Patents Issued in December 27, 2007
  • Publication number: 20070295248
    Abstract: An energy and steel recovery system has a suspension column and a plurality of suspension burners operably disposed therein wherein the burners are spaced from one another along the length of thereof. The suspension column includes a mechanism for receiving tires onto one of the burners and feeding the tires to an adjacent downwardly disposed burner to further combust the same. The column is configured to provide for a number of zones including heating, drying, volatizing, combusting and ashing which are collectively referred to herein as a “fractionation process.” A first conduit includes a first end communicably connected to the suspension column and a second end communicably connected to a boiler wherein air flow passes from the boiler to the suspension column. A second conduit includes a first end communicably connected to the suspension column and a second end communicably connected to the boiler wherein air flow passes from the suspension column to the return air flow path of the boiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Robert Kohnen, Dale Fossen, Michael Linton
  • Publication number: 20070295249
    Abstract: A method for reducing nitrogen oxides of a recovery boiler, and a recovery boiler, where the furnace of the recovery boiler is supplied with primary air from primary air nozzles, black liquor from liquor nozzles, secondary air from secondary air nozzles above the primary air nozzles but still below the liquor nozzles, tertiary air from tertiary air nozzles above the liquor nozzles, and quaternary air from quaternary air nozzles above the tertiary air nozzles. Black liquor is supplied to the furnace from first liquor nozzles and second liquor nozzles, which liquor nozzles are arranged substantially on the same level with respect to the height of the furnace, and the droplet size of liquor fed from the second liquor nozzles is substantially smaller than the droplet size of liquor fed from the first liquor nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Metso Power Oy
    Inventors: Antti Raukola, Matti Ylitalo
  • Publication number: 20070295250
    Abstract: The unburned carbon content of ash is reduced by entraining a stream of the ash into a stream of oxidant and combusting the unburned carbon with oxygen in the oxidant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Bool, Minish Mahendra Shah, Stephen A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20070295251
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for conferring tolerance to glyphosate in bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions include novel EPSP synthase enzymes and nucleic acid molecules encoding such enzymes, vectors comprising those nucleic acid molecules, and host cells comprising the vectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Athenix Corporation
    Inventor: Volker Heinrichs
  • Publication number: 20070295252
    Abstract: The present invention provides chimeric regulatory elements constructed from gene regulatory element polynucleotide molecules isolated from the Zea mays genes fructose 1-6 bisphosphate aldolase (FDA), pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK), or ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase activase (RUA), useful for expressing transgenes in plants. The invention further discloses compositions, polynucleotide constructs, transformed host cells, transgenic plants and seeds comprising the chimeric gene regulatory molecules, and methods for preparing and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Santanu Dasgupta, Targolli Jayprakash, Shoba Cherian
  • Publication number: 20070295253
    Abstract: A multi-needle type embroidery sewing machine and a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program for the multi-needle type embroidery sewing machine that may enable convenient selection and replacement of thread information. The multi-needle type embroidery sewing machine may include a plurality of needle bars, a needle bar thread information storage device, a needle bar selection device that enables the selection of a suite of needle bars selected from the plurality of needle bars, and a control device for changing needle bar thread information that corresponds to a needle bar in the selected suite of needle bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsuya Hayakawa, Akira Kaiya
  • Publication number: 20070295254
    Abstract: An aerodynamic lift enhancement gate valve including a valve blade shaped as an airfoil or as a sail and is disposed at the leading edge of an airfoil. Or as a sail, in such a way as to form a fluid gate formed between the trailing edge (at the chord) of the gate valve blade, and the leading edge (nose) of the airfoil or sail, (at the chord). The gate valve blade catches the wind, and will cause a wind velocity surface pressure to build against the upwind surface of the gate valve blade, which pressure is regulated by springs and or elastic. When in operation, the chord of the gate valve blade will remain substantially parallel to the chord of the airfoil, or sail. The air particles at the upwind side of the fluid gate are under pressure, which pressure will overhaul the progressive springs and or elastic tension, and cause the air particles to escape through the fluid gate, to accelerate as they break free from the trailing edge of the gate valve blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: James W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20070295255
    Abstract: A modular pontoon boat assembly comprising a railing assembly, a deck assembly comprising a plurality of panels, each of said panels interfitting with an adjacent panel. The deck assembly and the railing assembly are coupled to one another. A plurality of spaced apart cross supports supporting the deck assembly and are releasably secured to a plurality of pontoons. A carrier for the disassembled pontoon boat is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Terrence Stryjewski, Mary Stryjewski
  • Publication number: 20070295256
    Abstract: A continuous composite rigging system for sailboats. The rigging has a branched shroud rigging harness having a plurality of generally straight and elongate portions and at least one branched portion and at least one spreader end fitting for engaging the at least one branched portion of the branched shroud rigging harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Robbie J. Sjostedt, Scott Vogel
  • Publication number: 20070295257
    Abstract: A boat has an outside pocket door that opens to provide a passageway large enough for a person to pass. Of particular interest are sliding doors that utilize a traveler and a guide, each positioned on one of the door and the housing, having tolerances that severely restrict side to side movement of a distal edge of the door under normal operating conditions. The guide can advantageously comprise a track and rollers, and the traveler can comprises a foot disposed to travel between opposing ones of the rollers. In such embodiments the rollers can advantageously be mounted in spaced apart opposing pairs on a guide, using off-set centers to adjust the tolerances. Sliding doors can be operated in any suitable manner, manually or otherwise, and it is especially contemplated that sliding doors can be operated using a pneumatic ram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Garret Martin
  • Publication number: 20070295258
    Abstract: A transportable modular flotation system with sections incorporating a decked supporting structure that is buoyed by heavy duty flotation tubes. The sections are coupled together with pre-tensioned ropes, straps or cables of High Modulus Fiber. The system is suitable for off-loading items from cargo ships in small harbors and onto remote beaches. One embodiment is a heavy-duty lightweight modular causeway system (LMCS™) that is rapidly deployable and recoverable from a Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). Other embodiments of the present invention may be deployable floating piers or docks; modular commercial causeways, and expedient means to cross environmentally sensitive areas such as marshes or wetlands without employing major earthmoving equipment. Embodiments may also be used for wet-gap crossings, such as currently served by modular bridges, such as the Army Dry Support Bridge (DSB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: James Pratt, Tommy Bevins, Bob Walker, James Ray, Michael Plackett, Donald Resio, Frank Sargent, Zeki Demirbilek, Jimmy Fowler
  • Publication number: 20070295259
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for managing power of devices on a network. The method comprises: transmitting a first weighted value and a first anchor status of a first device on the network to a second device on the network, wherein the second device is a neighboring device to the first device; receiving a second weighted value and a second anchor status from the second device; and setting one of the devices as an anchor device based on one or more of weighted values and the anchor statuses, wherein the anchor device is configured to either wake up at predetermined times or to remain active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Ghobad Heidari-Bateni, Alaa Muqattash
  • Publication number: 20070295260
    Abstract: An inflatable boat possessing at least two inflatable chambers (1) and a device (2) for distributing gas under pressure, the device comprising: a leaktight enclosure (3) possessing a first orifice (5) and at least two second orifices (6) connected to said chambers (1); at least two closure valves (7) associated respectively with the two second orifices (6) and normally urged into a position for closing the respective second orifices (6); and means (9) for simultaneously driving all of the closure valves (7) selectively in the opening direction or in the closing direction; this makes it possible to control simultaneous inflation or deflation of all the inflatable chambers (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Dominique Zeromski
  • Publication number: 20070295261
    Abstract: The folding boat includes bow and stem members made up of a pair of tubes connectable to each other through a pin mechanism. A polarity of chines extend the length of the boat and are made up of connected tubes which can be disconnected amidships. Cockpit tubes serve to define a cockpit region and are interconnected by hinges and by pin clips to allow folding along two axis approximating one-forth of its assembled size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Peter Flood
  • Publication number: 20070295262
    Abstract: A covering and securing structure for a covering body, which includes a covering that can be laid over an object, and a hem located on a circumferential edge of the covering enables a tether to be threaded therethrough. A plurality of recesses are defined in the hem, and each of the recesses enables the tether to be joined to externally located ropes. When the covering body is laid over the external portion of an object to be covered and bound tight, then the plurality of ropes on the circumferential edge of the covering body are joined to the tether and a tugging action is collectively applied to the ropes, thereby achieving covering and securing protective effectiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Ming-Shun Yang
  • Publication number: 20070295263
    Abstract: A collapsible frame for a cloth or canvas-like top for a boat, having latching members which retain the collapsible frame to a plurality of mounting brackets secured to the boat frame. An over the center rotating latching member allows the collapsible frame to be quickly connected to the boat when not in use. The rotating latching member does not require the usage of removable parts that may be lost or misplaced. The rotating latching member also couples to an insert including an arcuate surface complementary to the rotating latch member. The insert includes slots that may be used to organize wires connected to the bimini top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Bradley Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20070295264
    Abstract: A watercraft that includes a frame; pontoons mounted to the frame; a deck supported on the frame, the deck including a hatch covering an opening through the deck; and a storage unit mounted to the frame beneath the opening in the deck, and the storage unit having a bottom that is above a water line of the watercraft. The storage unit may be formed from a rotational-molded plastic. The bottom of the watercraft may include a trough. The trough may be deeper in one portion of the bottom and may be graduated from a shallowest point towards the front of the storage unit and deepest towards the rear thereof. A drain aperture may be provided at the deepest portion of the trough. The frame may include structural members, and the storage unit may include channels in an upper mounting end thereof, opposite the bottom, configured to receive the structural members. The channels may have a mounting surface and inclined surfaces extending away from the mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Bennington Marine LLC
    Inventor: Bradley R. Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20070295265
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing a silicon wafer from a silicon single crystal, at least comprising, a double-side polishing step of mirror-polishing both sides of a wafer sliced from the silicon single crystal, a heat treatment step of heat-treating the mirror-polished wafer, and a repolishing step of polishing again a front surface or the both sides of the heat-treated wafer. There is provided a method for producing a silicon wafer by which a silicon wafer of high quality in which COP-free region or oxide precipitate-free region is sufficiently ensured and in which also neither haze nor foreign body sticking is on a wafer front surface and further in which no contact trace with a jig is on a wafer back surface can be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Kimura
  • Publication number: 20070295266
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for synthesizing high luminescence semiconductor quantum dots with a core-shell structure in a short time in large quantity. Using the method of synthesizing the quantum dots in accordance with the present invention, a large quantity of quantum dots can be economically synthesized in a rapid time without an explosion. And, the present invention can be applied to the fields employing various luminous materials since the luminous semiconductor quantum dots synthesized by the present invention has a high luminous efficiency and they can emit a light at various wavelengths in the whole range of a visible ray. And also, the present invention can be applied to a light emission device, a single electron transistor, a solar cell photo-sensitizer material and a bio-labelling tag since it is excellently stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: NANOSQUARE CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-kyu Lee, Jae-il Kim
  • Publication number: 20070295267
    Abstract: An improved method for controlling nucleation sites during superabrasive particle synthesis can provide high quality industrial superabrasive particles with high yield and a narrow size distribution. The synthesis method can include forming a raw material layer, forming a particulate catalyst layer adjacent the raw material layer, and placing crystalline seeds in a predetermined pattern at least partially in the catalyst layer or raw material layer to form a growth precursor. Alternatively, the raw material and catalyst material can be mixed to form a particulate crystal growth layer and then placing the crystalline seeds in a predetermined pattern in the growth layer. Preferably, seeds can be substantially surrounded by catalyst material. The growth precursor can be maintained at a temperature and pressure at which the superabrasive crystal is thermodynamically stable for a time sufficient for a desired degree of growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Chien-Min Sung
  • Publication number: 20070295268
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining constant exhaust flow during processing of a semiconductor substrate is provided. For example, the apparatus may include an inlet and an outlet. The apparatus may also include a throttle valve stage coupled to the inlet. The throttle valve stage may include a throttle valve plug located within the throttle valve stage. The throttle valve plug is configured to control the amount of airflow through the throttle valve stage by modulating the distance between the throttle valve plug and faces of the throttle valve stage. The apparatus may further include a floating plunger stage coupled to the throttle valve stage. The floating plunger stage additionally includes a floating plunger. A surface of the floating plunger receives a controlled pressure which allows the floating plunger to move and vary an opening between the floating plunger and the outlet. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a guide pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming-Kuei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20070295269
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining constant exhaust flow during processing of a semiconductor substrate is provided. For example, the apparatus may include an inlet and an outlet. Furthermore, the apparatus may include a throttle valve stage coupled to the inlet. The throttle valve stage includes a throttle valve plug located within the throttle valve stage. The throttle valve plug is configured to control the amount of airflow through the throttle valve stage by modulating the distance between the throttle valve plug and faces of the throttle valve stage. The apparatus further includes a floating plunger stage coupled to the throttle valve stage. The floating plunger stage includes a floating plunger coupled to a flexible attachment. The flexible attachment allows the floating plunger to move in a controlled manner to vary an opening between the floating plunger and the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming-Kuei Tseng
  • Publication number: 20070295270
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a fluid to a convolutely wound roll of web substrate is disclosed. The apparatus provides for a fluid applicator having a manifold and a first surface. The fluid is fluidly displaceable from the manifold to the first surface through at least one opening disposed therein. The convolutely wound roll of web substrate is disposable upon the first surface. The fluid is fluidly displaced from the first surface to the convolutely wound roll of web substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Timothy Byrne, Thomas Edward Franklin
  • Publication number: 20070295271
    Abstract: A composite coating material delivery conduit includes a first conduit providing a first passageway for coating material to be conveyed through the conduit, a second conduit including a second passageway adapted loosely to receive the first conduit, and an electrically non-insulative layer surrounding the second conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Gernot Engel, Ghaffar Kazkaz, Joel Albert Richardson
  • Publication number: 20070295272
    Abstract: An article having a protective coating for use in semiconductor applications and methods for making the same are provided. In certain embodiments, a method of coating an aluminum surface of an article utilized in a semiconductor processing chamber is provided. The method comprises providing a processing chamber; placing the article into the processing chamber; flowing a first gas comprising a carbon source into the processing chamber; flowing a second gas comprising a nitrogen source into the processing chamber; forming a plasma in the chamber; and depositing a coating material on the aluminum surface. In certain embodiments, the coating material comprises an amorphous carbon nitrogen containing layer. In certain embodiments, the article comprises a showerhead configured to deliver a gas to the processing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Deenesh Padhi, Chiu Chan, Sudha Rathi, Ganesh Balasubramanian, Jianhua Zhou, Karthik Janakiraman, Martin J. Seamons, Visweswaren Sivaramakrishnan, Derek R. Witty, Hichem M'Saad
  • Publication number: 20070295273
    Abstract: A method of forming (and an apparatus for forming) a metal oxide layer on a substrate, particularly a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly, using a vapor deposition process and one or more precursor compounds that include diketonate ligands and/or ketoimine ligands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Brian Vaartstra
  • Publication number: 20070295274
    Abstract: A batch processing platform used for ALD or CVD processing is configured for high throughput and minimal footprint. In one embodiment, the processing platform comprises an atmospheric transfer region, at least one batch processing chamber with a buffer chamber and staging platform, and a transfer robot disposed in the transfer region wherein the transfer robot has at least one substrate transfer arm that comprises multiple substrate handling blades. The platform may include two batch processing chambers configured with a service aisle disposed therebetween to provide necessary service access to the transfer robot and the deposition stations. In another embodiment, the processing platform comprises at least one batch processing chamber, a substrate transfer robot that is adapted to transfer substrates between a FOUP and a processing cassette, and a cassette transfer region containing a cassette handler robot. The cassette handler robot may be a linear actuator or a rotary table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Aaron Webb, Adam Brailove, Joseph Yudovsky, Nir Merry, Andrew Constant, Efrain Quiles, Michael R. Rice, Gary J. Rosen, Vinay K. Shah
  • Publication number: 20070295275
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling the walls of the reaction chamber (2) of a reactor for chemical vapour deposition. The method consists in selectively cooling with water at least one predetermined zone of the wall of the chamber (2), to remove a different heat flow compared with the adjacent zones so as to obtain substantially uniform temperature distribution of the reaction chamber (2). In a preferred embodiment, the selectively-cooled zone is the zone above the susceptor (5) and is delimited by two ribs (8, 9). The invention also includes a reactor and a reaction chamber (2) for carrying out the cooling method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Vincenzo Ogliari, Giuseppe Tarenzi, Marco Puglisi, Natale Speciale, Franco Preti
  • Publication number: 20070295276
    Abstract: A bake station comprising a bake plate adapted to heat a substrate supported on an upper surface of the bake plate, the bake plate vertically moveable between an upper baking position and a lower cooling position; and a plurality of heat sinks adapted to be engageably coupled to a lower surface of the bake plate when the bake plate is in the lower cooling position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: SOKUDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: David Quach, Tetsuya Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20070295277
    Abstract: When a pet owner is out at a distant place, a pet is fed by a feeding machine in an active way. The pet owner uses a controller to control the feeding machine through a web server. In this way, a time and rationed feeding is done by the remote pet owner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Allen Kin
    Inventors: Allen Kin, Chen-Hao Chang
  • Publication number: 20070295278
    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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Anthony Palett, Justin Palett
  • Publication number: 20070295279
    Abstract: A pet door cover assembly is described which completely encloses a pet door to seal off drafts and leakage. It employs a cover large enough to cover the entire pet door and frame. It is preferably made of three layers, being a water resistant outer layer, a thermal insulation layer and an aesthetic layer having a pleasing surface or design. The cover is attached to the door or wall using an attachment means. The attachment means may be a hook and loop attachment, magnets and metal plates, elastic material or mechanical screws and hooks. The cover preferably employs a bendable wire, or other deformable means to be able to retain a shape. This is extremely useful in making a seal on non-flat surfaces. The bendable or deformable nature allows the cover to match the contour of the wall or door to create a tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Alix Vis, June Arneil
  • Publication number: 20070295280
    Abstract: The device includes a brush with a body and a gripping end. There are first bristles and second bristles. The bristles have first and second operating temperatures. The device further includes a rechargeable battery, a recharging base station, and a temperature maintaining mechanism. A bridge circuit includes a heat supplying resistor, a temperature determining resistor, and unchanging resistors. Differential amplifiers are coupled to the heat supplying resister and the temperature determining resistor while a transistor is coupled to the heat supplying resistor. A power interrupting mechanism includes pressure sensors with a pressure comparison circuit coupled thereto. A switch is electrically coupled to the first temperature maintaining mechanism. The timer comparison circuit includes a processor, a memory electrically coupled to the processor, and a logic gate electrically coupled to the processor. Such a memory includes software instructions, and a logic gate operates a toggle switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Candace Portmann
  • Publication number: 20070295281
    Abstract: A combination all-in-one device that provides for the drying and grooming of an animal, such as a dog after an activity that results in the animal becoming wet. Once the animal has gotten wet, the device of the invention provides a single item that has a towel on one side that can dry the animal. Provided on the opposite side of the towel is a grooming side made of flexible bristles that can comb the hair of an animal. The bristles of the grooming side vary in size and composition based on the animal to be dried and groomed. The grooming side of the device has recessed portions for placement of the user's hands when utilizing the towel side of the device. The towel side of the device has means for activating the grooming side, such as recessed gripping pads or handles. The composition of the materials to make the towel side are also variable depending upon the type of animal upon which is to be utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: David A. Fortson, John R. Stump
  • Publication number: 20070295282
    Abstract: A recreational pet toy for cats which includes an outer covering and a cord attached to the pet toy for hanging the recreational pet toy during use. The pet toy also includes an elongated channel for receiving catnip and distributing the catnip along its length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Aaron Lamstein, David Haaf
  • Publication number: 20070295283
    Abstract: The methods and devices described provide for a sound producing pet toy with no electrical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: James W. Gick
  • Publication number: 20070295284
    Abstract: An animal toy having pendulum action is disclosed. The toy includes a movable pendulum swingably secured within a housing. The pendulum is capable of carrying toys, and each toy is accessible through one or more access openings in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Stanley Suring, Jonathan Supanich, Betsy Lipscomb, John Lipscomb
  • Publication number: 20070295285
    Abstract: A grooming stand includes a base, a platform with at least one peripheral surface, and at least one leg extending between the base and the platform. A gutter is disposed around a portion of the peripheral surface of the platform. The gutter is configured to receive clippings from the animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Smith, Scott Melton, Michael Eddinger, Keith Dirks
  • Publication number: 20070295286
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of a controller for controlling a fuel-fired water heater are provided that are able to detect a high rate of temperature change condition in the water heater tank. The fuel fired water heater appliance having a water storage vessel comprises a surface mount sensor disposed on the outer surface of the storage vessel near the bottom of the vessel, for sensing the temperature of the vessel. The controller monitors the rate of change of the temperature sensed by the surface mount sensor during a heating cycle, and discontinues operation of the water heater appliance upon detecting an increase in the rate of temperature change that is indicative of an undesirable level of sediment build-up in the water storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Donald E. Donnelly, Jeffrey N. Arensmeier, Herbert G. Ray
  • Publication number: 20070295287
    Abstract: A method of lubricating a sootblower comprising use of an oil or grease that is thermally stable at temperatures of at least 160° C. Sootblower components which can be lubricated include lance support bearings, gears, chains, seals, and shaft bearings. The oil or grease can be an ester, silicone, or halogenated oil or grease including perfluoropolyether or perfluoroalkyl ether, a fluorosilicone, a polytrifluorochloroethylene, derivatized perfluoropolyethers, such as fluoroether triazines, and mixtures of two or more thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Band, H. Walther, Jon Howell
  • Publication number: 20070295288
    Abstract: Novel carbide supercells for dry acetylene generation are disclosed herein, along with methods of use and internal combustion engines incorporating the carbide supercells. A carbide supercell according to one embodiment includes an outer shell defining an interior gas chamber and a rotating basket positioned in the gas chamber. The basket defines a plurality of holes and is configured to contain at least one calcium carbide rock. An injector is adjacent the basket for spraying a liquid into the basket, and a controller is in data communication with the injector for actuating the injector. A chamber outlet is adjacent an upper end of the gas chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph W. Wulff, Harry J. Wulff
  • Publication number: 20070295289
    Abstract: An engine cooling apparatus includes a coolant inlet of a block water jacket formed in a cylinder block, wherein coolant is introduced into the block water jacket through the coolant inlet, a flow-directing plate that is disposed in the block water jacket at a position downstream of the coolant inlet, and that directs the coolant, which has been introduced into the block water jacket through the coolant inlet, toward a head water jacket and a control portion that controls inflow of the coolant from the head water jacket into the block water jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Kunihiko Hayashi, Hideo Kobayashi, Katuhiko Arisawa, Kenichi Yamada, Yoshio Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20070295290
    Abstract: This invention provides an internal combustion engine that has a substantially increased expansion ratio, a variable compression ratio, and subsequently a significantly improved thermal efficiency. This improvement in thermal efficiency is attained without involving a complex mechanical structure or an enlarged engine size. The engine comprises at least a piston and cylinder assembly including a piston reciprocatingly mounted within the cylinder space, and at least two combustion chambers associated with said cylinder, each said combustion chamber having a port leading to said cylinder space and a combustion-chamber valve, said valve opens and closes said port to establish or block the communication between said combustion chamber and cylinder space, wherein said internal combustion engine is adapted to operate on preferred cycles in accordance with load conditions to substantially increase the engine's expansion ratio or provide a variable compression ratio mechanism under part load conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventor: Yiding Cao
  • Publication number: 20070295291
    Abstract: A valve assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a stationary permanent magnet assembly having at least one permanent magnet for generating a permanent magnetic field with a radial component and a movable coil assembly having at least one coil of electrically conductive material for generating a magnetic field with an axial component that intersects the radial component when an electrical current is applied to the at least one coil to thereby move the coil assembly with respect to the permanent magnet assembly. A valve is connected to the coil assembly for movement therewith. Electronic control of the valve assembly together with engine modifications permits the engine to dynamically switch between two-cycle and four-cycle modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: LEN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES CORP
    Inventor: Hector Luercho
  • Publication number: 20070295292
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable valve mechanism which includes a rotating cam provided on a camshaft, a swing arm that contacts with the rotating cam to swing, a drive arm that drives a valve in conjunction with the swing arm, a variable arm that turns the drive arm around a swing axis of the swing arm, an actuator that drives the variable arm, and cam device that is provided between the swing arm and the drive arm. The variable arm is provided so as to be able to rotate relatively around the same axis as the swing arm, and the cam device changes the initial position of the drive arm with respect to the swing arm accompanying the turning of the drive arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Sugiura, Tetsuya Niwa, Tamotsu Yamamoto, Katsutoshi Kitagawa, Tomiyasu Hirano, Tomoki Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20070295293
    Abstract: A valve lifter assembly for deactivating a cylinder in an internal combustion engine. The valve lifter assembly is provided with a plunger movably disposed within a bore of a main body member to controllably isolate the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve of the engine. The plunger is normally locked in an extended position to transmit cam lift to reciprocatingly operate the valve. At least one locking pin is moveably disposed within the plunger to engage an inner annular groove of the main body member. Pressurized oil is provided to dislodge the locking pins from the annular groove and allow the plunger to move within the main body member, thereby isolating the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve. The deactivating lifter is preferably disposed within the recess conventionally provided for hydraulic valve lifters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Spath, Nick Hendriksma, Michael Fox
  • Publication number: 20070295294
    Abstract: A valve timing controller includes an electric motor generating a cogging torque on the motor shaft, an current control means for controlling an electricity supplied to the electric motor, and a phase-changing mechanism varying a relative rotational phase between the crankshaft and the camshaft according to a rotation of the motor shaft. The cogging torque has a peak value which is greater than an absolute value of a cam torque applied to the motor shaft from the camshaft through the phase-changing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi Morii, Motoki Uehama
  • Publication number: 20070295295
    Abstract: A phase angle detection apparatus includes an intermediate rotary member changing an operating angle of a driven member that is driven by a driving member, a detection unit detecting a rotational angle of the intermediate rotary member, which corresponds to the operating angle of the driven member, and outputting the rotational angle as a detection pulse signal, a controller receiving the detection pulse signal and calculating a pulse rising time difference between the detection pulse signal and a pre-set reference pulse signal. The controller detects, based on the pulse rising time difference, a predetermined middle angle position of the driven member from all the operating angles of the driven member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Masahiko Watanabe, Michinori Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20070295296
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable camshaft in which an inside shaft and an outside shaft, each being fixedly connected to cams, are mounted so they are rotatable in relation to one another. To produce the relative movement, a hydraulic adjusting mechanism is provided on one of the ends thereof; in the adjusting mechanism, first and second rotatable adjusting elements are each fixedly connected to one of the two shafts opposite one another. Adjacent to the adjusting mechanism, the outside shaft is fixedly connected to a first bearing ring supporting at least the outside shaft in a stationary first abutment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Lettmann, Falk Schneider
  • Publication number: 20070295297
    Abstract: A method of regulating a crankshaft position in a hybrid electric vehicle includes deactivating cylinders of an internal combustion engine, driving a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine using an electric machine, and determining a target crankshaft position when a rotational speed of the crankshaft crosses a first threshold. The crankshaft is driven towards the target crankshaft position at a nudge rotational speed, and rotation of the crankshaft is braked using the electric machine when a brake crankshaft position is achieved at the target rotational speed. Rotation of the crankshaft is arrested at the target position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Goro Tamai, Mark A. Zerbini, James L. Worthing