Patents Issued in February 24, 2009
  • Patent number: 7494291
    Abstract: A portable camera support that includes a handle and a first support member attached to the handle. The first support member is attached to the handle such that the first support member rotates relative to the handle in a first plane. The portable camera support further includes a second support member that is attached to the first support member. The second support member is attached to the first support member such that the second support member rotates relative to the first support member in a second plane which is orthogonal to the first plane. The portable camera support further includes a mounting member that is adapted to be mounted to a camera. The mounting member is attached to the second support member such that the mounting member rotates relative to the second support member in a third plane which is orthogonal to the first plane and the second plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Lawrence N. Saxton
  • Patent number: 7494292
    Abstract: An image sensor module structure includes an image sensor package, a housing, and an underfiller. The image sensor package includes a substrate having interconnection pads formed on an outermost edge. The housing includes a filter projecting from a bottom surface of a housing body. The projecting filter is attached on an image sensor chip using various adhesive patterns. Further, the underfiller is formed in a space between the housing body and the image sensor package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Cheol Kong, Byoung-Rim Seo, Jae-Cheon Do
  • Patent number: 7494293
    Abstract: A digital single-lens reflex camera includes a lens unit and a camera body. The lens unit has a photographing lens and an identification data memory for storing identification data to identify the photographing lens. The camera body, to which the lens unit is detachably attached, has an imaging device which receives light transmitted through the photographing lens to generate an image corresponding to a subject, a lens data memory for storing lens data that indicates the shading characteristics of the photographing lens, a lens data reader that reads the lens data based on the identification data, and an image corrector that corrects an error in the image of the subject caused by shading, based on the lens data read by the lens data reader and imaging device data that indicates the shading characteristics of the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Arimoto, Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 7494294
    Abstract: A pen with dual extension/retraction cartridges includes two pen tubes where each of a first pen tube and a second pen tube has a pen tip portion and a pen end portion and a writing insertion plate disposed inside the pen tube near the pen tip portion; and a guiding tube disposed at the pen end portion of the first pen tube having an elastic plate disposed at one side and a positioning fastener disposed at one side of the elastic plate and two positioning rings disposed at the peripheral of the guiding tube, and a guiding slot disposed at the pen end portion of the second pen tube where the guiding slot is provided with a positioning hole passing through one side and a fastener disposed around the peripheral of the guiding slot so that the first pen tube and the second pen tube are combined with the guiding tube and guiding slot respectively; and at least two cartridges inserted onto the writing insertion plates of the first pen tube and the second pen tube respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Chun-Lia Kuo
  • Patent number: 7494295
    Abstract: A device for packaging and applying a substance may include a receptacle containing a supply of the substance, a first applicator element configured to be filled with the substance from the receptacle, and a second applicator element configured to be separated from the receptacle, configured to come into contact with a region to be treated, and configured to at least one of spread out and blend in the substance from the first applicator element. The second applicator element may surround the first applicator element at least in part, at least while the second applicator element is secured to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Delage
  • Patent number: 7494296
    Abstract: A locking arrangement includes an inner element (1) and an outer element (3), (302), where the inner element (1) is axially shiftable relative to the outer element (3), such as a shaft of a tool, one end of the outer element (3), (302) has a locking member (4) for locking the inner element (1) and the outer element (3), (302) relative to one another, the locking member (4) is maneuverable by a maneuvering member (5) that is remote from the locking member (4) in a direction toward another end of the outer element (3), (302) via an affecting member (301) that is shiftable along or rotatable about an axis that is parallel to a lengthwise axis of the outer element so that the affecting member has a tube (301) that completely or partially encloses the outer element (302).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Ragnar Stahle
  • Patent number: 7494297
    Abstract: A fastening element for a joint forming device includes an elongate dowel and a sleeve for the dowel. The dowel has a head portion at one end thereof which is engagable in use with a tightening element. The dowel is adapted at the other end thereof to co-operate with the sleeve to cause radial expansion of an expandable end section of the sleeve upon relative axial movement between the sleeve and dowel. The expandable end section of the sleeve is insertable axially into a mounting hole in a first panel. The head of the dowel is insertable axially into a mounting hole in a second panel whereby to enable engagement with said tightening element. The sleeve is configured to allow the position of the dowel within its mounting hole in the second panel to be adjusted to enable insertion of the expandable end section of the sleeve into its mounting hole in the first panel, in use, even if the axes of the two mounting holes are out of axial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Titus International PLC
    Inventors: Hans Brede, Walter J. Zabriskie, Mark Baker, William Ernest Taylor Vallance
  • Patent number: 7494298
    Abstract: The method of the present invention results in a secondary containment area for above ground storage tanks. The method involves leveling the site, laying a foundation bed, building a retaining barrier around the site, covering the foundation bed and retaining barrier with a liner cloth, and applying a layer of polyurea to the liner cloth and retaining barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: BBL Falcon Industries, Ltd
    Inventor: Larry L. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7494299
    Abstract: An in-situ pile apparatus 10 includes a helical anchor to which a plurality of elongated generally cylindrically shaped sections can be added. Each of the sections has a specially shaped end portion for connecting to another section. An internal drive is positioned in sections inside the bore of each of the connectable pile sections. The internal drive includes enlarged sections that fit at the joint between pile sections. In one embodiment, the internal drive can be removed to leave a rod behind that defines reinforcement for an added material such as concrete. The rod also allows for a tension rod connection from the anchor tip to an upper portion attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Whitsett
  • Patent number: 7494300
    Abstract: An ice anchor and method of use thereof for securing or rescuing a vehicle which has become stuck or trapped while on a frozen surface of a body of water. The ice anchor may include blades which form a shaft and fit into an opening in the ice, and plates that limit insertion of the anchor into the hole and define an attachment area for a safety device such as a rope, chain, or cable, which may include a tensioning device. When lateral force is placed on the shaft by tensioning the safety device, the outer surfaces of the blades engage the inner wall of the hole and oppose the lateral forces, allowing the vehicle to be removed from the gap or opening in the ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Michael F. Blank
  • Patent number: 7494301
    Abstract: An erosion control blanket dispensing method and apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus preferably includes, a rotary drive secured to a mounting plate, and a blanket spindle secured to the rotary drive. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary drive controls an angular position of the blanket spindle relative to the mounting plate. The erosion control dispensing apparatus further preferably includes, a spindle support structure disposed between the rotary drive and the blanket spindle, and an adjustable stop disposed between the spindle support structure and the blanket spindle, wherein the adjustable stop controls an angular position of the blanket spindle relative to the spindle support structure. A method of assembling the apparatus preferably includes at least the steps of providing a mounting plate, attaching a hydraulic rotary actuator to the mounting plate, securing a spindle support structure to the hydraulic rotary actuator, and affixing a blanket spindle to the spindle support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Daniel J. Neaton
  • Patent number: 7494302
    Abstract: A throw-away tip of which two principal surfaces each comprises a land surface 5 provided along the periphery thereof, a central surface 7 provided on the inside of the land surface 5, a recess (a chip breaker groove) interposed therebetween, and at least one protrusion 8 that extends from the central surface 7 toward the land surface 5, wherein height of the land surface is made equal to the height of at least the top surface of the protrusion 8 so that at least the top surface of the protrusion of the central surface and the land surface both serve as contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Takuya Ishida
  • Patent number: 7494303
    Abstract: An indexable milling insert has a trigon shape and includes a mounting hole placed centrally in the milling insert, an upper side and a lower side, which sides are parallel with each other and act as an alternating first support surface and second support surface. The milling insert is furthermore provided with major cutting edges, which are oriented perpendicularly to the axis of the mounting hole as well as arranged in such a way that a turning of the milling insert around the center of the mounting hole into an alternative cutting position alternatively a flipping of the milling insert into an alternative cutting position provides an identical position of the major cutting edges in relation to a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Seco Tools AB
    Inventor: Jorma Koskinen
  • Patent number: 7494304
    Abstract: A tool holder comprises an elongated body having a first end portion for receiving a handle and a second end portion with an adjustable tool retaining mechanism for holding a tool, an elongated handle releasably retained in the first end portion and being configured to be slideable between stop positions at opposite ends, and a release mechanism at the first end portion configured to enable the handle to be separated from the body when operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Patrick M. McAuliffe
  • Patent number: 7494305
    Abstract: A raster cutting apparatus and method for producing accurately formed, aspheric ophthalmic lenses having a good quality surface finish. The accurate form and good surface finish are obtained by using a substantially spherically shaped cutting tool having a large radius. The methods include utilizing a cutting path which provides substantially constant cutting-force, such as a constant surface-cutting-speed raster pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'Optique)
    Inventors: James Daniel Riall, Walter Dannhardt, Roland Mandler, Tobias Müller
  • Patent number: 7494306
    Abstract: A rotary cutting machine 10, if inclined at large angles, provides positive supply of a cutting oil and avoids leakage of the cutting oil. The machine 10 has a machine body 14 and an arbor 18. An oil tank 50 is mountable to the machine body 14 so that the oil tank 50 is oriented at a given angular position about the central axis of the arbor 18. The tank body 54 has an interior space. The interior space is divided into a first interior part and a second interior part by an imaginary plane containing the central axis of rotation of the arbor. The first interior part is less in volume than the second interior part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nitto Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Sihmada
  • Patent number: 7494307
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool adapter which can be fixed to tool machines in a detachable and interchangeable manner, the tool machines being drilling and milling or similar cutting tool machines comprising at least one rotating work spindle. The tool machines are used to receive and position cutting tools, whereby the tool adapter (1) which is made of a spherical section (4) and a cylindrical band (3) is secured to a tool receiving element (2) and the tool receiving element (2) comprises, preferably, a central bore (5) for supplying a coolant. Opposite lying traversal bores (8, 9) which are used to receive clamping bolts (10, 11) are provided in the tool adapter (1) in a tool-sided cylindrical band (3) which is adjacent to the spherical section (4) the band being, preferably, diametrical and comprising a planar system arranged on a tool-sided receiving area and pointing to the tool receiving element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Mirko Flam
  • Patent number: 7494308
    Abstract: An air tank fixing structure is disclosed for vehicles capable of integrally fixing air tanks which are used for supplying air upon activation of a brake system or air suspension of the vehicle. In a specifically preferred system, the air tank fixing structure includes a first air tank fixing member fixed onto a body frame at one side thereof, and formed with at least one first fixing element in which at least one air tank for the vehicle is fixed at the other side; a second air tank fixing member formed with at least one second fixing element and placed on the air tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chong Chul Chun
  • Patent number: 7494309
    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 beams in a position to support an end of a shipping container load carried within the well. The container support cross member includes a monolithic beam member with a attachment fitting formed at an end thereof. The attachment fitting is connected to a side beam at a moment connection. The remaining end of the cross member is similarly configured and connected to the second side beam. 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 beams. A retractable container stop is mounted to each end of the central container support cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: Mohammed A. Khattab, James W. Forbes, Ilario A. Coslovi, Tomasz Bis
  • Patent number: 7494310
    Abstract: A self-anchoring fastening device for installation in supports for hanging pipes wires or other articles in ceilings is shaped for a socket to drive the device for an easy installation process. The device comprises a collapsible anchoring portion having radially expanding anchoring strips, which will not pull out of a hole drilled in a support. A drill drills a hole in a support and an expandable anchor is inserted through the hole. Threads internal to the expandable anchor cooperate with threads on a screw inserted therein to collapse the expandable anchor, providing anchoring strips over the hole such that the expandable anchor cannot be pulled out of the hole. A threaded portion of the base of the screw is suitable for attaching the article to be hung. The base may be a swivel head type. The drill may be on the expendable anchor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventors: Richard G. Bodin, Nobert K. Kolodziej
  • Patent number: 7494311
    Abstract: A threaded fastener, such as a screw or a bolt, has a central longitudinal axis in a z-axis direction. The fastener has a head and a threaded shaft. The head has an overhanging periphery in an x-y plane and at least two slots, evenly-spaced apart, that extend completely through the overhanging periphery. Each slot has a sloped surface that undercuts the overhanging periphery in the same tangential direction. The screw is turned by using a bit that has a central longitudinal axis in a z-axis direction. The bit has a shank fixed to an end portion and at least two legs, evenly-spaced apart, extend from the end portion in a z-axis direction. Each leg has a sloped surface that extends in the same tangential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Richard D. Fuerle
  • Patent number: 7494312
    Abstract: A materials handling and lifting appliance for a board or panel holder comprises, on a mast, telescopic elements controlled by a winch, and a device for articulating the board or panel holder articulatedly mounted on a shaft relative to a structure connected to the upper end of the telescopic elements at the upper end of the mast. The articulating device includes a support base shaped and designed to accommodate tilting of the holder into a horizontal, intermediate or vertical position. The board holder or panel holder is designed with a carrying arm, the length of which can be adjusted depending on the dimensions of the boards or panels to be picked up and positioned. The carrying arm includes handlebars fitted with control handles and mechanisms for controlling locking and unlocking of the articulating device. The handlebars facilitate tilting the board holder or panel holder into horizontal, intermediate or vertical positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Roger Mondelin S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Valette, Jean-Marc Bailly, Denis Narelli, Roger Arese
  • Patent number: 7494313
    Abstract: A self-loading wheel lift with automatically powered wheel support members, such as L-arms, for engaging the wheels of a vehicle to be towed. The wheel lift may be rapidly disassembled in the field and converted to alternating towing assemblies such as tool bars employing frame fork attachments, hook ends, slings, pintle hooks, fifth-wheel plates, king pins, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Paul Craze
  • Patent number: 7494314
    Abstract: A loader has lift arms that are used for mounting a number of different attachments. The attachments can be mounted to the rear of the forward end of the lift arms in order to move the center of gravity of the attachment more directly over the loader frame. Various types of attachments can be used, as shown, and can be controlled to be pivoted for dumping or loading, and can be raised and lowered on the lift arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Mark F. Bares, James H. Page
  • Patent number: 7494315
    Abstract: A turbine generator system, having: a rotatable base; and a plurality of rotor vanes extending from the rotatable base, wherein each of the rotor vanes have helical tapered inner and outer surfaces, and wherein each of the rotor vanes is curved to catch flow perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotatable base and to direct the flow into a vortical flow between the inner surfaces of the rotor vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: James R. Hart
  • Patent number: 7494316
    Abstract: A vane including a root, a tip and an airfoil portion extending between the root and the tip, the vane also including a button portion interconnecting the airfoil portion and the root. The button portion protrudes beyond a profile of the airfoil a distance less than the root. The button portion includes leading and trailing ends free of sharp edges. The leading and trailing ends respectively protrude beyond leading and trailing edges of the airfoil portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Barry Barnett, David Denis
  • Patent number: 7494317
    Abstract: A system for attaching a ring seal to a vane carrier in a turbine engine can allow the ring seal to radially expand and contract at least partially independently of the vane carrier. The system can also be configured to substantially restrict axial and/or circumferential movement of the ring seal. In one embodiment, the ring seal can include a plurality of radial slots circumferentially spaced about the ring seal. A pin can extend substantially through each of the slots and into operative engagement with isolation rings, which are connected to the vane carrier. In another embodiment, the ring seal and the isolation rings can include a series of axially-extending protrusions extending substantially circumferentially about each component. The protrusions on the ring seal can substantially matingly engage the protrusions on the isolation rings. The protrusions can be configured as a Hirth coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Keller, David C. Radonovich
  • Patent number: 7494318
    Abstract: A seal/locking apparatus includes a tapered cover, a locking cap, and a housing. The housing has a opening configured to engage, in a first part of the opening, the tapered cover, and, in a second part of the opening, the locking cap. The tapered cover and the locking cap are configured to cooperate in preventing removal of either from the housing when both are engaged in the opening unless said locking cap is removed first. The seal/locking apparatus is particularly useful when attached to aircraft engines and can be used for replacement of an individual strut in an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James John Kozerski
  • Patent number: 7494319
    Abstract: A turbine blade with a squealer tip, the squealer tip being formed by a tip rail extending along the suction side wall of the blade from a point just passed the leading edge of the tip to the trailing edge of the blade, and the tip floor being slanted from the tip rail downward to the pressure side wall of the blade. A first cooling hole opens onto the tip floor at a location adjacent to the pressure side wall of the tip rail, the wall being concave in shape to redirect the flow along the curvature toward the pressure side. A second cooling hole located on the pressure side wall and slanted upward injects cooling air to push the hot gas flow up and over the tip floor. In a second embodiment, the tip floor includes a deflector upstream from and adjacent to the first cooling hole to push the flow upward from the first cooling hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George Liang
  • Patent number: 7494320
    Abstract: A rotor (10) that enables an aircraft to become passively stable in hover. The inner part of the rotor blades (11) have a pitch angle fixed relative to a reference plane perpendicular to the rotor shaft (18) axis, and the tip of the rotor blades being connected to a ring (12) encircling the rotor. Each blade is connected to the rotor shaft by a separate hinge having a hinge axis perpendicular to both the rotor shaft axis and to the blade. Because the rotor blades can also easily twist the rotor can tilt freely in any direction. The rotor blades may be disconnected from the ring and folded up for easy transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventor: Petter Muren
  • Patent number: 7494321
    Abstract: An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in a TABLE 1. Wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeremy Latimer, Marc Blohm
  • Patent number: 7494322
    Abstract: An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in a TABLE 1. Wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Spracher, Ed Miller, Christopher LaMaster, Paul DeIvenois
  • Patent number: 7494323
    Abstract: An article of manufacture having a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in a TABLE 1. Wherein X and Y are distances in inches which, when connected by smooth continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z in inches. The profile sections at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Danail Douchkin, Marc Blohm
  • Patent number: 7494324
    Abstract: A member for potential equalising in a wind turbine blade between a first conducting member, such as a member comprising carbon fibres, and a second conducting member, such as a lightning conductor is provided. Furthermore, methods for manufacturing of such members for potential equalising are provided. The member for potential equalising comprises a first contact part suitable for connection to a conducting member comprising carbon fibres, a second contact part and an electrical conductor between the contact parts and the first contact part, wherein the first contact part is shaped substantially as a ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Paul Hibbard
  • Patent number: 7494325
    Abstract: A blade including a body having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a surface point of maximum camber, and a low pressure surface extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The body further includes a high pressure surface extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge on an opposite side of the body relative to the low pressure surface. The low pressure surface includes a leading edge surface extending from the leading edge to the surface point of maximum camber. The blade further includes at least two ridges located on the leading edge surface, each ridge extending generally parallel to the leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hartzell Fan, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Gustafson, Zvirimumwoyo P. Chinoda, Kurt A. Hilgefort, Terrence J. Meyer, Carl L. Reck
  • Patent number: 7494326
    Abstract: An ion pump having conductive electrodes on both sides of an insulator which may form a number of channels. These electrodes may provide electrical discharges which have a corona or cold cathode emission for ionization. The electrodes and the insulator may be layers having openings that form the channels. The openings in one electrode layer may have a sharp-like configuration and the openings in the other electrode layer may have a non-sharp-like configuration. Ions may be predominately in-situ generated proximate to the sharp-like openings and have the polarity of these openings. These ions may induce a fluid flow through the channels of neutral molecules as a result of a force and viscous drag of the ions. The sharp-like openings may have nanotube whiskers or a thin film structure for facilitating an electrical discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Ulrich Bonne
  • Patent number: 7494327
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a portable air compressor having a storage compartment, which may be used to store air compressor accessories. A shroud which encloses a portable air compressor has a recess. The recess is at least partially covered with a cover member, which is mounted to the shroud. The recess and the cover member together define a storage compartment for storing air compressor accessories such as fittings, nozzles, and the like, and/or tools such as a wrench, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Etter, J. Cody Stilwell, Jeff Brian Thompson, Gary D. White
  • Patent number: 7494328
    Abstract: A rear housing for a compressor reduces NVH without increasing the overall size of the compressor or inducing flow loss. Generally, the compressor includes a cylinder block receiving lower pressure fluid from the rear housing and providing higher pressure fluid back to the rear housing. The rear housing includes an annular outer wall and an annular inner wall defining a suction chamber and a discharge chamber. An inlet is in fluid communication with the suction chamber. An outlet is in fluid communication with the discharge chamber. The outlet includes a discharge passageway having a tubular member projecting into the discharge chamber. The tubular member is defined by a side wall and a closed end wall. The side wall includes a plurality of holes fluidically connecting the discharge chamber and the discharge passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanwal Bhatia, Rodney James Callahan, Kastriot Shaska
  • Patent number: 7494329
    Abstract: An oil pump for a compressor is provided. The oil pump includes a pump body coupled to a driving shaft, and a pumping member coupled to the pump body so as to define a pumping part and a pump cover is coupled to a lower side of the pump body therebetween. A lower suction unit provided at a lower side of the pump body draws fluid into the pump from a lower portion of a supply area, and an upper suction unit draws fluid into the pump from an upper portion of the oil supply area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Byoung Kil Yoo, Seung Yup Kim
  • Patent number: 7494330
    Abstract: The device serves to receive a tool for calibrating of workpieces (83), preferably workpieces manufactured by a powder metallurgical process. On the example shown the tool comprises the lower stamps (77, 78, 79) and the upper stamps (80, 81, 82) located on tool supports (31, 32, 33; 31?, 32?, 33?). These stamps may be moved up and down individually or together parallel to the axis (40). Also movable up and down is the tool support (41) on which, if required, a center pin (85) is mounted. The device is particularly suitable for the calibration of complicated workpieces, such as represented for example by the workpiece (83) having the form of a body of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Alvier AG PM-Technology
    Inventors: Hermann Good, Peter Rauch
  • Patent number: 7494331
    Abstract: The apparatus is for forming a resin film from a resin for a middle portion to form a resin film main body of the resin film and a resin for edge portions to form both side edge portions in a crosswise direction of the resin film. The apparatus comprises: a feed block which includes a joining part where the resin for the middle portion in a molten state and the resin for the edge portions in a molten state are joined in such a manner as to enclose both side edges in the crosswise direction of the resin film main body with the resin for the edge portions; and an extruding die through which the joined resins are extruded to form the resin film. Thus, a method and apparatus for forming the resin film can avoid the inclusion of the resin for the middle portion in the trimmed-off selvages while preventing the film separation of the resins for the middle portion and for the edge portions, and therefore, increase the recyclability and the productivity of the resin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Kegasawa, Ryuichi Katsumoto, Masanori Takase
  • Patent number: 7494332
    Abstract: A hand operated injection molding machine apparatus constructed from prefabricated sub-assemblies and a desired mold clamping means attached to a main support structure, and then electrically integrated with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Galomb, Inc.
    Inventor: David E Galomb
  • Patent number: 7494333
    Abstract: A method of extruding two or more closure elements onto a web includes extruding the closure elements through a die plate having a first aperture for a first closure element and a second aperture for a second closure element. The first aperture is spaced from and at least partially overlaps the second aperture in a lateral direction. The partial overlapping of the apertures allows the closure elements to be spaced very closely together on the web. The space between the apertures prevents extrudate streams forming the elements from bonding to each other. The closely spaced elements are extruded through the same die plate without an interconnecting portion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Pawloski
  • Patent number: 7494334
    Abstract: The mold assembly (100) is provided including a mold plate (20), a mold core (30), an elastic member (40) and an adjusting member (50). The mold plate has a receiving cavity (25) and a receiving aperture (27) defined therein. The mold core is received in the receiving cavity. The elastic member, configured to restore the mold core to its previous position, is disposed between the mold plate and the mold core. The adjusting member is received in the receiving aperture, engaging with the mold core to drive the mold core to move relative to the mold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chiang Tsai
  • Patent number: 7494335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing at least two rubber strips comprising an extruder for extruding compounded rubber into at least two preliminary rubber strips each having a preliminary cross sectional shape, and a pair of calendar rollers for simultaneously forming the preliminary rubber strips into at least two rubber strips each having a finished cross sectional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Hayashi, Hiroyuki Onimatsu
  • Patent number: 7494336
    Abstract: The present invention is a nozzle for an injection molding runner system where parts of the nozzle, and in particular the nozzle tip are made from a nanocrystalline material. Nanocrystalline materials used include nanocrystalline copper and nanocrystalline nickel, which have high thermal conductivity and increased material strength. A conventional form of the metal is worked till its grains are reduced in size to less than 100 nm to achieve the desired properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel Wayne Barnett
  • Patent number: 7494337
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing multiple stages of fuel. A burner assembly having a face for production of a flame and a plurality of longitudinally adjacent chambers opening to the face. A divider is provided that splits the burner chambers into two separate sections in such a manner that one section includes burner chambers greater in number than the other section. The first section can be ignited solely. Thereafter, the second section can be ignited. Once the second section is ignited, the first section may be optionally turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Werner Specht, Steve Dunlap
  • Patent number: 7494338
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optically imaging a dental structure within an oral cavity by moving one or more image apertures on an arm coupled to a fixed coordinate reference frame external to the oral cavity; determining the position of the one or more image apertures using the fixed external coordinate reference frame; capturing one or more images of the dental structure through one or more of the image apertures; and generating a 3D model of the dental structure based on the captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventors: Duane Durbin, Dennis Durbin, Arun Dalmia, Ed Childers
  • Patent number: 7494339
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of forming dental restorations, particularly dental crowns. The method involves applying a flexible cement composition to a prepared tooth surface. The composition is polymerized so that it substantially hardens. A composite crown-forming material is dispensed into a substantially transparent plastic matrix. The matrix is placed in the mouth of the patient so that the composite material is molded over the tooth surface. Then, the material is irradiated with curing light, through the matrix, so that it hardens to form a dental crown. The crown has good mechanical strength and is resistant to fracturing and breaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Dentsply International, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter R. Dias, Fuming Sun, Robert V. Hare
  • Patent number: 7494340
    Abstract: A memory stores a plurality of first data structures, which includes element specific data objects indicating a classification of at least one of the plurality of segments of the test definition language, and second data structures, which include attribute specific data objects indicating at least one attribute of the segments of the test definition language implemented by a computer. A method for computer-based testing includes authoring a test specification and content of the at least one test using a test definition language, compiling the test specification and content of the at least one test to create a compiled test specification and content, which includes validating the test specification and content, storing the compiled test specification and content to a resource file, and retrieving the compiled test specification and content from the resource file during delivery of the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Prometric inc.
    Inventors: Clarke Daniel Bowers, Tronster Maxwell Hartley, Kyle Michael Kvech, William Howard Garrison