at a spatial separation from the cryostat in a separate, evacuated and thermally insulated housing (1) and wherein at least one cooling circuit with cooling lines, which are thermally insulated by a transfer line (13, 14) is disposed between the housing (1) containing the heat exchangers (5, 6) and the NMR probe head (11), is characterized in that additional cooling lines to an LN2 tank (18) or radiation shield (21) disposed in the cryostat and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Bruker Biospin AG
    Inventors: René Triebe, Daniel Marek, Oskar Schett, Daniel Guy Baumann
  • Patent number: 7222491
    Abstract: An air conditioner including an outdoor unit including a first compressor and a second compressor connected in parallel to the first compressor, an outdoor unit connected in parallel to the outdoor unit, the outdoor unit including a first compressor and a second compressor connected in parallel to the first compressor, the outdoor units being connected in parallel to indoor units, the compressors being connected by first-compressor oil equalizing tubes and second-compressor oil equalizing tubes to feed surplus oil in the compressors, the oil equalizing tubes being connected by an external oil equalizing tube, wherein oil equalization is performed by collecting lubricant oil in the first compressor of the outdoor unit, pressurizing the collected lubricant oil by a discharge pressure of another compressor connected in parallel to the first compressor in the same outdoor unit, that is, the second compressor, and feeding the pressurized lubricant oil into the first compressor or second compressor of the other out
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunji Moriwaki
  • Patent number: 7222492
    Abstract: A process for cooling liquids wherein a coolant is cooled in a chiller during off-peak electrical demand periods, then directed to a first insulated storage vessel where it is stored until off-peak electrical demand periods have ended. During peak electrical demand periods, the coolant flows from the first insulated storage vessel to a flat plate heat exchanger, where a flow of liquid to be cooled, entering through a second conduit, is cooled. The cooled liquid exiting the heat exchanger is directed to a second insulated storage vessel where little or no further cooling of the liquid will be necessary during peak electrical demand periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventors: Duane A. Gruber, Michael E. Gruber
  • Patent number: 7222493
    Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing and protecting a compressor includes a sensor, logic circuitry, a motor protector and an intelligent device. The logic circuitry is associated with the sensor and the motor protector and operable to determine a trip frequency of the motor protector and identify a specific fault cause. The intelligent device communicates with the logic circuitry and indicates the fault cause.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nagaraj Jayanth, Hung Pham
  • Patent number: 7222494
    Abstract: Adaptive intelligent circulation control methods and systems are used to help increase the comfort and/or reduce energy usage and equipment wear. In one illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is adjusted based on one or more environmental conditions inside or outside the building structure. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time may be adjusted based on the current time of day, current time of year, and/or the current schedule period. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is randomized over time. The start time, end time, and/or length of a circulation and/or ventilation cycle may be randomly set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Peterson, Robert J. Schnell, Brent D. Vick
  • Patent number: 7222495
    Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle cooling and depolluting device designed for conditioning said vehicle passenger compartment and for cooling its cylinder block (22). The elements of the device are connected through a main tube (25) containing an antifreeze liquid. The device also comprises a temperature and pressure control valve (17), to maintain a constant pressure in the cylinder block (22) and located downstream of the cylinder block (22), a ventilated water-air exchanger (6) enabling a motor vehicle passenger compartment to be cooled, a ventilated water-air exchanger (1) enabling a motor vehicle engine compartment to be cooled, at least a cold water tank (3) for cooling upon start-up of the motor vehicle and located between the ventilated water-air exchanger (6) and the evaporator (24) and a solenoid valve (9) for controlling the temperature inside the motor vehicle passenger compartment and located downstream of the ventilated water-air exchanger (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Ecoclim SA
    Inventor: Vitale Bruzzo
  • Patent number: 7222496
    Abstract: A heat pump type air conditioner having an improved defrosting structure and a defrosting method for the same. When frost is not excessively accumulated on piping of an outdoor heat exchanger, a solenoid valve is controlled such that warm refrigerant from a compressor intermittently passes through a second pipe line, a heat discharging pipe line, and a third pipe line. When the air conditioner is operated in heating mode, the amount of frost accumulated on the outdoor heat exchanger is deduced from the temperature of the piping of the outdoor heat exchanger, and then a defrosting operation is performed based on the temperature of the piping of the outdoor heat exchanger. Consequently, the frost accumulated on the outdoor heat exchanger is quickly removed based on the amount of frost accumulated on the outdoor heat exchanger, and the period of time for which the air conditioner is not operated is reduced, whereby more comfortable and pleasant heating function is provided to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Winiamando Inc.
    Inventors: Yeun Geun Choi, Sung Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 7222497
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice maker having a fan assembly. The ice maker 30 of the present invention comprises a main body 40 and a fan assembly 60 mounted to the main body 40 by means of resilient mounting hooks. A housing 62 defines an external appearance of the fan assembly 60, and comprises first and second housing portions 62a and 62b. The first and second housing portions 62a and 62b are provided with concavo-convex coupling portions 63 and 63? at positions corresponding to each other so that the housing portions can be provisionally assembled by coupling the concavo-convex coupling portions to each other. The interiors of the first and second housing 62a and 62b are partitioned by partition plates 64 to define a cold air flow passage 64f, and a discharge duct 66 is formed integrally to communicate with the cold air flow passage 64f.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Si-Yoen An, Bom-Sik Lee, Oh-Chul Kwon, Ill-Shin Kim
  • Patent number: 7222498
    Abstract: Refrigerator with an icemaker including a cabinet having a mullion wall for compartmentalization of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, a case provided to a door on the refrigerating chamber, having a cavity therein, a first duct for supplying cold air from a neighborhood of an evaporator in the freezing chamber to the cavity, the icemaker in the cavity for producing ice, an ice container in the cavity for storing the ice, and a dispenser in the door in communication with the cavity, thereby having ice supplied to a user at an outside of the refrigerator through a dispenser provided to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Ryul Lee, Seong Jae Kim, Chang Ho Seo, Sung Hoon Chung
  • Patent number: 7222499
    Abstract: A closed loop air conditioning system for an aircraft includes a compressor stage including at least one power driven compressor, for compressing working fluid, a first expansion turbine over which compressed working fluid is expanded and cooled, a first heat load heat exchanger in which heat from a first heat load is exchanged to the expanded and cooled working fluid, a second expansion turbine over which working fluid from the first heat exchanger is further expanded and cooled, and a second heat load heat exchanger in which heat from a second heat load is exchanged to the further expanded and cooled working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell Normalair Garrett (Holdings)
    Inventor: Richard Grant Hunt
  • Patent number: 7222500
    Abstract: When using systems that use the principle of absorption for the production of cold there is a great delay between the starting of the installation and the production of cold. This delay is due to the necessary time for the production of vapour. According to the invention a storing device of cooling liquid under pressure is proposed that is used instead of the vapours produced by a boiler (1) when starting the installation. This storing is done in a receiver (4) commanded by two valves, one called upstream valve (3) and the other called downstream valve (5). According to the invention the method consists in storing cooling liquid under pressure in a receiver and using this liquid under pressure when starting the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Ecoclim SA
    Inventor: Vitale Bruzzo
  • Patent number: 7222501
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an evaporator for an air conditioner of a vehicle, and the major object of the present invention is to provide the evaporator which is capable of decreasing the whole dimension of an evaporator and enhancing a heat exchange performance. To achieve the above objects, an evaporator includes an upper and lower header units comprising a tank member, a partition member, a header plate, an intermediate baffle, a finishing baffle; and a plurality of tubes comprising a front tube portion, a rear tube portion, a connection tube portion; and a wrinkle fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Modine Korea, LLC
    Inventors: Jae-Heon Cho, Jae-Hoon Kim