Patents Issued in September 11, 2007
  • Patent number: 7267052
    Abstract: A combination can crushing and retrieving device having a circular or tubular housing containing a plunger and having a rectangular opening in its side wall. The housing has a knife-edged slightly concave indent on the bottom of the housing opposite the rectangular opening, which indent generally conforms to the arch section of the necked down portion of a beverage can. When the concave indent is placed on the lip of a can laying on its side and forced down the can will “snap” upright, through the rectangular opening and into the housing. The can is then retained in the housing around the necked down portion by a foam/rubber lining located at the lower inside end of the housing. Then the weighted plunger is forced down onto the can, crushing the can and expelling any fluids remaining inside the can through the drinking opening. The can may then be ejected from the device by pressing an ejector rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Howard Streng
  • Patent number: 7267053
    Abstract: The invention relates to a delivery device for a sheet-processing machine. The object of the invention is providing a delivery device on a sheet-fed rotary printing machine, that can be universally used and permits quality control of the printed and/or laminated sheets. to this end the delivery device includes rotating sheet feeding system 5 supplying the printed sheets to a first delivery stack 9 and with a drum 7 acting as a turnout point in front of this delivery stack 9 in the transport direction 2 for selective sheet removal. The drum 7 is allocated to the sheet feeding system 5. A vacuum table 14 coupled with a pneumatic system and with at least one rotating suction belt for suctioning, transporting, and positioning a sheet is arranged downstream from the drum in its rotational direction. At least one quality control device 12 for inspecting the sheet is arranged at a distance to the vacuum table 14, with the second delivery system 8 being arranged downstream from the vacuum table 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Beitel, Eckhard Braun, Rolf Martin Lange
  • Patent number: 7267054
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a telescopic multi-color inkpad assembly with easy-demountable-and-assembling inkpad bases. The inkpad base can be freely demounted from and assembled to the base so that it is convenient for the user to grasp the inkpad. Color-staining problem between two neighboring inkpads is prevented and the base can freely extend to open and contract to close causing variant configurations and shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Yi Yao Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun Dien Lien
  • Patent number: 7267055
    Abstract: The present invention involves an ink for transferring a printed image from a membrane to a substrate. The ink comprises a hydrocarbon solvent, a synthetic resin, and a thixotrope for forming a thixotropic network in the ink. The hydrocarbon solvent has a predetermined evaporation rate and the thixotropic network of the ink has a thixotropic network magnitude of between about 3×104 and 6×105 dynes/cm2-sec?1 and a thixotropic network strength of at least about 35.0 gm-cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Exatec, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Keith D. Weiss, Jason Beaudoin
  • Patent number: 7267056
    Abstract: An initiator includes, as constitutive components, a pair of electrodes disposed with an insulator disposed therebetween; a bridge wire connected between the pair of electrodes and adapted to generate heat when energized; an explosive which detonates in response to heat generation of the bridge wire; and a casing that hermetically accommodates the bridge wire and the explosive. The insulator includes a step for enhancing the resistance of the insulator to pressure generated through detonation of the explosive when the insulator receives the thus-generated pressure. The step is formed such that the area of the explosive-side pressure reception surface of the insulator is greater than that of the counter-explosive-side pressure reception surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Isamu Takahara, Junji Muroi
  • Patent number: 7267057
    Abstract: The disclosed jack assembly is used to lift the frame of a railcar above a wheeled truck assembly in order to replace or perform maintenance upon the wheeled truck assembly. The jack assembly comprises a pair of hydraulically-powered lifting mechanisms located at opposing ends of a railcar-engaging member, such that the lifting mechanisms and the railcar-engaging member move as a unit to raise the frame of the railcar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: TTX Company
    Inventors: Jack K. Shah, T. Michael Benson
  • Patent number: 7267058
    Abstract: Wires (electric wires) 29 and 30 of cars are connected to each other through connecting wires mounted to a truck frame of an articulated truck. The connecting wires are inserted into a flexible protecting pipe member and an intermediate portion thereof is mounted within a concave portion formed on an upper portion of a side frame of the truck frame. And, an upper opening of the concave portion is closed by a cover plate. Connectors 22 and 23 are provided at front and rear end portions of the connecting wire for electric connection with cars. The connectors 22 and 23 are removably connected to connectors 26 and 27 of the wires 29 and 30 of the cars, which are mounted by mounting brackets 24 and 25 under the car bodies 2A and 3A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Ohashi, Naohiro Hiraoka, Keisuke Takahashi, Yoichi Kishi
  • Patent number: 7267059
    Abstract: An auto rack rail road freight car is provided for carrying low density, relatively high value, relatively fragile lading. The car has trucks that have multiple dampers in a four corner arrangement in the sideframes. The dampers may include damper wedges having primary and secondary wedge angles. The spring groups in the side frames are relatively soft, giving a low vertical bounce natural frequency. In an articulated embodiment, differentially placed ballast is mounted in a biased arrangement to load the coupler end trucks to encourage a dynamic response similar to the dynamic response of the internal trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Patent number: 7267060
    Abstract: A heavy-duty cargo bin unit configured for rugged use in hostile environments, such as in the oil drilling and production industry. The cargo bin unit is of a generally rectilinear construction, and preferably fabricated of heavy gauge steel. Supports or skids are positioned to allow for the nested stacking of one cargo bin atop the other, such that the lower portion support members would fit snugly within the interior walls of the cargo bin upon which it is placed. The size and configuration of the basket may vary depending upon the application, and the unit may be configured to receive templates for the customized storage of particular items such as drilling tools, bits, etc. A second embodiment of the present invention contemplates a cargo bin dumping system wherein there is provided a cargo bin as disclosed in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with a stinger specifically designed to work with the present system also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Moser, Charles H. Rood
  • Patent number: 7267061
    Abstract: The inductor assembly of the present invention is configured with an agricultural implement to enhance conveyance of product from a storage hopper to a remote location. The inductor assembly includes an inductor chamber that defines an interior cavity configured to receive the supply of product from the storage hopper, an inlet tube configured to direct the stream of pressurized air so as to generate a combined stream of pressurized air and product, and an outlet tube configured to pass the combined stream of pressurized air and product from the inductor chamber to a distribution system application of the product in an agricultural environment. The improved inductor assembly can further include a selectively extendable outlet tube assembly, a trajectory control assembly coupled to the inlet tube, and an adjustable cover assembly configured to regulate agitation of the product and to purge deposits downstream of the inductor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: CNH Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dean J Mayerle
  • Patent number: 7267062
    Abstract: An adjustable pile height mechanism for producing a tufted floor covering comprising an adjustable bed plate, a cam shaft, and a plurality of eccentric cams mounted on the cam shaft so as to contact the bed plate. The cam shaft is adapted to be rotated so as to rotate the cams, and the rotational movement of the cams raises and lowers the bed plate so as to adjust the pile height of the floor covering. A method for adjusting the pile height of a floor covering further comprises the steps of loosening the presser foot bracket bolt, raising the presser foot assembly, tightening the presser foot bracket bolt, disengaging the clamp assembly, rotating the cam shaft so as to adjust the bed plate to the desired pile height, engaging the clamp assembly, loosening the presser foot bracket bolt, lowering the presser foot assembly, and tightening the presser foot bracket bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: CYP Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Samilo
  • Patent number: 7267063
    Abstract: An embroidery presser for an embroidery machine includes a presser bar having a lower end, an operation lever operated so that the presser bar is vertically moved, a needle bar movable vertically, a holder attached to the lower end of the presser bar, a presser foot supported by the holder so as to be vertically movable and having a lower end with a cloth pressing portion intermittently pressing workpiece cloth by a vertical movement of the needle bar, a biasing member normally biasing the presser foot relative to the holder elastically downward, and a presser lifting mechanism abutting the sewing machine frame when the presser bar is lifted by operation of the operation lever, thereby lifting the presser foot relative to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Fukao
  • Patent number: 7267064
    Abstract: A safety system of a harness, in particular of the trapezoidal type, is suitable for use on watercraft such as a yacht or windsurfer. A basic element (10) is coupled to the harness. A hook (15), suitable for being hooked by a cable, is coupled to the basic element (10). The basic element (10) has a first piece (31) connected to the harness and a second piece (30, 15) that can be disconnected from said first piece (31). The first piece (31) is coupled to the second piece (30, 15) by a coupling (32) that can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Politecnico di Milano
    Inventors: Giuseppe Perale, Alessandro Tedesco
  • Patent number: 7267065
    Abstract: A lateen rigged sailing vessel having a mast; a luffspar; a boom; a pair of lateral struts; and a lateen sail, has a lower end of the mast mounted forward on the vessel and positioned on the vessel's longitudinal center line in a canted fashion raked aft. The boom is rotationally supported in a lower journal fixedly engaged medially on the vessel at the center line. The luffspar is joined pivotally with a forward end of the boom and, when rigged for sailing is positioned below and in parallel with the mast. The luffspar is rotationally supported in an upper journal wherein the upper journal, upper end of the mast, and upper ends of the pair of lateral struts are all engaged in a common fixture held in place by the mast and the lateral struts. The upper and lower journals are arranged on a common journal center line. The lower ends of the lateral struts are engaged with the vessel at the port and starboard gunnels. The sail is engaged along a luff edge with the luffspar and along a toe edge with the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Robert J. Short
  • Patent number: 7267066
    Abstract: The pontoon boat lift system comprises a plurality of lifts. Each lift is comprised of a channel that mounts to deck support members of the boat. One end of a leg is pivotally mounted to one end of the channel. A screw supported in the channel is turned by a connection to an electric motor. A threaded follower on the screw travels along the screw when it is rotated by the motor. A fulcrum arm connects between the threaded follower and the leg to transmit a longitudinal movement of the follower into a pivotal movement of the leg. The leg is thus moveable between a raised and a lowered position. A base pad connected to the opposite end of the leg comprises a plurality of spaced support surfaces that contact the bottom of a body of water. The base pad supports the leg on the bottom of the body of water and easily separates from the bottom when the leg is moved to the raised position. The operation of the lifts is coordinated to raise the pontoon boat above the surface of the water at desired shoreline locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Derner Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J Derner
  • Patent number: 7267067
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing surface friction drag on the hull of a surface vessel by entraining air into water flowing in the boundary layer flow along the hull. The apparatus creates a reduced pressure region by diverting a first portion of the flow away from the surface of the hull. An air pocket is formed in the reduced pressure region and a second portion of the flow is directed through the air pocket by nozzles, which acts as a plunging jet and entrains air into the boundary layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: North Shore Partners
    Inventors: Donald P. Stubblefield, Jerry D. Stubblefield
  • Patent number: 7267068
    Abstract: A marine vessel is maneuvered by independently rotating first and second marine propulsion devices about their respective steering axes in response to commands received from a manually operable control device, such as a joystick. The marine propulsion devices are aligned with their thrust vectors intersecting at a point on a centerline of the marine vessel and, when no rotational movement is commanded, at the center of gravity of the marine vessel. Internal combustion engines are provided to drive the marine propulsion devices. The steering axes of the two marine propulsion devices are generally vertical and parallel to each other. The two steering axes extend through a bottom surface of the hull of the marine vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Bradley, Jeffery M. Konopacki, Carter J. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 7267069
    Abstract: A load variation amount can be derived from an output of a load sensor for detecting an external force acting on a watercraft. A computation can be performed whether or not the load variation amount is larger than a reference value calculated based on the load sensor output, a running state, and a navigation velocity. The width and the magnitude of a pulse are determined based on the load sensor output, the running state, and the navigation velocity, and the pulse is applied to a steering as reaction torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Makoto Mizutani
  • Patent number: 7267070
    Abstract: A device for controlling steering of a towed underwater object, in particular a towed linear acoustic antenna. The device comprises a body having a longitudinal axis, the body being provided with a fastener for fastening it releasably to the towed object, and a plurality of stabilizer fins, each of which is coupled to the body and extends along an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said body, the angular position of each fin relative to the body being pivotable about its transverse axis by control, so as to modify the angles of inclination of said fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Cybernetix
    Inventors: Yann Le Page, Frederic Schom
  • Patent number: 7267071
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods useful for helping to center watercraft—such as personal watercraft, ski boats, fishing boats, luxury boats, and the like—as they are docked (such as on trailers or watercraft-lifting systems), especially in rough waters and/or strong crosswinds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Curtis W. Brown
  • Patent number: 7267072
    Abstract: Submarines with air-charged cargo holds are provided. The pressurize hull of a traditional submarine's cargo hold is replaced by non-pressurized hull, which lowers costs for transporting dry cargo and solves strength and seal problems raised when providing large openings for hatches. The dive depth of the air-charged cargo submarines is not large, so the pressure and volume of the charged air in the cargo hold are limited. This allows problems associated with ensuring the safety of the crew and properly operating the submarine to be easily solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Mao Zhang
  • Patent number: 7267073
    Abstract: The present invention provides a first axial support that allows of the weathervane to rotate and a second axial support that prevents the weathervane from becoming dislodged from the first axial support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Ryan Eric Minth
  • Patent number: 7267074
    Abstract: A bi-fold dinghy, which is foldable from front to back, is being claimed in this application. It will be easily stowed and transported on the back of a sailboat or other vessel like the traditional dinghy. It will allow individuals to get to and from the boat and ashore while also economizing space but having all the safety features of a dinghy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Kenneth Hicks
  • Patent number: 7267075
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Norse Dairy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David McKay
  • Patent number: 7267076
    Abstract: An ant sculpture is formed by removing a block of nutritious gel having with a network of ant tunnels from a formicarium container; placing the block in an p.v.c bag that serves as a release liner; and stuffing the bag containing the gel block back into the container. The tunnel network is then filled with a transparent epoxy resin which is permitted to harden in the tunnel network; the bag containing the gel body with set epoxy removed from the container and, the gel is then separated so that the hardened epoxy forms an ant sculpture replicating the network of ant tunnels. The epoxy resin is Bisphenol A epoxy resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: William G. Hones
  • Patent number: 7267077
    Abstract: An improved animal house with a bed. The bed is an elevated bed that is mounted in the animal house to define a space between the floor of the animal house and the bed. The animal house has an upper portion and a base portion that are connectable to one another and the bed is preferably mounted in the base portion of the animal house. The bed has a support frame which includes a plurality of support frame members connected to one another and a flexible sheet of material supported by the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Blitz/U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Brassfield
  • Patent number: 7267078
    Abstract: A major appliance or cabinet unit integrates an automatically refillable water bowl including a liquid level sensor and an electrical or mechanical valve in fluid communication with a source or water. In the preferred embodiment the appliance is a refrigerator freezer with plumbing to an ice maker or other accessory to which the bowl can interconnect, though the invention is equally applicable to other appliances such as non-combined refrigerators and freezers, stoves, ranges, dishwashers, trash compactors, and cabinet units. Various optional accessories are disclosed, including a fan for drying water spilled from the bowl. The fan may be used for another purpose in the appliance, as in a condensing unit, or may be provided separately. A sensor may be included to disable the fan in the presence of a pet. The appliance preferably includes a cavity into which the bowl is situated, along with an optional light for illuminating the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventors: Anthony Palett, Justin Palett
  • Patent number: 7267079
    Abstract: A portable multi-purpose cattle care apparatus for providing an easily transportable cattle care station. The portable multi-purpose cattle care apparatus includes a frame assembly having an integrated tank for holding a treatment composition. The tank is coupled to a livestock oiler device in use to provide a distribution apparatus for the treatment composition. The tank is preferably sloped from one side to the other to facilitate gravity flow of the treatment composition. The frame assembly may also be used to support additional livestock care implements such as salt, mineral, and livestock dusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Briann W. Larson
  • Patent number: 7267080
    Abstract: A child support harness for assisting children with walking, the harness having a belt adapted to circumscribe the child's midsection, the belt having a front position generally at the child's chest, a back portion generally at the child's back, a left side portion generally adjacent to the child's left hip, and a right side portion generally adjacent to the child's right hip. The harness also comprises a left support arm extending from the left side portion of the belt and a right support arm extending from the right side portion of the belt. The left and right support arms may be held by a supervisor to assist the child with walking. The support arms may also be utilized to steer the child in a supervisor-dictated direction. The support arms may extend from the belt at an angle other than zero degrees from a plane through the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Branz, Inc.
    Inventors: Renata Gallo, Robert Gallo
  • Patent number: 7267081
    Abstract: A housing (10) for a pet accessory, and an associated collar mounting system for mounting the housing (10) on a pet collar (12). The housing (10) includes a casing (14) for housing at least certain components of the pet accessory. Further, the housing (10) defines at least first and second selectively spaced channels (22, 24) for receiving the pet collar (12) and releasably securing the housing (10) on the pet collar (12). The housing (10) also includes at least one protrusion (26) disposed between the selectively spaced channels (22, 24) and which extends outwardly from the casing (14) for engagement with the pet collar (12) to inhibit movement of the housing (10) along the length of the collar (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt J. Steinbacher
  • Patent number: 7267082
    Abstract: An electronic animal collar designed to reduce the load applied to the animal=s neck by one or more stimulating electrodes or sensors that extend from or through an inside surface of the collar housing into the skin of the animal during use, and to permit the collar to be securely fastened to the neck of the animal without risk of causing discomfort or damage to the skin of the animal due to pressure from the stimulating electrodes. The inside surface of the collar housing has one or more high point surfaces that are raised to extend the inside surface above the base of the stimulating electrodes or sensors toward the animal during use so as to increase contact between the inside surface and the animal=s skin and to thereby relieve and distribute the load caused by collar tension around the animal=s neck over a larger contact friction area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Tom Lalor
  • Patent number: 7267083
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising a pair of tube bundles (21, 31) through which the fluid to be heated flows, one primary bundle (21) surrounding a cylindrical burner (40) and the other secondary bundle (31) on which the water steam contained in the combustion gas exhausting from the primary bundle is condensed, whereby the tubes forming the bundles have a flattened section and a helicoidal shape, such that the combustion gas flow between the coils, from the inside to the outside for the primary bundle (21) and in the reverse order for the secondary bundle (31), both bundles being arranged inside a same shell (1). Said heat exchanger is characterised in that the axial dimension (l2) of the secondary bundle is substantially smaller than the axial dimension (I1) of the primary bundle, such that an available space for an exhaust trunking (7) is provided at the end of said secondary bundle (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph Le Mer, Rocco Giannoni
  • Patent number: 7267084
    Abstract: In a cooling and heating device for an internal combustion engine having a main coolant pump supplying coolant to the engine and a coolant return line with a return flow control unit which directs the coolant return flow to the main coolant pump selectively via a large cooling circuit, in which an air/fluid cooler is arranged, or via a small cooling circuit bypassing the air/fluid cooler, an oil/coolant heat exchanger is provided for heating or cooling a flow of oil, the flow of coolant through the oil/coolant heat exchanger being controlled by means of a coolant flow control unit directing the flow through the oil/coolant heat exchanger only after a predefined coolant temperature has been reached so that, below this temperature, no heat is extracted from the coolant by the oil/coolant heat exchanger and rapid heating of the internal combustion engine is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Roland Lütze, Heiko Sass
  • Patent number: 7267085
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of cooling an engine for an automobile. The method operates using a predictive, feed-forward element combined with a fuzzy logic feedback controller to achieve accurate control over engine temperature. The fuzzy logic feedback is only utilized in the event that the predictive control results in a cylinder head temperature outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Joyce, Iain William Gouldson, Chris Bush, Noel Henderson, Christian Brace
  • Patent number: 7267086
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes a temperature control fluid for controlling the temperature of at least a portion of a vehicle system. A pump is configured to pump the temperature control fluid through a heat exchanger to facilitate the transfer of heat between the temperature control fluid and ambient air. A fan is operable to move the ambient air across the heat exchanger to facilitate increased heat transfer. A control system is used to control operation of the pump and the fan. The control system is provided with operation data that includes optimized operating speeds for the pump and the fan to minimize power consumption, while maximizing heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: EMP Advanced Development, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Allen, Mark S. Bader, Michael W. Martin, Robert D. Chalgren, Michael P. Lasecki, Thomas J. Hollis
  • Patent number: 7267087
    Abstract: A method for selecting compression ratio of a variable compression ratio internal combustion engine when such engine is operating under an idle condition is disclosed. The compression ratio is selected to avoid engine knock, an undesirable phenomenon which is more likely at higher temperatures, higher compression ratios, lower engine speeds, and higher engine torques. The selected compression ratio is based on one or more of engine torque required to drive engine accessories, engine coolant temperature, engine air temperature, and transmission status (neutral idle or drive idle). A normalized airflow parameter is computed or found in a lookup table based on engine coolant temperature and engine air temperature. When actual normalized airflow (that which provides necessary engine torque to drive engine accessories and overcome engine friction) exceeds normalized airflow parameter exceeds, a higher compression ratio is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Glugla
  • Patent number: 7267088
    Abstract: A valve-driving system which is applied to an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders for driving an intake or exhaust valve provided in each cylinder, including a plurality of valve-driving apparatuses provided for driving valves of different cylinders of the internal combustion engine, wherein each valve-driving apparatus includes an electrical motor as a driving source for generating rotation motion; and a power transmission mechanism for converting the rotation motion of the electric motor into opening and closing motion of the valve to be driven and for transmitting the opening and closing motion to the valve through a cam or a link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Toshiaki Asada, Kimitoshi Tsuji, Yasushi Kusaka, Kenji Kataoka
  • Patent number: 7267089
    Abstract: A manually guided implement comprising an engine housing that at least partially surrounds a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The engine housing has a wall provided with an opening for a spark plug that is disposed in the cylinder. A spark plug connector arrangement is placed over the outside of the spark plug and extends through the spark plug opening. Externally of the wall of the engine housing the spark plug connector arrangement is provided with a mechanism for insertion or application of a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Antonio Fattorusso
  • Patent number: 7267090
    Abstract: A method of performing a first start of an internal combustion engine of a hybrid electro-mechanical vehicle includes activating an auxiliary power module prior to the engine starting to direct power stored in a high voltage battery (used for powering the motor/generator(s) on the hybrid vehicle) through the auxiliary power module at a voltage level of a low voltage battery to assist the low voltage battery in powering a starter motor for starting the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, William L. Aldrich, III
  • Patent number: 7267091
    Abstract: An energy storing recoil starter includes a buffering component to reduce a pull effort when starting an engine. The energy storing recoil starter includes a starter housing coupled to an engine shaft of the engine and a starter pulley. A clutch assembly is coupled between the starter housing and the starter pulley to effect rotation of an engine shaft. The buffering component is coupled between the starter housing and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Husqvarna Outdoor Products Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Arnold, Yu Li, Cheryl Cline, legal representative, Jeffery Lyle Osterchill, Otto Karl Allmendinger, Robert T. Cline, deceased
  • Patent number: 7267092
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a crankshaft provided with a first bearing and a second bearing. The apparatus further includes a first bearing seal positioned adjacent the first bearing and a second bearing seal positioned adjacent the second bearing. The apparatus further includes a preformed one-piece seal including a first endless loop, a second endless loop and a first intermediate seal portion connected between the first and second endless loops. The first endless loop engages a peripheral surface of the first bearing seal while the second endless loop engages a peripheral surface of the second bearing seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Husqvarna Outdoor Products Inc.
    Inventor: Otto Karl Allmendinger
  • Patent number: 7267093
    Abstract: In a crankcase for an internal combustion engine, including a lubricant chamber for the collection of lubricant, and a bottom plate for providing dry sump lubrication closing the crankcase and being sealingly joined to the bottom end of the crankcase, wherein the crankcase includes auxiliary equipment comprising pumps for pumping lubricant into the lubricant chamber and from the lubricant chamber to various lubrication points, the bottom plate has a width exceeding the width of the crankcase so that it forms a section which is disposed outside the crankcase and auxiliary equipment is disposed on this section outside the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Huster, Dagmar Neu
  • Patent number: 7267094
    Abstract: A lubrication system of a vehicle engine wherein a cylinder head has a head side oil passage disposed at one end thereof along the axis of a crankshaft. A lower case of a crankcase is provided with a supply source side oil passage communicating with an oil supply source and extending parallel to the axis of the crankshaft and a branched oil passage guiding oil to the head side oil passage which branches from the supply source side oil passage and extends upwardly. An upper case side oil passage extending vertically to communicate with a head side oil passage is provided at one end of an upper case along the axis of the crankshaft. A communication passage communicating the upper end of a branched oil passage is provided in a lower case in a position inwardly from the upper case side oil passage along the axis of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Tawarada, Eiko Shiozaki, Isamu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7267095
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine in a power unit includes an oil pump that rotates by a transmission mechanism with an endless chain, and a crankcase with an opening formed by protruding walls of side walls of the crankcase in an axial direction. A drive sprocket is fitted to a main shaft of a gear transmission and a driven sprocket is fitted to a shaft end of a drive shaft of an oil pump. When viewed sideways, the protruding walls and mating faces have overlapping parts that partially overlap the driven sprocket. On the other hand, all the shaft end and the remainder of the driven sprocket are exposed inside the opening when the cover is removed. The resulting configuration improves the working efficiency in fitting an oil pump into the crankcase without reducing the rigidity of the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isamu Takahashi, Yuichi Tawarada
  • Patent number: 7267096
    Abstract: A fuel injection device for an internal combustion engine has a housing that contains a recess, which in turn contains two valve elements that are disposed coaxial to each other and each cooperating with a corresponding valve seat and are each associated with corresponding fuel outlet openings. In order for the fuel injection device to be as compact as possible, a shared valve device provided, which has at least three switched positions and influences the position of the valve elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Boecking
  • Patent number: 7267097
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine provided with a common rail (13) and fuel injectors (3) connected to the common rail (13). When pilot injection is performed, the injection pressure pulsates. At this time, the injection amount of the main injection fluctuates by a certain fluctuation pattern. If indicating on an abscissa a time interval from when pilot injection is started to when main injection is started and indicating on the ordinate a fluctuation amount of main injection, the fluctuation pattern of the injection amount of the main injection becomes a form contracted or expanded in the abscissa direction and ordinate direction in accordance with the rail pressure. This characteristic is utilized to find the fluctuation amount of the injection amount of the main injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuneo Tsutsui, Takafumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7267098
    Abstract: A device for generating a vortex of the airflow passing through an air intake passage of an engine. The device comprises a cylindrical skirt, a plurality of holes in the cylindrical skirt and a plurality of vanes projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the cylindrical skirt. Each of the holes is defined by at least bottom, top, first and second side edges. Each of the vanes comprise a first planar section projecting at an angle from the first edge of the hole and a second planar section projecting at an angle from the first planar section. The device can be installed inside any cylindrical air intake passage. The orientation of the first and second planar sections of the vanes helps in converting the random airflow into a regular swirling motion, which increases the oxidation of fuel and improves the efficiency and fuel economy of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Inventor: Addy Tasanont
  • Patent number: 7267099
    Abstract: A multicylinder engine intake system includes: first and second throttle bodies; bypasses provided in the first and second throttle bodies and having downstream ends opened to intake paths on downstream sides of throttle valves; and a common bypass control valve which opens and closes the bypasses. The bypass control valve is mounted on the first throttle body. Downstream ends of the bypasses opened in the first and second throttle bodies are formed as throttle holes. The diameter of the throttle hole on the side of the first throttle body is smaller than the diameter of the throttle hole on the second throttle body. Thus, it is possible to equalize amounts of first idling air supplied to a plurality of cylinders irrespective of arrangement of the cylinders in an engine even if lengths of a plurality of bypass downstream paths are not equal to each other, while the bypass control valve is mounted on any of the throttle bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Takahashi, Masaaki Mitobe, Michio Oonuma, Seiji Wakamori
  • Patent number: 7267100
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine controller, is used with a fuel-based torque-on-demand control type, multi-cylinder, direct-injection internal combustion engine, to provide an air flow rate control that excels in response and convergence. The internal combustion engine controller includes a section for computing a target throttle opening from operating conditions, which in turn includes a first computing section for determining a target throttle opening by feedback control in accordance with operating conditions including an intake air flow rate; a second computing section for determining a target throttle opening by feed-forward control in accordance with operating conditions; and a third computing means for determining a target throttle opening based on the target throttle opening value determined by the first computing means and the second computing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nakagawa, Minoru Oosuga, Masami Nagano, Mamoru Nemoto, Toshio Hori
  • Patent number: 7267101
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control unit includes an air bypass channel having a removable obstruction that opens in response to receiving an electronic throttle control fault signal and thereby allowing the vehicle a limp home condition. The throttle plate defaults to a fully closed position upon engine-off to substantially prevent evaporation and escape of hydrocarbons from the intake manifold to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Garrick, Keith C. Guthrie