Patents Issued in June 1, 2010
  • Patent number: 7726269
    Abstract: A glow plug includes: a tubular body (2) having at one of its ends a plug head as well as a fixing zone including elements (12, 13) for being fixed in a bore, an arm (4) mounted on the body (2) of the plug at the end opposite to the plug head, and a pressure sensor (8) sealingly insulated from the corresponding cylinder. The arm (4) is fixed to an elastically deformable tubular zone (17) designed to project inside the cylinder. The pressure sensor (8) is mounted between the arm (4) and a support component (18) fixed inside the tubular body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Siemens VDO Automotive, Federal-Mogul Ignition Srl
    Inventors: Alain Ramond, Sandro Goretti
  • Patent number: 7726270
    Abstract: When cranking is started, a control unit of an ECU determines an advance amount by which an intake valve closing timing is advanced from a fully retarded position toward a bottom dead center, and transmits the determined advance amount to a variable valve timing mechanism. After cranking is started, the control unit determines that there is an abnormality in the variable valve timing mechanism, when the advance amount is larger than 0, and when an actual intake valve closing timing, determined using an intake cam angle from a cam angle sensor and a crank angle from a crank angle sensor, is not advanced from the fully retarded position. When it is determined that there is an abnormality in the variable valve timing mechanism, the control unit outputs a control signal to an inverter to increase an output torque of a motor, which is a driving source for cranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Miwa, Yoshiaki Atsumi, Hiroshi Kanai, Hajime Ando
  • Patent number: 7726271
    Abstract: To suppress the overall length of a camshaft including the length of a decompression device provided in an engine and also to suppress an increase in number of parts of the decompression device, an engine includes a decompression device having a decompression weight pivotably supported through a pivot shaft to a camshaft and adapted to be rotated at a predetermined angle by a centrifugal force generated during the rotation of the camshaft. A weight accommodating portion for pivotably accommodating the decompression weight is formed between the opposite end portions of the camshaft. The outer diameter of the decompression device mounted to the camshaft is smaller than that of a ball bearing. The decompression weight is directly engaged with one end of a decompression camshaft to thereby rotate the decompression camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhide Yamanishi, Shuji Hirayama, Yoshitaka Nukada, Chiharu Okawa
  • Patent number: 7726272
    Abstract: A variable intake device includes an intake pipe through which air flows towards a combustion chamber of an engine, defining a first streamline at an intermediate portion of the pipe, a short-circuit pipe connected at the intermediate portion, defining a second streamline crossing the first streamline at the connected other end, and a valve arranged at the short-circuit pipe adjacent to the intermediate portion. The valve includes a valve body regulating air flow. When the valve allows air flow merging into the intake pipe from the short-circuit pipe, the valve body is positioned to extend in a direction between the extending direction of the first streamline indicated by arrow and the extending direction of the second streamline indicated by arrow. By such a configuration, a variable intake device having pressure loss at the intake path sufficiently reduced can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironori Kitadani, Kazuyoshi Abe, Chiemi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7726273
    Abstract: A diesel engine is fitted with a thin-walled wet liner fabricated of steel. The liner has a hardness that is within 10-20 Rc of the hardness of the piston rings carried on a piston within the liner. The inner surface of the liner is manufactured with a TRD=5Rvk (100?Mr2) of between 30 and 400 ?m, and a compound liner thickness to bore diameter in the range of 1.5 to 4 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel Azevedo, Eric Highum
  • Patent number: 7726274
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder, a block, and a cylinder head having at least one gas exchange channel for conducting gases to and from the cylinder is disclosed. A tube passes through the cylinder head and into a gas exchange channel, which tube is sealed in a gastight manner. In one embodiment, the tube is configured in one piece with the gas exchange channels; the cylinder head is a cast part. With such a tube through the gas exchange channel, the engine can be compactly configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Franz J. Brinkmann, Achim Mennicken
  • Patent number: 7726275
    Abstract: A belt integrated starter generator may selectively drive accessory components while an engine is off. The belt integrated starter generator may also selectively drive a crankshaft of the engine. Clutches are used to access rotational power from the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Michael Deniston, Paul M. Gartner
  • Patent number: 7726276
    Abstract: In a method for adapting variations in cylinder-selective injection quantities of a direct injection system of an internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinders, factorial and additive adaptive values are determined in order to be able to reliably adjust a given lambda value for the entire engine even in the event of a multiple injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Reza Aliakbarzadeh, Stephan Wenzel
  • Patent number: 7726277
    Abstract: A homogeneous charge compression ignition engine is fueled within a warm-up region of engine temperatures using a minimally defined fuel mass schedule and injection timings and simple interpolative techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Tang-Wei Kuo, Paul M. Najt
  • Patent number: 7726278
    Abstract: In order to accurately detect an abnormal state of a rotation direction detection unit for detecting a rotation direction of a crank shaft, provided is an internal combustion engine control apparatus including: a rotation detection unit including the rotation direction detection unit for detecting the rotation direction of the crank shaft of an engine to output a rotation direction signal, and a rotation speed detection unit for outputting a pulse signal according to a rotation speed of the crank shaft; a stop position calculation unit for calculating, based on an output from the rotation detection unit, a stop position of the crank shaft when the engine stops; and an abnormal state detection unit for detecting the abnormal state of the rotation direction detection unit when an actual rotation direction of the crank shaft differs from the rotation direction of the crank shaft based on the rotation direction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichiro Sakaigaki, Takao Ohno, Akira Furuta
  • Patent number: 7726279
    Abstract: An electronic control device on an internal combustion engine side connected to an abnormal internal combustion engine detects an abnormality and outputs the abnormal signal; the target throttle opening angle signal is transmitted to the electric throttle actuator to set a throttle opening angle of an abnormal internal combustion engine to a predetermined opening angle; the abnormal signal is transmitted to the electronic control devices on a remote control device side of a normal internal combustion engine; and the electronic control devices on a remote control device side of a normal internal combustion engine, on receiving the abnormal signal, transmit the target throttle opening angle signal to the electronic control devices on an internal combustion engine side of a normal internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Okuyama, Isao Kanno
  • Patent number: 7726280
    Abstract: An intake charge regulating apparatus for an engine includes a throttle body having a throttle bore formed therein for communicating with an intake port, and a throttle valve for controlling flow through the throttle bore. A throttle-driving mechanism includes an electric motor and a transmission mechanism for decelerating a driving force of the electric motor and for transmitting the driving force to the throttle valve. A camshaft sprocket is fixed to an end portion of a camshaft, which is included in a valve train for driving intake and exhaust valves in a cylinder head to open and close. The throttle-driving mechanism is arranged opposite a side where the camshaft sprocket is located in an axis direction of the crankshaft. The electric motor is disposed between the throttle body and the cylinder head in top plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Nishimura, Kazuhito Hotta
  • Patent number: 7726281
    Abstract: A control module comprising a cylinder torque determination module that determines an indicated torque for a cylinder in an engine based on a pressure in the cylinder, a cylinder torque balancing module that determines a derivative term for the cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft, and a cylinder pressure error detection module that detects a pressure error for the cylinder based on the indicated torque and the derivative term. A method comprising determining an indicated torque for a cylinder in an engine based on a pressure in the cylinder, determining a derivative term for the cylinder based on rotation of a crankshaft, and detecting a pressure error for the cylinder based on the indicated torque and the derivative term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Buslepp, Douglas R. Verner, Joseph R. Dulzo, David S. Mathews
  • Patent number: 7726282
    Abstract: A direct injection spark ignition internal combustion engine includes a fuel injector for directly injecting fuel into a cylinder and intensifies a tumble flow using the fuel injected into the cylinder bore at a time near an intake stroke bottom dead center during homogenous combustion. The thrust force of the fuel injected from the fuel injector is set to intensify the tumble flow based on at least one of the state of the combustion chamber, the temperature of the injected fuel, and the orientation of the injection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Ashizawa
  • Patent number: 7726283
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure booster arrangement for high-pressure injection systems or high-pressure injection system parts of internal combustion engines. A differential piston which operates with a large cross section in a medium-pressure reservoir and with partial cross sections is operative in terms of positive displacement in associated control and work pressure chambers that are separate from the medium-pressure reservoir and that are disposed in a guide body. The guide body guides the differential piston in its strokes and in turn axially adjoins a valve body. The valve body receives control and check valves for controlling communicating lines of the guide body and of the valve body for controllably connecting the control and work chambers to the medium-pressure reservoir or to a relatively pressureless fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Vahle
  • Patent number: 7726284
    Abstract: The fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine includes an electronic control unit (ECU) for transferring the engine from a state in which a high-pressure fuel pump does not deliver any pressurized fuel to a state in which the high-pressure fuel pump begins to deliver the pressurized fuel by gradually varying an output period of a drive signal for controlling opening/closing behavior of a solenoid valve while monitoring changes in fuel pressure detected by a pressure sensor, and for estimating a mounting error between angular mounting positions of the high-pressure fuel pump and a pump actuating cam with reference to a rotation signal from a state of the solenoid valve drive signal when a change in the fuel pressure has been detected. The solenoid valve drive signal is corrected based on the value of the mounting error estimated by the ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuyoshi Hori
  • Patent number: 7726285
    Abstract: A four stroke diesel engine combined with a supercharger is operable to supply varying amounts of air to the engine responsive to the load on the engine. The supercharger has a pair of rotors driven by the engine operable to move air to the engine. Gates associated with the rotors control the amount of air and pressure of the air moved by the rotors to the diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Craig N. Hansen, Paul C. Cross
  • Patent number: 7726286
    Abstract: A housing for a supercharger assembly is provided having an inner wall at least partially defining a rotor cavity. A layer is formed from a sacrificial polymeric material and is provided on at least a portion of the inner wall. The layer is operable to provide approximately zero running clearance and improve scuff resistance between the first and second rotors and the inner wall. The sacrificial polymeric material is applied to the inner wall by insert molding to form the layer. A method of forming the housing is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Prior, II, Roxann M. Bittner
  • Patent number: 7726287
    Abstract: A method carried out by a control device, the method holding a valve EGR completely opened during a determined short time after a starting phase of a diesel engine, which is provided with an EGR recirculation, and controlling the valve EGR in a partially closed state during the starting time of the engine to increase the engine speed to a threshold speed corresponding to the end of the starting phase. The control is progressively carried out according to a determined closing instruction via a calibration by using data representative of engine speed and ambient temperature. The dynamically controlled recirculation makes it possible, in particular, to accumulate more fuel at the staring phase without increasing injected quantities, to increase the speed of engine actuated by a starter, and to avoid engine blocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventor: Nacer Sekfane
  • Patent number: 7726288
    Abstract: An intake regulating system of an engine equips with an intake regulating-device connected with a breather hose for drawing the oil vapor and the leaked gases from the crankcase of the engine, thereby to mix with outside air to feed into the engine for re-combustion. The intake regulating-device comprises a housing and a pressure-sensing valve. The housing has an air inlet hole, an air outlet hole, and a slender hole. The air outlet hole and the slender hole both are in communication with the air inlet of engine via an intake manifold for generating a pressure difference thereby to drive the pressure-sensing valve. Preferably, the intake regulating-device provides a pair of regulating knobs for adapting the pressure-sensing valve with various intake volumes of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Pao-Lai Chen
  • Patent number: 7726289
    Abstract: In at least a first cycle at startup, an opening timing of an exhaust valve is controlled to 45 degrees before-bottom-dead-center of an exhaust stroke, or to a retard side of the normal closing timing that is set after warm-up is complete. Also, the closing timing of the exhaust valve is preferably controlled to an advance side of top-dead-center in a second cycle at startup and thereafter at the latest. Accordingly, the amount of unburned HC discharged during a cold start of an internal combustion engine is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nao Murase, Hiroki Ichinose, Yuuichi Katou
  • Patent number: 7726290
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder and an exhaust gas tract, in which an exhaust gas sensor, that can be heated in a controlled manner, is arranged. An exhaust gas temperature of an exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust gas tract is determined as a function of the heating power (P_HEAT) supplied to the exhaust gas sensor. An estimated value of the exhaust gas temperature is determined as a function of a physical model of the combustion of the air/fuel mixture and of the exhaust gas tract as a function of at least one operating variable of the internal combustion engine, but independent of the heating power supplied to the exhaust gas sensor. Model parameters of the physical model are adapted as a function of a deviation of the estimated value and of the exhaust gas temperature determined by the supplied heating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Tino Arlt, Gerd Rösel, Norbert Sieber
  • Patent number: 7726291
    Abstract: A device is provided for releasing a spear shaft of a spear gun for scuba diving or the like. The shaft has a latch element formed on a first lever pivotally connected at its front end to a screw attached to and integrally with a frame of the gun, the lever being maintained elastically in a resting position. The gun has a trigger with an abutment portion forced elastically against the front end of the first lever extending forward of a convex upper surface. The convex upper surface intersects a concave surface at an edge that traces a first circular trajectory when the trigger is rotated. A second lever is rotatably connected to the frame, the front end of the second lever being movable along a second circular trajectory intersecting the first circular trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Cressi-Sub S.p.A.
    Inventor: Stefano Pedemonte
  • Patent number: 7726292
    Abstract: A handheld balloon launcher includes a housing with an axially offset chamber formed therein. A vertically registered intake port defines a linear passageway in which filled water balloons are stacked. A launching plate is selectively adaptable along a longitudinal length of the chamber. A trigger mechanism activates the launching plate between a compressed and an extended position. A mechanism returns the launching plate to the compressed position while simultaneously depositing one of the water balloons in front of the launching plate. The returning mechanism includes a spring member with a diameter equal to a diameter of the chamber and anchored to a proximal end thereof, and extendable along the longitudinal length of the chamber. The launching plate maintains a static relationship with the returning mechanism, and the returning mechanism is independently operable from the triggering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Sean Coleman
  • Patent number: 7726293
    Abstract: A continuous firing type trigger structure of a toy gun (air soft gun/BB-gun) includes a valve body disposed behind the output port of a magazine clip in air communication with the gas outlet of a high-pressure gas can, an enclosed socket connected to the rear side of the valve body, a valve tube inserted through the valve body, a spring that pushes the valve tube forwards to keep the air inlet of the valve tube not in communication with the inside space of the valve body, and a piston inserted into the enclosed socket and fixedly connected to a sliding shell on the outside of the toy gun such that the valve tube is moved with the piston forwards (or backwards) to let a high pressure gas be discharged out of the high-pressure gas can into the valve tube to drive an airsoft gun out of the toy gun and to force the piston and the sliding shell backwards after triggering of the trigger of the toy gun, for enabling the piston and the sliding shell to be immediately returned by a return spring for a next firing ope
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Wilson Wei
  • Patent number: 7726294
    Abstract: A motorized oven latch includes a base plate. A latch member is slidably connected to the base plate by a first mounting stud or first and second mounting studs connected to the latch member and located in a contoured slot defined in the base plate. The latch member includes an inner end and an outer end, and the outer end includes a hook adapted to engage an oven door. A motor is drivingly coupled to the latch member, and the motor is selectively operative to move the latch member forward and rearward relative to said base plate between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch member moves on a non-linear path relative to the base plate in response to movement of the first mounting stud or both the first and second mounting studs in the contoured slot when the motor moves the latch member forward to the unlocked position or rearward to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Mansfield Assemblies Co.
    Inventors: James J. Collene, Nicholas R. SirLouis
  • Patent number: 7726295
    Abstract: An oven door has an outer door panel, an inner door panel, and a viewing panel being disposed intermediate the outer and inner door panels. The oven door is provided with an air deflection assembly disposed intermediate the outer door panel and the viewing panel. The air deflection assembly deflects a first portion of an entry air stream of air from outside the oven into a first branch path extending vertically along a left hand side and deflects a second portion of the entry air stream into a second branch path extending vertically along a right hand side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventor: Suad Elkasevic
  • Patent number: 7726296
    Abstract: A drywell table includes a top frame defining at least one opening configured to receive a serving pan therethrough and a heating plate disposed below the top frame. The drywell table also includes at least two heating fins extending between the heating plate and the top frame, and defining at least one row configured to receive the pan therein, wherein heat is transferred from the heating plate and heating fins to the serving pan via a sufficiently small air gap defined between the heating plate, heating fins and the serving pan, wherein the gap minimizes convection and radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Taco Bell, Corp.
    Inventors: Darrell Pickens, Rick Winfree, Todd D. Evans
  • Patent number: 7726297
    Abstract: In order to simplify and reduce the production costs of a push-button switch, especially a push switch or a rocker switch, the switch has a time function, which is manually operated and can be reset by an electric pulse. The electromechanical rocker or push-button switch can be combined to form a device block switch with other rocker or push-button switches as usually used in exhauster hoods. As a result, time-controlled intensive and follow-up steps can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Egon Feisthammel, Dieter Rosmann
  • Patent number: 7726298
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a liquid storage tank includes a liquid storage tank having an interior and a peripheral sidewall. An engine compartment is appended to the peripheral sidewall in front of the heat tube. An engine is disposed in the engine compartment. Heat given off from the engine during operation heats the engine compartment and such heat is transferred through peripheral sidewall to the interior of the liquid storage tank. An exhaust conduit extends into the interior of the liquid storage tank. Heat from hot exhaust gases passing through the exhaust conduit heats the interior of the liquid storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Newco Tank Corp.
    Inventor: Perry Lucien St. Denis
  • Patent number: 7726299
    Abstract: A front face attachment for a fireplace allows a single fireplace construction to be converted from a first arrangement having front facing top outlet and bottom inlet with covering louver panels for air flow around the combustion chamber to a second arrangement in which there are no front facing outlets and the top and bottom outlets are behind front cover flanges for receiving cladding materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: R-CO Inc.
    Inventor: Russell E. Reyher
  • Patent number: 7726300
    Abstract: A fireplace including a backlighting system. The backlighting system can be positioned in a back portion of the bottom panel of the fireplace. The backlighting system includes at least one light source to shine light upon the components of the fireplace. For example, the light source can be positioned to shine light on a back panel of the fireplace. The light source of the backlighting system can be modulated depending on a state of the fireplace. For example, the light source can be turned on or off depending on whether the flame of the fireplace is on or off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Lyons, Thomas J. Bachinski, Robert S. Waddell, Richard D. Berg, Scott S. Jeutter, Kurt M. Schwie
  • Patent number: 7726301
    Abstract: A base body comprises two frames to put lens and solar cells. The working process is simple and the weight and the cost of the base body is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council
    Inventors: Hwa-Yuh Shin, Hwen-Fen Hong, Chieh Cheng, Hung-Sheng Chiu, Chih-Hung Wu, Yen-Cheng Tzeng
  • Patent number: 7726302
    Abstract: A device for the treatment of bronchial disorders in horses by inhalation therapy comprising an inhalation spacer (1) with a first (5) and a second (10) opening, an activatable drug atomizer (7) which can be connected with the first opening (5) of the inhalation spacer, and connecting means (11, 14) comprising a hopper-shaped part (13) which at the hopper opening has such size as to be able to cover one of the horse's nostrils, and a valve arrangement comprising two one-way valves (16, 18), one of which (16) allows influx of inhalation air from the inhalation spacer into the hopper-shaped part (14) of the connecting means (11, 14), and the other allows outflux of exhalation air from the hopper-shaped part (14) to the surroundings, and where the inhalation spacer (1) has at least one additional opening (8) with an appertaining one-way valve (9) which allows influx of air from the surroundings into the interior (4) of the inhalation spacer (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Helle Funch Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7726303
    Abstract: Controlled ejection of a fluid-based solute medicament includes determining an indication of a characteristic of the medicament in at least one ejection chamber, and ejecting the medicament from the at least one ejection chamber based on the determined indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Tyvoll, Winthrop D. Childers
  • Patent number: 7726304
    Abstract: Dispensing apparatus comprising a housing having a first part (2) and a second part (3) together defining an interior of the housing for receiving a dispensing container, the first and second part being movable from an open position to permit insertion of said dispensing container into the interior of the housing to a closed position in which removal of said dispensing container from the interior of the housing is prevented, the dispensing apparatus further comprising a mouthpiece (4) which is removably connectable to the housing, wherein when connected to the housing the mouthpiece defines an outlet for a product dispensed, in use, from said dispensing container, and wherein when the mouthpiece is disconnected from the housing the first and second parts substantially enclose the interior to prevent access to and removal of said dispensing container received in the interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Consort Medical PLC
    Inventors: Matthew Meredith Jones, Christopher John Jones, Robert Frederick Veasey
  • Patent number: 7726305
    Abstract: A collateral ventilation bypass trap system directly linked with a patient's lung or lungs may be utilized to increase the expiratory flow from the diseased lung or lungs, thereby treating one aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The system includes a trap, a filter/one-way valve, an air carrying conduit and a retention device for securing system elements in position. The system also includes a flow restriction device for controlling the flow of air through the air carrying conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Portaero, Inc.
    Inventors: Asia Chang, Don Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7726306
    Abstract: An improved nebulizer places a venturi in a rainfall chamber and in close proximity to or inside a patient's oral cavity. One or more medicine feed lines feeds the medicine to a location proximate to a venturi. The rainfall chamber contains a sump communicating with the venturi for collecting medication not delivered to the patient and for recycling that medication for delivery to the patient. A medicine receiver may be pre-filled with a standard unit dose of medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Pneumoflex Systems, LLC
    Inventors: W. Robert Addington, Stuart Miller, Mary Briganti
  • Patent number: 7726307
    Abstract: An anesthesia system with an anesthetic evaporator can be operated even in case of a defect, particularly in case of a power outage. The anesthetic evaporator (10) and a valve arranged upstream of the anesthetic evaporator (10) are provided, whereby the gas flow through the valve (8) is conveyed completely or partially through the anesthetic evaporator (10) or a bypass line (9) past the anesthetic evaporator (10) in case of operation in accordance with the regulations, while the gas flow takes place only through the anesthetic evaporator (10) in case of a defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Dittmann, Jürgen Manigel, Ralf Heesch, Thomas Stepan
  • Patent number: 7726308
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for respiratory drug delivery using cartridge containing drug and propellant. User inserts cartridge into body of apparatus and activates a mechanism for opening drug compartment and propellant compartment, resulting in mixing and de-agglomeration of drug for respiratory delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Maurino Flora
  • Patent number: 7726309
    Abstract: A flexible connector that couples a delivery conduit to a patient interface device and a pressure support system that includes such a flexible connector. The flexible connector of the present invention prevents disruption of the seal between the patient interface and the patient's face. The flexible connector may have a bellows portion with a longitudinally directed portion, a narrowed neck portion, or a plurality of corrugations. The flexible connector may further have a swivel portion and/or an exhaust member, and/or a hinge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Chi Fai Ho, Jerome Matula, Jr., Lance Busch, Derrick Andrews
  • Patent number: 7726310
    Abstract: A flexible bag aerosol holding chamber is sealed around the outlet passage of the actuator for a pressurized metered-dose inhaler. An elastic-loaded mouthpiece is sealed around the inlet passage of the actuator so that the user may intermittently break the seal around the inlet passage by withdrawing the mouthpiece, thus allowing inhalation of a portion of the aerosol contents of the chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aerosol contains a compound which has traditionally been smoked such as nicotine or a cannabinoid. The user may draw upon the chamber's contents a number of times at a frequency analogous to smoking until the chamber is fully collapsed. One inhaler actuation, and one filled chamber, are comparable to one cigarette. The collapsible bag chamber allows for economy of inhaler actuations relative to user inhalations, without the aerosol being diluted by ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Paul G. Andrus, Gayle R. Campbell-Andrus
  • Patent number: 7726311
    Abstract: A method of applying total liquid ventilation to a patient according to a ventilation cycle including inspiration and expiration profiles, comprises supplying oxygenated liquid to the patient's lungs, withdrawing liquid from the patient's lungs, and controlling independently supply of oxygenated liquid to the patient's lungs and withdrawal of liquid from the patient's lungs. This supply and withdrawal independent control comprises producing a ventilation cycle having independently controlled inspiration and expiration profiles. To carry out the method, a total liquid ventilator system comprises an inspiration pump for supplying oxygenated liquid to the patient's lungs, and an expiration pump for withdrawing liquid from the patient's lungs. A ventilation cycle control comprises first and second pump controllers connected to the inspiration and expiration pumps, respectively, to produce a ventilation cycle having independently controlled inspiration and expiration profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Universite De Sherbrooke
    Inventors: Raymond Robert, Stéphane Cyr, Philippe Micheau, Hervé Walti, Jean-Paul Praud
  • Patent number: 7726312
    Abstract: A harness for use with breathing apparatus has: a flexible hip plate 12 and a flexible bandolier-style shoulder panel 14, linked together by a strap 15, and a waist belt 16 fastenable by a sprung fastener. In use, the flexible hip plate 12 rests against the hip of a user (the left hip in this example), the waist belt is fitted around the waist of the user, and the shoulder panel 14 rests against the shoulder opposite to the hip against which the flexible plate is resting (the right shoulder in this example). At least the bandolier-style panel 14, and optionally also the hip plate 12 of the harness 10, are made of a resilient material which, though flexible, allows the harness substantially to retain its operational configuration even when not being worn. The material is preferably a composite, and may comprise closed cell, open face foam, such as compression moulded EVA foam. Two layers of such foam may be used in a sandwich construction, and may be glued or otherwise bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Draeger Safety UK Limited
    Inventors: Aaron Chapman, David Graham Storey, Paul Townsend
  • Patent number: 7726313
    Abstract: A sealing frame for a breathing mask is provided that can be adapted to the contours of the face of a mask user in a simple manner. The sealing frame (1), includes a soft plastic material (5) with embedded metal strips (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Drägerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jörg-Uwe Meyer, Götz Kullik, Cornelia Schrader, Hans-Ullrich Hansmann
  • Patent number: 7726314
    Abstract: The present invention is a generally conical nebulizer, aerosol, filter or inhalant face mask for sealing against the atmosphere a wearer's mouth and nose, the improvement comprising a representation of a face on the outside surface with an exhaust valve located where the mouth would be located. The exhaust valve is adapted to visibly lift outward and up from the outside mask surface to imitate a flapping tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher Koo Khim Ming
  • Patent number: 7726315
    Abstract: A closed system suction catheter has a catheter enclosed within a flexible envelope secured between a patient end fitting and a machine end fitting. The patient end fitting has a cleaning chamber with a valve at its patient side and is normally closed so that the cleaning chamber is isolated from the patient. The valve has an outer rigid housing enclosing a one-piece elastomeric moulding of tubular shape. The elastomeric moulding has two pads projecting externally through openings in the outer housing. The elastomeric moulding also has a web extending internally across its diameter with a diametrically-extending slit aligned with the pads. A collar mounted on the housing is slidable along the housing to engage the pads so as to apply pressure across the web and open the slit, thereby allowing the catheter to be advanced to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
    Inventor: Stephen James Field
  • Patent number: 7726316
    Abstract: A female condom and an improved method for manufacturing a female condom is disclosed. The invention provides a device that is effective in both acting as a contraceptive and inhibiting the transmission of disease during coitus. The invention employs synthetic latex in an efficient and cost effect manufacturing method that results in an improved product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: The Female Health Company (UK) Plc
    Inventor: Michael Pope
  • Patent number: 7726317
    Abstract: An apparatus to protect a body and facial piercing and its affected area during a healing period, has a body assembly. The body assembly has top and bottom faces, an exterior wall, and an interior wall. The body assembly further defines a cavity that extends inwardly from the interior wall. A permeable cover covers the top face and the cavity to allow ambient-air to enter and circulate therethrough. This allows healing of a body or facial piercing, and specifically the opening created by the piercing, and the surrounding area around the piercing. A removable cover covers the bottom face and the cavity. The bottom face has an adhesive, and the removable cover is removably attached to the bottom face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Yvonne Garcia
  • Patent number: 7726318
    Abstract: A flexible, relatively flat and thin patch, optionally made of biodegradable material, substantially attenuates ionizing radiation from normal but sensitive anatomy during radio-therapy, particularly breast brachytherapy. The patch is of such a thickness as to substantially attenuate radiation by distance or consists of a material that has been formulated with radio-attenuating filler or is of radio-attenuating material. An alternative version consists of a thin patch that is coated with radio-attenuating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Xoft, Inc.
    Inventors: Darius Francescatti, Michael Forman