Patents Issued in February 22, 2011
  • Patent number: 7891174
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for managing regeneration of a diesel-particulate filter for a gas-exhaust system of the internal-combustion engine of a vehicle, comprising a first step of regeneration of the diesel-particulate filter during which the diesel-particulate filter is regenerated at a first regeneration rate, and a second step of regeneration of the diesel-particulate filter, during which the diesel-particulate filter is regenerated at a second regeneration rate higher than the first regeneration rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Alberto Gioannini, Francesco Bechis, Marco Tonetti
  • Patent number: 7891175
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which an SOx trap catalyst able to trap SOx contained in exhaust gas is arranged in an engine exhaust passage upstream of an NOx storing catalyst. The SOx trap catalyst is strengthened in basicity compared with the NOx storing catalyst to an extent so that when the temperature of the SOx trap catalyst is in the temperature range at the time of ordinary operation, that is, substantially 150° C. to substantially 400° C., the NOx purification rate by the SOx trap catalyst becomes less than substantially 10 percent of the NOx purification rate by the NOx storing catalyst. When NOx should be released from the NOx storing catalyst, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the SOx trap catalyst is temporarily switched from lean to rich.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohei Yoshida, Kotaro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7891176
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus includes a primary diesel particulate filter provided in an exhaust line of a diesel engine, a secondary exhaust line branched from the exhaust line from an upstream side of the primary diesel particulate filter, and a secondary diesel particulate filter provided in the secondary exhaust line. The secondary diesel particulate filter has a soot storage capacity smaller than the soot storage capacity of the primary diesel particulate filter. The apparatus further includes a differential pressure measuring part measuring a differential pressure between an inlet and an outlet of the secondary diesel particulate filter. A distance to the secondary diesel particulate filter from a branching point of the secondary exhaust line from the primary exhaust line is about 2 m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Athanasios G. Konstandopoulos
  • Patent number: 7891177
    Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system is disclosed. The system has a particulate trap disposed to remove particulate matter from an exhaust flow of an engine, an upstream temperature sensor disposed to measure a temperature of the exhaust flow upstream of the particulate trap, and a downstream temperature sensor disposed to measure a temperature of the exhaust flow downstream of the particulate trap. The system also has a controller in communication to receive from the upstream and downstream temperature sensors indications of the upstream and downstream temperatures. The controller is configured to compare the upstream and downstream temperatures, determine if the upstream and downstream temperature sensors are improperly swapped based on the comparison, and take a precaution if it is determined that the upstream and downstream temperature sensors are improperly swapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Chandini M. Ammineni, Andrew J. Zich
  • Patent number: 7891178
    Abstract: A centrifugally balanced fluid reservoir comprising a fluid reservoir having a channel therein, a flexible barrier dividing the channel of the fluid reservoir into a first compartment and a second compartment, a first aperture in the first compartment allowing transfer of fluid into and out of the first compartment, and a second aperture in the second compartment allowing transfer of fluid into and out of the second compartment. The first aperture may fluidly connect the first compartment to an external pressure source, and the second aperture may fluidly connect the second compartment to a rotating device. The channel of the fluid reservoir may be toroidal and annular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nikco, LLC
    Inventors: Nick Jackson Breese, Charles Franklin Breese
  • Patent number: 7891179
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a torque converter including a shell arranged to receive a plurality of blades for the pump, a hub arranged to interface with a transmission, and a resilient member located axially between an annular portion of the shell and annular portion of the hub. In a preferred embodiment, the resilient member is an O-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Kevin Parks
  • Patent number: 7891180
    Abstract: An actuator displacement servo-control for aircraft flight controls is assisted by a hydraulic circuit, configured to deliver a hydraulic failure indication. The servo-control is generated from an actuator position indication and a position set-point indication computed by a computation unit. An alarm phase is opened on detection of a servo-control operating error and is kept open as long as the error is present. During the alarm phase it is determined whether the actuator is in blocked or divergent states. If blocked, it is determined whether the duration of the alarm phase exceeds a value Tconf2; If divergent, it is determined whether the duration of the alarm phase exceeds a value Tconf1. When blocked and the duration of the alarm phase does not exceed Tconf2, it is determined whether the hydraulic circuit indicates a hydraulic failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Le Bastard
  • Patent number: 7891181
    Abstract: A hydraulic unit, in particular for lifting and lowering loads in stacking trucks, has at least one working cylinder (10). The piston/rod unit (12) of the cylinder is guided movably in a housing (22). By a hydraulic pump (25), the piston/rod unit can be extended in its one drive direction (30) and can be retracted in its other opposite drive direction (32). A control device (20) actuates the displacement movements to that effect. A storage device (38) is fed energy in one drive direction (32). The energy fed in can be called up from the storage device (38) to assist a displacement movement in an opposite drive direction (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hydac Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Baltes
  • Patent number: 7891182
    Abstract: A method for controlling an engine in a work machine includes determining a base engine operating limit; determining a hydraulic system load on the engine; calculating a modification value for the base engine operating limit; generating a modified engine operating limit based on the modification value and the base engine operating limit; generating an engine control signal based on the modified engine operating limit; and transmitting the engine control signal to operate the engine at the modified engine operating limit to thereby supply additional power from the engine to the drive train to at least partially compensate for the hydraulic system load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Andrew W. Kelly, Andrew J. Hageman
  • Patent number: 7891183
    Abstract: The wave-based power generation system has a buoy or float retained by a cable that enters an underwater power generating station. The cable enters the station housing through an inverted U-tube having upturned inlet and outlet ports, which prevent water from entering the housing. The buoy cable passes over an inlet pulley assembly disposed within the U-tube and has its free end secured to a take-up reel or sheave. A driver pulley is mounted on a shaft coaxial with the take-up reel shaft, and is constrained to unidirectional rotation. Rotation of the driver pulley is coupled to a mainspring pulley and a timing pulley through an idler pulley. A mainspring is compressed by rotation of the mainspring pulley until a cam wheel coaxial with the timing wheel releases a brake, causing the mainspring to expand and rotate a generator shaft to produce electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventor: Mustafa Ali Al-Huwaider
  • Patent number: 7891184
    Abstract: A 4-cycle Stirling engine is for carrying out thermal power processes or heat power and cold and heat pumping processes with two double piston units which move with a phase offset to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Andreas Gimsa
  • Patent number: 7891185
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine incorporating a turbo-generator and one or more variably activated exhaust valves. The exhaust valves are adapted to variably release exhaust gases from a combustion cylinder during a combustion cycle to an exhaust system. The turbo-generator is adapted to receive exhaust gases from the exhaust system and rotationally harness energy therefrom to produce electrical power. A controller is adapted to command the exhaust valve to variably open in response to a desired output for the turbo-generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Carl T. Vuk
  • Patent number: 7891186
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system is provided for an internal combustion engine having a piston, a cylinder and an intake manifold, significantly improving gas mileage efficiency without reliance on alternative fuels. The system includes a heat loop having a heat transfer fluid, a compressor in fluid communication with the intake manifold to supply compressed air thereto, a Stirling engine operated and optimized via thermal communication with the heat loop, and operatively coupled to the compressor. The system includes a chiller in thermal communication with the heat loop, and with the intake manifold to cool the compressed air communicate to the cylinder. The system may include additional Stirling engines operating other devices, or being operated by a device, such as a propeller. A vehicle can incorporate the system and route fluid to and from a radiator. The system can be used in both portable and stationary applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Indru J. Primlani
  • Patent number: 7891187
    Abstract: A multi-chamber heat accumulator for storing heat energy as well as for generating electrical energy comprises a pit structure having a bottom, a sidewall, and a cover. The pit structure comprises at least one inner zone with a first solid matter pit filling and at least one outer zone with a second solid matter pit filling. The outer zone at least partially surrounds the inner zone, the pit filling of the inner zone being separated at least in parts from the pit filling of the outer zone by at least one partition wall. The inner zone comprises at least one first pipeline system with at least one inlet to the inner zone and at least one outlet from the inner zone for passing fluids through, which is present at least in parts in the first pit filling material of the inner zone. A method for generating electrical energy is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Mohr
  • Patent number: 7891188
    Abstract: The present inventive subject matter is drawn to an apparatus for producing power using geothermal liquid comprising: a geothermal power plant for producing power using heat contained in geothermal liquid supplied thereto; and heating means apparatus for heating a solution and producing a heated solution for use in an electrolysis unit with heat from heat depleted geothermal liquid exiting a vaporizer of the geothermal power plant, wherein the electrolysis unit produces hydrogen for use in producing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ormat Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Oron David Zachar
  • Patent number: 7891189
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid working substance flow, the pressure of said flow being increased and the flow itself being subdivided into a first partial flow and a second partial flow. The first partial flow is partially evaporated with heat from a heat source, and the second partial flow with heat from a working substance flow with a low surface tension. The two partial flows are then combined and produce a gaseous working substance flow with heat from the heat source. The surface tension of said gaseous flow is reduced and the energy thereof converted into a usable form. The working substance flow with a low surface tension is condensed, thus producing the liquid working substance flows. According to the invention, the first partial flow and the liquid working substance flow are essentially at the same temperature. In this way, the heat of the heat source can be better used, thus increasing the efficiency of the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Böttger, Jörg Lengert
  • Patent number: 7891190
    Abstract: A combustion chamber of a turbomachine is disclosed. The combustion chamber includes at least one bowl with a substantially frustoconical wall that is formed with an annular row of air injection orifices and a fuel injector arranged upstream of the bowl. The annular row of air injection orifices includes smaller-diameter orifices and larger-diameter orifices which are arranged in alternating fashion and with a uniform distribution around the axis of the bowl to produce two annular air/fuel mixture layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Patrice Andre Commaret, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Patent number: 7891191
    Abstract: A combustor comprises a liquid fuel nozzle for injecting liquid fuel to a combustion chamber, and an air supply nozzle disposed around the liquid fuel nozzle and injecting air. The air supply nozzle is disposed such that air is injected from the air supply nozzle in a direction toward an axis of the liquid fuel nozzle. A space is formed around an outlet of the liquid fuel nozzle, through which the liquid fuel is injected from the liquid fuel nozzle to the combustion chamber, upstream of a distal end of the outlet in a direction in which the liquid fuel is injected. Carbonaceous deposits on surrounding surfaces of the outlet of the liquid fuel nozzle can be suppressed regardless of the operating conditions of a combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouhei Yoshida, Yoshitaka Hirata, Hiroshi Inoue, Tomoya Murota, Toshifumi Sasao, Akinori Hayashi, Isao Takehara
  • Patent number: 7891192
    Abstract: A combustor assembly for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor endcover having at least one fuel circuit and mounted thereto a plurality of pre-mixers and at least one control valve. The at least one control valve is fluidly connected to the at least one fuel circuit and operatively connected to a controller. The controller selectively operates the at least one control valve to deliver fuel through the at least one fuel circuit to the plurality of pre-mixers in order to achieve an enhanced level of operational flexibility by providing individual combustion chamber control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey David Myers, Lewis Berkley Davis, Jr., Joseph Citeno
  • Patent number: 7891193
    Abstract: In a multimode fuel injector for combustion chambers, in particular a jet engine, a secondary circuit is connected to a distribution chamber perforated by a plurality of fuel ejection orifices and the primary circuit comprises at least one passage section adjacent the distribution chamber, for its cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Didier Hippolyte Hernandez, Thomas Olivier Marie Noel
  • Patent number: 7891194
    Abstract: An annular combustion chamber of a turbomachine is provided. The combustion chamber includes an end wall provided at an upstream end of the chamber and side walls extending longitudinally from the end wall to an orifice for discharging a stream of combustion gases provided at a downstream end of the chamber. The side walls includes at least one row of openings for the intake of air for diluting the stream of combustion gases. At least one dilution opening has an upstream edge which projects toward the inside of the chamber and a downstream edge which projects toward the outside of the chamber and is asymmetric to the upstream edge with respect to a plane extending transversely to the wall. An aperture of the opening having an axis oriented in an oblique direction with respect to the wall. This direction being oriented toward the inside and toward the downstream end of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Romain Biebel, Luc Henri Claude Daguenet, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Patent number: 7891195
    Abstract: A device for attenuating acoustical noise from an exhaust nozzle of a turbojet is disclosed. The turbojet exhaust nozzle includes a central body defining the inner surface of the primary gas flow path. The central body includes an outer wall defining one, and only one, resonator cavity. The single resonator cavity is in fluid communication with the primary gas flow path via orifices through at least one upstream portion of the outer wall. The single resonator cavity and plurality of orifices compose a Helmholtz resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Eric Jean-Louis Bouty, Alain Dravet, Thierry Jacques Albert Le Docte, Georges Jean Xavier Riou, Thomas Alain Christian Vincent
  • Patent number: 7891196
    Abstract: A quench line and exit plenum configuration for a mobile MRI system housed in a transportable trailer includes an exit plenum with deflector plates that direct the quench flow of cold gases upward and away from surrounding objects. In addition, the plenum also includes dual vents to facilitate optimum gas flow and water drainage. The deflector plates are configured to utilize the Venturi effect to create an auxiliary flow of the ambient air to help deflect the flow of cold gases away from nearby pedestrians, when the magnet is quenching, and to enable service personnel to fill the magnet safely while in the vicinity of the exit plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Plc
    Inventors: Stephen Paul Trowell, Keith White
  • Patent number: 7891197
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the uninterrupted supply of liquid subcooled carbon dioxide. The liquid is supplied at a nearly constant pressure greater than about 40 bar. Liquid carbon dioxide is supplied at a low pressure and is sent into a low pressure tank where it is stored temporarily. The carbon dioxide is then pumped, with a pump, from the low pressure tank to a high pressure tank. During the pumping, the pressure of the carbon dioxide is increased. The carbon dioxide is stored in the high pressure tank until its removal. When the carbon dioxide is removed, it is in a thermodynamic disequilibrium between the liquid and gas phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Harald Winter
  • Patent number: 7891198
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including adjusting cut-in and cut-out temperatures of the cooling system to control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Wetekamp, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan G. Tarrant, Ryan D. Schuchart, Mauro M. Oliveira, Alvin V. Miller, Brent A. Koppenhaver, Carl J. Franken, Nelson J. Ferragut, II, Tim L. Coulter, Greg Berardi, Thomas Carl Anell
  • Patent number: 7891199
    Abstract: Self-cooling food and beverage containers and processes for manufacturing such containers with cryogenic high-pressure refrigerant cooling apparatus are disclosed. A self-cooling beverage container apparatus containing a beverage or other food product, a method of storing cryogenic gases which then cool said food products, and to methods of assembling and operating the apparatus. A self-cooling beverage container includes a container body having an openable portion, a pressure vessel substantially housed within said container body, the pressure vessel having a first chamber for containing a refrigerant, an actuation valve configurable from a closed configuration wherein the refrigerant is maintained within the pressure vessel to an open configuration wherein said refrigerant is allowed to expand and exit the pressure vessel upon opening of said container whereby refrigerant expansion and flow through said outlet conduit cools the contents of said container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Anthony
  • Patent number: 7891200
    Abstract: A vending machine system includes a control module for controlling a cooling system. The cooling system, which includes an evaporator, may omit a heating element for defrosting the evaporator. In operation, the control module cycles an evaporator fan in conjunction with a compressor based on a required set temperature to help keep products within a specified range. In an embodiment, the evaporator fan is turned on and off at substantially the same time as the compressor is turned on and off. In another embodiment, there is a predetermined delay after the compressor is turned on and off before the evaporator is respectively turned on and off. Other variations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Saba, Emad Jafa, Daniel F. Joslin
  • Patent number: 7891201
    Abstract: A refrigerant vapor compression system includes a flash tank receiver disposed in the refrigerant circuit intermediate the refrigerant cooling heat exchanger and the refrigerant heating heat exchanger. The flash tank receiver, which receives a liquid/vapor refrigerant mix, also functions as a receiver. A refrigerant charge control apparatus includes a liquid level sensing device disposed in operative association with the flash tank receiver for sensing the level of liquid refrigerant within the flash tank receiver, at least one sensor for sensing a system operating parameter, and a controller operative to determine a desired liquid refrigerant level within the flash tank receiver and to selectively adjust a secondary expansion device to increase or decrease the flow of refrigerant passing into the flash tank receiver to provide a circulating refrigerant charge consistent with maintaining a desired system operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Bush, Wayne P. Beagle, Biswajit Mitra
  • Patent number: 7891202
    Abstract: An absorption system includes a generator, a condenser, an evaporator, and an absorber configured to circulate a solution of an absorber and a refrigerant. A purge system removes a non-condensable gas from the absorber. The purge system includes a first pump to remove the solution from the absorber, a connection to remove the refrigerant vapor and the non-condensable gas from a low pressure region of the absorption system, an eductor to receive and mix the solution, a separator to receive the solution and remove the non-condensable gas from it, a tank to receive the non-condensable gas from the separator, a controller to monitor a pressure level of the tank, and a second pump to remove the non-condensable gas from the tank in response to the monitored pressure level in the tank being greater than a predetermined pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Brian T. Gallus
  • Patent number: 7891203
    Abstract: A vehicle heating, ventilation and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system includes an HVAC control, a fan, an evaporator downstream from the fan, a cooler box downstream from the evaporator, a condenser in fluid communication with the evaporator and a compressor in fluid communication with the condenser and the evaporator. A method for cooling items using the HVAC system includes detecting a cooler box signal from the HVAC control, in response to detecting the cooler box signal, opening or closing a valve interposed between the evaporator and the cooler box, and in response to detecting the cooler box signal, performing at least one of the following: changing an HVAC mode or adjusting power delivered to the fan. Opening the valve can allow cool air to travel through a passage toward the cooler box. Closing the valve can block cool air from traveling through the passage toward the cooler box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Trevor Burns, Ronald W. Myers
  • Patent number: 7891204
    Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle device with a capacity-variable compressor, a preset suction pressure that serves as a target value of a refrigerant suction pressure of the compressor is calculated and a refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor is controlled by operating a capacity varying portion such that the suction pressure of the compressor is appreciated to the preset suction pressure. A thermal load detection portion is configured to detect a thermal load of a refrigeration cycle, and a refrigerant flow amount detection portion is configured to detect a flow amount of refrigerant circulating through the refrigeration cycle. In the refrigeration cycle device, a pressure at a predetermined part of the compressor is estimated based on the thermal load detected by the thermal load detection portion and on the flow amount detected by the refrigerant flow amount detection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shun Kurata, Takeshi Wakisaka, Katsuhiko Honda
  • Patent number: 7891205
    Abstract: A defrosting and chilling compartment that can be incorporated into the fresh food compartment of a refrigerator includes separate and independent pathways for selectively conducting warming or cooling air, respectively, to a holding section in the compartment where an item to be defrosted or chilled is located. Certain of the pathways are used to conduct warming air and certain other pathways are used to conduct cooling air. A heating device is associated with the pathways that conduct warming air, and the pathways that conduct cooling air are associated with a source of cooling air. Separate air-moving devices, such as fans for example, can be provided for the separate pathways. The pathways can include a closure device for selectively and variably opening and closing the pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home PRoducts, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Cushman
  • Patent number: 7891206
    Abstract: A dehumidifier is provided. The dehumidifier includes a cabinet defining an outer appearance of the dehumidifier, a barrier installed in the cabinet to collect condensed water, and a bucket assembly received in the barrier to store the condensed water, the bucket assembly being capable of pivoting frontward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Youn Yoon, Won-Suk Jang
  • Patent number: 7891207
    Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis, Jim J. Pastryk
  • Patent number: 7891208
    Abstract: A refrigerator including an ice making device to make ice and a control method of the refrigerator. The refrigerator includes the ice making device to make ice, and an ice reservoir disposed below the ice making device to receive the ice made by the ice making device. The ice making device includes an ice-full state sensing lever installed, in a vertically pivotally rotatable manner, at one side thereof to sense whether or not the ice reservoir is full of ice, and a lever cover to cover a side surface of the ice-full state sensing lever. With the use of the lever cover, even if the ice is caught between a wall surface of an ice making compartment and the ice making device, the ice is caught between the wall surface of the ice making compartment and the lever cover. This has the effect of assuring a stable operation of the ice-full state sensing lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Kim, Jae Koog An
  • Patent number: 7891209
    Abstract: In a method of chilling slaughtered poultry or parts thereof, the poultry is conveyed through a chilling room, or at least through a part of said chilling room, and in the process is exposed to a stream of chilling air. During the chilling of the poultry the skin of the poultry is moistened. The skin of the poultry is moistened by spraying it with water in a spray area that is separated from the stream of chilling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Stork PMT B.V.
    Inventors: Adrianus Josephes van den Nieuwelaar, Andries Moret
  • Patent number: 7891210
    Abstract: An HVAC&R system including a blower system having a vertical motor adjustment is provided. The HVAC&R system includes a cooling unit, a heating unit, an air conditioning unit, and a blower unit. The blower unit includes a blower assembly having a fan unit within a fan unit support frame. A motor attached to a height adjustable motor base is attached to a top surface of the fan unit support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Dubensky, Wayne Joseph Pierjok, Jyotindra S. Shah, Martin Dale Weatherd, Robert E. Bender, Bryan Burnworth
  • Patent number: 7891211
    Abstract: A cold storage tank unit for a refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a cold storage heat exchanger having plural tubes and a pair of first and second tanks connected to longitudinal ends of the tubes, a cold storage material tank which accommodates at least the tubes of the cold storage heat exchanger, and a cold storage material filled in the cold storage material tank. The cold storage material is cold-stored by the refrigerant or is cold-released to cool gas refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator. Furthermore, the second tank has a lower end portion that is positioned lower than a lower end portion of the first tank, and the second tank has a tank capacity capable of storing a predetermined liquid refrigerant condensed by cold storage heat of the cold storage material. The cold storage tank unit can be located between an evaporator and a compressor in the refrigeration cycle apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Yasukazu Aikawa
  • Patent number: 7891212
    Abstract: A magnetic disk glass substrate including compressive stress layers at main surfaces and a tensile stress layer between the compressive stress layers formed by chemical strengthening. When the glass substrate has a thickness of less than 0.5 mm and the tensile stress layer has a thickness L and a tensile stress of Pt (kg/mm2), the following relation holds: 0.4 (kg/mm)?L·Pt?2.0 (kg/mm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Isono
  • Patent number: 7891213
    Abstract: According to a known vertical drawing method for producing a cylindrical glass body, the cylinder longitudinal axis of the glass cylinder is adjusted by hand in relation to the longitudinal axis of a heating tube. The aim of the invention is to optimize the stability of said glass body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Bogdahn, Oliver Ganz, Harald Hain, Eric Emmert
  • Patent number: 7891214
    Abstract: The manufacture of a GRIN lens using a sol-gel process includes forming a wet gel from an alcohol solution containing a silicon alkoxide, a dopant alkoxide, and an aluminum alkoxide, first, an alcohol solution containing the silicon alkoxide and the aluminum alkoxide as is prepared, and then the dopant alkoxide is mixed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyo Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomomi Ichinose, Toru Achiwa
  • Patent number: 7891215
    Abstract: A thermally stable chalcogenide glass, a process for making the same, and an optical fiber drawn therefrom are provided. A chalcogenide glass having the composition Ge(5?y)As(32?x)Se(59+x)Te(4+y) (0?y?1 and 0?x?2) is substantially free from crystallization when it is heated past the glass transition temperature Tg or drawn into optical fibers. A process for making the thermally stable chalcogenide glass includes purifying the components to remove oxides and scattering centers, batching the components in a preprocessed distillation ampoule, gettering oxygen impurities from the mixture, and heating the components to form a glass melt. An optical fiber formed from the chalcogenide glass is substantially free from crystallization and exhibits low signal loss in the near-infrared region, particularly at wavelengths of about 1.55 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Vinh Q Nguyen, Jasbinder S. Sanghera, Ishwar D. Aggarwal
  • Patent number: 7891216
    Abstract: A method for producing an optical fiber having low polarization mode dispersion, by the steps of a) providing an optical fiber perform of glass material; b) heating the glass material of an end portion of the optical fiber perform; c) drawing the heated glass material at a drawing speed V to form an optical fiber, the drawn glass material having a viscous zone; and d) applying to the optical fiber a substantially sinusoidal spin, which is transmitted to the viscous zone, the spin function frequency ?, the viscous zone length L and the drawing speed V being such that both a torsion and at least a 50% detorsion are applied to the viscous zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Prysmian Cavi E Sistemi Energia S.R.L.
    Inventors: Franco Cocchini, Andrea Mazzotti
  • Patent number: 7891217
    Abstract: Glass can be synthesized and deposited at a high rate by the inside CVD method using a plasma burner in a manner such that unconsolidated portions or bubbles are little generated. The method includes a step of depositing a glass film on the inner wall surface of a starting pipe. In a first aspect, temperature the pipe is controlled not to exceed (1800 +100xd)° C., a temperature of (1100 +100xd)° C. or higher being continued for 20 seconds or more at each point of the pipe, where d (mm) represents the wall thickness of the pipe. In a second aspect, the burner includes at least two inlets and has an inner diameter of 80 mm or more, and the deposition step is performed in the relationship, 150 mm/s <(Total flow rate of the gases introduced into the burner)/(Sectional area of the burner) <600 mm/s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakanishi, Masaaki Hirano
  • Patent number: 7891218
    Abstract: Object of the present invention is to provide a drum type washing machine having a new drain system, which can eliminate inconvenience of user to squat down for mounting/dismounting a drain filter, and damage to electric components following overflow of washing water during water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tamotsu Shikamori, Dong Beom Lee, Jong Seog Kim
  • Patent number: 7891219
    Abstract: A lock guard protects a padlock with a shackle and the ends of a securing connector. The device comprises a five-sided housing with an open bottom. Two opposing sides of the housing have opposing openings therethrough for inserting the ends of the securing connector. Inside the housing is a retaining tab having an opening therethrough dimensioned to receive the end of the shackle. The housing can also contain an abutment providing a surface against which to drive the top of the shackle when locking the padlock within the lock guard. When the retainer tab is vertical, the top edge of the hole in the retainer tab can act as an abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Roy E. Gogel
  • Patent number: 7891220
    Abstract: A lockable container comprising a lock portion and a container is provided. The lock portion has a first part and a second part, wherein the first part has an opening component and at least a lock mechanism, the second part has at least a latch driven by the opening component. The container fits the second part. The container has at least an inner space and a wedge corresponding to the latch. The lock mechanism restricts a displacement of the opening component when the lock mechanism is locked. The lock mechanism releases the opening component when the lock mechanism is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sinox Company Ltd.
    Inventors: An-Ting Yen, Chi-Chang Tsai
  • Patent number: 7891221
    Abstract: An electric steering lock device of the invention includes: a rotating body (worm wheel) that is driven by a motor to rotate in an unlocking direction and a locking direction; a first cam section and a second cam section provided in the worm wheel; a lock member that follows the first cam section to be displaced between a lock position and an unlock position; and a lever member that follows the second cam section and that is positioned, when the lock member is positioned at the unlock position, at a waiting position at which the lock member is allowed to move and that is positioned, when the lock member is moved to the lock position, at a retention position at which the lock member is blocked from moving to the unlock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7891222
    Abstract: An electrically activated locking device is provided for use with an article of furniture of the type comprising a cabinet with an interior surface, at least one drawer in the cabinet moveable between an open position and a closed position, and a locking bar slideably mounted adjacent the interior surface for vertical movement and having at least one locking pin extending therefrom into locking engagement with the drawer and at least one lifting pin extending therefrom. The device includes an electrically powered actuator, an electronic module for controlling power to the actuator, a rotatable cam operatively connected to the actuator, and a lifting pin carrier in the path of and vertically moveable by rotation of the cam. The lifting pin carrier has an opening for receiving the lifting pin, whereby the locking bar is moveable into either an unlocked or locked position responsive to rotation of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hafele America Company
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Ratkus, Rudor M. Teich
  • Patent number: 7891223
    Abstract: A transfer press machine which can accurately and promptly check interference and can be easily handled is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Aida Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sotoyuki Kaneko, Hiroshi Hosoya, Kazuhiro Kuboe