Patents Issued in August 31, 2010
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Patent number: 7784406Abstract: An improved gap filler in the form of a single plate or a plurality of plates attached to the train car exterior or emanating from below train car vestibule floor which permits transit line system operator to utilize one device to obtain any desired gap minimization at every train car door in a trainset relative to its corresponding platform edge at all stations on its transit line regardless of platform and/or track configuration while simultaneously adhering to its gap clearance standards pertaining to safe passage of any train within its fleet through any station.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: Michael P. Chisena
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Patent number: 7784407Abstract: A storage system for containers including a plurality of cells for reception of containers and means of transferring containers within and outside of the cells. The transfer means include shuttles for translation between the cells and ensilage trolleys which are carried by the shuttles to face a cell and which are motorized to enter and exit from the cell and transfer containers between the cell and the shuttle. The ensilage trolleys are fitted with at least one transport unit made up of a base frame with motorized wheels for running on rails for the entrance and exit movement and with loading platform arranged above the base frame and designed to support a container. Between the platform and the base frame there are fluid hoisting sets distributed longitudinally to the trolley for controlled hoisting of the platform and which also realize elastic attenuation parts.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: FATA S.p.A.Inventors: Gaetano Di Rosa, Donato Patrito
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Patent number: 7784408Abstract: A ride in particular for amusement parks, comprising: a drive track, comprising a guide device (3) for guiding at least one vehicle (2) along said guide device (3) in a movement direction (v); at least one vehicle (2), comprising a normal vector (n), fixated relative to the vehicle (2) and oriented perpendicular to the movement direction (v); and a drive pattern (1), comprising at least a first track section (5, 6), comprising an incline/decline, and a second track section (8, 9), comprising an incline/decline, comprising a prefix, which is inverse to the prefix of the incline/decline of the first track section (6, 7), wherein the first track section (6, 7) and the second track section (8, 9) are connected amongst one another, forming at least a partial section of a loop, wherein the guide device (3) is configured, so that the normal vector (n) in the first track section (6, 7) is rotated from an orientation to the outside or to the inside with reference to the loop at the entry into the first track section (Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Maurer Söhne GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Alfred Müller
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Patent number: 7784409Abstract: Disclosed is a series of stacked intermodal containers, being pulled by a locomotive of a train, with aerodynamic drag reducing devices. The series includes at least a first, leading set of containers and a second, trailing set of containers. The first, leading set of containers has an aerodynamic drag reducing device with a drag reducing fairing and an attachment frame attached thereto facing a forward direction. The attachment frame includes at least one mounting device configured to be removably mounted in the tunnel of the top container of the first, leading set of containers. Additionally, the second, trailing set of containers may include a second, aerodynamic drag reducing device. Curtains may also be attached between a plurality of intermediate or adjacent sets of stacked containers to assist in reducing drag on the train when moving.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Union Pacific Railroad CompanyInventors: Michael E Iden, Wayne A. Kennedy, Matthew M. Larson, John P. Haenggi
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Patent number: 7784410Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar having a bolster with an upper surface and a walled receptacle upstanding from the upper surface of the bolster. An inner surface of the walled receptacle defines an open-top cavity wherein the side bearing assembly is accommodated. The constant contact side bearing assembly includes a spring and a base. The side bearing assembly base is configured to loosely fit within the walled receptacle and a gap is defined between an outer surface of the side bearing assembly base and the inner surface of the walled receptacle. A railcar engaging surface portion on a friction member is biased by the spring against an underside of the railcar.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: William P. O'Donnell, Paul B. Aspengren
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Patent number: 7784411Abstract: A rail road freight car, which may be a gondola car, may have a flat deck, and a peripheral wall structure. The peripheral wall structure may include arcuate sidewalls and arcuate endwalls. The car body may include internal stiffeners having an arcuate outside sidewall profile. Those stiffeners may be lined up with cross-bearers and bolsters, such that large spring-like frames are formed. The car may include stations at which there are cross-bearers, but no corresponding upstanding wall reinforcement posts mounted outside the car walls. The end top chords may be curved and may be pin jointedly connected to the side top chords. The side top chords may have a central portion that has a substantially greater second moment of area for resisting lateral deflections than adjacent end portions. The arcuate form of the endwalls may provide additional space in which to mount safety appliances.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: National Steel Car LimitedInventor: James W. Forbes
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Patent number: 7784412Abstract: A convertible workstation system is disclosed that may be retrofitted into an existing desktop/work surface for supporting and pivoting a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) from a closed position to an open, viewable/usable position in front of a user. The system includes an actuator to initiate movement of a support panel, and is configured such that further movement of the support panel toward the open position after initiation by the actuator is carried out independently of further movement or other manipulation or control of the actuator. A spring may be provided to assist in moving the support panel towards such open position after the actuator has initiated such movement.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey H. Korber, Michael G. Wisniewski
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Patent number: 7784413Abstract: Embodiments of a rack assembly for housing cages comprise at least one shelf, the shelf having a shelf section comprising a runner capable of being positioned in a least a first position and a second position. The shelf section is constructed and arranged to accommodate two cages having a first and second widths when the runner is positioned in the first position. The shelf section is constructed and arranged to accommodate a single cage having a third width when the runner is in a second position, the first and second widths being less than the third width.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Lab Products, Inc.Inventors: George S. Gabriel, Neil E. Campbell, Dale Murray, Rodney Gerringer, Lynn Irwin, Bill Crites
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Patent number: 7784414Abstract: A shelving system includes a primary panel having a top side, a bottom side, a back edge, a front edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The bottom side includes a plurality of guides. Each of a pair of secondary panels has an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of engaging members is attached to the upper surfaces of the secondary panels. The guides receive the engaging members and slidably couple the secondary panels to the primary panel. The secondary panels each have an inner edge and an outer edge. The outer edges are aligned with a respective one of the first or second lateral edges to define a stored position. The outer edges are extended outwardly from the primary panel to define an extended position. Each of the secondary panels has one of a pair of supports attached thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: Raquel Torres
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Patent number: 7784415Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivery of a solid particulate fuel to a heating system. The present invention provides a lock-up transport system to deliver particles of solid fuel in a downstream direction while maintaining the position of the particles relative to each other. The lock-up transport system provides a linear mass flow through the gasification stages of the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: Thomas Wolfgang Engel
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Patent number: 7784416Abstract: A seed firming assembly and method for agricultural seeders includes a large diameter seed-firming wheel for firming seeds into soil at the bottom of a furrow. The seed-firming wheel is located immediately behind a furrow opener and a seed guide. The seed-firming wheel is rotatably supported by an attaching arm, which is pivotally attached to a planter subframe at a location behind the seed-firming wheel so as to push the seed-firming wheel in a forward direction during operation. The attaching arm has a forward portion on which the seed-firming wheel is rotatably supported, a rearward portion on which an extension spring is attached for imparting a downward force on the seed-firming wheel during operation, and a horizontal transverse axis of rotation located between the forward and rearward portions. An adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the downward force imparted on the seed-firming wheel by the spring.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventors: Keith D. Thompson, Benjamin K. Thompson
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Patent number: 7784417Abstract: A sailboat includes a canting ballast system configured to rotate with respect to a hull. The sailboat includes the hull having a port side and a starboard side, and an external surface. An arcuate member is coupled to the starboard and port sides extending above the hull. The canting ballast system includes at least one rotatable member coupled to the external surface and to the arcuate member. The system further includes a first strut having a first end and a second end, and a second strut having a first end and a second end wherein the first ends are coupled to the rotatable member. The system also includes at least one ballast. The second ends are coupled to the ballast such that an angle is defined between the first and second struts. The sailboat also includes a drive system coupled to the canting ballast system wherein the at least one drive system is configured to rotate the canting ballast system with respect to the hull.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: Christian H. Jensen
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Patent number: 7784418Abstract: A boat docking unit for small boats secures a boat to a dock structure without use of ropes, anchors or fenders. The unit has a pair of docking arms each having an elongated tubular housing, a telescoping member capable of telescoping movement within the housing. A pair of compression springs mounted in the housing in contact with the telescoping member dampens the wave force so as to restrict yaw of the boat docked at the pier. The docking arms pivotally secure the boat to the dock structure allowing a limited pitch motion of the boat.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: David Hall
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Patent number: 7784419Abstract: A floating dock structure is comprised of a pair of single-piece side rails secured together in spaced-apart substantially parallel relationship by a plurality of single-piece cross-members connected between the side rails to a lower tubular portion thereof. The side rails are hollow, tubular aluminum extruded side rails defining a top wall, an exterior side wall, a bottom wall and an interior side wall spaced inwardly from the exterior side wall. Elongated deck support stringers are secured in spaced-apart relationship on a top wall of the cross-members. Decking floor members are supported by the deck support stringers elevated from the top face of the cross-members a distance of up to about five inches (5 inches) to create underfloor passages adapted for the passage of conduits and services material. Floatation support casings are secured under the cross-members.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Gestion Radisson Design Inc.Inventors: Olivier Bigler, Claude Barbeau
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Patent number: 7784420Abstract: A cover system for a boat that can be articulated between a lowered covering position, to provide some level of protection to the interior of the boat when the boat is not in use, and one or more other positions. The one or more other positions may include, for example, a raised covering position, a raised retracted position, a lowered retracted position, and/or any other suitable position, as desired.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: Brian N. Tufte
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Patent number: 7784421Abstract: A boat booty has a closed bottom and an open top for the removable receipt of a boat hull. A rope encompasses the boat booty. Retaining strips secure the rope in operating position adjacent to the open top. A coupling assembly includes a plurality of lines. Each line has a fixed end coupled to the rope. Each line has a free end adapted to be releasably coupled to a cleat. An evacuation assembly includes a flexible tube. The flexible tube is coupled with respect to the boat booty. In this manner water is removed from the space between the boat and the boat booty while a user pulls on the lines to raise the upper edge of the boat booty.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventors: Robert C. Norton, Karen Norton
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Patent number: 7784422Abstract: A speed-indicating instrument for a motor vehicle provided with a cruise-control system comprises a dial (1) provided with a speed-indicating pointer (3) that co-operates with a graduated scale (5). Displayed in a position adjacent to the graduated scale (5) is an arc of light (6) terminating at one end (6a) that indicates on the graduated scale (5) the cruise-speed value set. Said arc of light is displayed using a first optical filter (7) and a second optical filter (8) superimposed on one another and backlighted, at least one of which being controlled in angular position about the centre (4) of the dial (1) as a function of the cruise speed set.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per AzioniInventors: Piermario Repetto, Stefano Bernard
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Patent number: 7784423Abstract: A delivery system for dispensing material onto a semiconductor wafer is provided that includes an opening device and a dispensing device. The opening device is operable to open a packet of material. The dispensing device is operable to dispense the material from the packet onto the semiconductor wafer.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventor: George Logsdon
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Patent number: 7784424Abstract: A heated towel dispenser includes a roll of a semi-absorptive medium that can be readily separated into individual sheets. The dispenser includes one or more different fluids to be applied to each of the sheets as directed by a user. The dispenser includes a heating element therein to heat each of the sheets prior to them being emitted from the dispenser. A plurality of sensors are disposed in the dispenser to monitor conditions within the dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Belanger Industrial Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Wentworth, Lionel Belanger
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Patent number: 7784425Abstract: A droplet ejecting apparatus includes a stage which holds a substrate; R (red), G (green), and B (blue) head groups for ejecting droplets of the R, G, and B colors, respectively, each of the head groups including at least one head; and a carriage which holds the R, G, and B head groups. In the apparatus, droplets of the R, G, and B colors are ejected to R, G, and B colored portions on the substrate from the R, G, and B head groups, respectively, during movement of the carriage relative to the stage in a first direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Ryoichi Matsumoto, Takashi Okusa
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Patent number: 7784426Abstract: A radiofrequency plasma reactor with first and second spaced electrodes has a concave surface facing a substrate supporting surface. A process area between the electrodes has a gas inlet for a process gas. A radiofrequency generator for frequencies greater than 13.56 MHz is connected to an electrode for generating a plasma discharge in and a gas outlet evacuates process gas. A dielectric layer has a convex surface engaging the concave electrode surface and an opposite planar surface. The substrate supporting surface receives a substrate of at least 0.7 m and defines a boundary of the process area to be exposed to the plasma. The dielectric layer is electrically in series with the substrate and plasma discharge and has capacitance per unit surface values which are not uniform for a distribution profile to compensate process non-uniformity along the working surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: OC Oerlikon Balzers AGInventor: Jacques Schmitt
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Patent number: 7784427Abstract: An ear prop prevents a pet's ears from contacting or substantially contacting food or water in a bowl or dish. The ear prop has members for elevating, supporting or displacing the pet's ears, and the ear prop may comprise a shield. A dish for holding food or water for a pet is constructed to keep the pet's ears from contacting or substantially contacting food or water in the dish. The dish comprises a bowl section and an ear prop section. The bowl section has a floor piece with a boundary continuously connectable to a boundary of a side wherein another boundary of the side defines an opening of the dish. The ear prop section is operably connected to the opening to provide a mechanism for elevating, supporting or displacing the pet's ears.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: Richard Weinblatt
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Patent number: 7784428Abstract: A magnetic scrubber assembly and its design method for cleaning the wall-glass of an aquarium are provided. The center of gravity of the internal scrubbing component is designed underneath its the geometrically horizontal central axes. A product of length Lp from a center of gravity Pp of an internal scrubbing component to a lowest part and the center of gravity P of the internal scrubbing component is smaller than a product of a length Lf from equivalent function point Pf of buoyancy F such that the internal scrubbing component is received to its lowest part. This ensures that the internal scrubbing component can erect automatically after it is lied down. When the internal scrubbing component breaks away from the control of a hand-held scrubbing component, the internal scrubbing component can sink upright, and the magnetic scrubber assembly is restored to the normal operation condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Shenzhen Xing Risheng Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Peixing Deng
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Patent number: 7784429Abstract: A low cost specimen holder for accurately positioning an animal or other specimen in an imaging machine is constructed from two thin sheets of formed plastic. Each sheet can be formed with a half cavity corresponding to the size and shape of a rodent or other laboratory animal or specimen. To minimize diffraction of imaging beams, one of the sheets can be formed to accommodate the entire specimen, and the other sheet can be substantially planar. The two sheets may be snap-fit or press-fit together to closely hold or encapsulate a specimen with the resulting cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: Chris D. Chiodo
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Patent number: 7784430Abstract: A door section for fitting in a sliding door frame is preferably made of plastic, e.g., PVC. The door section contains a built in pet door. The door section is formed by tubular sides and cross members, and has plastic brackets that press fit within the tubular members and preferably also may be screwed in place, or otherwise fixed in place, e.g., using epoxy, or both screws and epoxy. The door section has brackets on its side edges for hanging or connecting to the inside of the sliding door frame, and the door section may also have a bracket or catch on the other side edge from which the door section connects to the frame. This bracket or catch is for the existing sliding door's lock. Preferably, insulation strips are provided and preferably an H-shaped vertical section may fit on top of the door section and inside the frame for a fit with less play, and for a smoother or cleaner look. Rubber or rubbery elements may be placed over the sliding door's bottom track, for the door section to sit more securely.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventors: David Thorne, Thomas E. Schroy
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Patent number: 7784431Abstract: An animal stanchion having fixed stanchion structure and a pivotal release stanchion laterally spaced apart to define a head opening. The animal stanchion further comprises an upper top control rail which is configured to interact with a latch to selectively hold and release various portions of the pivot rod from connection with the latch. This device further comprises a plurality of individual locking brackets which are configured to interact with handle catch devices so as to hold various devices within their designated location within the device.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventors: John B. Hatfield, David W. Hatfield, J. Deven Hatfield, Jason M. Hatfield
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Patent number: 7784432Abstract: A quick-release lasso eye has a spring-memory eye line (1) with at least one eye-line flange (2, 13) positioned releasably in a flange receptacle (3, 15) of a quick-release channel (4) positioned opposite and parallel to a line-anchor aperture (5) in an eye base (6). The eye base is made of suitably hard, lightweight and strong material having a rope-attachment aperture (7) intermediate and parallel to the quick-release channel and the line-anchor aperture. The spring-memory eye line can be made of spring-resilient plastic or metal which can be covered with desired material (11, 21, 22) for functional, feel and aesthetic objectives optionally and selectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: David Johnson
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Patent number: 7784433Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling reaction gas, wherein the respective ends of heat exchanger tubes, through which the reaction gas flows, are inserted in a respective tube plate and are surrounded by a jacket, at the two ends of which are provided a respective end chamber that is partially delimited by one of the tube plates and serves for the supply and withdrawal of the reaction gas; water, as cooling agent, flows through the inner chamber of the heat exchanger that is surrounded by the jacket and that is divided by a partition, extending perpendicular to the heat exchanger tubes, which extend through it, into two partial chambers disposed one after the other in the direction of flow of the reaction gas, each partial chamber being provided with its own supply connectors and outlet connectors for the cooling agent; boiling water flows through the partial chamber that is disposed on the inlet side for reaction gas and that is connected via a supply line and withdrawal lines with a water/steam drum; feed water floType: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: BORSIG GmbHInventor: Carsten Birk
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Patent number: 7784434Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchange element intended for a central heating boiler, which heat exchange element is designed as a monocasting from substantially aluminum, the heat exchange element being provided with walls which bound a water-carrying channel, and with at least one wall which bounds at least one flue gas draft to which a burner can be connected, at least one wall which bounds the at least one flue gas draft being water-cooled in that it also forms a boundary of the water-carrying channel, while one said at least one water-cooled wall is provided with heat exchanging surface enlarging pins and/or fins which extend in the respective flue gas draft, wherein the cross-sectional surface of a said pin and/or fin is smaller than 25 mm2. The invention also relates to a central heating boiler provided with such a heat exchange element.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Remeha B.V.Inventor: Pouwel Jelte Gelderloos
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Patent number: 7784435Abstract: A particulate deflagration combustion engine for burning particulate fuel and method. Fine fuel particles are fed to a mixing box by a pre-measured auger system where the fuel is mixed with dried, compressed combustion air in a desire fuel to air ratio. The fuel mixture enters a combustion cylinder where it is ignited by a pair of spark plugs located approximately 120 degrees apart in the walls of the cylinder. The hot combustion gases leave the cylinder and are vented through an exhaust stack. The exhaust stack is connected to air driers supplying dry combustion air to the engine, thereby pulling a vacuum on the air driers and removing moisture from the air driers. A control panel receives input from dew point monitors, oxygen sensors, and infrared sensors provided in the engine to control the operation of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Deflagration Energy, L.L.C.Inventor: Donald Keith Fritts
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Patent number: 7784436Abstract: In a two-stroke, opposed-piston internal combustion engine with optimized cooling and no engine block, opposed pistons protrude from the bore during at least a portion of an operating cycle of the engine and are cooled by application of a liquid coolant to their interiors.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Achates Power, Inc.Inventors: James U. Lemke, William B. McHargue
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Patent number: 7784437Abstract: A two stroke engine of a particular configuration can have its power output increased by running bigger pistons and using ports in the piston skirt through which to conduct compressed air within the skirt through short passages in the cylinder housing that conduct the air from within the skirt to above the piston. As a result a larger piston can be used for the same spacing and opening size in the block to save the need to redesign the block and the crankshaft. A position adjuster for the piston moves it axially without rotation of the piston ports out of alignment with inlet ports in the housing. The piston rod is held in the crosshead using a flat to prevent rotation while an adjuster nut that is turned creates axial movement in the piston rod with a lock nut securing the final piston position.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2009Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Bruce M. Chrisman, Randy Coleman
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Patent number: 7784438Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting module in which an oil control valve for tappet control is mounted in a cylinder deactivation engine. The mounting module of the invention is separately fabricated and coupled to the cylinder head and has various oil passages connecting the oil paths between the oil control valve and the cylinder head with each other and thereby the die structure for molding the cylinder head is simplified. Because of its separately fabricating process it is possible to design the part freely and in a small size and to reduce the cost of die, material, manufacturing and its weight as well. Furthermore, the number of related parts such as steel ball, taker plug, etc. and unnecessary portions in the shape are considerably reduced, thus providing an optimized structure and reducing the manufacturing cost as well as its weight.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Seung Woo Lee
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Patent number: 7784439Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an outer part, an inner part disposed in the outer part and connected to a valve, a latching part that is disposed in the outer part and selectively connects the outer part and the inner part, a camshaft supplying torque, a low lift cam that is configured to the camshaft and selectively supplies torque to the inner part, and a high lift cam that is configured to the camshaft and supplies torque to the outer part.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Dae Sung Kim, Wootae Kim, Back Sik Kim, Hyung-Ick Kim, Ingee Suh, Dong Hee Han, Kyoung Pyo Ha
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Patent number: 7784440Abstract: A combustion engine includes a carburetor, which is a fuel supply device for introducing fuel into an intake air of the engine, and a fan housing for enclosing a cooling fan mounted on a front end portion of a crankshaft. The fan housing is formed with a flange so as to extend towards a position proximate to the carburetor, and a manually operable priming pump is fitted to the flange.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tsuneyoshi Yuasa
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Patent number: 7784441Abstract: A vehicle includes a direct start engine, an automatic transmission having a threshold fluid pressure sufficient for enabling operation of the transmission when the engine is off, a controller, and a fuel delivery system. The controller determines the presence of predetermined engine states, and optimizes a stop-and-go functionality of the engine. The fuel delivery system includes a motor and an integrated pump assembly having a secondary high-pressure (HP) fuel pump which is selectively connectable to a rotatable shaft of the motor, and a secondary low-pressure (LP) fluid pump which is continuously connected to the shaft. The motor continuously energizes the secondary LP fluid pump via the rotatable shaft to thereby maintain the threshold fluid pressure during a first or second engine state, and selectively energizes the secondary HP fuel pump via the rotatable shaft to maintain the threshold fuel pressure during the second engine state.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Qi Ma, Hsu-Chiang Miao, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Thomas R. Brown
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Patent number: 7784442Abstract: An engine cylinder head has an exhaust manifold cast in the cylinder head. A turbocharger with a turbine body is adapted to mount directly to an exhaust outlet mounting face of the exhaust manifold. A dual level water jacket within the cylinder head has separate coolant feeds for upper and lower cooling jackets. The cooling jackets extend above and below the exhaust outlet and are connected inward of the exhaust mounting face to reduce metal temperatures of the mounting face below those of the turbocharger exhaust inlet flange. Separate cores for the upper and lower jackets are connected at coolant inlet and outlet locations at opposite ends. Intermediate core print connectors form controlled flow passages between the upper and lower jackets and exhaust ports in the cylinder head and integrated manifold. The improved cooling in these areas lowers operating temperatures in the cylinder head and obviates the need for a separate exhaust manifold.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Dominique T. Lester, Douglas Ostrowski
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Patent number: 7784443Abstract: A spark-ignition gasoline engine having at least a spark plug, the engine including an engine body having a geometrical compression ratio set at 14 or more, and an intake valve and an exhaust valve provided, respectively, in intake and exhaust ports connected to each of a plurality of cylinders of the engine body. The intake and exhaust valves are adapted to open and close corresponding respective ones of the intake and exhaust ports. The engine further includes an operation-state detector adapted to detect an operation state of the engine body and a control system adapted, based on detection of the operation-state detector, to perform at least an adjustment control of an ignition timing of the spark plug, the control system being operable, when an engine operation zone is a high-load operation zone including a wide open throttle region within at least a low speed range, to retard the ignition timing to a point within a predetermined stroke range just after a top dead center of a compression stroke.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Hitomi, Noriyuki Iwata, Masahisa Yamakawa, Toshiaki Nishimoto, Takashi Yohso, Takayoshi Hayashi
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Patent number: 7784444Abstract: A protective cover for an actuating drive, that can be used as universally as possible, for components (14, 16) of a contacting and/or sealing arrangement of the actuating drive. The sealing arrangement is embodied in a liquid-tight but gas-permeable manner and ends in a cavity on the outer side, the cavity being covered by a cover (28) held on the actuating drive by means of a catch connection (30, 32).Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventors: Tim Bohlmann, Michael Denzler, Stefan Kohn, Yavuz Kurt, Klaus Plecher, Emanuel Sanftleben, Marcus Unruh, Claus Zumstrull
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Patent number: 7784445Abstract: There is proposed a control unit for an internal combustion engine, which comprises a boost circuit, a switching element, a current detecting resistor and a controller and is designed to be actuated such that the boost circuit is used to boost a power source voltage to create a boosted voltage and the controller is used to control the switching element so as to enable the boosted voltage to flow to the injector solenoid coil. This control unit is designed such that, when the boost circuit goes out of order, the injector solenoid coil is excited by making use of the power source voltage without using the boosted voltage and without creating a peak current to thereby generate a first holding current required for opening the injector and a second holding current required for retaining the opened state of the injector, the second holding current being lower in intensity than the first holding current.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Nobuyuki Takahashi, Masahiro Sasaki, Takuya Mayuzumi, Mitsuhiko Watanabe, Ryoichi Oura
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Patent number: 7784446Abstract: A conveying device (1) has a fuel pump (5) for supplying an internal combustion engine (2) of a motor vehicle with fuel. The conveying device further has a monitoring apparatus (10) for determining the wear condition or the degree of soiling of the fuel pump (5). To this end, the monitoring apparatus (10) compares the power consumption to the hydraulic power of the fuel pump (5). A diagnostic display (11) is activated when a predefined value for the power consumption is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbHInventor: Bernd Rumpf
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Patent number: 7784447Abstract: The injection system has a high-pressure pump (7) having at least one pumping element (18) operated reciprocatingly to perform an intake stroke and a delivery stroke. Each pumping element (18) has a corresponding intake valve (25) communicating with an intake conduit (10) supplied by a low-pressure pump (9). The intake conduit (10) is fitted with an on-off solenoid valve (27) controlled by a control unit (16) asynchronously with respect to the intake of each pumping element (18). And the control unit (16) may control the on-off solenoid valve (27) by means of frequency-modulated and/or duty-cycle-modulated control signals (A, C).Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per AzioniInventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Onofrio De Michele, Annunziata Anna Satriano
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Patent number: 7784448Abstract: An anti-flow interruption system is configured to provide a supply of fuel in the event of a fuel flow interruption from a fuel tank. The anti-flow interruption system includes a reservoir, a reservoir conduit, and a vapor bleed system. The reservoir conduit has an end disposed at the bottom of the reservoir and another connected to a fuel pump. The vapor bleed system includes a vapor bleed conduit and a vapor bleed restrictor. One end of the vapor bleed conduit is attached to the top of the reservoir and the other end is connected to the fuel pump. The vapor bleed restrictor is disposed in the vapor bleed conduit between the fuel pump and the reservoir. If fuel flow is interrupted and results in vapor being present in the reservoir, liquid fuel remaining in the reservoir continues to be supplied to the fuel pump while the vapor bleed system removes the vapor.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Rolls-Royce CorporationInventor: Stephen G. Murray
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Patent number: 7784449Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle, with a fuel tank which has tank ventilation, the tank ventilation for adsorption of fuel vapors having an activated charcoal filter through which a flushing air flow can flow, and with a vehicle unit which has a vacuum pump, in particular a brake booster. It is provided that the delivery side of the vacuum pump produces compressed air for driving the flushing air flow and/or that the compressed air forms the flushing air flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Audi, AGInventor: Christian Maly
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Patent number: 7784450Abstract: An exhaust-gas recirculation device includes a distributor element (14) driven corresponding to the rotational speed of the camshaft (11) of an internal combustion engine (1), wherein, via the distributor element (14), a fluidic connection can be established from an exhaust-gas inlet channel (13) to respectively one exhaust-gas outlet channel (16) of a plurality of exhaust-gas outlet channels (16) corresponding in number to the cylinders. Advantageously, apart from the distributor element (14), use can be made of a control element (22) which is movable via an actuator (47) and by which clearing of the fluidic connection between the outlet opening (21) of the distributor element (14) and the exhaust-gas outlet channels (16) of the exhaust gas recirculation device (9) can be shifted in comparison to the phase angle of the camshaft (11).Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Pierburg GmbHInventors: Andreas Köster, Heinrich Dismon, Martin Nowak, Peter Haushälter
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Patent number: 7784451Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for improving the tracking bandwidth of an air handling system of an internal combustion engine. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus includes an intake charge module configured to determine a desired air intake flow rate into the combustion chamber based at least partially on a desired oxygen concentration in the combustion chamber. The apparatus also includes an EGR system module configured to determine a desired EGR gas flow rate into the combustion chamber based at least partially on the desired oxygen concentration in the combustion chamber. Additionally, the apparatus includes a pre-filter module configured to modify the desired air intake flow rate and the desired EGR gas flow rate based at least partially on predetermined transient response characteristics of the air handling system.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Cummins IP, IncInventor: John N. Chi
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Patent number: 7784452Abstract: An archery bow system incorporating a bow riser and dual limbs supporting cams or a cam and wheel mounted for rotation about respective axles. The dual limbs are independently adjustable to correct for cam lean and are individually supported in pockets that incorporate variable limb angle attachments to the bow riser. The limbs extend from the riser to flex, when at full draw, to positions that cause the respective axles to initially travel rearward toward the archer upon release of the bowstring. The limbs are adjustably attached to the riser to permit the limb angle with respect to the riser to be changed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Precision Shooting Equipment, Inc.Inventors: David H. Kronengold, Allen C. Rasor, Benjamin D. Blosser
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Patent number: 7784453Abstract: A draw mechanism for a crossbow comprises a drive gear, coupling gear, retaining member, one-way rotary clutch, retainer, rotary drive member, tension member, and catch. The drive gear is coupled to the coupling gear. The retaining member and coupling gear are coaxially coupled by the one-way rotary clutch. The retainer releasably engages the retaining member. The coupling gear is coupled to the rotary drive member which is engaged with the tension member. The catch is connected to the tension member and retains a bowstring as the crossbow is drawn. Rotation of the coupling gear in one direction causes the rotary drive member to tension the tension member to move the catch to draw the crossbow. Engagement of the retainer with the retaining member retards rotation of the coupling gear in the other direction thereby retarding movement of the catch to “undraw” the crossbow. Release by the retainer allows movement of the catch to undraw the crossbow.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Extreme Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Craig T. Yehle
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Patent number: 7784454Abstract: A pneumatic gun sized and designed to appear like and operate in a manner similar to a conventional handgun. The gun may include a removable magazine storing projectiles and propellant. The entire magazine may be small enough to fit into a handle of the gun (e.g., with a pistol grip). The magazine may be integrated with propellant and projectile portions locked together or separable. Standard carbon dioxide cartridges fit within the magazine. Projectiles may be staggered to increase the maximum magazine load. A user may selectively release just the projectile portion of the magazine, in order to leave the propellant undisturbed until fully expended. The magazine may be completely removed from the gun without substantial loss of propellant.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventors: Benjamin T. Tiberius, Dennis E. Tiberius, Kyle L. Hansen
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Patent number: 7784455Abstract: The present invention is an improved grenade which launches a plurality of pellet projectiles. The grenade includes a housing containing at least one spiral launch tube, said launch tube having a breech end and a muzzle end. A plurality of projectiles are loaded in the launch tube between the breech and muzzle ends. The grenade includes a gas reservoir for storing a compressed gas coupled to the breech end of the launch tube. A valve is interposed between the reservoir and the breech end of the launch tube for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the reservoir to the breech end of the launch tube. The valve is moveable between a closed state and an open state wherein said compressed gas enters the breech end of the launch tube to propel the projectiles from the muzzle end, the valve being biased towards its open state.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Inventor: Carlton le Loong Chong