Patents Issued in November 20, 2007
  • Patent number: 7296523
    Abstract: Components can be received within regions of limited access present in an equipment-supporting rack using an installation table including a pair of mounting plates which are pivotally connected to each other at a corner of the respective mounting plates. One mounting plate includes a bracket for fixed connection to the rack, and the other mounting plate includes a surface for receiving a desired component. Rotation of the mounting plate receiving the component relative to the mounting plate fixed to the rack permits the component to be conveniently accessed when servicing is desired, and returned to the region of limited access during normal system operations. A channel is preferably provided to guide and limit movement of the mounting plate which receives the component, and a locking mechanism is preferably provided for securing the mounting plate and the component it receives in desired position during normal system operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventor: Seungyun Yoon
  • Patent number: 7296524
    Abstract: A tufting machine for producing pile fabric having a pile height of approximately at least 50 mm has divider plates between adjacent needles to prevent yarn loops and especially the legs of cut loops from becoming trapped between an adjacent needle and its associated yarn feed. The divider plates may take the form of plates forming an extension of the fingers of the needle plate between each pair of which a needle reciprocates and may be mounted on a block on the bed plate beneath the needle plate, or may be plates upstanding from the hook bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Spencer Wright Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Beverly
  • Patent number: 7296525
    Abstract: A sewn product is protected from being stained by melted leavings of a work material by cooling a needle moving at a high speed, and thus the quality of the product may be enhanced when the work material is sewed by a presser foot of the present invention, and a sewing machine using the same, wherein the presser foot is provided with a fluid line for injecting a fluid toward the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Yupoong, Inc.
    Inventor: Byoung-Woo Cho
  • Patent number: 7296526
    Abstract: A marine air cushion vehicle provides a hull having a hull periphery, an inflatable bag connected to the hull at the hull periphery, an inflatable skirt connected to the bag, and a pair of inflatable lateral stability seals, each extending generally perpendicular to the hull central longitudinal axis and to port and starboard positions. A plurality of inflatable open cones are attached to the inflatable bag, the open cones being positioned in between the lateral stability seals in a fore to aft direction. The skirt includes in part the inflatable open cones. In another embodiment, the open cones can be alternatively placed in between the lateral stability seals or in front of the lateral stability seals, in between a lateral stability seal and the hull bow. In another alternative embodiment, inflatable open cones can be positioned in between a lateral stability seal and the hull stern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: W. Keith Dubose
  • Patent number: 7296527
    Abstract: There is disclosed, apparatus for securing a mooring line (5) of a vessel, the mooring line having an eye (6), said apparatus comprising a hook (10) around which the eye (6) of the mooring line (5) can be secured, the hook (10) having a pair of hook members (11a, 11b) defining a gap therebetween, and guide means (15, 17, 9) configured to guide a heaving line attached to said eye along a path which passes through said gap whereby when said heaving line heaves the eye past the hook, the eye locates over the hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Harbour & Marine Engineering Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Toth
  • Patent number: 7296528
    Abstract: A platform for providing an interface between a host vessel and ship-to-shore craft has a water buoyant surface that is transportable on the host vessel, an angled deck within the surface, an inner and outer ramp, and an inner and outer deck of different deck heights within the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Christopher J. Doyle, Robert W. James
  • Patent number: 7296529
    Abstract: A Fluidynamic Lift Combined Array, Technology for flying, and/or land, and/or other motor vehicles comprises: a. an aerodynamic structure of chord-telescopic smooth-united multisegment lifting wings; and/or b. a set of hydrodynamic circuits including closed loop waved tunnels each with placed inside pump impelling operative liquid and having curved elbows with lifting winglets; and c. a method of generating high lift forces in combined fluidynamic, self-boosting, accumulative, and energy integrating and conservative technology. This proposal can provide: Short, safe, convenient for people, and appropriate for planes takeoffs and landings at speeds about 20 miles per hour. Sure overcoming any difficulties connected with heavy load for land and other vehicles. High general efficiency and profound reliability in upkeeping and thrifty technology with substantial energy conservation by additional lift generated in any tense situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Bereli M. Lazar
  • Patent number: 7296530
    Abstract: An unmanned system performs inspection, identification and/or neutralization of underwater objects. An unmanned vehicle that operates at a water's surface stows underwater crawling and/or swimming vehicles that can operate underneath a water's surface. A winch associated with each robotic vehicle is mounted on the unmanned vehicle. An electro-mechanical tether electrically and mechanically couples a corresponding robotic vehicle to the unmanned vehicle, and is mechanically coupled to a corresponding winch for control of the paying out and reeling in thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Charles Bernstein, John Dudinsky, Paul Moser, Daniel Kucik, Doug Freeman, David Jennings
  • Patent number: 7296531
    Abstract: A breading machine has first and second combination battering/breading units positioned in close proximity to each other. Certain features of the invention have utility with machines having only a single battering/breading unit. Each of the combination units has a battering unit for applying a fluent batter to a food product. The battering unit includes a batter reservoir and a battering unit conveyor system for delivering food products from said batter reservoir to a battering unit conveyor discharge section that propels the food product from the battering unit. The combination units also include a breading unit for receiving food product from an associated battering unit. The breading unit includes a breading reservoir and breading unit conveyor system for applying particulate breading to the food product at a breading station by moving breading material from the breading material reservoir and food product coated with the batter to the breading station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Muniga, Jeffrey A. Whited, Lane Bettcher
  • Patent number: 7296532
    Abstract: A method and reactant gas bypass system for carrying out a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process with improved gas flow stability to avoid unionized reactant precursors and thickness non-uniformities the method including providing a semiconductor process wafer having a process surface within a plasma reactor chamber for carrying out at least one plasma process; supplying at least one reactant gas flow at a selected flow rate to bypass the plasma reactor chamber for a period of time to achieve a pre-determined flow rate stability; and, redirecting the at least one reactant gas flow into the plasma reactor chamber to carry out the at least one plasma process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Lung Cheng, Mo-Chen Liao, Eric Tsai, Sze-Au Wu, Ying-Lung Wang
  • Patent number: 7296533
    Abstract: A plasma device includes a first conductive plate (31) in which a plurality of slots (36) are formed, a second conductive plate (32) having a microwave inlet (35) and disposed opposite to the first conductive plate (31), a ring member (34) for connecting peripheral edges of the first and second conductive plates (31, 32), and a conductive adjusting member (37) provided on said second conductive plate (32) within a radial waveguide (33) formed by the first and second conductive plates (31, 32) and serving to adjust a distance (d1, d2) up to the first conductive plate (31). With this arrangement, a desired electric field radiation distribution can be obtained without inducing abnormal discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Nobuo Ishii, Kibatsu Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7296534
    Abstract: The present invention uses hybrid ball-lock devices as an alternate for threaded fasteners. Parts of the fastener exposed directly to the plasma act as a shield for the remaining pieces of the fastener or are used as a material to actually enhance plasma characteristics. The present invention also provides consistent electrical and mechanical contact between parts, without the use of any tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Steven T. Fink
  • Patent number: 7296535
    Abstract: A method of automatically milking animals, such as cows, which are allowed to move freely in an area (1) intended therefore and to visit individually a milking parlor (9) comprising a fully automatic milking machine or milking robot (14) and an animal identification system (20), comprises the steps of dynamically assigning a milking qualification parameter to each of the animals that are allowed to move freely in said area, the respective milking qualification parameter indicating the degree of suitability that the respective animal, to which the milking qualification parameter is assigned, shall be milked; dynamically ranking the animals in accordance with their respective milking qualification parameters; and milking an animal during a visit to the milking parlor only if said animal is identified as belonging to the X highest ranked animals, i.e. the X animals that are best suited to be milked from a milk production optimization viewpoint, X being a positive integer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Delaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Benny Örnerfors
  • Patent number: 7296536
    Abstract: A milking parlor (10) comprises a row of stalls (14) accessible to milk producing animals (12) from a front end (14a) thereof, and adapted for milking the animals; and an identification station (20) arranged in the front end for identifying the animals when entering the parlor. A method of verifying the identities of the animals in the row comprises: (i) identifying the animals in the stall located at the far end (14b) of the row, in the stall located at the front end (14a) of the row, and in a stall located there in between by first, second and third identification members (24, 26, 28); (ii) comparing the identifications of the first, second, and third identification members (24, 26, 28) with the first, last and n'th identifications from the identification station (20), where the stall located between the far and front ends is the n'th stall as counted from the far end (14b); and (iii) depending on the comparison verifying the identities of at least some of the animals (12) in the row (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: DeLaval Holding AB
    Inventor: Anders Umegárd
  • Patent number: 7296537
    Abstract: A method and system for creating a customized animal feed is disclosed. The method and system include having ingredient data from more than one location, animal data, evaluation data, and optimization weighting data. The specifications for a customized feed are generated using ingredient data representative of the mix of ingredients available at one or more locations. A customized feed is generated which is designed to fulfill the nutritional requirements for the animal's diet. The nutritional requirements are derived from the animal data. Furthermore, the feed is optimized based upon the profile data, the feed data, the evaluation data, and the optimization weighting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: CAN Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve R. Burghardi, Brian J. Knudson, Loren Peterson, David A. Cook, Mark A. Oedekoven
  • Patent number: 7296538
    Abstract: A deer feeder for holding a food container such as a jar of peanut butter. The deer feeder includes a support structure that extends upwardly from the ground and a food container holder, in the form of a sleeve, mounted to an upper portion of the support. The food container holder includes a pair of stops with at least one of the stops being movable between first and second positions. When the food container is opened and placed within the food container holder, the stops engage the food container and prevent the food container from falling from the food container holder or from being pushed from the food container holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Walter G. Pridgen
  • Patent number: 7296539
    Abstract: A spill resistant pet food and water dish is provided which incorporates features to prevent contents from spilling over the side of the dish when the dish is jarred or bumped during transport or while in use in feeding, the pet food and water dish being adaptable to a variety of sizes of animals, the dish incorporating a means of securely fastening the dish to the side of the pet carrier or crate, the dish providing one or more cavities within the base of the dish to receive ice packs or ice to chill the contents of the dish. The spill resistant pet dish may be used independently of a cage and placed on the floor or ground for pet feeding, particularly in a moving vehicle or boat, wherein the spill resistant features of the disclosed pet dish are advantageous to minimize or eliminate spillage of food or water from the dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Sandra Eloise Iljas
  • Patent number: 7296540
    Abstract: Described is an insulated probe device of adjustable axial length for delivering an electroshock stimulus to an animal. The insulated probe device includes an electrode that is positioned in contact with the animal's skin and is disposed within an electrically non-conductive housing. The housing is a two-part housing, where the two parts cooperate such that the ultimate length of the housing is adjustable. The insulated probe devise includes a mounting device that electrically and mechanically secures the insulated probe device to an electronic animal training device. The mounting device is electrically connected to the electrode by way of a conductor, which is disposed within the housing. The conductor is a metal-rubber substance that conducts electricity like a metal and stretches like rubber such that it is capable of various lengths. Consequently, the ultimate length of the insulated probe device is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Randal D. Boyd
  • Patent number: 7296541
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an animal safety collar and methods of operation. One embodiment of the present invention relates to an animal safety collar including a strip of flexible material, an extendable material, a first coupling device, and a second coupling device. The extendable material is coupled to either end of the strip of flexible material so as to form a loop. The loop's circumference may be temporarily increased by expanding the extendable material, causing the ends of the flexible material to move away from one another. This capability allows the collar to expand so the animal can slide out of the collar when it is inadvertently coupled to a fixed object in an unsupervised scenario. The first and second coupling devices are fixably coupled to the ends of the strip of flexible material, respectively. Therefore, when the extendable material is expanded, the first and second coupling device move away from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Fredland, Noelle Fredland, Christopher Hillyer, Bill Reimann
  • Patent number: 7296542
    Abstract: A device for introducing hot gas into a heating surface tube of a waste heat boiler having an outer tube connected to the boiler wall, in particular to the tube plate, has an inner or inlet tube that is connected to the outer tube by a rounded reversing cap to form an inlet port for the hot gas. The inner tube is surrounded by the outer tube at a distance and has an inflow section and an outflow section connected to the heating surface tube. The device further has a coolant transport tube, between the outer tube and the inner tube, that extends to the vicinity of the reversing cap. The inflow section and at least part of the outflow section of the inlet tube are conical in design, where the taper is less than 2° and the cross-section of the conical region of the inlet tube becomes smaller as it approaches the outflow section. The length of the conical region is at least four times the inner diameter of the inlet tube, and the conical region of the inlet tube is designed with at least two different tapers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: ALSTOM Power Energy Recovery GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Schötz
  • Patent number: 7296543
    Abstract: An engine coolant pump drive system for a vehicle having an engine, an engine coolant system, and at least one sensor for sensing at least one operational condition of the vehicle is disclosed. The pump drive system includes a magnetorheological fluid (MRF) clutch, and a coolant pump. The MRF clutch includes a torque input section coupled to a torque output section via a MRF, the torque input section being configured to receive a torque input from the engine. The coolant pump is configured for operable communication with the torque output section of the MRF clutch. In response to a signal from the at least one sensor, the MRF clutch is configured to provide a continuously variable torque transfer from the torque input section to the torque output section, thereby providing for variable coolant flow in the engine coolant system via the coolant pump capable of a continuously variable speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, David S. Rule, Balarama V. Murty
  • Patent number: 7296544
    Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine (110) having at least one cylinder (13) having a double acting piston (16) dividing the cylinder into two combustion chambers (14 & 15) and being reciprocable within the cylinder (13) to perform a power stroke producing work on a crankshaft (21) whilst moving towards or away from the crankshaft. The piston (16) has a pivotal connection (30) with a connecting rod (17) in turn connected directly to the crankshaft (21). A separation plate (18) separates the engine sump (12) from the adjacent combustion chamber (15) and accommodates lateral movement of the connecting rod (17) passing sealingly therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Georg Wilhelm Deeke
  • Patent number: 7296545
    Abstract: A two-piece intake assembly such as a coaxial poppet valve includes a main poppet valve with a stem attached to a head and an auxiliary poppet valve movable on the inner valve. A guiding element on the outer valve is configured to receive the inner valve stem, and is connected to an outer valve head configured to mate with the inner valve head and form a seal. The assembly provides a first vent opening formed by the action of a rocker arm on the inner valve stem and a second opening formed by the pressure differential between the combustion chamber and the intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Raymond Lorel Ellingsen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7296546
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the variable actuation of gas exchange valves for internal combustion engines, wherein at least one cam (2) pertaining to a camshaft (1) mounted in a housing rotates according to the engine speed. The cam (2) first drives an intermediate member (4) which performs a clear oscillating, rotary movement and has a rotational axis (7) that can be displaced in the housing parallel to itself along a curve of displacement (8), said intermediate member comprising a control cam (5) having a lifting region (5b) and actuating an output member (11) that, in turn, actuates at least one valve (13). The aim of the invention is to enable one such device to be reliably controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Automotive AG
    Inventors: Helmut Schön, Kai-Uwe Keller, Peter Kuhn, Gordon Köhne, Frank Obrist, Christian Busch
  • Patent number: 7296547
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for adjusting the camshaft of an internal combustion engine, which has an internal rotor (2) which can be adjusted rotationally in relation to an external rotor (3), with the internal rotor (2) being secured to a camshaft (5) by means of a central screw (4). In order to permit improved mounting of the device it is provided according to the invention for the internal rotor (2) and/or the external rotor (3) to have at least one recess (6, 7) for the engagement of a mounting tool (8, 9) by means of which the internal rotor (2) and the external rotor (3) can be secured fixed in terms of rotation. Furthermore, the invention relates to a mounting tool for mounting such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Rainer Ottersbach, Rudolf Eydam
  • Patent number: 7296548
    Abstract: A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, Mark J. Spath
  • Patent number: 7296549
    Abstract: In hydraulic valve last adjusters for the timing gear of an internal combustion engine comprising cylinder valve lift reversal or deactivation, said adjusters being loaded by cams of one or more camshafts while being made as a combination of switchable lash adjusters (22) and (non-switchable) standard lash adjusters, said adjusters further being configured as reverse-spring adjusters or free-ball adjusters, each adjuster comprising a control valve (32) whose closing body (41) is in the opening position during a base circle phase of the associated cam, according to the invention, the stroke of the closing body (41) of a switchable lash adjuster (22) is smaller in each case than the stroke of the closing body of a standard lash adjuster. This enables the idle strokes of the two different types of last adjusters to be adapted to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 7296550
    Abstract: A method for improving engine starting for an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to one aspect of the description, valve timing during a start can be set so that combustion stability and emissions may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nate R. Trask, Gang Song
  • Patent number: 7296551
    Abstract: In an intake manifold in which air introduced from an introduction port is fed to each cylinder of an engine by use of multiple ducts which are disposed parallel, a communication space section which provides communication between the introduction port which introduces air and inlets of the ducts is provided, this communication space section is formed so as to extend in a direction in which the inlets of the ducts are arrayed, a funnel section which causes the inlets of the ducts to be arrayed on a same surface is formed in this communication space section, and this funnel section is formed from a single member only in the main body section by providing mating surfaces of the main body section and the duct component member off the funnel section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Toyo Roki Seizo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Murata, Chikara Shimomura
  • Patent number: 7296552
    Abstract: An air intake system for an engine of an outboard motor includes an air intake support member that provides support for other components of the air intake system. The other component of the air intake system that can be supported by the air intake support member include a throttle valve assembly, plenum chambers, and air intake passages. The air intake passages can be made longer to increase engine performance and can be manufactured with less material because the air intake passages do not need to provide support for the air intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Goichi Katayama
  • Patent number: 7296553
    Abstract: A balancer apparatus including a first balancer and a second balancer. The first balancer includes a first balance weight and the second balancer includes a second balance weight and wherein the first and second balance weights are asymmetrical. The first and second balancers include first and second center of gravities that are longitudinally aligned when the first and second balancers are assembled in a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Petroliam Nasional Berhad
    Inventor: Azmi B. Osman
  • Patent number: 7296554
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides an internal combustion engine including an engine housing having a crankcase defining a crank chamber adapted to contain a lubricant. The engine also includes a crankshaft coupled to the engine housing for rotation about a crank axis, the crankshaft disposed within the crank chamber, and a counterweight disposed on the crankshaft for rotation with the crankshaft about the crank axis. The engine further includes a splasher disposed on the crankshaft for rotation with the crankshaft about the crank axis. The splasher is adapted to direct the lubricant in a radial direction away from the crank axis and in an axial direction substantially parallel to the crank axis during rotation of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Nagel, John A. Zbiegien, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7296555
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, there is provided a method of operating a turbocharged system including injecting a first quantity of fuel into an engine cylinder at a first predetermined time during a second half of a compression stroke before a piston of the engine cylinder reaches top dead center of the compression stroke. The method further includes injecting a second quantity of fuel into the engine cylinder at a second predetermined time after the first predetermined time when the piston is advanced by a predetermined advance value before the piston reaches the top dead center of the compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bhaskar Tamma, Michael Kent Cueman, Roy James Primus
  • Patent number: 7296556
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having a fuel injector located in a combustion chamber of the engine for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber. The fuel injection timing stored in a fuel injection timing map is retrieved according to the detected engine operating condition to determine the fuel injection timing. An actual ignition timing of the fuel injected into the combustion chamber is detected. An ignition delay of the actual ignition timing with respect to the target ignition timing, which is set according to the engine operating condition and a fuel injection timing correction amount, is calculated according to the calculated ignition delay. The fuel injection timing is corrected with the fuel injection timing correction amount, and the fuel injection is executed according to the corrected fuel injection timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamaguchi, Yuichi Shimasaki, Mamoru Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7296557
    Abstract: A final control element for a control unit, for a throttle body located in a conduit carrying a gaseous medium in an internal combustion engine, is disclosed which has a control shaft, supporting the control unit in a manner fixed against relative rotation; a power takeoff member of a final control element gear, the power takeoff member being seated on the control shaft in a manner fixed against relative rotation; and an error sensor, detecting the rotary position of the control shaft, with a rotor part that is connected to the control shaft in a manner fixed against relative rotation. The error sensor is a contactless measurement rotary angle sensor, whose rotor part is integrated by material and positive engagement with the drive member. Preferably, the rotor part is made of sheet metal, and the positive engagement is established by spraying the power takeoff member, made of plastic, onto it. The rotor part is welded to the control shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Wendel, Reiner Schweinfurth, Johannes Meiwes, Udo Utz, Michael Knorpp
  • Patent number: 7296558
    Abstract: A dual-injector fuel injection engine includes a cylinder block, a cylinder head, an intake port, an intake manifold, a surge tank, an in-cylinder injector, an intake pipe injector, and first and second delivery pipes. The in-cylinder injector is positioned below the intake port, when seen from an axial direction of a crank shaft, and attached to the cylinder head. The intake pipe injector and the second delivery pipe are supported above the intake port, when seen from the axial direction of the crank shaft, by the intake manifold to be close to the intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Saeki, Shizuo Abe, Tomihisa Tsuchiya, Terutoshi Tomoda, Shinichi Kurosawa, Masaki Katou, Akira Yamaguchi, Yuichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7296559
    Abstract: An accumulator fuel injection system has fuel pressure pulsation in a common rail caused by fuel injection suppressed in an extremely simple way with a low cost system and without using an electronic control device and so on. The accumulator fuel injection system supplies high pressure fuel accumulated in an accumulating room of the common rail through high pressure fuel outlets provided equally spaced along the longitudinal direction of the common rail to a fuel injection valve of each cylinder at predetermined injection timing. The distance from an end of the accumulating room, from where a pressure wave generated therein is reflected, to a high pressure fuel outlet adjacent to the end (L1 or L2) is determined in a range of (N+0.25) times to (N+0.375) times the pitch length L of the equally spaced high pressure fuel outlets each corresponding to each cylinder, N being a nonnegative integer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7296560
    Abstract: An engine of spark-ignition type injects fuel from an injector (3) into an intake port (2) provided in a cylinder head (1). In this engine of spark-ignition type, the injector (3) has fuel injection holes oriented toward an inner wall surface of the intake port (2) and makes a start (3a) of the fuel injection during an exhaust stroke of each of cylinders (5) and (6). The injected fuel is adapted to collide against the inner wall surface of the intake port (2). Preferably, the start (3a) of the fuel injection is made at a later half portion of the exhaust stroke of each of the cylinders (5) and (6). More preferably, the start (3a) is made during a term of 31 degrees to 25 degrees of a crank angle before the end of the exhaust stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 7296561
    Abstract: In order to prevent the generation of surge noise or other abnormal phenomena during deceleration of a vehicle, the present engine control apparatus comprises a turbo-supercharger driven by exhaust energy of the engine, at least one of an NOx trap catalyzer and a DPF mounted in the exhaust path of the engine for purifying the exhaust, an EGR path interconnecting the exhaust path and the inlet path of the engine, an EGR valve for adjusting the cross-section of the duct of the EGR path, means for detecting deceleration, and a fuel cutoff control means that, if predetermined conditions are satisfied, effects fuel cutoff control to reduces the rate of fuel injection, wherein the EGR valve is closed during the period of vehicle deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Shirakawa, Yasutaka Ishibashi, Hikari Todoroki
  • Patent number: 7296562
    Abstract: A control system for estimating the performance of a compressor is disclosed. The control system has a compressor fluidly connected to an inlet manifold of a power source. The control system also has a power source speed sensor to provide an indication of a rotational speed of the power source, an inlet pressure sensor to provide an indication of a pressure of a fluid within the inlet manifold, an inlet temperature sensor to provide an indication of a temperature of the fluid within the inlet manifold, an atmospheric pressure sensor to provide an indication of an atmospheric pressure, and a control module in communication with each of the sensors. The control module is configured to monitor an engine valve opening duration and an exhaust gas recirculation valve position, and estimate a compressor inlet pressure based on the provided indications, the monitored duration, and the monitored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpiller Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Withrow, Kevin L. Dea, Christopher R. Gehrke, Michael R. Donoho, II
  • Patent number: 7296563
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine intake device is configured to suppress the occurrence of freezing in a portion thereof where blow-by gas or another gas is introduced into an intake passage. The intake device basically has a throttle chamber, an intake air collector, an air induction pipe, a partitioning part, a gas introducing pipe and a volume chamber. The air induction pipe is provided between the throttle valve and the intake air collector. The partitioning part divides the space inside the air induction pipe into first and second air induction spaces. The gas introducing pipe introduces the blow-by gas into the first and second air induction spaces directly. The blow-by gas contains moisture and has a higher temperature than the fresh air in the first and second air induction spaces. The volume chamber is arranged between the gas introducing pipe and the first and second air induction spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Yakabe, Junya Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7296564
    Abstract: A novel football field grille is disclosed. The novel football field grill includes a firebox; a retractable lid mounted on the firebox, capable of retracting from a first closed position to a second open position; a hollow goalpost, having a first end and a second end, the first end of the goalpost mounted on the retractable lid, and the second end of the hollow goalpost in fluid communication with the firebox when the retractable lid is in the first closed position; and a support leg, mounted to the firebox to engage a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Douglas Wilson
  • Patent number: 7296565
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus of a cooking appliance including a cabinet having a cooking chamber located therein and an electric component chamber located outside the cooking chamber; a door installed on the cabinet for opening and closing the cooking chamber, and having channels so as to cause external air to flow into the electric component chamber and a part of the air to flow into the electric component chamber via side surfaces of the cooking chamber; and an air blower installed in the electric component chamber for forcibly sucking in the external air and discharging air having cooled the door and the electric component chamber, thereby improving cooling efficiency of the door and the inside of the electric component chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yang Kyeong Kim, Jae Kyung Yang, Wan Soo Kim, Jong Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 7296566
    Abstract: A nasal delivery device is provided for delivering substances such as liquid drugs, vaccines and the like to a nasal passage. The nasal delivery device preferably comprises a drug container such as syringe and a separable spray nozzle. The spray nozzle includes a rigid plastic cap having a spray aperture at a distal end of the nozzle for delivering the liquid substance to the nasal passage. Attachment means is provided for attaching the spray nozzle to the syringe at the time of the delivery of the liquid substance to the nasal passage. The nozzle defines a conduit that allows fluid communication from the syringe to the spray aperture. The nozzle includes an internal valve between the spray aperture and the syringe for allowing only pressurized liquid substance to flow through the conduit and the aperture so that a mist or spray is delivered through the spray aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Paul G. Alchas
  • Patent number: 7296567
    Abstract: A breath actuated metered dose inhaler device for use with an aerosol valve having a transient metering chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary D. Mahon, Eric A. Baum, Andrew M. Bryant
  • Patent number: 7296568
    Abstract: A respirator speech transmitter and exhalation valve module comprising a resilient exhalation valve having a low airflow resistance for exhalation but providing a secure seal against inadvertent inhalation through the exhalation valve module. An exhalation airflow channel is formed between a module body on the outside of the channel and a conical airflow guide and the exhalation valve on the inside of the channel. The exhalation airflow channel is in the form of an amplification horn. The airflow channel produces a smooth airflow for unrestricted exhalation and high intelligibility of a user's speech. The module includes a drinking conduit for selectively fluidly connecting a mouthpiece in the respirator to a beverage container and further includes an electrical communication block with internal and external fittings for connecting a microphone in the mask to a radio or amplifier carried by the mask user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Avon Protection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Capon, Tim John Maclean
  • Patent number: 7296569
    Abstract: A portable liquid oxygen (LOX) storage/delivery apparatus is provided, including an insulated (LOX) container having an interior, a top portion, a bottom portion and a sidewall, the sidewall including a first side portion and a second side portion, both extending between the top portion of the bottom portion, and a port system in communication with the interior of the container for charging the container and for withdrawing LOX and gaseous oxygen from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Robert Frye, Leonardo Shiki Toma, Richard Scott Remes
  • Patent number: 7296570
    Abstract: A thermal retention hood for reducing heat loss from a patient's head during and following surgery includes an enclosure configured to cover the face and head of the patient, and configured to retain heat within the enclosure. The enclosure is at least partially transparent, to give a practitioner visual access to a patient's face. The hood further includes a scored line in the enclosure in a position corresponding to the patient's nose and mouth, a second scored line surrounding a region of the enclosure corresponding to the location of the patient's face, and a strap configured to secure an open end of the enclosure around the patient's neck. The hood may also include an absorbent pad within the enclosure, positioned to cover a portion of the back of the patient's head to absorb excess moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Chad H. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 7296571
    Abstract: Operating room fires are prevented by a safety interlock that disables instrumentalities (such as an electrical cautery device) capable of igniting a fire in the presence of oxygen and a fuel source or combustible material such as skin, hair and/or prep agents containing alcohol. Removal of, e.g., the cautery device is sensed by a sensor to disable an oxygen source supplying oxygen to a patient and set a timer. Electrical activation of the cautery device only is permitted upon timing-out of the timer, which timing out is set for a time when oxygen will have cleared from the patient's immediate surroundings. A further safety feature is provided in a further timing, by the same or another timer, of the time during which the patient has been deprived of oxygen. After a short duration, then, the cautery (or other) device is denied electrical power and oxygen is permitted to flow again to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventors: James W. Foltz, Michael E. Lubin
  • Patent number: 7296572
    Abstract: A device for adjusting a lid cover for an oxygen mask dispensing container. The device includes a stationary plate having a cover that is adjustable relative to the plate by means of a spring such that an outermost lid cover is capable of easily mating with the opening in the interior lining of an aircraft. The lid is spring-biased toward the plate such that when the plate is attached to the oxygen mask dispensing container body, the lid is automatically pulled into position relative to the opening in the interior lining of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: AVOX Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Pietrantoni, Jeffrey M. Sabin, Scott J. Tokasz