Patents Issued in August 7, 2007
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Patent number: 7251904Abstract: A coilable tape rule includes a pair of rollers that are convexly rounded in both axial and transaxial planes, about which rollers the measuring blade moves during passage through the casing and which cause the blade to turn on its longitudinal axis so as to reorient its width dimension to a perpendicular relationship to the axis of coiling. The blade is of concavo-convex cross section and cooperates with the rollers for tracking control and to enhance the smoothness and reliability of extension and retraction.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventors: Steven W. Lewis, Robert L. Brass, John F. Frega
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Patent number: 7251905Abstract: Disclosed is a drawer structure for storing condensed water generated during the drying procedure. The drawer prevents the condensed water form being leaked out of the dryer though the condensed water is fully filled in the drawer and overflowed from the drawer. Thus, a user may not throw away the condensed water whenever the laundry is dried.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Young Jin Doh, Chang Wook Kim
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Patent number: 7251906Abstract: A drum type washing and drying machine includes a rotary drum for accommodating laundry therein; a front frame for forming a front surface of a main body of the washing and drying machine, wherein the front frame is provided with a laundry loading/unloading opening through which laundry is loaded into or unloaded from the rotary drum; a detergent dispenser accommodated in the front frame; a dryer filter, accommodated in the front frame, for collecting therein lint generated during a drying process; and a control panel for setting an operation of the main body and displaying an operating state thereof. The dryer filter and the detergent dispenser are substantially symmetrically disposed with respect to the control panel interposed therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Kajihara, Yoshitomo Kato, Satoshi Maeda
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Patent number: 7251907Abstract: Apparatus 10 discloses a shoe 12 incorporating a ventilation system comprised of a port 14 positioned within the wall of the shoe, which in the preferred embodiment is located approximate the in-step 20. In communication with the port 14 is a cavity situated within the arch 29 whereby as a force applied to the base of the shoe causes the cavity to expand and contract drawing air from the shoe's exterior. Extending from the arch cavity 29 are a plurality of conduits 22 spatially around and across the base of the shoe 12 terminating in a plurality of apertures 24 extending from the conduits into the interior of the shoe. In addition, a plurality of nodules 30 are formed on the top side of the sole 26 to provide comfort to the user and to space the foot away from the sole, which will aid in the circulation of the air.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Leonid P Bondarchuk
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Patent number: 7251908Abstract: Embodiments of the invention prevent or alleviate head damage ascribable to the TA-causing sections (projections) of disks (TA is thermal asperity). With respect to a TA-causing section that has been detected during initial defect registration, X±A tracks in a radial direction and Y±B sectors (or Y±B bytes of space) in a circumferential direction, with the TA-causing section as a center, are registered collectively during primary registration. Following this, secondary registration is conducted to register a region ranging from±several tens of tracks to several hundreds of tracks present in a radial direction, and all sectors (or all bytes of space) present in a circumferential direction, with a track of the detected TA-causing section as a center. Furthermore, a cylinder of a region equivalent to the same radial positions as those of the secondary registration is registered (as tertiary registration) for all disks, except for the disk where the TA-causing section was detected.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.Inventor: Takeo Yori
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Patent number: 7251909Abstract: A convertible chair and ironing board apparatus for transforming a straight-back chair into an ironing board. The apparatus includes a chair having front legs and rear legs for supporting a chair seat thereon. The apparatus also includes a back support section for receiving a back support member thereon. The back support member is pivotally connected to the back support section about a pair of back support pivot members so that the back support member can rotatably pivot 270° from a vertical position as a back support for the chair to a horizontal position to function as an ironing board. The chair seat has a movable seat section that is pivotally connected to the chair seat about a pair of seat pivot members, and the seat section is movable from a horizontal seat position about the seat pivot members to a vertical support position for supporting a lower section of the back support member in a horizontal position to function as an ironing board.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Jack Gameiro
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Patent number: 7251910Abstract: An electrical neon display device that allows for the interchangeability of the material being displayed and includes a power track, a track head and at least one display member that is electrically connected to said track head and includes a neon tube that is preferably shaped in the configuration of a desired letter or design to be displayed by said device.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: General-Tech Holdings LimitedInventor: Tsang Chiu Ming
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Patent number: 7251911Abstract: A leg support apparatus comprising a leg comprising a first support and a second support. The leg comprising a pivot end and a spike end. A base comprising a lug side, a ground contact side, and a surrounding wall connecting between the lug side and ground contact side, with lugs extending from the lug side. A pin used for pivotally connecting the lugs to the pivot end of the leg. A spike extending from the spike end of the leg. The spike used for engaging a wire basket surrounding the root ball of a plant or used for engaging the lip of a container holding a plant, so that the plant is supported by the leg support apparatus and ground and does not tip over. A leg support apparatus comprising a body comprising a rocker bottom base from which extends a leg, and wherein a spike extends from the spike end of the leg, and the spike is used for engaging a wire basket surrounding a root ball and preventing the plant from tipping over.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Robert A. Goltz
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Patent number: 7251912Abstract: This invention is a device for irrigating tree seedlings and other small plants, to ensure that said plants stay moist in the critical few weeks following their planting. The device uses a bag, approximately 1 gallon capacity, constructed of biodegradable plastic, such as cornstarch, which slowly degrades into the soil so as to not leave residue in the planting field. The bag has a top filling opening with an adhesive sealing flap, and contains a multi-layered disk which acts as a passive valve which permits the slow drip-release of water from the bag over a 2-3 week period following planting. The multi-layered disk is made of two layers of thin plastic, a layer of special laboratory filter paper, and a layer of adhesive-sided gasket material which attaches said disk to said biodegradable bag. The design of the hole patterns in the layers of the disk, and the assembly and precise compression of said layers during manufacture, result in a device that produces the desired slow-release flow characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Charles Brownell McGough
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Patent number: 7251913Abstract: A method of covering a flower pot with an oversized sleeve. The sleeve has an inner diameter which is greater than the maximum diameter of a pot disposed therein. The sleeve may have a detachable upper portion, a skirt portion, with a linear or non-linear upper end, or with or without gussets in the lower end or sides. In the method the sleeve is secured about the pot by a crimping a portion of the sleeve having a bonding material thereon, or using a securing element.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Wanda M Weder and William F. StraeterInventor: Donald E. Weder
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Patent number: 7251914Abstract: A subsurface aircraft servicing pit is provided with a hold down assembly that secures a pit lid mounting frame in position on a bearing seat at the top of a prefabricated pit enclosure. A frame mount latch ring is suspended in spaced relation beneath the underside of the pit lid mounting frame and inwardly from the walls of the pit enclosure. At least a pair of frame mount latches are provided on opposite sides of the pit. The latches have bases secured to the pit walls and hooks that extend over the top of the frame mount latch ring. The frame mount latches are constructed so as to exert a downward force on the frame mount latch ring, thus holding the peripheral margin of the pit lid mounting frame tightly against a peripheral bearing seat surrounding the pit opening. The necessary force exerted by the frame mount latches may be provided by a coil spring located within the structure of each frame mount latch.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Dabico, Inc.Inventors: Craig Petersen, Eynon S. Johnson
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Patent number: 7251915Abstract: A frame system for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of frame members each having a connector socket defined therein. The system further includes a connector having an outer profile configured to engage the sockets of two of the frame members so as to connect them in a fixed angular relationship. The connectors are composite bodies including a core member and an exterior body which covers at least a portion of the core member and defines a portion of the outer profile of the connector. Also disclosed are frames which employ the system and methods for manufacturing the frames.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Pullman Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jim Zimmerman, Frank McNulty, Tad Machrowicz, Edward Engler
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Patent number: 7251916Abstract: Panels or boards comprise laterally mounted locking elements that can be inter-connected laterally in a positive fit, without the use of adhesive. The locking elements are designed to be connected in an initial position in which the panels are interlocked at least in one direction in a positive fit and a certain amount of play occurs in the common joint of the two panels. The panels may then be shifted, in a parallel direction relative to the common joint, to final position in which there is no play in the common joint and the panels are interconnected without the use of adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: M. KaindlInventors: Karl-Heinz Konzelmann, Maik Moebus
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Patent number: 7251917Abstract: An arrangement for securing fabric relative to a framework comprising a framework, a groove in the framework, and a locking spline for being received into the groove in the framework whereby a fabric panel can be retained relative to the framework by an insertion of the locking spline into the groove with a portion of the fabric panel disposed between the locking spline and the groove. The framework can have an obverse side, a peripheral edge, and a reverse side and the groove can be disposed to the reverse side of the framework whereby the fabric panel can be applied to the framework with a portion of the fabric panel retained within the groove and with the fabric panel reversing over the peripheral edge of the framework and traversing at least a portion of the framework. A secondary groove can enable a retention of a secondary material.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Sava Cvek
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Patent number: 7251918Abstract: A fixing bracket is described for joining wooden building components to each other and to a substrate, particularly of the kind used for joining boards used to cover balconies and decks outdoors. It is essential that the fixing bracket is a double angle consisting of two L-sections (2, 2?), having a double web (5) consisting of two section legs (3, 3?), whereby a fixing hole (9, 9?) is provided in the angle flanges (8, 8?). In an advantageous manner, the tongue-shaped spikes (6, 6?) are arranged near the upper edge of the web and are cut directly out of the web and bent out perpendicularly from the web.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Braun & Wùrfele GmbH & Co.Inventors: Dieter Reif, Joachim Bader
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Patent number: 7251919Abstract: A structural member includes side walls, a top wall connecting a top region of the side walls, a bottom wall connecting side wall bottoms and extending beyond the side walls to form wings each having one portion of a connector for connecting members to one another, a span connected to the side walls, and truss configurations each connected to the span and the bottom wall and respectively to one side wall. Side walls, top wall, and span define an upper interior chamber and span, truss configurations, and bottom wall define a lower interior chamber. Each truss configuration has a vertical wall and two intermediate walls. An assembly of members interlock with one another in series by connecting a first portion of the connector with a second portion of another member. These interlocked members form a structure for receiving concrete as a base for a ribbed concrete slab.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Manuel A. Ray
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Patent number: 7251920Abstract: A lateral force resisting system includes a rigid structural panel and holdowns. A foundation bolt placement template may be used to locate and support the foundation bolts during fabrication of the foundation and to further secure the frame foundation interface. The rigid structural panel may be a vertical truss or a rigid structural frame with a wooden panel covering one side and interconnecting the members of the rigid structural frame. The wooden panel may be made up of multiple panes to tailor the response of the panel to the lateral force load. The holdowns secure the rigid structural panel to the foundation bolts and may be either a folded strap and pin embodiment or self-tightening.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventors: Timothy L. Timmerman, Sr., Timothy L. Timmerman, II
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Patent number: 7251921Abstract: Containers (2) are closed with screw caps (3) by a unit (1) of the type comprising a carousel (7) on which to advance the containers (2) and the relative caps (3), driven by a motor (6) about a respective primary axis (5a) and equipped with a plurality of capping assemblies (11) each positioned above a relative container (2) and capable of movement vertically between a first position, distanced from the container (2), and a second position of active engagement with the container (2). Each capping assembly (11) presents a gripping mechanism (17) positionable so as to engage a relative cap (3) when the assembly (11) is in the second position, and rotatable about a respective secondary axis (17a) in such a way as to screw the cap (3) onto a threaded neck (4) of the relative container (2).Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Azionaria Construzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.p.A.Inventors: Enrico Galimberti, Stefano Cavallari
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Patent number: 7251922Abstract: A zero degree tire reinforcing steel cord is formed by twisting together four to seven individual wires having a wire diameter of 0.20 to 0.45 mm, wherein the steel cord has a substantially spiral or a substantially planar wavy deformation, has an elongation of 1.2% to 2.0% under a tensile load of 50 N and becomes substantially linear with its wavy deformation disappearing under a tensile load of 50 to 250 N. The steel cord stretches to a moderate extent so as to track expansion of the tire in the radial direction during the vulcanization process and thereafter restrains expansion of the tire in the radial direction during continued high speed rotation of the tire.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignees: Tokusen Kogyo Co., Ltd., The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noritaka Morioka, Sinya Harikae
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Patent number: 7251923Abstract: A chain lock has two lock parts (1) which can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the lock in order to open and close the lock. Each lock part (1) has a journal (5) which is arranged on one end and a pocket (6) which is arranged on the other end. The journal (5) of one lock part (1) fits, respectively, into the pocket (6) of the other lock part (1). The journals (5) and the pockets (6) are both similar in height (H) to the inner width of the lock and each journal (5) has several retaining frames (7, 8), associated with several retaining grooves (13, 14) in the pocket (6) of the other lock part (1).Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: RUD-Kettenfabrik Rieger & Dietz GmbH. u. Co.Inventors: Andreas Nuding, Werner Lang, Hans Dalferth
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Patent number: 7251924Abstract: The present invention provides a non-detachable chain link for a material mover chain. Chain link comprises a body portion having an aperture therethrough and a hook portion including a tip portion. A recess defined by the hook portion is adapted to contain one or more bearing surfaces on the body portion of an adjacent link in a chain comprised of a plurality of such links. The tip portion has a greater width than the aperture to prevent the hook portion from falling through the aperture of an adjacent link. This prevents chain links from coming detached during operation due to an object falling on the chain or excessive slack developing in the chain.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Graetz Contract Mfg., LLCInventors: Jamie Graetz, James Zak
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Patent number: 7251925Abstract: A fuel delivery system for use, for example in a gas turbine engine system, includes a fuel metering unit including a main fuel inlet. The fuel metering unit includes fuel pressure and temperature sensors. A cavitating venturi is in fluid communication with the main fuel inlet and includes venturi characteristics such as throat diameter. A fuel nozzle is in fluid communication with the venturi for delivering fuel to the gas turbine engine. A controller is connected to the pressure temperature sensors and is operable to calculate a flow rate of fuel through the nozzle based upon the signals from the pressure and temperature sensors and the fuel and venturi characteristics. A variable cavitating venturi may be arranged within the throat to vary the area and adjust the flow rate through the venturi. The cavitating venturi can also be used at the fuel nozzle to further simplify the fuel delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Bruce Paradise
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Patent number: 7251926Abstract: A plate-fin type regenerative heat exchanger is provided which can prevent clogging of a flow passage caused by a drift of liquid phase water even when compressed air contains a large amount of moisture and liquid droplets. The plate-fin type regenerative heat exchanger comprises a corrugated fin channel for heating compressed air containing liquid droplets and a corrugated fin channel to which the compressed air containing no liquid droplets is supplied. A pitch of fin members of the former corrugated fin channel is set to the Laplace length, whereby bridging of the liquid droplets between the fin members can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Takanori Shibata, Shigeo Hatamiya, Nobuhiro Seiki, Tomomi Koganezawa, Katsuhiko Sagae, Hidefumi Araki
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Patent number: 7251927Abstract: A second stage external jet nozzle mixer (20) includes identically formed lobes which equal in number the lobes of the first stage internal mixer. The external mixer works with the internal mixer, and furthers the mixing of the jet engine internal bypass flow with the internal jet engine core flow. This mixing levels the disparate flow velocities attendant with the jet engine exhaust, reduces the peak velocities from the jet engine core and increases the lower bypass velocities of the jet engine internal bypass flow. The lobes include complex curvatures that greatly enhance mixing of the gases and ambient cooling air, and thereby reduce noise. At the lobe terminus, the lobe dimensional characteristics may be adjusted to thereby adjust the total terminus area to achieve a match to a jet engine to cause that jet engine to run at a determined RPM and noise level. Noise attenuation may also be adjusted by changing lobe dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Jack H Anderson
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Patent number: 7251928Abstract: Pressure and density of a gaseous mixture are increased in the process of introducing the gaseous mixture into the combustor of an air-breathing pulse detonation engine employing atmospheric oxygen as an oxidizer. The exit valve 20 able to be opened and closed is provided at the outlet of the combustor 15, an air cooler 12 is provided in the exit of the intake, and density is increased by exchange of heat of the air received at the intake with a coolant in the air cooler 12. Furthermore, by closing the exit valve 20 provided in the outlet of the combustor during the process of loading the gaseous mixture, transition to the detonation process is possible without expansion of the high-pressure high density air obtained by ram-compression at the intake.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Japanese Aerospace Exploration AgencyInventors: Takayuki Kojima, Tetsuya Sato, Hiroaki Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7251929Abstract: In an exhaust aftertreatment system comprising a NOx adsorber-catalyst followed by an SCR catalyst, means are provided for preventing the SCR catalyst from becoming heated to near the same peak temperatures as the NOx adsorber-catalyst during desulfation. In one embodiment, the means is a thermal mass between the NOx adsorber-catalyst and the SCR catalyst. In another embodiment, the means is a valve configured to selectively divert exhaust leaving the NOx adsorber-catalyst from the SCR catalyst. In a method of the invention, the NOx adsorber-catalyst temperature is cycled during desulfation. The peaks of the cycles are within an appropriate temperature range for desulfating the NOx adsorber-catalyst, but the average temperature is below the temperature range at which the SCR catalyst is damaged. The temperature peaks are damped as they travel from the NOx adsorber-catalyst to the SCR, whereby the SCR experiences much lower peak temperatures than the NOx adsorber-catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Haoran Hu, James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Jiyang Yan
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Patent number: 7251930Abstract: A system for triggering purging of depollution means including a NOx trap and integrated in a vehicle diesel exhaust line comprises respective elements for establishing: a first coefficient representing the extent to which the trap is full of NOx; a second coefficient representative of the capacity of the trap to reduce the NOx as a function of its temperature; a third coefficient representative of the capacity of the engine to purge the trap as a function of the engine operating point; and a fourth coefficient representative of the capacity of the engine to purge the trap as a function of the corresponding excess fuel consumption; together with a device for combining these various coefficients in order to obtain a fifth and final coefficient, and a comparator for comparing the fifth coefficient with a threshold so that in the event of the threshold being exceeded, a request is issued to trigger purging of the trap.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SAInventor: Arnaud Audouin
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Patent number: 7251931Abstract: A filter is arranged in an exhaust passage of an engine. The filter supports a catalyst. An accumulating amount estimating means detects differential pressure of the filter to estimate an amount of soot accumulating on the filter. An oxidizing condition detecting means detects an oxidizing condition of soot accumulating on the filter. A forcible oxidizing means increases temperature of the filter more than oxidizing temperature of soot for forcibly oxidizing soot accumulating in the vicinity of the catalyst of the filter. When the oxidizing condition detecting means detects a condition, in which soot accumulating on the filter is only partially oxidized, the accumulating amount estimating means estimates the amount of soot accumulating on the filter after oxidizing soot accumulating in the vicinity of the catalyst using the forcible oxidizing means.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., DENSO CorporationInventors: Yoshiharu Nonoyama, Niro Takaki, Takeshi Hashizume, Tsukasa Kuboshima
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Patent number: 7251932Abstract: A reconfigurable exhaust system provides selective positioning of exhaust gas treatment devices either near, or spaced from, the exhaust gas outlet port of a turbine of a turbocharged Diesel engine. In some embodiments, auxiliary air or a heat exchanger are arranged to cool the exhaust gas when required.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventor: Yiqun Huang
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Patent number: 7251933Abstract: Provided are a hydraulic pump 7, an electromagnetic flow rate control valve 2 that controls the flow rate of hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump 7 to a power steering device PS, and a pressure compensating valve 4 that maintains a fixed pressure difference between upstream and downstream sides of the electromagnetic flow rate control valve 2 and bypasses an excess flow rate. The electromagnetic flow rate control valve 2 maintains a predetermined initial opening when a control current is zero, while an opening of the electromagnetic flow rate control valve decreases to become a minimum opening when the control current increases from zero, and the opening gradually becomes larger toward a maximum opening when a predetermined control current is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Tsuchiya, Yoshiharu Miya
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Patent number: 7251934Abstract: A hybrid hydraulic system for a work vehicle is provided that includes a first fixed displacement hydraulic pump whose outlet is connected to a priority valve. The priority valve, in turn, directs the pump's flow to a first group of closed center backhoe valves on a primary circuit and a second group of open center loader valves on a secondary circuit. A second hydraulic pump is provided with independent load sensing capability to supplement fluid flow provided by the first pump.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Richard J. Lech, Matthew J. Hennemann
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Patent number: 7251935Abstract: A hydraulic control system has an actuator with first and second chambers, first and second valves having elements movable to fill and drain the first and second chambers, and at least one sensor configured to generate a load signal indicative of a load on the fluid actuator. The system has an interface device movable to generate a desired velocity signal of the actuator. The system has a controller in communication with the first and second valves, the at least one sensor, and the interface device. The controller is configured to move the element of the first valve to a position based on the desired velocity signal and to move the element of the second valve to a position based on the load signal and a desired pressure within the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi LtdInventors: Jiao Zhang, Pengfei Ma, Aleksandar Egelja, Michael T. Verkuilen
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Patent number: 7251936Abstract: A suspension device is for at least one drive part (10) that is to be cushioned. The drive part can be connected to an accumulator device (12) by a first valve unit (28) and to a tank connection (46) by a second valve unit (34) to transport fluid. The device is provided with a pressure compensation device (50), which when actuated compares the respective prevailing pressures in the drive part (10) and the accumulator device (12) to generate a common pressure level. This comparison permits the pressure level to be rapidly compensated in advance when the actual suspension is enabled in the form of the accumulator device, in such a way that the suspension pressure employed exactly matches the pressure of the respective drive part in the form of a hydraulic or working cylinder that prevails in the later as a result of the preceding load actuation operations.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Hydac System GmbHInventors: Michael Kühn, Hubertus Schmidt
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Patent number: 7251937Abstract: A charge air cooler drain system is provided for an engine system having a turbo-compressor and a charge air cooler for cooling air compressed by the turbo-compressor. The drain system includes a reservoir for storing condensation and having a reservoir inlet and a reservoir outlet A check valve is connected between the reservoir inlet and a condensation outlet of the charge air cooler. The check valve is biased to a closed position by a first spring. The drain system also includes a pilot operated valve connected between the reservoir outlet and atmosphere. The pilot operated valve is biased to an open position by a second spring, and has a pilot inlet exposed to pressure in the charge air cooler. The pilot operated valve closes when pressure in the charge air cooler exceeds a threshold pressure. The first and second springs are chosen so that the check valve is closed when the pilot operated valve is open and the pilot operated valve is closed when check valve is open.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventor: Andy Blaine Appleton
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Patent number: 7251938Abstract: Recovery and conversion of geothermal energy from geologically stable, hot, dry rock is disclosed. Deep boreholes are drilled to form a system of feed and return conduits in the non-porous formation. Fluid is passed through the conduits where heat energy is transferred to the moving fluid. The return conduit brings the hot fluid to an energy conversion station located underground where the thermal energy is converted into electrical energy. Power from the generator and warm water are supplied to the community for use. To form the deep boreholes, a series of large diameter boreholes is drilled, and the rig is moved down at intervals until the environment becomes intolerable. At that depth, a final borehole is drilled to reach the optimum temperature level. The system of this invention taps an unlimited source of energy in this country and accomplishes this in a manner that is both cost efficient and environmentally friendly.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: The Board of Regents for the University of OklahomaInventor: Lesley O. Bond
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Patent number: 7251939Abstract: A method and apparatus useful for disposing of the high volumes of produced water associated with coal bed methane natural gas wells. The method taught is to create steam from the produced water and vent the steam into the atmosphere. The apparatus taught utilizes available heat energy sources to produce heat for enhancing water evaporation rates and may incorporate a pre-heater system and/or a mineral separation system.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Weldon Eugene Walker
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Patent number: 7251940Abstract: A fuel injector system provides an air assist fuel nozzle which includes a fuel shroud and an air portion. Air passes around the fuel shroud to air jets in the air portion to provide a focused application of air directly onto a fuel spray from each of a multiple of main fuel jets to impart additional velocity to the fuel as it is flowing out of the fuel nozzle. The air jets increase the resulting fuel spray velocity to a level high enough to reach a prefilmer wall of a swirler even during snap deceleration conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Charles B. Graves, Stephanie DeSalle
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Patent number: 7251941Abstract: An afterburner includes an exhaust duct with a fixed area outer nozzle at an aft end thereof, and an ablative inner nozzle therein. The smaller inner nozzle is consumed during reheat operation to expose the larger outer nozzle for increased propulsion thrust.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Michael Koshoffer, Randy Lee Lewis
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Patent number: 7251942Abstract: An auxiliary power unit (APU) includes a compressor, a turbine, a combustor, and a starter-generator unit all integrated within a single containment housing. The turbine has an output shaft on which the compressor is mounted, and the starter-generator unit is coupled to the turbine output shaft without any intervening gears. The rotating components are all rotationally supported within the containment housing using bearings that do not receive a flow of lubricating fluid.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Kevin S. Dittmar, David H. Edmonds, Bjoern Schenk, Yogendra Y. Sheoran
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Patent number: 7251943Abstract: The present invention mainly utilizes a specialized semiconductor ship, the so-called thermoelectric cooling chip, for producing the coldness. A cooling circulating member and a heat dissipating member are configured at the two sides of the thermoelectric cooling chip. The coldness produced by the thermoelectric cooling chip is delivered by a cold conduction plate and cooling pipes, and is stored in fins of the cooling circulating member. A temperature controller determines a desired temperature and the coldness stored in the fins are blown out as cool air by a fan. Similarly, the heat produced by the chip is dissipated by the heat dissipating member. As such, the present invention could reach the desired temperature within a short period of time without the conventional compressor. The present invention therefore is easier to install and transport, consumes less power, and produces almost no noise and pollution to the environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Inventor: Chuan-Sheng Chen
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Patent number: 7251944Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a vapor-compression evaporation system includes a plurality of vessels in series each containing a feed having a nonvolatile component. A first set of the plurality of vessels includes vapor-compression evaporators and a second set of the plurality of vessels includes multi-effect evaporators. A mechanical compressor is coupled to the last vessel in the series of vapor-compression evaporators and is operable to receive a vapor therefrom. A turbine is coupled to, and operable to drive, the mechanical compressor. A pump is operable to deliver a cooling liquid to the mechanical compressor, and a tank is coupled to the mechanical compressor and is operable to separate liquid and vapor received from the mechanical compressor. A plurality of heat exchangers is coupled inside respective ones of the vessels, wherein the heat exchanger in the first vessel in the first set is operable to receive the vapor from the tank, and at least some of the vapor condenses therein.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignees: The Texas A&M University System, Highland Interests, Inc.Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, Gary P. Noyes
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Patent number: 7251945Abstract: A water production unit is provided that uses a desiccant wheel for extracting water from an air loop. A portion of the air loop is heated using exhaust from, for example, a vehicle to regenerate the desiccant wheel.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Hamilton Sandstrand CorporationInventor: Stephen Tongue
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Patent number: 7251946Abstract: A method for controlling evaporation temperature in an air conditioning system, especially an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle, comprising a latent cold accumulator which can be cooled by an evaporator (1). The evaporation temperature of a coolant is adjusted inside the evaporator (1) according to requirement to a value lying between a minimum temperature (T_min) and a maximum temperature (T_max) lying below the phase transition temperature of the latent medium.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Cathy Bureau, Stefan Morgenstern
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Patent number: 7251947Abstract: A fixed restriction is placed in a suction line leading to a compressor. The size of the restriction is selected to achieve a desired capacity reduction (correction) for the refrigerant system compressor. By selectively restricting the flow of refrigerant through the suction line, the capacity delivered by the compressor will be reduced. This allows a designer of a refrigerant system to utilize an available compressor of a specific size (displacement) to satisfy the desired system operating conditions and performance characteristics as well as application requirements. In embodiments, the refrigerant system may be provided with an economizer and unloader functions. The restriction may be placed in the compressor suction port, or in the suction line leading to the compressor. Further, a pair of parallel flow passages may communicate an evaporator to the compressor, with the restriction being placed in one and a solenoid valve placed in the other.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Carrier CorporationInventors: Alexander Lifson, Michael F. Taras
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Patent number: 7251948Abstract: A pressure equalizer of a compressor of an air conditioner comprises a bypass pipe installed between a refrigerant suction pipe and a refrigerant discharge pipe of a compressor, a valve housing connected to a middle portion of the bypass pipe and provided with a partition having a valve hole therein, and a switching valve elastically installed in the valve housing for selectively opening the valve hole by a pressure difference between the refrigerant suction pipe and the refrigerant discharge pipe.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seung-Youp Hyun, Won-Hee Lee, Jeong-Taek Park, Chan-Ho Song, Yoon-Jei Hwang
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Patent number: 7251949Abstract: A refrigerant system 1D comprises a heat insulating housing 3 provided with an accommodating space inside and a refrigeration unit 9 attached to a lower portion of the heat insulating housing 3, in which a compressor 5, a gas cooler 6, an internal heat exchanger 10, a restriction means 16 and an evaporator 8 accommodated in a heat insulating case 7A are disposed on a unit base 4. The gas cooler 6 and the heat insulating case 7A are disposed so that air heat-exchanged by the gas cooler 6 moves toward the heat insulating case 7A, an air passage T is provided between the unit base 4 and the heat insulating case 7A, the air heat-exchanged by the gas cooler 6 is passed through the air passage T to be discharged outside, and the internal heat exchanger 10 is disposed in such a manner that it is embedded in a heat insulating material layer 7C provided around the heat insulating case 7A to be provided with a heat insulation property.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaji Yamanaka, Shigeya Ishigaki, Kenzo Matsumoto, Haruhisa Yamasaki, Midori Futakawame
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Patent number: 7251950Abstract: There is provided a heating/cooling system capable of reducing power consumption. The heating/cooling system has a receiving room capable of using hot air and cold air in a switching manner, and comprises a refrigerant circuit which comprises a compressor, a gas cooler, a radiator, an expansion valve, an evaporator, and the like, in which carbon dioxide is sealed as a refrigerant, and whose high pressure side becomes supercritical pressure. The inside of the receiving room is heated by the radiator and cooled by the evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenzo Matsumoto, Yoshio Watabe, Shigeya Ishigaki, Hiroshi Nishikawa
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Patent number: 7251951Abstract: A flow diverter comprises a heat sink array in fluid communication with a turbine outlet and an inlet face of a heat exchanger, the heat sink array comprising a plurality of heat sink elements, the heat sink array being separated from the inlet face by a distance, and the heat sink array being positioned between the turbine outlet and the inlet face such that at least a portion of a fluid flowing from the turbine outlet contacts the heat sink array before the portion of the fluid contacts the heat exchanger inlet face.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: James W. McBride, Roger P. Murry, Joseph M. Jensen
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Patent number: 7251952Abstract: The invention provides an improved air chiller unit mounted on an aircraft for sending cooled air to service carts for serving meals. An air chiller unit is equipped with a refrigeration cycle unit disposed on a casing. The refrigeration cycle unit is equipped with a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and so on for a refrigerant, and the cooled air is sent via a blower device 60 to a galley etc. A housing 630 of the blower device 60 has an inlet and two outlets 650, 652 for cooled air. A duct member is inserted to one of the two outlets 650 and 652, and the other outlet is sealed. The casing 10 is formed of a honeycomb panel. Since the honeycomb panel has high flexural rigidity, the base plate can support the refrigeration cycle unit by itself. Further, since the panel has superior heat insulating property, the air cooling efficiency can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Jamco CorporationInventor: Masaji Ozaki
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Patent number: 7251953Abstract: An air conditioner and filtering unit produces a positive or negative pressure to create an isolation space. A common air intake plenum has first and second inlets for admitting return air from the space or outside air which may be from a building main A/C system supply. Sanitized, cleaned and conditioned air is returned to the conditioned space; and condenser air is exhausted outside the conditioned space. The air intake plenum may be common to both the condenser air flow and to the evaporator air flow. A HEPA filter cleans the air suppled to both the condenser and the evaporator. A slide damper or other arrangement selectively opens and closes air flow through the first and second air inlets into the common intake plenum. This permits creation of overpressure, underpressure, or an intermediate pressure in the conditioned space. All air supplied to the room and all air exhausted from the room is cleaned and sanitized. The unit is self-contained and portable.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Air Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Wetzel, Lawrence E. Wetzel