Patents Issued in January 29, 2008
  • Patent number: 7322336
    Abstract: Crankshaft bearings suitable for a reciprocating piston-type internal combustion engine having multiple cylinders are arranged in a housing made of a light metal alloy and include bearing bores for a crankshaft crank pins of a crankshaft. The bores having first and second bearing sections with first and second thrust bearings extending across a longitudinal plane of the crankshaft on both sides of a bearing parting plane. The second thrust bearings are part of a crankshaft bearing bridge connected to a crankcase. At least a portion of two thrust bearings of the crankshaft bearing bridge having neighboring or adjoining bore halves of the bearing bores is supported by connecting elements. The thrust bearings of the internal combustion engine open into longitudinal walls of the crankshaft bearing bridge with local widened areas in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Paul, Joachim Gruenberger
  • Patent number: 7322337
    Abstract: A safety fuel tank and filler cap arrangement is disclosed wherein the cap attaches to an internal combustion engine having a fuel tank and a starter or ignition system. The tether that connects the cap to the engine ignition or starter is an electrical conduit that can disable the engine so that it will not run or start if the cap is separated from the fuel tank such as when a user wants to fill it with gasoline. In one embodiment, a switch arrangement is contained entirely within the cap. In another arrangement a ring attaches to the tether and a conventional cap engages the ring to enable ignition when the cap is added to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Brister, Ed Chandler
  • Patent number: 7322338
    Abstract: A safety fuel tank and filler cap arrangement is disclosed wherein the cap attaches to an internal combustion engine having a fuel tank and a starter or ignition system. The tether that connects the cap to the engine ignition or starter is an electrical conduit that can disable the engine so that it will not run or start if the cap is separated from the fuel tank such as when a user wants to fill it with gasoline. In one embodiment, a switch arrangement is contained entirely within the cap. In another arrangement a ring attaches to the tether and a conventional cap engages the ring to enable ignition when the cap is added to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Brister, Ed Chandler
  • Patent number: 7322339
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for a direct fuel injection (DFI) engine is provided. The system includes: injection mode module selects a fuel injection mode to be one of a single injection mode and a dual injection mode during DFI engine idle operation based on a torque request; and a fuel injection command module that commands fuel injection events based on a crankshaft position and the fuel injection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse M. Gwidt, David P. Sczomak, Matthew A. Wiles, Michael J. Lucido
  • Patent number: 7322340
    Abstract: An engine fuel injection control apparatus has a parameter setting section, a parameter changing section and a determining section. The parameter setting section is configured to set a parameter of fuel injected into an engine to a first injection parameter to control a state of combustion noise or exhaust emission to a target state when an engine operation condition is in a first operation region. The parameter changing section is configured to change the parameter of fuel injected into the engine from the first injection parameter to a second injection parameter when the engine operation condition remains in the first operation region. The determining section is configured to determine whether or not an actual state of the combustion noise or the exhaust emission of the engine changes when the parameter of fuel injected into the engine is changed from the first injection parameter to the second injection parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Ohga
  • Patent number: 7322341
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine having a fuel injection valve. A fuel injection timing is determined according to the detected engine operating condition. A target ignition timing of the fuel is calculated using a plurality of maps that store the target ignition timings according to the engine operating condition and an actual ignition timing of the fuel is detected. An ignition delay of the actual ignition timing with respect to the target ignition timing is calculated. The cetane number of the fuel is estimated according to the calculated ignition delay. The map to be used in calculating the target ignition timing is switched according to the estimated cetane number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamaguchi, Mamoru Hasegawa, Naoto Kitayama, Hideki Sakamoto, Akira Odajima
  • Patent number: 7322342
    Abstract: A requested injection amount of fuel necessary during ignition cut-off at the time of start at an extremely low temperature is calculated (step ST2), injection start timing and injection end timing between which wetting of a spark plug by fuel is less likely are set (step ST3), and the number of times of ignition cut-off is calculated based on the injection start timing and the injection end timing and the requested injection amount (step ST4). The injection start timing and the injection end timing are thus restricted to timings between which plug wetting is less likely, and the number of times of ignition cut-off is calculated based on the injection start timing and the injection end timing and the requested injection amount, so that wetting of the spark plug by fuel at the extremely low temperature can be avoided even in an in-cylinder direct-injection engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Maemura, Masanao Idogawa, Masahiko Teraoka, Osamu Hosokawa, Takeyasu Muraishi
  • Patent number: 7322343
    Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister for an automotive vehicle, includes a casing formed thereinside with charge, purge and drain ports connected to a gas passage. First, second, third and fourth adsorption layers are disposed in the gas passage and arranged in order of first, second, third and forth adsorption layers from side of the charge port along a longitudinal direction of the gas passage. Each adsorption layer includes a fuel vapor adsorbent. Additionally, a first space section is formed between the first and second adsorption layers. A second space section is formed between the second and third adsorption sections. A third space section is formed between the third and fourth adsorption sections. Each space section has a width in the longitudinal direction of the gas passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mahle Filter Systems Japan Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Yamada, Masaru Nakano, Masashi Uchino, Takahiro Osaki
  • Patent number: 7322344
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a direct injector for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber of the engine, an intake passage injector for injecting fuel into an intake passage of the engine, and a vaporized fuel processing unit for purging purge gas containing a vaporized fuel into the intake passage. A fuel injection control apparatus includes a detecting section and an injection control section. The detecting section detects the amount of the vaporized fuel in the purge gas. The injection control section changes a fuel injection mode of at least one of the direct injector and the intake passage injector depending on the detected amount of the vaporized fuel. As a result, hampering of engine combustion due to purge gas is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 7322345
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stuck-open failure detection system for a gas-fuel injection valve adapted to inject or supply gas fuel into/to a combustion chamber of an engine, which comprises: a shutoff value interposed in a fuel supply passage fluidically connected to the gas-fuel injection valve, at a position upstream of the gas-fuel injection valve, and adapted to supply gas fuel to the gas-fuel injection valve in its open state; an open/close controller for controllably opening and closing the shutoff value; a pressure detector for detecting a pressure in a region of the fuel supply passage between the gas-fuel injection valve and the shutoff value; and a stuck-open failure detector for detecting a stuck-open failure that the gas-fuel injection valve is stuck in the open state, based on a pressure change detected by the pressure detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Saito, Hiroyasu Uchida, Yasushi Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 7322346
    Abstract: A method is specified for controlling a combustion engine in a motor vehicle, namely for optimally adjusting an air/fuel ratio which is distinguished in that the air/fuel ratio is the result of a regulation process. Individual aspects of the invention further address a regulation method particularly suitable for such regulation in consideration of the available input values and readings. For the purposes of supporting regulation, an adaptation method is specified which can also be used independently of the regulation method or with other regulation methods and which enables the regulation to be continuously adapted to the respective operating conditions, such as, for example, the engine operational performance, and signs of wear and tear and disruptions due to deposits etc. which accompany it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Hubert Schreurs, Julien Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7322347
    Abstract: Each one of a set of substitutable paintball magazines of different capacities can be quickly mounted on a universal coupling base plugged into the projectile feeding port of a paintball marker. The coupling base incorporates a motor whose shaft connects to a paintball agitator within the magazine. The set of magazines offers a convenient selection of loading capacities to accommodate a variety of game circumstances and environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: JT USA, LLC
    Inventor: Lester V. Broersma
  • Patent number: 7322348
    Abstract: An electric paintball feed hopper for paintguns, characterized in having a hopper opening, which provides for loading paintballs, defined in a hopper, a fastening cover, which prevents the paintballs from falling out, is fitted to the hopper opening, and an oblique partition, which provides for sequencing of the paintballs, is further configured on an inner side of the fastening cover. Moreover, a motor-driven paintball feed mechanism and a guide mechanism, which provides for successively feeding the paintballs, are configured at a lower end of the oblique partition. After a round of paintballs is loaded into the hopper, the paintball feed mechanism and the guide mechanism enable sequencing of the paintballs loaded within the hopper and successive shifting into a barrel of a paintgun, thereby achieving uninterrupted shooting and providing an effect that closely simulates the firing of a real gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Speed Paintball Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 7322349
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivery of a medicament to the respiratory system comprises a reservoir that is adapted to hold a liquid medicament that is to be delivered to a respiratory system. An aerosol generator is provided that is adapted to aerosolize the liquid medicament. A liquid supplier is used to deliver the liquid medicament from the reservoir to the aerosol generator. A connector is operably coupled to the aerosol generator and comprises a gas conduit having an inlet, and an outlet, and an aerosol supply conduit. The aerosol generator is configured to provide the aerosolized liquid medicament into the gas conduit through the aerosol supply conduit, and the gas conduit is adapted to pass gases to entrain the aerosolized liquid medicament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Aerogen, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Power
  • Patent number: 7322350
    Abstract: In a compressed air breathing apparatus, a single combined high/medium-pressure line (8) consisting of a medium-pressure hose and a coaxial, flexible high-pressure line inside said hose is integrated into the pressure reducer (5) connected to a compressed air bottle so that said line can rotate in axial direction. The free end of the combined high/medium-pressure line (8) can also rotate in axial direction when connected to a manifold block (9) for distributing the supplied high or medium-pressure air to connections for a lung machine (11), a pressure gauge (15), and an alarm whistle (17) that is controlled at high pressure and operated at medium pressure. The manifold block (9) is equipped with an additional high-pressure fast-fill connection (14) and an additional medium-pressure connection (13). A compressed air breathing apparatus of this design is simple, convenient, and safe to handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: MSA Auer GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Kling
  • Patent number: 7322351
    Abstract: A respiratory mask includes: a mask cap defining a chamber and a through-hole in fluid communication with the chamber; and a valve unit including a hollow valve body that projects in an axial direction from a periphery of the through-hole in the mask cap and that is formed with a valve seat which defines a valve opening in the valve body. The valve unit further includes an abutting plate that is securely connected to the valve body, and a single-piece elastic block body that is formed with a shoulder abutting sealingly against the valve seat, and that has a bottom end abutting against the abutting plate. The elastic block body is elastically compressible in the axial direction so as to be deformed in the axial direction to thereby space the shoulder apart from the valve seat when pressed by an external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hsiner Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Eric Chang
  • Patent number: 7322352
    Abstract: Provided herein are dry powder inhalers for the delivery of metered doses of medicament, counters associated with the inhalers for counting and displaying the number of doses administered or remaining within the inhaler, and methods of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Aventis Pharma Limited
    Inventors: Stephen John Minshull, Duncan Grant Young, Andrew J. Ledgeway, Simon Paul Wells, Graham Keith Lacy, Julian Francis R. Swan
  • Patent number: 7322353
    Abstract: A dry powder inhaler, including a housing having an airflow path leading from an inlet, past a powder release location, to a mouthpiece; a drive spool engaged with a capstan adjacent to the powder release location; a spring biasing a ratchet into engagement with the drive spool; and a breath trigger in the airflow path. The breath trigger is moveable from a first position, wherein the breath trigger holds the ratchet, to a second position, wherein the breath trigger releases the ratchet to allow the ratchet to turn the drive spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S.
    Inventors: Matthew Young, Stuart Kay, Neil Harrison, Ian Darby, Peter Crew, Anne Powell, Cheryl Vanessa Rogerson
  • Patent number: 7322354
    Abstract: A method for operating a dry powder inhaler, the dry powder inhaler having a dose tape having spaced apart doses of a powder pharmaceutical, each dose being in a respective sealed blister. The inhaler includes a breath actuated blister opening system that sequentially opens a blister on the tape. The method involves routing the dose tape between first and second rotating elements; spring biasing the first rotating element to turn in a first direction; holding the first rotating element from rotating against the spring biasing; and releasing the first rotating element, and allowing it to rotate a fraction of one rotation, when air flows adjacent to the first rotating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Valois S.A.S
    Inventors: Matthew Young, Stuart Kay, Neil Harrison, Ian Darby, Peter Crew, Anne Powell, Cheryl Vanessa Rogerson
  • Patent number: 7322355
    Abstract: There is provided a medicament dispenser comprising a body, a medicament container and reset means for resetting a mechanical mechanism after actuation thereof, wherein the reset means comprises a reset coupling. The coupling is reversibly deformable in response to the application of non-mechanical energy thereto. The non-mechanical energy may comprise heat energy, electrical current energy, electrical field energy or magnetic field energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Smith Kline Beecham Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Patrick Jones, Paul Kenneth Rand, Duncan Robertson
  • Patent number: 7322356
    Abstract: A method for treating a patient diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea includes identifying a patient as having sleep apnea susceptible to a first positive airway treatment which is at a first operating pressure level in excess of that which is otherwise tolerable to the patient. The patient is treated with an airway treatment selected to alter a portion of an airway tissue of the patient. The patient is then treated with a second positive airway pressure treatment at a second pressure level, which is below the pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Restore Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan L. Critzer, Timothy R. Conrad
  • Patent number: 7322357
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of performing endotracheal intubation and a new and novel intubation device for performing the method. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intubation device comprises an endotracheal tube having a forward open end and a rearward open end and an inner bore there between. The endotracheal tube is provided with a fitting having a neck portion for inserting longitudinally within the first end and an adaptor for connecting to a respirator or other ventilating apparatus. A stylet is telescopingly positioned within the inner bore and extends outwardly from the forward open end and includes a longitudinally extending soft and flexible guide portion. The stylet is adapted to move outwardly from the forward open end of the endotracheal tube such that during insertion of the endotracheal tube into the trachea of the patient the guide portion is positioned within the trachea and operates to direct the endotracheal tube within the trachea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Radlyn LLC
    Inventor: Lindsey A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7322358
    Abstract: A female condom is provided that includes a pouch of resilient membranous material and a hydrophilic cling mechanism. According to an embodiment of the invention, the cling mechanism includes three or more foam cling elements attached to an outer surface of the pouch. Upon insertion, the foam cling elements cling lightly to vaginal walls proximate a transition zone between the vagina's introitus and its rugated internal tissue. The foam cling elements may be shaped to permit them to nestle into a user's rugated internal vaginal tissue. An inserter may be coupled to the pouch for facilitating insertion of the condom. The inserter may retain a distal portion of the pouch in a collapsed form. The cling mechanism may be contained within the dissolvable inserter. The inserter may be dissolvable in the presence of vaginal moisture. Methods are also provided for collapsing the pouch and compressing it into an insertion package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Path
    Inventors: Lisa Tam, Glenn D. Austin, Yancy Seamans, William Robert Van Lew, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7322359
    Abstract: A leak point wetness sensor for urological investigations. A receptacle receives liquid which leaks past a catheter inserted in the urethra. A temperature sensitive detector sensor is contacted by the leaked liquid and provides a signal output responsive to the temperature of the liquid. A circuit produces a reference output simulative of a temperature below the anticipated temperature of leaked liquid. A comparator produces a signal when the difference between the outputs is sufficient to confirm leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: SRS Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary T. Ketchum
  • Patent number: 7322360
    Abstract: This invention is an improved tissue localizing device for fixedly yet removably marking a volume of tissue containing a suspect region for excision. This invention also encompasses methods for deployment of the localizing device and its excision along with the marked tissue volume. At least one locator element is deployed into tissue and assumes a predetermined curvilinear shape to define a tissue border containing a suspect tissue region along a path. The locator element path preferably encompasses the distalmost portion of the tissue volume without penetrating that volume. Multiple locator elements may be deployed to further define the tissue volume along additional paths defining the tissue volume border that do not penetrate the volume. Other localization wire embodiments of the invention are disclosed in which the tissue volume may be penetrated by a portion of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, David Willis, Thomas A. Howell, George D. Hermann, Peter M. Wilson, Elizabeth M. Bush, Steven W. Kim, Roman Turovskiy
  • Patent number: 7322361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying a flowable medium to the tobacco rod of a smoking product, wherein the medium is introduced on a drum (1) of a cigarette machine, after the tobacco rod is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Horst Grzonka, Heiko Hertrich
  • Patent number: 7322362
    Abstract: A nail treating tool having a graspable handle, a first treating surface, and a second treating surface. The first and second treating surfaces are interchangeably placeable in an operative position relative to the graspable handle such that the graspable handle can be grasped by a user and manipulated to bear one of the first and second treating surfaces that is in the operative position against a nail to effect treatment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Aaron Tiram
  • Patent number: 7322363
    Abstract: A hair brush includes a squeezable handle that has opposed ends provided with an opening. The handle has a chamber extending along a length thereof and a cap that is positional about the proximal end opening. A hygienic agent is housed within the chamber and is extractable through the distal end opening. A mechanism is included for contemporaneously dispensing the agent while the user combs their hair, wherein a brush head is conjoined to the distal handle end and is in communication with the chamber. The brush head includes a bore formed therein that is registered with the distal end opening and includes discharging fingers that are in communication with the bore. The fingers oscillate along a linear path as the user squeezes the handle. The fingers return to an equilibrium position when the agent is discharged therefrom and extend when a new quantity of the agent enters same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Chico L. Dillard
  • Patent number: 7322364
    Abstract: A hairbrush for people and pets releases liquid gel perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions including insect repellant, hair conditioning composition, dye composition, moisturizing ingredients, or antibacterial compounds when brushed or activated by manually depressing a cover. The brush includes a flexible deformable membrane with a plurality of apertures that carries and aligns with apertures in brush bristles for delivery of the liquid gel active composition and is fitted within a first opening of an internal cavity in a brush base. A porous sponge saturated with the liquid gel active ingredient is inserted over the flexible deformable membrane. A cover is inserted through a second opening and rests upon the porous sponge. Brushing action deforms the flexible deformable membrane and squeezes the sponge, releasing the active ingredient during brushing or when the cover is depressed manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: I Did It, Inc.
    Inventor: Marni Markell Hurwitz
  • Patent number: 7322365
    Abstract: The hair coloring system of the present invention comprises a tray that includes three to five color channels, open square bowls for single brushes and an open slot in which brush handles may be placed for storing a number of brushes. Different colors may be squeezed into the channels along with the appropriate mixing solution. A coloring brush is also provided that comprises a handle, hair pick, comb, and brush. The brush portion includes segregated tufts of bristles that correspond to the color channels. The brush may be used to divide the hair into sections, mix the colors, and then to apply the colors to the hair. In this way a single brush and tray combination can do what previously required many different instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: George Kelloyan
  • Patent number: 7322366
    Abstract: A heated eyelash curler comprise a curling head portion having an arcuate top surface on one end and a protection case on the other end. The protection case serves as a handle and also encloses the power source. A heating element is laid on the arcuate top surface caged inside a plurality of bridges or protected between protruding comblike spikes. The curler includes a pigmented silicone piece which changes in color corresponding to the temperature of the heating element as indicator. The heating element comprises a conducting coil or wire in zigzag configuration inserted into a conducting tube. The circuitry includes a converter for boosting the voltage of the power source which hastens the rise in temperature of the heating element and this in combination with the heating element having the conducting coil or wire in zigzag configuration, provide a more stable and even heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Yong Hoon Cho
  • Patent number: 7322367
    Abstract: A method for cleaning teeth by drawing at least one cleaning thread in a reciprocating movement along teeth, at least one end of which cleaning thread is fastened to an elongate handling member, the other end of the thread is grasped with the hand, and the cleaning thread at least partially encircles the teeth during the movement. Thorough cleaning is hereby possible, so that the risk of teeth decay and/or gum disorders is avoided. The invention also relates to a device for cleaning teeth, comprising at least one elongate handling member with at least one opening formed close to an end of the member for passage of a cleaning thread, wherein the end of the member comprising the opening is adapted such that gums around the teeth are hereby not adversely affected. The device can be provided with means for holding the end of the handling member located opposite the opening, for instance in the form of a handle. The invention also relates to a handle for use in such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Luis José Paz-Soldán
  • Patent number: 7322368
    Abstract: A plasma cleaning gas for CVD chamber is a gas for cleaning silicon-containing deposits on the surface of a CVD chamber inner wall and the surfaces of members placed inside the CVD chamber after film forming treatment on a substrate by a plasma CVD apparatus. The cleaning gas includes 100% by volume of fluorine gas which gas can generate plasma by electric discharge. When 100% by volume of fluorine gas is plasma-generated by electric discharge and then used as a cleaning gas, an extremely excellent etching rate can be attained and further plasma can be stably generated even in the total gas flow rate of 1000 sccm and at a chamber pressure of 400 Pa. Further, the uniformity of cleaning can be also ensured in the above conditions. Additionally the fluorine gas concentration is 100% so that the apparatus is not complicated and thereby the cleaning gas has excellent practicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Akira Sekiya, Yuki Mitsui, Yutaka Ohira, Taisuke Yonemura
  • Patent number: 7322369
    Abstract: Methods of detaching microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) from, or of inhibiting microbial (e.g., bacterial) attachment to, animal or poultry carcasses or seafood or parts thereof, wherein the method involves contacting animal or poultry carcasses or seafood or parts thereof at least once with at least one of the following: (i) a polysulfated polysaccharide, (ii) carboxymethyl cellulose, or (iii) guanidine or arginine, optionally together with sodium chloride and at least one non-ionic surfactant, or (iv) mixtures thereof, in an amount effective to detach microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) from, or inhibit microbial (e.g., bacterial) attachment to, animal or poultry carcasses or seafood or parts thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventor: Marjorie B. Medina
  • Patent number: 7322370
    Abstract: A device is provided for monitoring a wash process inside a mechanical washing apparatus, comprising sensor means for measuring physical and/or mechanical parameters of the wash process and recording means for recording the measured parameters within the device. This device comprises means for conducting a washing liquor past the sensor means and means for determining a certain contact time between the washing liquor and the sensor means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: JohnsonDiversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonius Paulus Aulbers, Leonard Marcus Flendrig, Evert Nieuwkoop, Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Alexandru Volanschi, Johannes Jeichienus Van Der Werff
  • Patent number: 7322371
    Abstract: A lock mechanism mounted in a large umbrella includes a sliding sleeve including an aperture on surface of a lower extension, a telescopic shank including a lower tube fixed in a handle and a sliding upper tube, a lock device disposed in the upper tube such that disposing a resilient projection of the lock device through holes of the tubes may fasten the shank, an actuation assembly for receiving the extension and including a transverse opening and a spring biased actuation member having a portion disposed in the aperture for locking the extension in a closed position of the umbrella, the actuation member including a trigger, and a spring biased rib fixing assembly disposed between the handle and the actuation assembly. Pushing the trigger will disengage the portion with the aperture to open the umbrella. Operating the lock device will effect a subsequent multi-sectional length adjustment of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Ching-Chuan You
  • Patent number: 7322372
    Abstract: A pressure reducing valve for coupling to a pressurized water supply line includes a valve body with an inlet for coupling to the pressurized water supply line, an outlet, a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a valve seat in the passage at or adjacent the inlet. A valve stem extends into the passage, which has a sealing member. An automatic pressure reducing system is provided for urging the sealing member toward the valve seat for throttling the valve to thereby reduce the pressure at the outlet. The valve also includes a manual system that is decoupled from the automatic pressure reducing system for manually urging the sealing member toward the valve seat for closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James M Trapp
  • Patent number: 7322373
    Abstract: A high pressure valve assembly (10) comprising a valve sleeve (14) and a valve body (16) slidably mounted in the valve sleeve (14) is disclosed, the valve body (16) and valve sleeve (14) each having first ends (18, 56) and second ends (20, 58). A sidewall (22) extends between the valve sleeve first end (18) and second end (20) which sidewall (22) has an inner surface (24) and an outer surface (26) and at least one opening (30) therethrough. The sidewall (22) also includes at least one channel (40) having a first end (42) facing the inner surface (24) at a first location closer to the first valve sleeve end (18) than to the second valve sleeve end (20) and a second end (44) facing the inner surface (24) at a second location closer to the second valve sleeve end (20) than to the first valve sleeve end (18). A method of using the valve assembly (10) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7322374
    Abstract: An actuator for actuating a non-camshaft driven lift valve (12) of an internal combustion engine (10) includes a reciprocating tappet (20) that is coupled to the lift valve (12), a target ring (26) being attached to the outer circumference of the tappet, the target ring (26) having at least one slit and being made as a separate prefabricated part and consisting of an Fe-based material or of a ferritic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Bayerische Motorenwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Gebauer, Walter Strzoda, Rudolf Kragl, Joachim Homeister, Martin Lorscheid, Rolf Connert, Till Scheffler, Rudi Seethaler
  • Patent number: 7322375
    Abstract: A valve includes a rotating, substantially pressure-balanced spool that selectively aligns openings within the spool with openings within a sleeve to selectively connect ports of a manifold for gas or liquid routing. A valve may also include a stem, a needle coupled to the stem. a seat configured to receive the needle, a reservoir, an outlet coupled to the reservoir, and a servo motor coupled to the stem. The servo motor rotates the stem to raise or lower the needle relative to the seat to variably restrict or allow matter flowing from the reservoir to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventors: Michael Goldfarb, Eric J. Barth, Kevin B. Fite, Jason E. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7322376
    Abstract: A piezoelectric valve has a flexural transducer accommodated in a valve housing and having a free ending cantilever operational section able to be deflected by electrical control. The operational section extends over two controlled valve openings lying on the same side and possesses two control section associated with such valve openings. One of the control section serves for control of a supply opening and is urged into its closed by actuating means provided in addition to the flexural transducer. The actuating force is powerful enough to reach the closed position, when the other control section clears the associated valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventor: Herbert Frisch
  • Patent number: 7322377
    Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator includes a piston (3) capable of moving in an accumulator housing (1) in its axial direction and separating a gas side (5) from a liquid side (7) of the accumulator housing (1). Guide elements (9, 17) designed to co-operate with the accumulator housing wall (1), as well as at least one sealing element (15), are arranged at the periphery of the piston. The sealing element is arranged offset in the axial direction relative to the guide elements (9, 17), and is located between the guide elements. In the piston (3), a pressure compensating channel (19) forms, at the piston periphery, a liquid flow path between the liquid side (7) and a space (2) located between the guide element (17) nearest to the liquid side (7) and the sealing element immediately next in the axial direction. A device (25) reducing the cross-section of the passage of the pressure compensating channel (19) is located in it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hydac Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Baltes
  • Patent number: 7322378
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus with a modified pipe support. The apparatus comprises an outer pipe, an inner pipe, and a pipe support. The support comprises a seat and a support ring. The seat comprises a tubular portion for supporting an outer pipe at a top end. The support ring is detachably disposed within the tubular portion and comprises am annular surface and an inner bore surface, wherein the annular surface is inclined to the inner bore surface by an acute angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yan-Shou Chen, Yi-Chun Su, Dennis Lai
  • Patent number: 7322379
    Abstract: A flexible kink-resistant hose configuration includes concentric tubes with longitudinal ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel C. Evans
  • Patent number: 7322380
    Abstract: A pipe insulation coupling for coupling adjacent facing ends of elongated cylindrical pipe insulation tubing encased around a fluid pipe includes an elongated body extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end. The elongated body includes a pair of C-shaped clam shell portion interconnected by a living hinge for pivotal movement between an open position for receiving the pipe and a closed position clamped around the pipe and insulation tubing. Each clam shell portion includes an outer tube wall and an inner tube extending longitudinally between the first and second ends and defining a channel therebetween for receiving the adjacent facing ends of the insulation tubing. A planar wall interconnects the outer tube wall and the inner tube wall midway between the ends to abut the adjacent ends of the insulation tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Klo-Shure, Inc.
    Inventor: Orval A. Opperthauser
  • Patent number: 7322381
    Abstract: A duct main body is formed into a hollow tubular shape having in an interior thereof an intake passageway for introducing outside air into an internal combustion engine by connecting integrally a plurality of divided bodies such as a first divided body and a second divided body which are formed of a thermoplastic resin and has in a duct wall of the second divided body an opening which establishes a communication between the inside and outside of the intake passageway. An air-permeable member is insert molded in the second divided body in such a manner as to cover the opening. The air-permeable member has on an outer edge thereof a joining portion which is impregnated with the thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kino, Hiroshi Iwao
  • Patent number: 7322382
    Abstract: A segment for a rehabilitating pipe is coupled to another segment in the circumferential and longitudinal directions of a rehabilitating pipe to rehabilitate an existing pipe. The segment has on one coupling surface a protruding part and a recessed part continuous with the protruding part and on another coupling surface a recessed part and a protruding part whose shapes respectively conform to the protruding part and the recessed part of one coupling surface. The protruding part and the recessed part of one coupling surface of one segment is brought into tight surface contact with the recessed part and protruding part of another coupling surface of another segment and interfitted thereto when one and another segments are mutually coupled in the circumferential and longitudinal directions of the rehabilitating pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Shonan Gosei-Jushi Seisakusho K.K.
    Inventors: Takao Kamiyama, Koji Kaneta, Kenji Fujii, Makoto Ishida
  • Patent number: 7322383
    Abstract: A heald (heddle) shaft (1) comprises at least one shaft rod (2) on which a damping element (12)is supported on the shaft rod carrier body (15) to be movable in the longitudinal direction of a heald or heddle (8) mounted on a shaft stave or rail (6) carried by the body (15) so as to be moveable toward and away from an abutment surface (26) of the support body (15) and an outer end surface (22) an eyelet of a heald or heddle (8) mounted on the shaft stave (6). By virtue of movably supporting the damping element (12), an alignment of the healds or heddles (8) is improved and facilitated, and a desired damping effect is obtained during the entire motion course of the healds or heddles (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Gesing
  • Patent number: 7322384
    Abstract: A hazardous fluid transfer system is automated for controlling transfer of hazardous fluid within a closed environment thus providing protection to an operator handling the transfer. The hazardous fluid is transferred from a source container to a target container using a processor controlled pump responsive to flow and pressure within a liquid line. A pre-programmed processor receives pressure and flow signals from transducers monitoring the liquid line. The processor actuates a valve within a vapor line between the source and target containers in response to pressure within the target container. The valve is opened for allowing vapor to accumulate within an accumulator during a filling of the target container and closed for causing the accumulator to force vapor stored in the accumulator into the source container, thus transferring the liquid from the source container to the target container while maintaining fluid transfer within the closed environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Adapco, Inc.
    Inventors: Avron L. Bryan, Larry D. Heller
  • Patent number: 7322385
    Abstract: An apparatus for drying a substrate using the Marangoni effect is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotatable supporting portion on which a substrate is placed. A first nozzle for supplying de-ionized water and a second nozzle for supplying isopropyl alcohol vapor are provided on the supporting portion. When the isopropyl alcohol vapor is supplied to the center of the substrate at the initial stage, the amount of alcohol that reaches the substrate is controlled by a controlling portion such that the amount of the second liquid gradually increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Yong Kim, Chang-Ki Hong, Sang-Jun Choi, Woo-Gwan Shim