Patents Issued in December 25, 2007
  • Patent number: 7311073
    Abstract: A continuous variable valve lift (CVVL) apparatus adjusting a valve lift, duration of valve opening and closing, and a valve timing includes a cam rotating by a cam shaft, a first shaft having a first radius, a second shaft having a second radius smaller than the first radius and coupled in the first shaft such that the first and second shafts are non-concentric, a roller moving upward and downward by a rotation of the cam and connected to the first shaft to be moved on the basis of a position of the first shaft, a first arm rotatably connected to the second shaft to be moved by the roller, and a second arm rotatably secured to a third shaft to open and close the valve by an operation of the first arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dae Sung Kim, WooTae Kim, Back Sik Kim, Hyung Ick Kim, In Gee Suh, Dong Hee Han
  • Patent number: 7311074
    Abstract: A guide rail (1, 22) for valve tappets (2) of an internal combustion engine is provided. The guide rail (1, 22) has receptacle spaces (4), which are each used for receiving one of the valve tappets (2) and in which there are flattened sections (6) interacting in a positive-fit connection with key surfaces (7) of the valve tappets (2), such that each of the valve tappets (2) is protected from rotating about its longitudinal axis, with the flattened sections (6) permitting alignment of the valve tappet (2) parallel to the flattened sections (6). Here, the guide rail (1, 22) is formed as a metal carrier (3, 25) and rotational protection elements (8, 9, 23), which are fixed on this carrier, have the flattened sections (6) which also permit alignment of the valve tappet (2) orthogonal to the flattened sections (6), in that each flattened section (6) belonging to one of the receptacle spaces (4) can be displaced relative to the metal carrier (3, 25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 7311075
    Abstract: The invention relates to a split piston for an internal combustion engine, comprising an upper piece, connected to a lower piece, by means of a screw connection. The screw connection comprises a tubular connector piece, mounted on the underside of the piston upper piece with an external thread, a spacer sleeve with an external and an internal thread and a support rib formed on the lower piece of the piston with an internal thread. The upper piece can thus be screwed to the lower piece, by means of the connector piece, the spacer sleeve and the support rib. The spacer sleeve acts as a compressing body and the connector piece as an extending body, to generate the mechanism tension necessary for fixing the screw connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mahle GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Ullrich
  • Patent number: 7311076
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system having an internal combustion engine, a fuel source, a fuel filter for filtering fuel from the source to the engine, and a fuel pressure switch disposed between the fuel filter and the fuel source. An additional sensor is provided for sensing a condition of a substance fed to the engine. An output device is connected to both the fuel pressure switch and the additional sensor for indicating when either the fuel pressure switch indicates an improper fuel pressure condition or the additional sensor indicates the sensed condition is an unwanted condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Wineland
  • Patent number: 7311077
    Abstract: A casing has a circular cylindrical internal surface delimiting an operating chamber. An orbiting piston is mounted so as to orbit about a chamber axis which is the axis of the internal surface. The orbiting piston has a circular cylindrical external surface, a generatrix of the external surface being adjacent to the said internal surface, and a diametrically opposite generatrix spaced form the internal surface. A vane member has a tip face which faces the external surface of the orbiting piston and which has a length substantially equal to that of the orbiting piston. A linkage connects the vane member to the orbiting piston to keep the tip face adjacent the external surface. At least one of the external and internal surfaces has individual compliant strips distributed around the one surface, which run parallel to one another, and project above the one surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: E.A. Technical Services Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronald William Driver
  • Patent number: 7311078
    Abstract: In a system, a calculating unit calculates a control parameter required for control of an engine based on a valve opening parameter each time a calculating timing repeatedly appears, and stores the control parameter in a predetermined area of the system. A reflecting unit reflects the control parameter in the control of the engine each time a reflecting timing repeatedly appears. A preliminary estimated timing setting unit sets a preliminary estimated timing between an input timing of the switching request and an estimated timing. The estimated timing represents that the valve opening parameter is estimated to be switched from a first value to a second value in response to the input timing of the switching request. A preliminary correcting unit corrects the control parameter based on at least the switched second value of the valve opening parameter when the preliminary estimated timing appears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7311079
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for carrying out combustion in a fuel-cut operation in some or all of the engine cylinders of a vehicle. Further, various subsystems are considered, such as fuel vapor purging, air-fuel ratio control, engine torque control, catalyst design, and exhaust system design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, David Bidner, Shane Elwart, Jeff Doering, Christian T. Goralski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7311080
    Abstract: An idle rotational speed controller of an internal combustion engine includes an intake path for supplying air to a combustion chamber. An auxiliary intake path communicates the intake path on upstream and downstream sides of a throttle valve in the intake path. An opening/closing type control valve in the auxiliary intake path controls an idling intake amount. An intake pressure detecting unit detects an intake pressure of the intake path, and a fuel supplying unit controls the amount of fuel supplied to the combustion chamber based on the detected intake pressure. A controlling unit synchronizes a drive reference position for driving to open or close the control valve with a timing of detecting the intake pressure by the intake pressure detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasutaka Mine
  • Patent number: 7311081
    Abstract: One embodiment includes an apparatus comprising a closed loop feedback controller and a power output stage to couple to the closed loop feedback controller. The closed loop feedback controller and the power output stage are combined to form a single element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Kyle Shawn Williams, Joseph Funyak
  • Patent number: 7311082
    Abstract: An electronic throttle valve system more suitable for use in straddle type vehicles. A straddle type vehicle has an electronic throttle valve system for adjusting the amount of intake air to an internal combustion engine. The electronic throttle valve system includes a throttle valve for adjusting the amount of intake air to the internal combustion engine, an electric motor for actuating the throttle valve, and a control unit for controlling the electric motor. The throttle valve is fixed to a valve shaft. The electric motor is connected to the valve shaft. The valve shaft is provided with a throttle opening sensor on the right end, and a mechanical, throttle valve actuating mechanism on the left end. A throttle cable is engaged with the mechanism, while being coupled to a throttle grip (acceleration controller) provided on a right one of a pair of handlebars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Yokoi
  • Patent number: 7311083
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine having both an electronically controlled inlet device, such as an electronic throttle unite, and an electronically controlled outlet device, such as a variable cam timing system is disclosed. The method of the present invention achieves cylinder air charge control that is faster than possible by using an inlet device alone. In other words, the method of the present invention controls cylinder air charge faster than manifold dynamics by coordination of the inlet and outlet device. This improved control is used to improve various engine control functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John David Russell, Allan Joseph Kotwicki, Brian D. Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 7311084
    Abstract: This invention provides a simple means to initiate the movement of a vehicle by utilizing a fuel injector system, which determines a length of a magnet on the flywheel or crankshaft pulley. This system enables a person to choose a speed where fuel from a fuel injector can be efficiently dispersed into an engine. The engine's fuel efficiency is optimized by this invention, because only a specific amount of fuel will be dispersed to generate electricity to operate the engine, which prevents the engine from needlessly expending energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Angus Barry Begg
  • Patent number: 7311085
    Abstract: An electromagnetic controlled fuel injection apparatus is provided in which a housing assembly with two sets each including a solenoid device and an open/close valve device being fixed directly to a housing is fixed to a plunger unit to decrease the length of the fuel passages between the open/close valve devices and a plunger room in order to increase the speed of injection response in two-stage fuel injection for reducing NOx emission while maintaining engine performance and to facilitate mounting of the apparatus on constricted space of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Ogawa, Takashi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7311086
    Abstract: A diesel locomotive engine having a piston with a unique bowl geometry. The bowl is defined in part by a center portion having a partial spherical shape. A cone portion (22) is located adjacent the central portion. An annular toroidal surface (24) is connected to the cone portion (22) and is defined by a toroidal major diameter (Dtm) and a toroidal minor radius (Rtm). A crown rim (26) is connected to the annular toroidal surface (24) and to an upper flat rim face of a sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Budhadeb Mahakul, Kenneth M. Sinko, Randal K. Albright, Frank M. Graczyk
  • Patent number: 7311087
    Abstract: A fuel pump for an internal combustion engine including a fuel pump housing, a cylindrical bore having a central axis and being defined by a bore wall surface, a receiving hole formed in the housing, and a tappet assembly received in the cylinder bore. The tappet assembly includes an outer peripheral surface with an elongated key slot longitudinally extending parallel to the central axis. A guide key partially received in the receiving hole is provided, the guide key including a head that extends into the cylindrical bore to engage the elongated key slot of the tappet assembly. The head has an outer dimension that is larger than a dimension of the receiving hole along the central axis. Methods for guiding a reciprocating tappet assembly in a fuel pump and assembling a fuel pump are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony A. Shaull, Wesley R. Thayer
  • Patent number: 7311088
    Abstract: An emission control module (14) includes a housing (52) that includes an atmospheric air opening (102) and a vapor emission inlet (104) for communication with a vapor region (32) of a fuel reservoir (16). A hydrocarbon filter (56) is disposed between the atmospheric air opening (102) and the vapor emission inlet (104) to passively filter vapor emissions within the vapor region (32). The housing (52) is configured for purging of the hydrocarbon filter (56) due to a low-pressure draw from the vapor emission inlet (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas John Callahan, Brent J. Ertl, Juris J. Pruzinskis, Michael P. Farrey, Hans Bishop
  • Patent number: 7311089
    Abstract: A technique is provided for purging an adsorption canister in a fuel tank vent system. The technique provides a relatively high purge flow under conditions wherein the intake manifold vacuum is relatively low. A sonic nozzle is placed in the purge line between the existing purge valve and the adsorption canister. The sonic nozzle includes a tap at its throat for producing a vacuum in response to flow in the purge line. The vacuum is used to control a vacuum operated diaphragm valve in a parallel purge line. The system therefore supplements purge flow through the adsorption canister to the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Canada Inc.
    Inventor: David William Balsdon
  • Patent number: 7311090
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a gas passage (700) having a gas inlet (702), an engine gas outlet (704), and at least one exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) gas outlet (706), wherein the at least one EGR gas outlet (706) is disposed between the gas inlet (702) and the engine gas outlet (704). The gas passage (700) is arranged to receive exhaust gas through the inlet (702) and expel gas through both the gas outlets (704 and 706). A flow orifice (710) is operatively associated with the gas passage (700) and is disposed between the engine gas outlet (704) and the at least one EGR gas outlet (706).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy M. Lyons
  • Patent number: 7311091
    Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation valve includes a flow restrictor movable in an orifice to vary flow of fumes from a crankcase to an intake manifold in a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Standard-Thomson Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne R. Duprez
  • Patent number: 7311092
    Abstract: A torsion-enhancing apparatus has a mounting bracket, a vacuum bracket and two air filters. The mounting bracket has a threaded hole, a first connecting tube and two ventilating holes. The threaded hole is formed in the front end and the first connecting tube is connected to the rear end of the mounting bracket. The vacuum bracket is connected to the mounting bracket, and has a rear cap, a front cap, a diaphragm, a spring and a pressing disk. The rear cap is connected to the front end of the mounting bracket. The front cap is connected to the rear cap and has a third connecting tube, an adjusting bolt and a sealing ring. The diaphragm is mounted between the caps. The spring is mounted in the caps between the adjusting bolt and the diaphragm. The air filters are connected to the second connecting tubes of the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Ming-Te Ling
  • Patent number: 7311093
    Abstract: An element crack detecting apparatus for an oxygen sensor detects a sensor output voltage for an abnormality detection period after a fuel cut-off is started during operation of an engine. When the output voltage becomes negative, an abnormality counter is counted up. When the abnormality counter value reaches a determination value, it is determined that the element crack is present. The abnormality detection period is variably set in response to an engine rotational speed, an intake air quantity and the mixture state immediately before the fuel cut-off is effected. The determination value is variably set in response to the oxygen sensor temperature and the mixture state immediately before the fuel cut-off is effected. Further, the determination value is variably set in response to a magnitude of the negative voltage of the oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hayashi, Hajime Nomura, Yoshitaka Uematsu, Toshiaki Iwashita, Kensuke Mizui
  • Patent number: 7311094
    Abstract: Operation of an internal combustion engine with oil lubrication and electronic fuel injection, includes the steps of determining a flow of fuel mass (mkp_ausg) evaporating out of oil, and determining a setpoint injected-fuel quantity (rk_ev) with taking into account the determined flow of fuel mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Mallebrein, Carlos Koster
  • Patent number: 7311095
    Abstract: A portable bow press apparatus and method for compressing an archery compound bow for relieving the tension from the cables and/or the bowstring. The method and apparatus are used for replacement or maintenance purposes of the archery compound bow. The preferred apparatus is mounted to a vehicle receiver hitch for field use and is designed to accommodate all styles of compound bows. Compression is provided to the bow press by any type of standard vehicle jack. The bow press is compartmentalized for stowage purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Gary R. Bauder
  • Patent number: 7311096
    Abstract: Typically a limb for an archery bow has a butt section or end attachable to a bow riser, a middle or hinge section and an opposing tip section or end. In a preferred embodiment, the present method and limb includes a rib section formed in the middle or hinge portion of the limb. This allows a narrowed front-profile to be presented in the hinge section, while maintaining the total cross-sectional area. In one preferred method, at least one half of a mold is formed to define a rib section in the hinge section of the limb. Preferably the rib section runs longitudinally along the length of the hinge section, and may include a tapered profile along the edges and ends of the rib. In another preferred embodiment, the limb, including a rib section, is curved prior to assembly into an archery bow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Bear Archery, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry M. Gallops, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7311097
    Abstract: A bow construction (10) adapted for use in combination with a wheelchair (200) wherein the bow construction (10) includes a hollow cylindrical riser member (20) provided with a pair of bow limb members (30) and a pair of transverse tubular elements (24) (25) that serve as a bow rest and bow sight respectively; wherein, the bow riser member (20) is slidably disposed on and vertically adjustable with respect to an elongated cylindrical spike member (40) that is adapted to be releaseably attached to one of the foot rests (201) of a wheelchair (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Brad Callis
  • Patent number: 7311098
    Abstract: One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a cam having an axle location for mounting the cam to an archery bow, where the center of mass of the cam is substantially coaxial with the axle location. Preferable the cam has an eccentric geometric rotation profile with regard to a rotation axis, typically an irregular geometry with a non-centered axle location, or a circular profile with an axle location offset from the center of the circular profile. The mass of the cam is balanced to have an effectively equal mass distribution around the axle location. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the cam has a balanced center of mass aligned with the axle location in an X-Y orientation, and may also have a balanced center of mass through the thickness of the cam in an X-Z or Y-Z orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Bear Archery, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry M. Gallops, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7311099
    Abstract: A drop-away arrow rest having an arrow support arm that drops in a straight, non-pivotal and non-rotational path. The arrow rest that has an arrow support arm that lifts the arrow, from a first, relaxed, position to a second, actuated, position when the archer draws the bowstring. Upon release of the bowstring, the arrow support arm drops, with vertical, non-rotational and non-pivotal movement, in a straight line, to return to its relaxed state. Actuation and release of the arrow support arm is accomplished by an attachment to the bowstring, such as a cord, and by a biasing means. The arrow rest includes various adjustment means that allow lateral and/or horizontal positioning of the arrow in relation to the bow handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Bear Archery, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Rager
  • Patent number: 7311100
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool, in particular an abrasive cutting-off machine (1), having a cutting tool (7) and a protective hood (8), partly covering the cutting tool (7) and [lacuna] in its relative position to the cutting tool (7), and an adjusting handle arranged on the outside of the protective hood (8), by which the position of the protective hood (8) can be adjusted by the user, and an injection device for water, which is arranged on the protective hood (8) and directed towards the cutting tool (7) and by which flying dust and chips arising during the cutting operation can be averted, the injection device and the adjusting handle being comprised by an injection and adjusting handle (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Knut Siewers
  • Patent number: 7311101
    Abstract: This invention relates to an end supporting plate which can be attached to both ends of cylindrical ingot. By wire saw cutting, semiconductor wafers are sliced from the ingot attached with the end supporting plates. The end supporting plate has an elongated support surface. Maximum width of the support surface along a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the plate is smaller than the length along the axial direction. The length of the support surface is approximately similar to a diameter of the ingot to which the end support plate is to be attached, whereas maximum width of the support is smaller than the diameter of the ingot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sumco Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Nakashima
  • Patent number: 7311102
    Abstract: Apparel suitable for providing protection against noxious agents, wherein the apparel comprises a laminate material that provides a substantially effective barrier against the noxious agents. It is preferred that the laminate material comprises two or more layers, at least one of which is a barrier layer that is a substantially effective barrier against the noxious agents and at least one of which is a protective layer that protects the at least one barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence
    Inventors: Laurence Anthony Pears, Grant Stuart Richardson, Christopher John Hindmarsh, Brian Alan Beadle
  • Patent number: 7311103
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) utilizing positive airway pressure (PAP) by creating a single-piece, dual arch airway orthotic, using said orthotic to obturate the oral cavity via an acrylic seal between the upper and lower dental arches, retaining the upper and lower dental arches in elastomeric material via a snap-fit and applying PAP via the nasal passages from tubing which is supported from said airway orthotic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Checkmate Holding Company, LLC
    Inventor: John C. Jeppesen
  • Patent number: 7311104
    Abstract: A method of making a filtering face mask, which method includes the steps of: (a) providing (i) a valve seat that comprises an orifice and a seal surface, wherein the orifice allows air to pass therethrough and is surrounded by the seal surface, and (ii) a single flexible flap; (b) supporting the single flexible flap non-centrally and operatively relative to the orifice of the valve seat to form an exhalation valve, the single flexible flap being supported such that there is an imposed curved profile that extends from a first point where a stationary portion of the flap is supported on the valve seat to a second point where a free portion of the flap contacts a seal surface; and (c) attaching the exhalation valve to a mask body that is adapted to fit over the nose and mouth of a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Japuntich, Vaughn B. Grannis, Harold J. Seppala, Anthony B. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 7311105
    Abstract: A mask placeable over at least one respiratory organ of a user's face for blocking out unpleasant odors and for emitting a scent which is pleasant to the user. The mask has an air-permeable body with an inner surface shaped to fit over a respiratory organ of the user, a strap for securing the mask on the user, and an air-permeable scenting device to emit different scents which are pleasant to the user. The air-permeable scenting device includes a substantially tubular body within a pocket attached to the inner surface of the air-permeable body. The tubular body is breakable by applying a bending moment to the tubular body. Upon breaking, the tubular body releases a scent. The scenting device further includes a membrane substantially enclosing the tubular body. The membrane is substantially saturable by the scent when the tubular body is broken to release the scent through said air-permeable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventors: Willie Pressly Plummer, Jr., Kevin George Vereene
  • Patent number: 7311106
    Abstract: A nipple selection apparatus includes a breast pump that includes a breast receiving housing, a suction device in fluid connection with the housing and a pressure gauge that is in fluid connection with the housing and is adapted for measuring the pressure within the housing. The gauge provides a relative measurement of the force required to extract milk from a mother's breast. A nipple for a bottle may then be selected that has a flow rate corresponding to the relative measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Julie McCulloch Burton
  • Patent number: 7311107
    Abstract: A device for mobilizing, rotating and maneuvering an in vivo vehicle introduced into a subject by extracorporeal devices which control the position and motion of such a vehicle by detection and modulation of the strength and direction of the electromagnetic field vector of the vehicle. This invention employs a series of pulses, with specific characteristics over time, to induce magnetic field changes. The changes that result from the vehicle movement are measured and used to calculate the location and movement of the vehicle. A system and method for controlling the movement of the vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: BBMS Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Harel, Uzi Dan, Ehud Katzenelson, Zvi Raviv
  • Patent number: 7311108
    Abstract: A motorized flosser comprising an elongated body and a flossing head secured to an end portion of the elongated body. The flossing head oscillates in an arcuate manner. A battery powered motor drives a drive mechanism which reciprocates an output drive shaft, which drive shaft is in turn connected through a flexible drive rod to a drive disc. The drive disc oscillates in a rotary arcuate motion to impart either pure rotary arcuate oscillatory motion or a combined rotary arcuate motion and translatory motion to flossing material carried by a yoke of the flossing head. The flossing head may incorporate a toothpaste holder mounted upon the flossing head or toothbrush bristles mounted upon tines of the yoke of the flossing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: The William Getgey Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Getgey, Lewis Ray Dyson, Carl R. Andry, Gregory R. Furnish
  • Patent number: 7311109
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a processing chamber and manufacturing a semiconductor device by removing impurities from a substrate in the processing chamber with a plasma of a first gas including hydrogen gas. After the substrate is removed from the processing chamber, the processing chamber is etched with the plasma of a non-hydrogenous second gas. Thus, the etching selectivity can be improved and the particles are prevented from depositing and/or forming on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-wook Kim, Hyeon-Deok Lee, Jin-Gi Hong, Ji-Soon Park, Eung-Joon Lee
  • Patent number: 7311110
    Abstract: An automatic close umbrella is disclosed. As folding an umbrella, the user presses a control device on a handle by one finger so that a tenon is released from a buckle and thus the buckle unit of the lower rib collector is separated from the lower central pole. Furthermore, the lower rib collector descends due to the elasticity of a first elastomer disposed between the upper rib collector and lower rib collector further addition of impacting the hook device of the central pole. Thereby, two central poles are separated from each other and the hook device of each central pole will be released. Therefore, each multi-section central pole is telescopic automatically. Furthermore, as the hinged ribs are folded, the canopy arranged on the hinged ribs will be closed. Thus, as the user enters into a room or a car, the user may close the umbrella easily by only one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Wu
  • Patent number: 7311111
    Abstract: A cane having a horizontal handle and a shaft extending down from the handle. A connector between the underside of the handle and the shaft is narrowed below the handle to a small cross-section and is of sufficient length that a user's fingers can straddle the connector with comfort and without the connector urging the fingers outwardly. The connector is of a strong material, such as titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: George Stanec
  • Patent number: 7311112
    Abstract: The present invention is a portable collapsible car cover assembly which includes: (a) a collapsible hollow housing with exit sheet exit apertures, which housing has a compact collapsed configuration and an extended deployed configuration; (b) a base which includes a suction cup for fastening the assembly to the roof of a car; (c) which housing contains sheets of protective material wound around rollers when the car cover assembly is collapsed and stored, and wherein the sheets are unwound to cover the trunk, passenger compartment, and hood when the assembly is fully deployed; (d) several elements for attaching the distal end of the sheets of protective material to a car; and (e) at least two security lines for attaching the housing to the car as a theft deterrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Giovanni Pacheco
  • Patent number: 7311113
    Abstract: A tent frame including: leg posts a plurality of expandable connectors connected in pairs between adjacent posts, each connector having first and second outer ends and is fixedly connected at the first outer end to the upper end of one post and slideably connected at the second outer end to a lower portion of the same post, each connector movable between extended and folded states; a roof comprising upper poles, each pivotally connected to a post and to a central pole, each upper pole and corresponding central pole are movable between an extended and folded states; and support pole assemblies, each connected at one end to slide with a second outer end and at another end to a central pole so that each connector, upper pole and central pole expand together to the extended state and the support pole assemblies support the central poles to maintain the extended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Caravan Canopy Int'l., Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Woog Suh
  • Patent number: 7311114
    Abstract: A method of providing access to the interior of a cross-line that intersects with a primary pipeline of equal or greater diameter, including the steps of attaching a branch fitting to the exterior of the primary pipeline on the side thereof opposite the point of intersection of the cross-line, affixing a full opening valve to the branch fitting, securing a hot tap machine to the valve, by use of the hot tap machine, cutting an opening in the primary pipeline diametrically opposite of the cross-line and of a diameter at least equal to the internal diameter of the cross-line, and removing the hot tap machine leaving an access through the valve and diametrically through the primary pipeline into the interior of the cross-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip K. Morrison, Eric N. Freeman, Mark A. Morgan, Tony R. Garrison
  • Patent number: 7311115
    Abstract: A collection valve for use in a water reclamation system includes a drain pipe and a collection port assembly. The drain pipe includes an inlet port connectable to a drain line from which gray water is supplied, a collection inlet, and an outlet port. The collection port assembly includes a resilient cap and a collection port disposed to receive gray water flowing into the collection inlet and connectable to a gray water drain line. The resilient cap is operable to (i) close the collection inlet to permit water flow from the inlet port to the outlet port, or (ii) open the collection inlet to permit water flow from the inlet port to the collection port, whereby the resilient cap does not physically obstruct water flow within the drain pipe between he inlet port to the outlet port in either operational condition (i) or (ii).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Water Solutions L.L.C.
    Inventors: Donald Wendell, Joseph A. Casali
  • Patent number: 7311116
    Abstract: A gas regulation system includes a manifold, a plurality of control modules in fluid communication with the manifold, and a power source. Each control module includes an actuatable valve that is in fluid communication with an associated gas storage device and in electrical communication with the power source. The power source is adapted to prevent more than one of the actuatable valves from simultaneously having an actuated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Lillis
  • Patent number: 7311117
    Abstract: A reset relief valve with a body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and an interior wall partially defining an enclosed chamber, a piston disposed in the body and moveable between a first position at which the piston is disposed in fluid flow-blocking relationship between the inlet port and the outlet port of the body and a second position at which the piston is removed from that position, a piston having a head with opposed end surfaces one of which defines a portion of the enclosed chamber and at least one fluid flow passageway extending through the head and providing fluid communication between the enclosed chamber in the body, and a second chamber above a moveable disc in the piston. A preferred embodiment includes the crank assembly with cross bar support and a T-bar to prevent downward movement of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: RR Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerard S. Lazzara, Ernest F. Cox
  • Patent number: 7311118
    Abstract: In an improved floating ball check valve including a body having an outlet port, a cap, having an inlet port, joined with the body, a ball guide slidably received within the body and having a ball pocket for receiving a sealing ball, a biasing spring for biasing the ball toward the inlet port, an annular seat retainer in the cap and a generally ring-shaped seat, of non-resilient plastic material of preferably thermoplastic or fluoroplastic composition, substantially received within a conical bore within the cap and retained therein via the seat retainer, with the spherical surface of the ball being urged into a sealing engagement with an arcuate/spheric sealing surface of the seat having a radius slightly larger than the radius of the sealing ball, with the noted seat materials and geometries permitting seat self-compensation for pressure and temperature. An improved manufacturing method is also set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Doutt
  • Patent number: 7311119
    Abstract: A valve apparatus is small, and regulates a fuel amount by restricting a lift amount of a valve. A columnar portion is formed on a pump body. The columnar portion is inserted into a check valve and a washer formed with a protruding portion which protrudes outward from a flange portion, and the check valve and washer are attached or fixed to the pump body by subjecting a tip end of the columnar portion to thermal caulking or the like. An outer diameter of the protruding portion is set to be relatively smaller than an outer diameter of the flange portion such that when the check valve is sandwiched between the protruding portion and pump body, the check valve contacts an outer peripheral edge of the flange portion when the check valve opens. As a result, a lift amount of the valve can be restricted, and a flow rate of fuel passing through a passage can be maintained at a constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mikuni Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Takehana, Noriaki Chiba, Hideki Imamatsu
  • Patent number: 7311120
    Abstract: An expandable pipe stopper for inserting within a pipe having two rigid circular plates adapted to be inserted wholly within a pipe and an outwardly-expandable flexible seal located between peripheral surfaces of the plates so as to be capable of expanding radially. A projection is rigidly secured to or integral with a first of the plates and extends slideably through an aperture defined by the second plate. The stopper also includes a lever pivotable about an axis through the projection and cam means rigidly secured to or integral with the lever such that the lever is pivotable between a first orientation in which the flexible seal is relatively undistorted and a second orientation in which the cam means force the plates towards each other so as to axially compress and radially expand the seal for engaging with sealing contact with the wall of a pipe. A member is rigidly secured to or integral with part of a remote peripheral surface of one of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Sewer Products Limited
    Inventor: Michael Eric Flanagan
  • Patent number: 7311121
    Abstract: A lateral pipe lining material comprises a tubular resin absorbing material impregnated with a setting resin, which has a flange at one end thereof and whose outer surface is coated with a highly airtight film. A sealing tube is detachably attached to the outer circumferential surface of the tubular resin absorbing material. The lateral pipe lining material is introduced inside a main pipe and its flange is brought into tight contact with the lateral pipe opening. The lateral pipe lining material including the sealing tube is then everted and inserted by fluid pressure inside a lateral pipe toward the ground level. After the setting resin is cured, the sealing tube is removed from the lateral pipe lining material. This enables the lining of a lateral pipe to always be performed reliably, regardless of the aboveground circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Shonan Gosei-jushi Seisakusho K.K.
    Inventors: Takao Kamiyama, Koji Kaneta, Kenji Fuji
  • Patent number: 7311122
    Abstract: A pipe lining material for lining the main pipe of a sewer has a soft tubular resin absorption material impregnated with a liquid thermosetting resin, and also has a biodegradable film applied to the external peripheral surface of the pipe lining material. The pipe lining material is everted and inserted in the main pipe, pressed against the internal peripheral surface thereof, and cured to line the main pipe. After the lining is complete, there is no need to peel away and dispose of the biodegradable film because the film that is left behind is naturally decomposed and removed by microorganisms residing within the main pipe. This allows lining work to be simplified and carried out in a shorter period of time, reduces operation costs, and improves the lining finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Shonan Gosei-Jushi Seisakusho K.K.
    Inventors: Takao Kamiyama, Koji Kaneta, Kenji Fujii