Patents Issued in February 26, 2008
  • Patent number: 7334515
    Abstract: A roller bearing including a plurality of rollers which are provided between an outer circumferential surface of an inner member and an inner circumferential surface of an outer member; and a substantially cylindrical roller holder which has a plurality of pockets holding the plurality of rollers, respectively, such that each of the rollers is rotatable about an axis line thereof and which is rotatable around the inner member. A sign of a skew angle of each of the rollers is constant irrespective of how much the each roller is inclined relative to a corresponding one of the pockets in a circumferential direction of the roller holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Masakuni Suzuki, Takeshi Ishida, Shoichi Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 7334516
    Abstract: An aging device includes an aging container having a chamber formed by a peripheral wall, a bottle received in the chamber of the aging container for receiving a liquid fermented product, and a vibrating device disposed in the aging container for applying a frequency to vibrate the liquid fermented product received in the bottle in order to oxidize the liquid fermented product. A vibrating medium is arranged between the bottle and the peripheral wall of the aging container. A heater may be disposed in the aging container for heating the bottle. The aging container includes an inner peripheral space formed in the peripheral wall for receiving the heater or a heat exchanging medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Supercritical Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzu Lung Ho, Yung Ho Chiu
  • Patent number: 7334517
    Abstract: A roller grill for cooking human food is disclosed which comprises a housing having a plurality of tubular cooking members rotatably mounted within the housing and a section divider ensemble for sectioning the tubular cooking members into a first cooking area and a second cooking area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Star Manufacturing International, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy T. Gaskill, Michael Lee Huegerich, Philip M. Ranft
  • Patent number: 7334518
    Abstract: A kit for creating an artistic work on a residential lawn includes: first and second lawn stencils; first and second containers of paint of first and second colors; and a plurality of stakes. The stakes are used to anchor the lawn stencils to the lawn, and the paint is used to apply layers of paint over the lawn stencils, which in turn applies layers of the paint in desired patterns on the lawn. Each lawn stencil includes a pattern of openings therein, which pattern corresponds to one or more design elements of the artwork to be applied to the lawn using the paint. Additional lawn stencils and containers of paint also may be included in this aspect. Proper orientation of each lawn stencil of the kit is insured by proper orientation and alignment of an indication of orientation and alignment locations, which each lawn stencil includes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Grass Graffiti, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Cox, Riley C. Fields, Daniel Lee Bizzell
  • Patent number: 7334519
    Abstract: A rotary press is provided. In the rotary press, tension of paper passing through printing units is always maintained to be constant, and position of a printing pin of each printing unit is consistently maintained to thus prevent a pin secession phenomenon of a printed image from occurring, in such a manner that an output image of the rotary press becomes clear. Also, it is easy to change the structure of a one-side color printing rotary press into that of a double-side color printing rotary press. As a result, the rotary press can be used widely on a general purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Chung Cho
  • Patent number: 7334520
    Abstract: A printing press for processing sheet printing materials includes at least one printing unit, a computer and a measuring device for monitoring printing quality during a printing process. The measuring device has a sensing device for measuring by color or spectrally to register the printing material. At least one sheet-guiding element leads the sheet printing material past the sensing device. A measuring device for monitoring printing quality during a printing process in a printing press for processing sheet printing materials, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Geissler, Loris De Vries, Peter Ehbets, Robert Lange, Frank Muth, Christopher Riegel, Frank Schumann
  • Patent number: 7334521
    Abstract: A two-ended ink stamper has at least one handle with at least two ends. A first frame and a second frame are provided, and each frame is disposed adjacent to a different one of the ends of the handle. Each frame extends in a different direction from the handle. At least two platens are respectively operatively attached to, and disposed within, one of the frames for selective movement within the frame between a non-marking position and a marking position. Each platen is secured to the handle and extends outward from a different end of the handle. Thus, moving the handle moves the platens relative to the frames and between non-marking and marking positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Cosco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett R. Moody
  • Patent number: 7334522
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing oscillations in a web-fed rotary press are disclosed. The apparatus includes a form cylinder of a web-fed rotary press, having at least one clamping device for fastening at least one printing plate on the form cylinder. The clamping device has at least one clamping element which is positioned in a clamping channel. As seen in a circumferential direction, the clamping channel of the form cylinder has an effective clamping-channel width of at most 7 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Man Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Rainer Burger, Norbert Dylla, Thomas John, Manfred Stegmeir
  • Patent number: 7334523
    Abstract: A fuze may include a detonator, a firing capacitor and a control circuit. The firing capacitor may be charged to a nominal operational voltage, wherein when the firing capacitor is discharged across the detonator, an external explosive charge may be detonated. The firing capacitor may also be charged to a sterilization voltage, wherein when the firing capacitor is discharged across the detonator, the detonator may be destroyed without causing detonation of an external explosive charge. When the detonator is destroyed, the sterilized fuze is unable to trigger detonation of an external explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Lucas, Dennis L. Kurschner
  • Patent number: 7334524
    Abstract: A rail system for transporting dual use vehicles includes a network of multiple non-interconnected rails where each rail comprises an extruded triangular shell and a support material. The rails are supported by a system of support structures where each support structure includes a base with a rail adjustment actuator for selectively adjusting the position of the supported rail. Each rail is sized to support a standardized dual use passenger vehicle adapted for roadway and rail travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Jerry M. Roane
  • Patent number: 7334525
    Abstract: A MAGLEV guideway module which can be supported by vertical columns to create a section of an elevated MAGLEV guideway is disclosed. The module includes a deck and an elongated box beam that are form cast together in a unitary monolithic construction and made of lightweight, steel reinforced concrete. Functionally, a plurality of modules cooperate to form an elevated levitation track that supports the operational electromagnetic guideway components and is designed to support the weight of a MAGLEV vehicle. For the module, the beam can be an elongated, hollow beam, such as a box beam, which is made of a molded, pre-stressed concrete. A molded-concrete transverse deck is integrally formed on the hollow beam. The deck includes first and second cantilevers that each extend from the beam in opposite directions. Together, the cantilevers and beam establish a substantially flat deck surface over which a MAGLEV vehicle can travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: General Atomics
    Inventors: Philip L. Jeter, Mandyam C. Venkatesh
  • Patent number: 7334526
    Abstract: A method is for securing a laminated core, used to accommodate the stator winding of a linear motor, to a track. In particular, the track is for a magnetic levitation transport system. Provision is made for an installation module to be connected to the track and to have at least one pair of holes then aligned transversely with respect to the direction of travel in parallel, uncovered side walls. The laminated core, in which there is at least one channel, is then inserted into the installation module in a manner held by a clamping device until the at least one channel in the laminated core forms a continuous opening with the at least one pair of holes. A tube is then pushed into this opening and fixed there. The clamping device is then removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesllschaft
    Inventor: Robert Schmid
  • Patent number: 7334527
    Abstract: A trolley for a conveying system includes a first trolley arm with a trolley wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a second trolley arm with a trolley wheel rotatably mounted thereon, and a load bar. The trolley wheels roll along a track of the conveying system to move the trolleys along the conveyor track. The first trolley arm connects to a first attachment element, which includes a base portion and an attaching member that are integrally formed together. The load bar connects to the second trolley arm and to the attaching member of the first attachment element. The load bar has a slot proximate to one or both ends for receiving the attaching member. The attaching member is retainable in the slot, such as via a retaining pin. The first and second trolley arms are connected together via the load bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Frost, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee R Waldmiller
  • Patent number: 7334528
    Abstract: A well car for carrying shipping containers has a pair of end structures supported by rail car trucks, a pair of first and second spaced apart side beams extending between the end structures and a well defined therebetween. A container support cross member is mounted between the side sills in a position to support an end of a shipping container load carried within the well. The container support cross member may be a monolithic beam member with a attachment fitting formed at an end thereof. The attachment fitting is connectable to a side sill at a moment connection. The remaining end of the cross member is similarly configured and connected to the second side sill. Each end of the cross member has load bearing surface portions which may be used for supporting a corner of a shipping container. The moment connections permit a bending moment to be carried by the cross member between the first and second side sills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: Mohamed A. Khattab
  • Patent number: 7334529
    Abstract: A support base is made of metal by die casting for supporting heavy articles above for example ground or floor, and includes a rectangular flat grid plate having four corners from which pillars extend. Intermediate pillars extend from middle positions of long edge faces of the rectangle and a center pillar extends from a center of the rectangle. The rectangular grid plate has opposite end edges on which tenons and mortises are formed respectively and opposite side edges on which tenons and mortises are formed respectively so that a plurality of support bases can be connected together by the tenon-and-mortise coupling between adjacent support bases to expand a covering area of the support bases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Lih Yann Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Lin Po Liao
  • Patent number: 7334530
    Abstract: A stacking table system includes: a first table having a first top, first peripheral support rails extending downwardly from the first top and a plurality of alignment projections extending downwardly from the first peripheral support rails; a second table having a second top, second peripheral support rails extending downwardly from the second top and a plurality of alignment projection receptacles that receive respective alignment projections when the first table is in a stacked position on the second table; and a table hoist having a plurality of cables being selectively attachable to the tables. The first table may be hoisted upwardly by the hoist when the cables are attached to the first table and a stack of the first and second tables may be hoisted upwardly by the hoist when the cables are attached to the second table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Edward J. Ruff Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward J. Ruff
  • Patent number: 7334531
    Abstract: A knock-down table that can be quickly assembled and disassembled for compact storage or shipping. The apparatus includes a table top, a plurality of detachable legs and a ring-shaped brace. Coupling members are provided on the bottom side of the table top and project downwardly therefrom. Sockets are formed in the top ends of the table legs for slidably receiving the coupling members. The ring-shaped brace interconnects each of the legs and maintains the structure in a substantially rigid configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Rivera, Gullermo Rodriguez, Moi V. Bui
  • Patent number: 7334532
    Abstract: A vacuum meter and a retrofit kit. The retrofit kit is particularly adapted for modifying or retrofitting vacuum meters configured with the centerline of the seed discharge chute or seed tube offset from the seed-side face of the seed disk, examples of which include the John Deere MaxEmerge® family of vacuum meters. The vacuum meter and retrofit includes an offset disk having a seed plane disposed in substantial alignment with a central axis of the discharge chute the vacuum meter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Precision Planting, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg A. Sauder, Derek A. Sauder, Justin L. Koch, Jeremy J. Hodel, Chad E. Plattner
  • Patent number: 7334533
    Abstract: Sequin feeder device includes an adjustment member mounted on a feed lever, and the adjustment member controls pivot timing of a lock lever by its adjustment piece abutting against a lock lever. The pivot timing of the lock lever is adjustable as desired, in accordance with a relative position of the adjustment piece, and thus, timing at which an engaging claw of the lock lever engages a sequin is adjustable as desired. Further, on a support plate, there is mounted a sequin feed guide member for guiding a continuous sequin strip to allow the sequin strip to be fed straight in the predetermined feeding direction. The sequin feed guide member can be appropriately positioned by merely being fixed to the support plate with its side edge abutted against a side wall of the support plate, without a need for particular positional adjustment of the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ikuo Tajima
  • Patent number: 7334534
    Abstract: A water vessel includes a hull having a maximum width. The hull defines a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first and second portions has an end at which a width of the hull converges relative to the maximum width of the hull. The second portion has a first member that defines a first end and a second end. A coupling member pivotally couples the first end of the first member to the first portion of the hull. The second end of the first member forms a portion of the end of the second portion that converges relative to the maximum width of the hull. The first member is movable relative to the first portion of the hull between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: David B. Cameron
  • Patent number: 7334535
    Abstract: A flagpole ball ornament comprising opposed, hollow, hemispherical parts interfitted to each other at a circular rim formed on one of the parts and interconnected by an elongated diametral rod-like brace member. The brace member is internally threaded at opposite ends for receiving a machine screw to connect one of the hemispherical parts to the brace member and the opposite end of the brace member receives an all-thread member for connecting the ball to a support post member. The brace member may include, alternatively, a bolt clearance bore for receiving an elongated bolt for connection to the post member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Concord Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Scott Somers, Bruce A. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 7334536
    Abstract: An improved sewer backup indicator. The sewer backup indicator is installed into a sewer cleanout cap housing which comprises a pop-up device that detects and holds the detection of a back up in the sewer system, which is due to number of reasons. This invention helps to determine a problem in the sewer system and where the problem would most likely be making it quicker to resolve the problem so that a sewer spill could be prevented. In general, this invention will prevent sewer spills, law suits, and prevent the endangerment of our wild and aquatic life. My invention is basically is to protect our environment and our water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Raymond Aniban, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7334537
    Abstract: A milking device and method for removing a teat cup from a teat of an animal are disclosed. The teat cup has a teat space for containing a teat and is connected via a milk tube to a vacuum source for generating a milking vacuum. A drawing-away device is provided for drawing the teat cup away from the animal only after a vacuum-lowering device has lowered the milking vacuum in the teat space below a threshold value. The level of vacuum may be measured by means of a vacuum sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Lely Enterprises AG
    Inventors: Karel Van Den Berg, Eduard Lodewijk Meijer, Martinus Petrus Kortekaas
  • Patent number: 7334538
    Abstract: A topical medicant for fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic macroinvertebrates applied in a site-specific manner for the localized treatment of skin wounds, lesions and diseases. The medicant comprises a hydrophilic carrier with an antimicrobial therapeutant formulated as a water-soluble resistant, hydrated gel or dry powder that hydrates and gels on contact with a moistened integument area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: AquaScience Research Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John Farrell Kuhns
  • Patent number: 7334539
    Abstract: An improved parrot decorative tower provides higher possibility and convenience to expose the beauty of the exotic birds keeping birds safety and living space sanitary conditions. An improved parrot decorative tower includes a mobile portion and an attachable portion (a decorative portion). The mobile portion comprises a container with an open upper side, removable tray installed at the lower portion of the container, at least on of a plurality of wheels/rollers and a connecting device including a fixing portion comprising at least one of a plurality of brackets and tightening bolts. The decorative portion is coupled with the mobile portion by an appropriate quantity of the directors rigidly connected to the frame coupled with the perch and comprising an exotic landscape picture or mirror installed in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Armen Karapetyan
  • Patent number: 7334540
    Abstract: A pet grooming tool, for use with a furry pet such as a dog or cat having loose hair and non-loose hair, is adapted for removing the loose hair from the pet. The grooming tool comprises an handle portion and a pet engageable portion secured to the handle portion. The pet engageable portion includes a blade portion and a plurality of teeth. The blade portion includes a blade edge. The teeth extend from the blade edge. The blade edge is adapted to engage the loose hair of the pet and pull it from the pet without cutting or pulling the non-loose hair from the pet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: FURminator, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Porter, Angela L. Porter
  • Patent number: 7334541
    Abstract: A device for shaping the behavior of an animal using a behavior marking and reward delivery system is provided. The compact behavior shaping device includes a battery, a trigger assembly, a receiver, a spring assembly, and a bore assembly, and is capable of storing and propelling commonly used motivational items, such as food, toys, dummies, tugs, balls, prey items, and other such objects, over a range of approximately 1 to 50 feet. The animal trainer manually compresses the spring assembly, which is then engaged by the trigger assembly. When the receiver receives a signal from a transmitter, it triggers the release of a motivational item from the device by activating the trigger assembly and/or triggers the occurrence of a marking event, such as a noise. A variety of wired and wireless transmitter devices, such as a hand-held transmitter, a motion sensor, a pressure sensor, and/or a shock sensor may be used to transmit the signal to the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel J. Reiter
  • Patent number: 7334542
    Abstract: A boiler that enhances the efficiency of the use of heated gas streams to generate steam is provided. The boiler includes a lower drum, an upper drum, a plurality of conduits adapted to transfer heated fluid from the lower drum to the upper drum, a combustion chamber, and a series of heat transfer chambers adapted to receive combustion gases from the combustion chamber. The first of the heat transfer chambers is positioned above the second heat transfer chamber and receives the heated gas from the combustion chamber prior to the second heat transfer chamber. A method of operating the boiler is also provided. Though aspects of the invention are applicable to package boilers, other aspects of the invention are applicable for use in residential, commercial, or industrial settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: UNILUX Advanced Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Vittorio Zorzit, Lawrence Farrelly
  • Patent number: 7334543
    Abstract: A coolant pump and method thereof for a coolant circuit of the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle including at least a radiator circuit and a bypass circuit is disclosed. The coolant pump contains a coolant pump housing (14) which is provided with an intake pipe (22), a bypass pipe (24), and a pressure pipe (34). A coolant pump electric motor (26) is arranged in the coolant pump housing (14), the motor housing (28) of which is situated in the coolant flow, drives a pump impeller (32) via a pump shaft (30). A directional control valve (40) is integrated into the coolant pump housing (14). The intake pipe (22) is arranged in the area of the end of the pump motor facing away from the pump impeller (32). Furthermore the bypass pipe is arranged in an area downstream of the intake pipe (22).The pressure pipe (34) is arranged in an area downstream of the bypass pipe (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Geraete-und Pumpenbau GmbH Dr. Eugen Schmidt
    Inventor: Franz Pawellek
  • Patent number: 7334544
    Abstract: A vehicle temperature control system comprising an internal combustion engine with an engine block and with a cylinder head, a heat source for heating a heat transfer medium, a heat exchanger arrangement for the transfer of heat transported in the heat transfer medium to air to be introduced into a vehicle interior, and a valve arrangement, by means of which the heat transfer medium heated by the heat source can be fed selectively, at least in part, to a first heat transfer region, provided in the region of the cylinder head, of the internal combustion engine, without being conducted into a second heat transfer region, provided in the region of the engine block, of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günter Eberspach
  • Patent number: 7334545
    Abstract: In a method for cooling an internal combustion engine, in particular in/on a motor vehicle, it is possible for individual components of the internal combustion engine to be cooled individually, for example a cylinder head and/or a cylinder block, by what is known as a split cooling system. In order to improve the cooling of the components, it is proposed to control the cooling of at least one of the components adaptively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Stephan Müller
  • Patent number: 7334546
    Abstract: A ductile repair cylinder liner for a diesel engine, the cylinder liner having an additional cooling groove with a parabolic varying cross-section machined into the outer surface of the cylinder liner immediately below the radially extending locating flange for the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: IPD Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7334547
    Abstract: A variable expansion-ratio engine includes an expansion-ratio adjuster configured to adjust an expansion ratio; a load detector configured to detect an engine load; and a controller configured to control the expansion-ratio adjuster. The controller controls the expansion ratio such that the expansion ratio at the time when the load is below a predetermined load value is set lower than that at the time when the load is equal to the predetermined load value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hiraya, Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Daisuke Tanaka, Hirofumi Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 7334548
    Abstract: A joint for positioning between first and second elements includes an outer member and an inner member. The first and second elements are arranged for linear motion along a common axis. The outer member is configured for movement relative to the first and second elements along a first axis perpendicular to the common axis, and the inner member is mounted within the outer member for rotation relative to the outer member about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and the common axis and for movement relative to the outer member along the second axis. The outer member is restrained from movement along the second axis. The outer member defines first and second parallel flat sides. Each flat side defines a plane perpendicular to the common axis. The outer and inner members each defining an opening for receiving a drive arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: R. Sanderson Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Sanderson, Albert E. Sanderson
  • Patent number: 7334549
    Abstract: A method to control valves during multi-stroke cylinder operation. Valves are controlled to improve emissions and engine torque resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald J. Lewis, John D. Russell, John O. Michelini
  • Patent number: 7334550
    Abstract: A camshaft for an internal combustion engine includes a cam lobe for actuating a valve. The cam lobe has an opening ramp profile that acts to loft the valve gear away from contact with the cam lobe to a maximum lift of the valve, with the valve gear returning to contact with a closing ramp of the cam lobe sufficiently in advance of a minimum cam lobe closing ramp height so as to dissipate enough closing energy of the valve to minimize valve bounce after the valve contacts a corresponding valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Jesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Jesel, Walter R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7334551
    Abstract: A pull-cord start system has a recoil pulley coupled to a crankshaft of a combustion engine and a pull-cord wound about the recoil pulley which is pulled by an end user to rotate the recoil pulley and thereby start the engine. A throttle override device of the pull-cord start system has a shuttle coupled to the pull-cord for movement from a biased rest position to an active position when the pull-cord is being pulled by an end user. A linkage of the throttle override device which is preferably a Bowden cable extends between a throttle control and a throttle valve of a carburetor and is associated with the shuttle so that actuation of the throttle control when the shuttle is in the active position will not open the throttle valve which preferably is biased to an idle position because movement of the shuttle to the active position produces slack in the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Walbro Engine Management, L.L.C.
    Inventor: George M. Pattullo
  • Patent number: 7334552
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine of a vehicle traveling on the road, the method comprising of damping engine vibration with a damper coupled to the engine, and when said damping is reduced, preventing engine speed from falling below a threshold value, at least under selected operating conditions, to reduce degradation of the engine that would otherwise occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Möller, Erik Svenske
  • Patent number: 7334553
    Abstract: A balancer driven gear of an engine, for the transfer of rotation of the crankshaft to a balancer shaft, is made up of a gear member, a bush member and elastic members and interposed therebetween. The bush member has a boss portion fixed to the balancer shaft, and a plurality of outward dowels projecting radially outward from the outer periphery of the boss portion. The gear member is disposed coaxially with the bush member. The gear member has an annular portion with gear teeth on the outer periphery thereof and a plurality of inward dowels projecting radially inward from the inner periphery of the annular portion. Elastic members are disposed between the outward dowels on the bush member 20 and the inward dowels on the gear member. The shapes and/or dimensions of the dowels positioned on opposite sides with respect to the axis of the balancer driven gear are made asymmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Satoh, Akira Takahashi, Teruo Kihara
  • Patent number: 7334554
    Abstract: A piston includes a spring acting between the piston crown and a connecting rod so as to bias the connecting rod away from the crown of the piston. The spring may include a pair of disc springs supported at their edge portions. The support may be a substantially annular support including a pair of rings fixed to the edge portions of the disc springs and an annular band that engages the rings and permits relative movement between the band and the rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: George F Galvin
  • Patent number: 7334555
    Abstract: A stamped crankshaft seal retainer plate is provided, including a molded encoder sensor support feature for mounting an encoder sensor of an engine speed sensing system. The use of a stamped crankshaft seal retainer plate reduces the cost of the retainer plate as well as the overall weight of the vehicle while precisely locating the encoder sensor for position and required air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventor: Chad David Bauer
  • Patent number: 7334556
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided in which a seat and a storage box are arranged so as to be vertically stacked on each other in a rear portion of a body frame, and a pivotally mounted powertrain unit is suspended from the body frame under the storage box. The powertrain unit extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the body frame, and the engine has a crank chamber and a lubricant oil chamber provided separately from each other. A lubrication-oil passage structure for the engine is provided between each of a pair of journal bearing portions of a crankcase. The crankcase has an enclosed crank chamber and a crankshaft which is freely rotatably supported by the journal bearing portions with plain bearings. The journal bearing portions are provided with protrusion bosses for resisting entry of lubricating oil into the crank chamber from outside of the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Wachigai, Yoshiyuki Sekiya
  • Patent number: 7334557
    Abstract: An engine lubrication system comprising a pump for supplying oil to an engine, a filter for purifying the oil and at least one sensor for discerning parameters of the engine lubrication system and generating signals indicative thereof. The engine lubrication system includes a controller operable to receive the signals generated by the sensors and to issue commands responsive thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Callan
  • Patent number: 7334558
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a slide body having a plurality of rigidly mounted pistons on opposite ends of the slide body. The slide body reciprocates and is connected to a flywheel by shaft and bearing which extends through an angled track in the slide body. As the pistons impart linear movement to the slide body, the flywheel and a drive shaft rotate. Both the slide body and the flywheel are mounted on the interior of the engine. Magnets on the flywheel rotate relative to stationary coil conductors to induce a current. The housing includes four panels, which can be easily assembled and disassembled, which form a housing compartment in which the linearly movable slide piston subassembly and the rotating flywheel are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Darrell Grayson Higgins
  • Patent number: 7334559
    Abstract: A canister is furnished to store evaporative fuel. A purge line is furnished to ensure that the canister communicates with an internal combustion engine intake path. The purge line is provided with a D-VSV (purge control valve) that controls the continuity of the purge line. Further, a check valve is furnished to control the pressure propagation from the intake path to the canister at the time of backfiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akinori Osanai
  • Patent number: 7334560
    Abstract: The accessory drive unit, mounted intermediate an engine and a transmission, provides mounts for a water pump, an alternator, a supercharger and a starter. The accessory drive unit includes a main planetary gear driving a supplemental gear which is rotatably interconnected to a bevel gear driving a supercharger shaft. A first pilot gear is rotatably coupled to the main gear and is coaxially mounted to a second pilot gear. A water pump gear is rotatably coupled to the second pilot gear. An alternator gear is rotatably coupled to the first pilot gear. A flywheel is mounted on the engine drive shaft and has a peripheral gear thereon. The starter has a geared drive shaft which is adapted to rotatably interlink with the peripheral gear on the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Tim T. Clark
  • Patent number: 7334561
    Abstract: According to the invention, noise of an internal combustion engine is reduced by dynamically correcting the moment of injection when the engine is in the transient mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Klemens Neunteufl, Eduard Unger, Christian Roduner
  • Patent number: 7334562
    Abstract: A method is shown for operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber with a piston, the internal combustion engine capable of injecting fuel into the combustion chamber multiple times during a cycle, the method comprising: performing a first fuel injection after approximately ?25 crank angle degrees after top dead center and before approximately 15 crank angle degrees after top dead center; and performing a second fuel injection at least 5 degrees after the start of the first fuel injection and less than approximately 25 crank angle degrees after the start of the first fuel injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Lisa Marie Jacobsson, Oivind Andersson
  • Patent number: 7334563
    Abstract: A fuel injector has a plunger for opening/closing a fuel path to control the amount of fuel to be injected; a seat portion for the plunger; and a plurality of nozzle holes for injecting fuel passed through between the plunger and the seat portion, A nozzle plate is provided with the seat portion, and a taper-fuel inlet hole has a diameter that gradually reduces from the seat toward its outlet, An orifice plate is arranged downstream from the taper-fuel inlet hole, and is provided with a concave portion opposite to the nozzle plate, with a plurality of nozzle holes being formed concentrically at a bottom of the concave portion. Each nozzle hole has an inclined angle in the direction of the plate thickness within the concave area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Mifuji, Tohru Ishikawa, Atsushi Sekine, Yoshio Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7334564
    Abstract: A ‘Blackburn Cycle’ or 8 stroke and 4 stroke cycle change piston engine has a separate fuel/air inlet duct and valve in a cylinder where the throttle means admits a small volume, namely less than 10% of the cylinder capacity, needed for a low idling speed. A separate ‘air only’ inlet duct and valve admits alternate ‘air only’ inductions in each cylinder when less than half load is needed. The preferred plug type of throttle can be disc or cone shaped or shaped to substantially fill the volume between the closed throttle and the inlet valve seat. For higher power the throttle moves away from the inlet valve to open the inlet port. Fuel is injected into the small volume between the throttle and the inlet valve where engine heat helps vaporize the fuel without heating a large mass of the inlet air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Anthony Edgar Blackburn