Patents Issued in January 29, 2008
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Patent number: 7322286Abstract: The invention relates to a bin for storing a volume of waste that can be reduced by compaction. The bin includes an apparatus for reducing the pressure exerted in the volume of the bin, under the effect of a vacuum, and ensures that the waste is compacted. The bin includes a tight deformable enclosure in which the waste is collected, optionally contained in a disposable bag, and the tight deformable enclosure includes at least one lateral wall consisting of an assembly of rigid plates or segments (2) which are articulated in relation to each other in such a way as to form a deformable apron that subjects the waste to a compression force between the lateral deformable apron wall and the opposite wall, under the effect of the vacuum being exerted in the enclosure, one of the sides of said enclosure being open for introducing waste, and provided with a tight cover (6).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Sita FranceInventors: Frédéric Labeille, Mathias Destais
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Patent number: 7322287Abstract: Improved apparatus for imprint lithography involves using direct fluid pressure to press a mold into a substrate-supported film. Advantageously the mold and/or substrate are sufficiently flexible to provide wide area contact under the fluid pressure. Fluid pressing can be accomplished by sealing the mold against the film and disposing the resulting assembly in a pressurized chamber. The result of this fluid pressing is enhanced resolution and high uniformity over an enlarged area.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Nanonex CorporationInventors: Hua Tan, Linshu Kong, Mingtao Li, Stephen Y. Chou
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Patent number: 7322288Abstract: An apparatus for performing operations on a surface of an electronic substrate comprises a frame, a dispenser, coupled to the frame, to dispense a material onto the electronic substrate, a stencil moveable on a gantry system having at least one aperture to receive the material as the material is dispensed on the substrate, a controller that controls dispensing of the material on the substrate, and a wiper to remove material from the stencil as the stencil is translated away from the electronic substrate by the gantry system.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Speedline Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Frank John Marszalkowski, Jr.
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Patent number: 7322289Abstract: A printing tower includes at least two printing groups which can each be controlled independently of the other by the entry of data into an operating unit. The operating unit is configured independently of the printing groups and can selectively exchange data with different printing groups.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AktiengesellschaftInventor: Raimund Bruno Schneider
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Patent number: 7322290Abstract: A printing press has several plate cylinders on which printing plates can be placed and from which they can be removed. Changing of these printing plates is accomplished by remote control through the use of a central controller which is associated with the printing press. The central controller is in control of all of the units which are involved in the changing of the printing press. At least one printing plate on at least one of the plate cylinders can be changed while the press is in operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AktiengesellschaftInventor: Wolfgang Peter Zink
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Patent number: 7322291Abstract: The tension of a web in a multi-web system is regulated. At least two webs initially run through a first processing step independently of each other and are subsequently combined with each other to form one resultant web strand. The web tensions of these two initially independent webs are adjusted to each other through a first regulation process. Each of these webs has its web tension regulated on the separate web path by a dedicated second regulation process which is different from the first regulation process.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Koenig & Bauer AktiengesellschaftInventors: Harald Karl Gretsch, Reinhard Georg Groβ
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Patent number: 7322292Abstract: A squib that is used by being connected to a bus is formed by assembling an explosive unit and a communication/ignition unit that have been constructed as separate components. The communication/ignition unit is provided with an IC substrate for ignition and communication that is electrically connected to a bus wire. The explosive unit is provided with explosive, an ignition element, and a header that is interposed between the ignition element and the IC substrate, and that electrically connects the two. In this IC integrated type of squib that is used for communication and ignition, it is possible to prevent the explosive and the IC from mutually interfering with the performances of each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junichi Nishimura, Hiromi Aida, Kazuo Matsuda, Kazutaka Saito, Takeshi Kai, Etsuya Miyake
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Patent number: 7322293Abstract: A system such as an electronic blasting system, and a slave device for use in the system, in which a command is issued by a master device to all slave devices connected to the system, causing all slave devices that have not been identified to the master device to respond with identifying information and optionally other information pertaining to the slave device.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Special Devices, Inc.Inventor: Alex A. Kouznetsov
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Patent number: 7322294Abstract: A method of making a thin film explosive detonator includes forming a substrate layer; depositing a metal layer in situ on the substrate layer; and reacting the metal layer to form a primary explosive layer. The method and apparatus formed thereby integrates fabrication of a micro-detonator in a monolithic MEMS structure using “in-situ” production of the explosive material within the apparatus, in sizes with linear dimensions below about 1 mm. The method is applicable to high-volume low-cost manufacturing of MEMS safety-and-arming devices. The apparatus can be initiated either electrically or mechanically at either a single point or multiple points, using energies of less than about 1 mJ.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Gerald Laib
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Patent number: 7322295Abstract: A cartridge munition, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,107,909, includes a cartridge shell (3) and a projectile (2) inserted into it. A propulsion chamber (4) is provided within the cartridge shell that receives a propulsive charge (5) that may be ignited by means of a pyrotechnic igniter (13) and that develops propulsive gases that act on the base (8) of the projectile, driving it out of the cartridge shell. In order to prevent the pyrotechnic igniter from igniting spontaneously, and from igniting the propulsive charge (5) because of the ambient temperature or because of a fire, which would cause the cartridge shell and projectile to be separated and fly apart, it is proposed by the invention to provide exhaust channels (14) between the propulsion chamber and the exterior of the cartridge shell (3) that are filled with a fusible material, particularly a fusible metal (15). The fusible material has a lower melting point than the ignition point of the igniter (13) and of the propulsive charge (5).Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Nico-Pyrotechnik Hanns-Juergen Diederichs & Co, KGInventor: Detlef Haeselich
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Patent number: 7322296Abstract: A training grenade includes a main body, a cartridge chamber removably connected to the main body, a firing pin mechanism for actuating the cartridge and a toggle for operating the firing pin mechanism, the toggle being contained within the main body.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: John William George Ellis
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Patent number: 7322297Abstract: A method of canneluring a frangible projectile includes the steps of rotating the projectile at a high speed, and cutting the cannelure into the projectile to form a frangible cannelured projectile. To ensure that the body is not damaged during cutting, the cutting tool has bevels on each side of a square, generally flat, cutting surface. A frangible cannelured projectile made by the foregoing method includes a groove having a generally flat base and beveled edges.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: International Cartridge CorporationInventor: Daniel S. Yaich
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Patent number: 7322298Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible floor designed to be suspended from an undulating flexible bellows in order to form a corridor connection module, said floor presenting undulating raised edges at its transverse ends, and, on its bottom face, transverse ribs in which metal reinforcements are embedded. According to the invention, at least some of the metal reinforcements have ends that project beyond the transverse ribs, each of which projecting ends is coupled to a fastening device for fastening the floor to the bellows, which fastening device extends alongside the outside of the corresponding undulating raised edge and presents a fastening end for fastening to the bellows that is situated above the corresponding raised edge.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: HutchinsonInventors: Jean-Claude Petit, Richard De Antonio
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Patent number: 7322299Abstract: A modular section for forming a support structure, the section being elongated and having a generally annular cross-sectional configuration with spaced upper and lower surfaces and spaced side walls, the upper and lower surfaces and side walls forming upper and lower edges, respectively, at the interfaces, wherein the upper and lower surfaces each comprise an extension at the respective upper and lower edges, the extensions having a flange formed at the ends thereof, and where the upper and lower surfaces each have a groove formed therein.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: Joseph P. Greene
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Patent number: 7322300Abstract: A table comprising a support for a first tabletop section having a first edge including a first recess and for a second tabletop section having a second edge including a second recess. A plurality of fasteners releasably joins the first edge to the second edge to form a tabletop when the first edge lies adjacent to the second edge to provide alignment of the first recess with the second recess to form an opening in the tabletop between the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section. The support is preferably a planter using a plurality of mounting members for releasable connection of the first tabletop section and the second tabletop section to the support or planter to secure the tabletop thereto to form the table.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: Jeremy Daniel Caeton
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Patent number: 7322301Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing sewerage sludge and other organic based feedstocks, in an energy efficient manner that minimizes or eliminates unwanted byproducts, including pathogens, and generates useful environmentally safe products. The sewage sludge or other feedstocks are partially dried before being input to a gasifier operating under partial pyrolytic conditions with a small amount of oxygen or air present to produce fuel in the form of synthesis gas, bio-oil fuel, and char. A small percentage of the fuel may be used to maintain the operation of the feedstock drying process after it is started and a small amount of the synthesis gas produced in the gasifier reacts with the small amount of oxygen present with the feedstock to maintain the pyrolysis temperature in the gasifier in order to make the system economically viable.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: Wayne Childs
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Patent number: 7322302Abstract: A heavy-duty seedling planter for reforestation comprises specially configured coulter wheels that form a unique seedbed furrow. An elongated, rigid frame includes a front towing connection, and a rear strut for mounting trailing furrow compaction wheels. The planter is towed over the ground by an agricultural tractor and an operator seated within a cab dispenses seedlings. The coulters are spaced apart from one another along the frame. Both coulters are towed in approximately ten degrees and positively cambered approximately three degrees. The axes of rotation of the coulters are neither coaxial, coincident, collinear nor coplanar. The trailing coulter almost touches the midpoint of the leading coulter. Dual convex packer wheels trailing the frame compress soil, close the furrow, and create twin, parallel irrigation trenches.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: John T. Reidhar
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Patent number: 7322303Abstract: A needle bar drive apparatus for a sewing machine includes a dedicated drive source (16) for driving a needle bar (3) of the sewing machine to move up and down. When a sewing operation is to be performed, a control section (160) controls the drive source to cause the needle bar to move up and down within a predetermined stroke range, but, when no sewing operation is to be performed, the control section controls the drive source to cause the needle bar to retreat to a predetermined evacuation position set above a top dead center in the predetermined stroke range. The control section is also capable of varying a timewise pattern of the upward and downward movement of the needle bar within the predetermined stroke range. Thus, it is possible to secure an increased space between the lower end of the needle bar and the upper surface of a sewing machine table (6) during a non-sewing period while limiting the stroke of the needle bar to a necessary minimum during a sewing period.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Ikuo Tajima
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Patent number: 7322304Abstract: A multi-needle sewing machine capable of preventing twisting (twinning) associated with the oversupply state of a second thread element owing to the abrupt lowering of a thread take-up am even when the vertical reciprocation speeds of the needle bar and the thread take-up are increased to raise the efficiency of sewing. A recess is formed so that the second thread element that is pulled using the through hole of the thread take-up arm while at a bottom dead center can fall into the recess, the thread is lowered abruptly and is in a oversupply state and can be deflected within the recess bounded by jump preventing faces and a beaten thread portion face, so as to make contact with the faces and prevent the thread from jumping.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Kabushikikaisha BarudanInventor: Kiyoyuki Ishihara
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Patent number: 7322305Abstract: A needle bar thread guide for a sewing machine includes a thread guide part located in a thread hooking part of a thread hooking member to guide the needle thread into the thread hooking part, and a thread cast-off preventing member having a thread cast-off preventing part closing the thread guide part. The thread cast-off preventing member is elastically deformable. The thread cast-off preventing part has a distal end which is in contact with an upper surface of the thread hooking part.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shinya Fujihara
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Patent number: 7322306Abstract: A means for transportation is disclosed, where the means includes a ballistic protection structures associated with a flexible bladder cargo isolation system. A ballistic protection system for protecting means of transportation from ballistic attacks is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Emergent Maitime Technologies, LPInventor: Keith A. Robinson
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Patent number: 7322307Abstract: A buoyant bumper system for attachment to a docking facility and cushioning a boat. The buoyant bumper system includes an elongated travel shaft for engaging the docking facility, a travel sleeve slidably carried by the travel shaft, a system float carried by the travel sleeve and a resilient bumper carried by the travel sleeve in spaced-apart relationship to the system float. Throughout tidal rise and fall of a water body, the system float maintains the bumper at a fixed level with respect to the boat. Therefore, the buoyant bumper system is capable of cushioning and preventing damage to the boat throughout a full range of tidal movement as the boat is docked to a docking facility.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: George J. Perry
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Patent number: 7322308Abstract: A mooring apparatus for mooring first and second vessels, (1, 7) together in a heavy seaway ofFshore is described. The apparatus is for tandem mooring using soft yoke technology. The apparatus consists of a rigid arm (2) with a longitudinal axis and first and second ends. The arm is mountable to a first vessel (1) so that its longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to that of the vessel (1) and is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis (3) which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and is located between the first and second ends. A tension member (4) is pivotally mounted to the second end of the arm (2) and can be connected to the second vessel (7). A ballast weight (8) is moveably mounted on the arm (2) and can be moved longitudinally along the arm by a drive means (9).Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Bluewater Energy Services BVInventor: Jacob De Baan
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Patent number: 7322309Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflatable structure comprising an inflatable frame and a single inflation valve. The inflatable frame has at least two chambers in fluid communication with at least one other chamber through a check valve, whereby the chambers are inflated through the inflation valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Nautic & Art Inc.Inventors: Luc Larochelle, Serge Larochelle
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Patent number: 7322310Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Norse Dairy Systems, Inc.Inventor: David McKay
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Patent number: 7322311Abstract: A continuous coating process 30 for chewing gum and bubble gum materials. Small cores or pieces of gum material 20 are introduced into inclined rotating drums 34, 34? in which heated air 52 is circulated and a coating solution 50 is applied (liquid or powder). The coating material is dried on the pieces of material, and a plurality of thin layers are formed on each of the cores or small pieces of material. A series of rotating drums can be provided to provide the requisite number or thickness of coating layers. In an alternate embodiment, initial coatings of material can be provided on the cores by a batch-type process before the materials are introduced into the continuous coating drums. The formulas for the coating solution can also be adjusted at different stages of the coating process in order to provide a more consistent and uniform coating.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLCInventors: Marc Degady, Miles Van Niekerk
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Patent number: 7322312Abstract: In a method for edge glueing and in an arrangement including a tensioning aggregate with a device for edge glueing, a glue is applied in a spin spraying process, and the application is performed on the product web which is extended at the edges and smoothed.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1999Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Babcock-Textilmaschinen GmbHInventors: Andreas Stoehrmann, Marc-Aurel Voth
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Patent number: 7322313Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus M1 is provided with a processing part 20 for supporting a pair of elongate electrodes 30. The processing part 20 is provided with a plurality of pull bolts 52 (approach-deforming preventers) mutually spacedly arranged in the longitudinal direction of the electrode 30. A head part of each pull bolt 52 is hooked on a rigid plate 33 through a bolt holder 53, and a leg part thereof is screwed in the electrode 30. Owing to this arrangement, the electrodes 30 can be prevented from being deformed by Coulomb's force.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Mayumi, Mamoru Hino, Susumu Yashiro, Harukazu Shimizu
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Patent number: 7322314Abstract: An insulated animal enclosure configured to be conveniently maintained at a cool and comfortable interior temperature. The insulated animal enclosure includes an inner habitat and an outer housing. The cuter housing includes an opening configured to receive the inner habitat therein and substantially surrounds the inner habitat at a spaced-apart distance thereof. Cooling means are placed within the spaced-apart distance between the outer housing and the inner habitat to assist in maintaining a controlled temperature environment. The inner habitat additionally includes an opening therein to allow an animal to enter and exit the structure at will.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: Linda J. Sweeney
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Patent number: 7322315Abstract: A lightweight, collapsible pet house includes a lower frame which supports a raised pet supporting floor and an upper frame cooperable with the lower frame and removable with respect thereto which supports a cover forming the roof and walls over the floor of the pet house. The lower frame and pet supporting floor can be used alone as a pet cot. The pet supporting floor is preferably made of a mesh material to promote air circulation around an animal resting on the floor and a vent in the roof and an entrance to the house promote air circulation through the house. The frames are advantageously made of PVC piping and connectors for the piping so can be easily assembled and disassembled so the house can be easily transported and stored and the floor and cover easily cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Maze Innovations, Inc.Inventors: Charles Brewer, William N. Whitlock
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Patent number: 7322316Abstract: An animal control arrangement in which there is provided a plurality of leashes which may be attached to the collars of animals to be controlled while walking, exercising, training or the like and which reduces the likelihood of the leashes becoming tangled.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: January Blandford
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Patent number: 7322317Abstract: The invention relates to a heat-recovery boiler (3) consisting of a tube bundle heat exchanger (7) which is incorporated into a pressure vessel (2) downstream of a gasification device. Displacement bodies (9) are inserted into pipes which are flowed around by hot process gas. According to said invention, in order to avoid corrosion problems like metal dusting, said displacement bodies (9) are made of graphite.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Lurgi AGInventors: Walter Boll, Werner Röll, Christoph Erdmann, Ulrich Wagner, Thomas Wurzel
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Patent number: 7322318Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with an internal piston cooling system that jets oil from an oil jet onto a surface of a piston during engine operation, to effectively cool the piston. In the piston cooling system of the internal combustion engine, each piston being arranged to reciprocate in a cylinder bore of a cylinder block, and oil is jetted from individual oil jets to each piston, respectively. An oil reservoir is formed in a crankcase journal wall, that journals a crankshaft of the engine. In the crankcase, oil supply passages are provided for supplying oil from a hydraulic supply source to the oil reservoir, and in turn, oil is operatively supplied from the oil reservoir to the oil jets via a passageway.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiki Nagahashi, Naoki Kono, Masaki Yoneyama, Kohji Minami
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Patent number: 7322319Abstract: A fan assembly for an agricultural tractor includes a rotatable fan mechanically driven by a drive shaft coupled to an internal combustion engine. A fan shroud encloses the outer periphery of the fan and is mechanically connected to the engine. A bearing is mounted on the drive shaft and supports the fan shroud so that the drive shaft is rotatable with respect to the fan shroud. The bearing prevents radial and axial movement of the fan shroud relative to the drive shaft. A fan housing is connected to a radiator which is connected to the engine. The fan housing is coupled to an end of the fan shroud by a friction coupler which prevents rotation of the fan shroud.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Dierk Esau, Waldemar Stark, Gerald Werner, Peter Back
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Patent number: 7322320Abstract: A cylinder block including a block with two parts, a cylinder liner portion defining an inner wall of a water jacket and a cylinder block body defining an outer wall of the water jacket. The water jacket, which extends around the cylinders, is defined between the cylinder liner portion and the cylinder block body. A cylinder connector includes rectangular partition walls arranged in the direction cylinder liners are aligned. Each partition wall partitions adjacent cylinder lines and extends vertically downward from the bottom of the cylinder connector.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Minoru Sugano
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Patent number: 7322321Abstract: An Elevated Expansion-Ratio Internal Combustion Engine has a substantially standard repeating four-stroke sequence for each of a plurality of cylinders. The head of each cylinder has an intake valve, a combustion-gas exhaust valve, and a vapor return valve. A return manifold for vapor connects from respective ones of the cylinders via a plurality of valve assemblies, each of which includes the return valve, into a passage ahead of a beginning portion of an intake manifold. Each valve assembly also has a discharge valve coupled to the return valve via a holding tank for cylinder vapor or gas. Valve stems of the discharge and return valves are coaxial in a single section valve housing or spaced-apart in a two-section valve housing. A quantity of the vapor is received into the holding tank during the compression stroke, and subsequently transferred via the discharge valve to the return manifold.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: Barnett Joel Robinson
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Patent number: 7322322Abstract: In a stratified-scavenging two-stroke internal combustion engine, air-fuel mixture outlets (14b) and air outlets (15b) are provided on either side of a cylinder (3), and the air-fuel mixture outlets (14b) and the air outlets (15b) communicate with a crank chamber (6) via air-fuel mixture passageways (14) and air passageways (15). The crank chamber (6) is charged with air from an air-feeding port (12). An inlet port (10) is disposed on either side of the air-feeding port (12), and mixture (M) from each inlet port (10) is charged into the air-fuel mixture passageways (14) via air-fuel mixture introduction recesses (17) formed in the outer surface of a piston (2). The air outlets (15b) are positioned nearer to the exhaust port (11), while the air-fuel mixture outlets (14b) are positioned nearer to the inlet ports (10).Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Kioritz CorporationInventor: Kazuhiro Tsutsui
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Patent number: 7322323Abstract: After a delay control for extending a period from when an engine stop request is made to when the engine actually stops is started, the electronic control unit changes the valve timing and the valve duration of an intake valve to valve timing and valve duration suitable for starting the engine. When changing the valve timing and the valve duration after the start of the delay control, the electronic control unit changes one of the valve timing and the valve duration of the intake valve based on the other such a valve overlap becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Kawasaki, Naohide Fuwa
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Patent number: 7322324Abstract: In a valve operating apparatus of an engine capable of varying a valve lift characteristic, rotary motion of a drive cam is converted through a motion-conversion linkage including a rocker arm into oscillating motion of a valve actuation member for operating an engine valve. Also provided is a control shaft whose angular position is adjusted depending on an engine operating condition for changing a linkage attitude. The valve actuation member has an arcuate portion curved to bypass the drive shaft. The control shaft has a coaxial shaft portion and an eccentric control cam. The control cam is a fulcrum of oscillating motion of the rocker arm and the coaxial shaft portion of the control shaft is a fulcrum of oscillating motion of the valve actuation member. The fulcrums are laid out in close proximity to each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Seinosuke Hara, Makoto Nakamura
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Patent number: 7322325Abstract: Apparatus and methods for varying valve lift in an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The apparatus include a rocker arm having an elongate aperture and a shaft configured to pass through the aperture. The height of the shaft with respect to the aperture is variable to effect different rocker arm ratios when in combination with a fixed fulcrum point. When the shaft is located in a lower position with respect to the aperture in the rocker arm, the rocker arm pivots around the rocker arm shaft producing full valve lift. Alternatively, when the rocker arm shaft is positioned at a height above the lower position, an upper surface of the rocker arm becomes engageable to varying degrees with the fixed fulcrum point, allowing the rocker arm to pivot around the fixed fulcrum point, thereby reducing the rocker arm ratio, and corresponding valve lift dependent on the rocker arm shaft position. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Ideal Engine IncorporatedInventor: Hermann Mueller
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Patent number: 7322326Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a driven shaft for actuating an intake valve and/or an exhaust valve of an engine. A housing member rotates together with a driving shaft of the engine. A rotor member is accommodated coaxially in the housing member for rotating together with the driven shaft. The rotor member is rotatable with respect to the housing member. The rotor member includes a rotor vane that circumferentially has a thick portion and a thin portion. The thick portion is greater than the thin portion in radial thickness. The rotor member further includes a bushing vane, in a substantially cylindrical shape, having one end. The one end is connectable to the rotor vane through a press-insertion hole with a compression margin relative to the thin portion. The one end is connectable to the rotor vane through a press-insertion hole without a compression margin relative to the thick portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Tatsuhiko Imaizumi, Takao Nojiri
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Patent number: 7322327Abstract: A lubrication structure for a camshaft with variable valve timing includes an advance hole, which includes an advance flow passage formed in a camshaft body. An end of the camshaft is attached to a continuously variable valve timing. A retard hole, which includes a retard flow passage, is formed in the camshaft body and spaced horizontally from the advance hole. A divergence flow passage has an end that surface-contacts the camshaft and is extended to communicate with the retard hole at an upper surface of a mounting part of a cylinder head. The other end of the divergence flow passage communicates with the slip surface on which the camshaft lays via a counter bore, so as to prevent lubrication film from being broken by load of the sprocket at an engine idle state or at an initial stage of cold starting.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Suc Tae Kim
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Patent number: 7322328Abstract: A variable cam follower (1) is provided for changeable transmission of a lifting movement of a cam to valve train elements allocated to the cam follower (1) in an internal combustion engine. The cam follower (1) includes a hydraulic force transmission device (19) with a variable length pressure space (18), which is bounded by a hollow cylindrical recess (15) of a first cam follower part (3) and by a rod (16) guided in the hollow cylindrical recess (15). The rod is part of a second cam follower part (9) that can move telescopically relative to the first cam follower part (3). The pressure space (18) is closable by a slide (21a, 21b) arranged within the cam follower (1) and acted upon by an adjustable control pressure (p), wherein an opening (23), which extends from the pressure space (18) and opens into a channel (20a, 20b), in which the slide (21a, 21b) runs, is formed in a base (13) of the hollow cylindrical recess (15).Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Schaeffler KGInventor: Donald R. Haefner
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Patent number: 7322329Abstract: Valve lift variation associated with a deactivation roller hydraulic valve DRVHL (DRHVL) can result in unacceptable valve overlap and idle conditions for an internal combustion engine. Two sources of length variation in a DRHVL are leakdown and residual mechanical lash. Total length variation is the sum of these two factors, and each factor has an associated tolerance. In the prior art, the two factors are independent, resulting in a total population variation that is the sum of the two independent variations. A DRHVL assembly process in accordance with the invention includes the step of associating leakdown test results for individual lash adjusters with residual lash results by adjusting the residual lash characteristics of individual DRHVL assemblies to complement the leakdown characteristics in minimizing total length variation in the population of assembled DRHVLs.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, David Draeger
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Patent number: 7322330Abstract: A Method for the linking of cam rings to hollow shafts. In a first process step, the cam rings are manufactured, so as to generate their function-related contour, from two individual rings of different material connected to each other in a force-and form-closing manner, with the material of the outer ring being hard and elastic and having a permissible residual expansion of at least 0.5%, and that of the inner ring being soft and plastically deformable. The cam rings together with the hollow shaft to be deformed are placed into an internal high pressure forming tool in a manner to suit the respective function. In a second process step through the application of an internal high pressure forming process and, due to the internal pressure exerted the cam rings are joined to the hollow shaft in a force-and form-closing manner.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: Bodo Furchheim
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Patent number: 7322331Abstract: An internal combustion engine starting control system for a vehicle which has an internal combustion engine as a driving source of the vehicle. The system includes a motor for driving the internal combustion engine; and a control device for performing driving control of the motor by making an actual rotation speed of the motor approach a predetermined target rotation speed. The driving control is a response designation feedback control based on a predetermined state quantity of the vehicle. Typically, the control device changes a response condition in the response designation feedback control in accordance with one of possible starting states of the internal combustion engine, by using a response designation parameter for designating the response condition, by which an approach condition in the operation for making the actual rotation speed of the motor approach the predetermined target rotation speed is changeable.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yutaka Tamagawa, Masanobu Asakawa
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Patent number: 7322332Abstract: An intake system of a V-engine provided with a surge tank arranged at a position higher than a cylinder head and divided in internal space into a top part and a bottom part. The surge tank has a plurality of intake tubes communicating the surge tank and intake ports, wherein intake tubes communicated with one cylinder bank of the V-engine are connected to the top part of the surge tank and intake tubes communicated with the other cylinder bank are connected to the bottom part of the surge tank. The surge tank is formed so that a front end of the top part is positioned further toward a rear side of the vehicle compared with the front end of the bottom part when the intake system is mounted to a V-engine mounted in the vehicle, whereby the height of the engine hood can be effectively lowered.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kazuyoshi Abe
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Patent number: 7322333Abstract: An air intake structure is provided with an air intake control valve disposed in the air intake passage. The air intake control valve has a valve element pivotally mounted at one end adjacent to a passage wall of the air intake passage. The air intake control valve is configured to control a gas flow based on the rotational position of the valve element. At least one horizontal partitioning plate extends along the flow direction of an intake air. The horizontal partitioning plate can be stationary or moveable with the valve element. Optionally, the valve element has a swirl-producing notch and a vertical partitioning plate extends substantially perpendicular to the horizontal partitioning plate from a position corresponding to a vertical side edge of the swirl-producing notch when the air intake control valve is fully closed. The vertical partitioning plate can be stationary or moveable with the valve element.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Isaji, Kouichi Mori, Shunichi Mitsuishi, Kimiyoshi Nishizawa
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Patent number: 7322334Abstract: A chainsaw starting apparatus comprises a frame, a first crank arm, a second crank arm, and a locking mechanism. The frame is designed to occupy a fixed position relative to a floor surface. The first crank arm and the second crank arm are each rotationally supported by the frame and interconnected to produce rotational movement of one arm upon rotational movement of the other arm. The locking mechanism may be used for releasably attaching a chainsaw to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: John T. O'Brien
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Patent number: 7322335Abstract: An oil pan structure includes a tubular level-gauge guide into which an oil level-gauge that measures the amount of oil stored in the oil pan is inserted. The oil pan structure further includes a nozzle guide that guides the end of a nozzle of an oil changer, which is inserted into the level-gauge-guide when the oil in the oil pan is replaced with new oil, to a position near the deepest portion of the reservoir portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshinori Suzuki, Koichiro Komatsu, Hisayoshi Kato