Patents Issued in March 24, 2011
  • Publication number: 20110067657
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster which has a locking device by which a drive input and drive output part can be rotationally fixedly locked in a locking rotational position. The locking device has a multiplicity of engagement pairs which include one axial bar which is held in the drive input or drive output part and a bar slot which is formed in the respective other part. The engagement pairs are designed such that, during an adjustment of the drive output part in the drive direction, the bars can be placed in successive engagement with the bar slots in a relative rotational position between an end rotational position, which lags behind in the drive direction, and the locking rotational position. The bar slots prevent an adjustment of the drive output part counter to the drive direction and permit an adjustment in the drive direction until the locking rotational position is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Strauss
  • Publication number: 20110067658
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotating member having a housing member and a plate member, a driven-side rotating member arranged in a coaxial manner relative to the driving-side rotational member, a retarded angle chamber and an advanced angle chamber defined by the driving-side rotating member and the driven-side rotating member and used for changing a relative rotational phase of the driven-side rotating member relative to the driving-side rotating member in a retarded angle direction and in an advanced angle direction in response to an operation oil supplied to the retarded angle chamber and the retarded angle chamber, respectively, and a through hole formed at one of the housing member and the plate member, wherein a first slidably contact portion, which serves as a bearing portion between the driving-side rotating member and the driven-side rotating member, has a lower sliding resistance than other slidably contact portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji NOGUCHI, Atsushi SATO
  • Publication number: 20110067659
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a portable four-stroke engine includes an opening end of the breather passage is disposed at substantially a center of a valve-operating chamber, and the valve-operating chamber is formed by attaching a valve-operating chamber cover. An inner cover is attached to an inner surface of the valve-operating chamber cover so as to be provided along and in contact with the inner surface of the valve-operating chamber cover. A suction passage is formed as a gap between the circumferential edge of the top plate portion and the inner cover. Three or more suction tubes that are in communication with the suction passage are provided in the inner cover, each of the suction tubes having an opening end. At least one of the opening ends of the suction tubes is provided lower than the opening end of the breather passage in an attitude of the engine during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki SUGIYAMA, Toshihiro Tomita, Masaki Kurimoto, Hiroshi Kubota
  • Publication number: 20110067660
    Abstract: A rocker arm may include a valve engagement region, a lift mechanism engagement region, a pivot region, and a body portion. The valve engagement region may be located at a first longitudinal end of the rocker arm and on a first side of the rocker arm. The lift mechanism engagement region may be located at a second longitudinal end of the rocker arm. The pivot region may be located between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region and may define a rotational axis for the rocker arm. The body portion may extend longitudinally between and couple the valve engagement region, the pivot region and the lift mechanism engagement region to one another. The body portion may define first and second ribs on a second side of the rocker arm that extend longitudinally between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: HATEM ZAKARIA ORBAN, ROBERT S. MCALPINE, AKRAM R. ZAHDEH
  • Publication number: 20110067661
    Abstract: Hydraulic lost motion systems and methods for actuating an internal combustion engine valve include a master piston slidably disposed in a housing. One or more master piston fluid passages extend from a bore provided in the master piston and register with a fluid passage extending through the housing. A slave piston is slidably disposed in a lower portion of the master piston bore and a valve catch piston is slidably disposed in an upper portion of the master piston bore. The valve catch piston may have a hollow interior, a lower end orifice extending from the hollow interior through a lower end of the valve catch piston, one or more side passages extending through a side portion of the valve catch piston, and one or more seating passages extending through the valve catch piston wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Schwoerer
  • Publication number: 20110067662
    Abstract: A crankcase lubricant, an additive concentrate and a method for improving water tolerance of a lubricant. The lubricant includes a) a major amount of a base oil; b) an alkali or alkaline earth metal-containing detergent; c) a phosphorus-based wear preventative; and d) a surfactant agent other than (b). The lubricant has a weight ratio of alkali or alkaline earth metal content to phosphorus content, based on a total mass of lubricant, ranging from about 1.6 to about 5.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: AFTON CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: John T. LOPER
  • Publication number: 20110067663
    Abstract: A method of operating a compression ignition internal combustion engine which comprises supplying the engine with an aqueous ethanol fuel and lubricating the engine with a lubricating oil composition which mitigates problems of interaction between the oil composition and the fuel, the lubricating oil composition comprising a major amount of a base oil of lubricating viscosity and a minor amount of additives comprising one or more nitrogen-containing dispersant additives and one or more neutral or over-based, metal salt-containing detergent additives, the metal salt-containing detergent additives being present in the lubricating oil composition at a total metal salt concentration in the lubricating oil composition of greater than 0 and up to 1% by weight and the weight ratio of the total amount of nitrogen in the dispersant additives:the total amount of metal salt in the detergent additives being, at least 0.1:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Gordon David Lamb, Simon Philip Gurney, Simon Lewis Renouf
  • Publication number: 20110067664
    Abstract: A gas circulation engine includes a combustion chamber to which high-pressure fuel in a first high-pressure fuel supply passage, an oxidant and working gas are supplied; a circulation path that connects an intake-side portion and an exhaust-side portion of the combustion chamber to each other; a fuel bleed-off tank into which the high-pressure fuel in the first high-pressure fuel supply passage is bled off; a fuel bleed-off valve that permits or shuts off communication between the first high-pressure fuel supply passage and the fuel bleed-off tank; and a fuel bleed-off control unit that permits communication between the first high-pressure fuel supply passage and the fuel bleed-off tank by opening the fuel bleed-off valve when the engine is stopped, the communication between the first high-pressure fuel supply passage and the fuel bleed-off tank being shut off during operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Rentaro Kuroki, Daisaku Sawada, Shinichi Mitani
  • Publication number: 20110067665
    Abstract: In a method, the starting behaviour of an internal combustion engine (1) with a heating device (40) for heating a coolant is improved. According to the method, the temperature of the coolant to be heated by the heating device (40) and an additional temperature that is associated with the internal combustion engine (1), are determined. The temperatures are compared and a starting fuel amount is determined in accordance with the compared temperatures. The internal combustion engine (1) is started by metering the starting fuel amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Reiner Beckmann, Jörg Herrlitz
  • Publication number: 20110067666
    Abstract: An engine balancer system is provided in which a balancer housing (17) disposed so as to face an oil pan beneath a crankshaft is formed by joining an upper housing (29) and a lower housing (30) via mating faces (P), and the height of the mating faces (P) is lower on a vehicle front side than on a vehicle rear side. Oil discharge holes (45a, 46) for discharging oil that is within the balancer housing (17) are formed in the mating faces (P) on the higher side of the balancer housing (17) and in the upper housing (29) above the mating faces (P) on the lower side of the balancer housing (17). This enables the position of the oil discharge hole (45a) on the lower side to be as high as possible, thereby suppressing penetration of oil into the interior of the balancer housing (17) through the oil discharge hole (45a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hisayuki HASHIMOTO, Tomoji SUGANAMI, Haruo WATANABE, Kazuhito OKAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20110067667
    Abstract: An oil supply device for a vehicle includes an oil pump driven by a rotation of an internal combustion engine, a hydraulic actuator to which oil is supplied from the oil pump, an engine lubricating system to which the oil is supplied from the oil pump, an oil supply adjusting valve adjusting a supply condition of the oil from the oil pump to the hydraulic actuator and the engine lubricating system, a first oil supply passage supplying the oil from the oil pump to the hydraulic actuator, and a second oil supply passage supplying the oil from the oil pump to the engine lubricating system, wherein the oil supply adjusting valve consistently distributes the oil to the first oil supply passage and the second oil supply passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiji Miyachi, Hisashi Ono
  • Publication number: 20110067668
    Abstract: An oil supply device for a vehicle includes an oil pump having a supply condition varying mechanism varying a supply condition of oil, a hydraulic actuator to which the oil is supplied from the oil pump, a lubricating system to which the oil is supplied from the oil pump, and an oil supply adjusting mechanism adjusting the supply condition of the oil from the oil pump to the hydraulic actuator and the lubricating system, wherein the supply condition of the oil to the supply condition varying mechanism and the oil supply adjusting mechanism is controlled by a single control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Eiji Miyachi, Yasuo Ozawa, Hisashi Ono
  • Publication number: 20110067669
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a four cycle engine lubricates the valve mechanism with the oil mist of the concentration lowered by the liquefying means. The lubrication system has an oil feeding passage for connecting an oil reservoir and the crank chamber and sending the oil retained in liquid form in the oil reservoir to the crank chamber under a negative pressure of the crank chamber, a communication passage for connecting the crank chamber and the oil reservoir and sending oil mist generated in the crank chamber to the oil reservoir when under a positive pressure of the crank chamber, liquefying means in the oil reservoir for liquefying the oil mist sent from the communication passage to the oil reservoir to decrease the concentration of the oil mist, and a supply passage for supplying the oil mist from the oil reservoir to the valve operating chamber through the liquefying means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki SUGIYAMA, Toshihiro Tomita, Masaki Kurimoto, Hiroshi Kubota
  • Publication number: 20110067670
    Abstract: There is described a centralised lubrication system and a method for lubricating the cylinder faces in large diesel engines, in particular marine engines. The system includes at least one lubricating apparatus (2) having a rotating control shaft (18) for preferably running synchronously with the main shaft (44) of the diesel engine. In order to make a system that does not have a mechanical drive between the lubricating apparatus (2) and the main shaft (44), the system is constructed with an AC motor (36) driving the control shaft (18). Reference means (72, 78) are provided in association with the main shaft (44), indicating the angular position of the main shaft, and sensor means (74, 76, 80) detecting the position of the reference means. Furthermore, the system includes a control unit (40) receiving signals from the sensor means and which includes means for detecting angular position as well as angular speed of the reference means and thereby of the main shaft (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Ib Helmer Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20110067671
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a combustion chamber for non-soot emitting fuel. The combustion chamber includes a piston bowl, and a fuel injector mounted through a cylinder wall of a cylinder with the piston bowl, wherein the fuel injector injects fuel against a wall of the piston bowl in at least a substantially tangential manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Franz J. Laimboeck
  • Publication number: 20110067672
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the combustion of a spark-ignition internal-combustion engine, in particular a supercharged engine, wherein the engine comprises at least one cylinder (12) with a combustion chamber (14), intake means (16), exhaust means (22) and fuel supply means (44) allowing a fuel mixture to be achieved in said combustion chamber. According to the invention, the method consists in: establishing, between a slow engine speed (Rf) and a low engine speed (Rb), a curve (C2) of the limit values (P2) of the load of cylinder (12) above which pre-ignition of the fuel mixture is favoured, evaluating the effective cylinder load, heterogenizing, between the slow engine speed (Rf) and the low engine speed (Rb), the fuel mixture when the evaluated load value is close to the limit value (P2) established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Alexandre PAGOT, Jean-Marc ZACCARDI
  • Publication number: 20110067673
    Abstract: An engine braking system for vehicles may include a rocker shaft having a lubricating oil passage and a braking oil passage, a valve unit selectively supplying part of the oil supplied to the lubricating oil passage, into the braking oil passage, and at least one exhaust rocker arm, into which the rocker shaft is inserted and pivotal about the rocker shaft, wherein the at least one exhaust rocker arm has, therein, a first connection passage communicating with the braking oil passage and a first recess, a stopper fixed above the first recess, and an actuator housed in the first recess and including a pressing piston, wherein the pressing piston moves to contact the stopper by hydraulic pressure of the oil supplied from the braking oil passage into the first recess and thus presses the at least one exhaust rocker arm in a downward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seock Joong Yoon, Kyung Mo Kim
  • Publication number: 20110067674
    Abstract: Internal combustion engine system. The system includes a source of gasoline for direct injection into cylinders of a spark ignition engine along with a source of an antiknock fuel for injection into the intake ports of the engine as needed to prevent knock. A preferred antiknock fuel is ethanol or an ethanol/gasoline blend having an ethanol content of 20% by volume or more. Other suitable antiknock fuels are methanol, a combination of ethanol and methanol, and a blend of gasoline with either ethanol, methanol, or an ethanol/methanol mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Emmanouil Kasseris, John B. Heywood
  • Publication number: 20110067675
    Abstract: A fuel injection assembly of an internal combustion engine, has an fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. The fuel injector is built into a cylinder head of the engine and there is an annular gap provided between the fuel injector and the cylinder head, or its attached hood. According to the invention, the gap is filled at least partially, preferably entirely, with a heat-conducting liquid whose thermal conductivity is higher than that of air, or with an elastically deformable, heat-conducting component whose thermal conductivity is higher than that of air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Bernd Streicher, Dietmar Zeh, Thomas Pauer
  • Publication number: 20110067676
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a tank vent valve (28) of a tank vent device (102) for an internal combustion engine (101) of a motor vehicle (100), the tank vent valve (28) is disposed in a vent line (27) between a fuel vapor reservoir (25) and an intake manifold (4) of the internal combustion engine (101). According to the method, the internal combustion engine (101) is switched off, and the tank vent valve (28) is opened when the internal combustion engine (101) has been switched off, if a signal is sensed according to which a start of the internal combustion engine (101) is expected to be imminent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Wolfgang Mai, Jens Pache
  • Publication number: 20110067677
    Abstract: A carburetor for a gas powered internal combustion engine having a plurality of pressure reducing stages for reducing the pressure of the gas phase in a liquified petroleum gas storage bottle prior to the mixing of the gas phase of the liquified petroleum gas with ambient air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Bernardo J. Herzer, David Kostka
  • Publication number: 20110067678
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an air intake system with an air intake pipe and which communicates with a combustion chamber of a cylinder as a function of a switch position of a gas inlet valve. Furthermore, a compressor is disposed in the air intake system and is embodied for the purpose of compressing a mass air flow. Also, a throttle valve is disposed in the air intake system downstream of the compressor and by which the compressed mass air flow into the air intake pipe can be throttled. The internal combustion engine furthermore has a differential pressure sensor which is disposed in the air intake system and is embodied for the purpose of measuring a differential pressure between a charge pressure that prevails downstream of the compressor and upstream of the throttle valve and an ambient pressure that prevails outside of the air intake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Burkhardt, Andreas Hofmann, Gerhard Schopp
  • Publication number: 20110067679
    Abstract: Disclosed is a supercharged direct-injection engine, which comprises a supercharging device (25, 30) for compressing intake air, and an injector 10 for directly injecting fuel into a combustion chamber 5. In the engine, an excess air factor ? as a ratio of an actual air-fuel ratio to a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, at least in an engine warmed-up mode, is set to 2 or more in the entire engine-load region. Further, compressed self-ignited combustion is performed in a low engine-load region, and a supercharging amount by the supercharging device (25, 30) is increased along with an increase in engine load in a high engine-load region to allow the excess air factor ? to be kept at 2 or more. The engine of the present invention can effectively reduce NOx emission, while improving fuel economy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuo HITOMI, Masahisa YAMAKAWA, Takashi YOUSO, Toshiaki NISHIMOTO, Keiji ARAKI
  • Publication number: 20110067680
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a turbine comprising a turbine wheel attached to a turbine shaft, the turbine wheel and shaft rotatably disposed in a turbine housing, the turbine housing comprising a turbine volute conduit, the turbine volute conduit having a turbine volute inlet and an EGR conduit inlet, the EGR conduit inlet radially spaced from the turbine volute inlet along the turbine volute conduit and opening into an EGR conduit that is joined to the turbine volute conduit. The turbine volute inlet is configured for fluid communication of an exhaust gas received from an engine to the turbine wheel, the EGR conduit configured for fluid communication of the exhaust gas to an engine intake conduit. The turbocharger also includes a compressor comprising a compressor wheel attached to the turbine shaft, the compressor wheel and turbine shaft rotatably disposed in compressor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Carnell E. Williams, Ronald M. Tkac
  • Publication number: 20110067681
    Abstract: A loader for storing and delivering paintballs to a paintball marker comprising a removable drive unit. The drive unit is arranged within a cartridge configured to be received into a cavity provided within the body of the loader. This arrangement provides for the quick removal of the drive system from the loader, facilitating ease of repair, replacement, or upgrading of the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: KEE ACTION SPORTS I LLC
    Inventors: Simon STEVENS, James T. CHRISTOPHER, Chris T. GODDARD
  • Publication number: 20110067682
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention include archery accessories which incorporate a linear slide which allows one portion of the accessory to linearly translate or reciprocate relative to another portion. In certain embodiments, a linear slide assembly is incorporated into an accessory such as an arrow rest or an archery sight assembly. In certain arrangements, the accessories incorporate a linear slide assembly having a slider piece on an elongated track rail with a slider which moves relative to and along the track rail by virtue of rolling elements such as ball bearings within self-lubricating recirculating tracks. The linear slide preferably allows highly precise adjustment of the linear movement of the accessory with high stability, minimizing wobble and allowing essentially frictionless travel of the slider on the rail without binding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: BENJAMIN D. BLOSSER, BRIAN J. ADAMS
  • Publication number: 20110067683
    Abstract: A truing and dressing machine for profiling an abrasive wheel. The truing and dressing machine includes a truing wheel assembly for positioning the truing wheel relative to an abrasive wheel mounted on an abrasive wheel spindle. The truing wheel assembly includes a truing wheel swivel located between a truing wheel spindle housing and a reciprocation slide that is attached to an infeed slide. An infeed slide swivel is located between the infeed slide and a bottom support swivel plate which is rotatably connected to a base plate. Utilization of both an infeed slide swivel and a truing wheel swivel allows for dressing both sides and the face of the abrasive wheel without having to remove, flip, and reinsert the abrasive wheel into the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Keith L. O'Malley
  • Publication number: 20110067684
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooker. In the present invention, the exhaust gas of the upper cooking chamber flows into the upper duct and discharged to the outside of the cooker and the exhaust gas of the lower cooking chamber sequentially flows into the lower duct, the upper duct and discharged to the outside of the cooker, and the exhaust gas of the upper and lower cooking chamber is discharged to the outside of the cooker alone or in a mixed state thereof. Therefore, in the present invention, the exhaust gas generated during cooking foods in the upper cooking chamber and the lower chamber may be discharged by a simpler configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dongseong KWAG, Yangkyeong KIM, Hyunjung KIM, Changhyun KWON
  • Publication number: 20110067685
    Abstract: A cooker for preparing food. In some embodiments, the cooker includes a cooking chamber and a heating conduit extending through the cooking chamber. The heating conduit has an enclosed combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Robert L. Myers
  • Publication number: 20110067686
    Abstract: Gas burner for oven, or grill, of the type comprising at least one Venturi tube (16), for forming the fuel mixture of primary air-gas, having at least one zone with a reduced section followed by a zone with a diverging section, at least one distribution chamber (17) of the fuel mixture, placed downstream the zone with a diverging section of the Venturi tube (16), and a plurality of flame openings (19) for the outflow of the fuel mixture, obtained within such a distribution chamber (17), or in fluidic communication with the latter, as well at least one ignition hole (13) for igniting the burner. Advantageously the latter comprises at least one diversion duct (12) for part of the flow of the fuel mixture, exhibiting its own inlet section obtained in a sector downstream the zone with a reduced section of the Venturi tube (16), and its own outlet section placed at the afore said ignition hole (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: SABAF S.P.A.
    Inventor: Angelo Bettinzoli
  • Publication number: 20110067687
    Abstract: A solar power system for supplying concentrated solar energy. The system includes a cylindrical absorber tube carrying the working fluid and a concentrator assembly, which includes an array of linear lenses such as Fresnel lenses. The concentrator assembly includes a planar optical wafer paired with each of the linear lenses to direct light, which the lenses focus on a first edge of the wafers, onto the collector via a second or output edge of the wafers. Each of the optical wafers is formed from a light transmissive material and acts as a light “pipe.” The lens array is spaced apart a distance from the first edges of the optical wafers. This distance or lens array height is periodically adjusted to account for seasonal changes in the Sun's position, such that the focal point of each linear lens remains upon the first edge of one of the optical wafers yearlong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: GENIE LENS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Raymond, Howard G. Lange, Seth Weiss
  • Publication number: 20110067688
    Abstract: Certain embodiments make use of an array of passive primary concentrators positioned on the ground that provide primary concentrated solar radiation from below to an array of tracking secondary concentrators. The secondary concentrators further concentrate the solar radiation to one or more centralized receivers. The solar concentrator system may include apparatus for collection of solar radiation, concentration, and the absorbance of the concentrated solar energy. Some embodiments of the solar concentrator system include a large field of passive horizontal primary concentrators, overhead tracking secondary concentrators, and one or more receivers, which convert solar radiation into usable products or energy, such as electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: EAGLE EYE, INC.
    Inventors: John H. Reif, Katie L. Reif
  • Publication number: 20110067689
    Abstract: The present invention relates to primary and secondary concentrators of solar radiation. New primary concentrators of adjusted etendue combined with secondary concentrators are presented, for single of multiple receivers, capable of attaining the maximum possible concentration. The present invention also refers to devices which reduce the thermal losses by convection of the receivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Júlio César Pinto Chaves, Manuel Pedro Ivens Collares Pereira
  • Publication number: 20110067690
    Abstract: Systems and methods for concentrating and storing solar energy are provided. A solar energy receiver for use with the systems and methods may include a container for holding a solar absorption material, such as a phase change material, and a cooled cover disposed above the container for condensing and collecting vaporized phase change material collected along an underside of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, Daniel S. Codd, Adam T. Paxson
  • Publication number: 20110067691
    Abstract: A solar panel mounting system that supports field installation of solar panels. The system comprises a carrier for holding a plurality of individual solar panels together as a unit and an attachment structure on the carrier for mounting the carrier to a support structure. The support structure may comprise a plurality of spaced parallel rails. The carrier can be slidably mounted to the spaced parallel rails using the attachment structure provided on the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: John Bellacicco, John Hartelius, Henry Cabuhay, Tom Kuster, Michael Monaco, Martin Perkins
  • Publication number: 20110067692
    Abstract: Foam backed solid support structure and trough solar energy collector. A support structure has foam or other polymeric material, a plurality of end arms, and a plurality of end caps secured to the formed foam material. The foam material is cut into a parabolic or semi-parabolic shape, and a reflective element may be placed onto the formed foam material and secured mechanically, with adhesion, and/or integrated with the surface. A solar energy collector formed using a polymeric core may have longitudinally-extending cowling, end caps, and end arms as described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: SOPOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kip H. DOPP, Darren T. Kimura
  • Publication number: 20110067693
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for reducing or eliminating the need for an intermediate supporting rack in a solar panel installation, which in turn may lower the cost of the installation. In one exemplary embodiment, a mount design is provided that includes a mounting flange attached to or integrally formed with a first side of a solar panel frame. This first side and flange operate together with a second side of the solar panel frame that is designed to engage with the mounting flange and first side of an adjacent solar panel. The geometry of the first and second sides may be such that they engage upon installation. The engagement may further include pins or similar components protruding from one side of one solar panel to fit into corresponding holes in a side of an adjacent panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: STELLARIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: James B. PAULL
  • Publication number: 20110067694
    Abstract: A Patio Heater Double Dome Infrared Heat Reflector/Converter is disclosed. The patio heater dome attachment is attachable to a conventional patio heater so that the dome attachment covers the heater's heat shield, while maintaining an air gap therebetween. There are preferably standoff ridges or other features built into the dome attachment to maintain this air gap and to prevent air from flowing freely between the heat shield and the dome attachment. The dome attachment embodies a very low heat load so that very little heat conduction occurs between the heat shield and the dome attachment, such that more of the heater's energy is reflected towards the usage area. Finally, the perimeter edge of the dome attachment extends downwardly at least until it is essentially horizontally planar with the perimeter edge of the patio heater heat shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: John Bechtold
  • Publication number: 20110067695
    Abstract: A counter mechanism useable with a dry powder inhaler is disclosed. The mechanism features first and second indicator members rotatable about a central axis. The indicator members have counting indicia visible to indicate inhaler doses remaining or dispensed. A coupling transmits rotary motion from the inhaler to the second indicator member when the inhaler is charged with a dose. A slave wheel, rotatable about an axis offset from the central axis, has a drive transfer wheel on one face and a gear on an opposite face. The gear engages the second indicator member, the drive transfer wheel intermittently engages and rotates the first indicator member in response to rotary motion of the second indicator member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Aventis Pharma Limited
    Inventors: Stephen John Minshull, Duncan Grant Young, Andrew J. Ledgeway, Simon Paul Wells, Graham Keith Lacy, Julian Francis R. Swan
  • Publication number: 20110067696
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a powder inhaler that does not require shaking, and that therefore can be operated in an efficient manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicants: OTSUKA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD., OTSUKA TECHNO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sato, Toru Nishibayashi, Yusuke Ogawa, Takaaki Nakao, Shintaro Adachi
  • Publication number: 20110067697
    Abstract: A method for administering a gas containing oxygen to a patient. The method includes: measuring an oxygen-dependent physiological parameter in the patient; determining an optimal gas delivery parameter based on the oxygen-dependent physiological parameter; and administering the gas to the patient in accordance with the optimal gas delivery parameter. In some embodiment of the invention, the method also includes monitoring the oxygen-dependent physiological parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Francois LELLOUCHE, Erwan L' HER
  • Publication number: 20110067698
    Abstract: A hand held CPAP device for providing a continuous positive airway pressure where pressure is generated by a flow of gas from a demand valve by the interaction of an adjustable compression spring compressing the demand valve actuating diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: O-TWO MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Bing ZHENG, Ammar AL-DOJAILY, Kevin D. J. BOWDEN
  • Publication number: 20110067699
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for managing respiratory secretions and fluids in sections of artificial airways. In an embodiment of the invention, a respiratory secretion retention (RSR) device configured to fluidly connect to an artificial airway can be provided. The device can include a housing that defines a passageway for the flow of respiratory gases with at least two chambers coupled to the housing. The chambers are configured to retain exhaled respiratory particulate and liquid. The respiratory secretion retention device further includes a patient port coupled to the housing that is in fluid communication with the artificial airway and a repositionable barrier configured to isolate at least one of the two chambers from the passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MERGENET MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Angelo R. Caruso, Sanjay Chandran, Louis Javier Collazo, Norman Hansen, Robert M. Landis, Charles A. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110067700
    Abstract: A flat-fold filtering face piece respirator 10 that comprises a mask body 12 that has a transversely-extending line of demarcation 22 and a longitudinal axis 34. First and second weld patterns 32a, 32b are disposed above and not traversing the line of demarcation on each side of the longitudinal axis 34, respectively. Third and fourth weld patterns 32c, 32d are disposed below and not crossing the line of demarcation 22 on each side of the longitudinal axis 34, respectively. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth weld patterns 32a-32d is a two-dimensional enclosed pattern. This combined weld patterns can provide a mask body that exhibits crush resistance without the need for additional or heavier layers, which may cause higher pressure drops across the filtering structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Scott A Spoo, Dean R. Duffy, Nhat Ha Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20110067701
    Abstract: A horizontal flat-fold, filtering face-piece respirator 10 that includes a harness 14 and a mask body 12 that has a front surface, a first perimeter 24a, and a longitudinal axis 34. A nose clip 30 is secured to the mask body 12 centrally and adjacent to the first perimeter 24a of the mask body 12. An indicia 32 that is visible on the front surface of the mask body 12 in a vicinity of the nose clip 30 is provided to highlight a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the nose clip. The use of such an indicia, visible from the mask body front surface, enables a user to readily identify where the nose clip may be bent to prepare it for donning by the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Dean R. Duffy
  • Publication number: 20110067702
    Abstract: There is provided a looped tether to prevent the over-withdrawal of a suction catheter from a connecting fitting in a closed suction catheter respiratory device. The looped tether is made from a single thread or strand that is looped or doubled in length with the two loose ends connected together to produce the loop. The looped tether provides better distribution of the forces at the ends of the device and is relatively simple to assemble. Also provided is a system for preventing the over-withdrawal of a suction catheter from a connecting fitting in a closed suction catheter respiratory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: John Brewer, Cassandra E. Morris, Ilona F. Weart
  • Publication number: 20110067703
    Abstract: A medical device includes a conduit for a fluid. The conduit has a wall formed of a hydrophobic polymer with a hydrophilic polymer layer extruded over it, and an antimicrobial substantially dispersed within the hydrophilic polymer. The antimicrobial compound may be a predetermined amount of phosphorus-based glass having a predetermined quantity of a metal such as silver substantially dispersed therein. The medical device may be an endotracheal tube made by providing a hydrophobic polymer, a hydrophilic polymer and an antimicrobial compound, forming the hydrophobic polymer, the hydrophilic polymer and the antimicrobial compound into a conduit, and forming a cuff on an end of the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Mallinckrodt Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Martens, Robert L. Nieto, Robert Virag, Adin M. Potter
  • Publication number: 20110067704
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient for the treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) that is less obtrusive includes a nasal cannula, cannulae (2a, 2b), prongs, or pillows and may be sealed or unsealed with the nares of the patient in use. The cannula, pillows or prongs may be positioned on the face of the patient by a headgear (6). The cannula, pillows or prongs may be smaller, lighter, and/or less visible than other nasal cannula, cannulae, pillows or prongs and may therefore be less obtrusive to the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Michiel Kooij, Paul Jan Klasek, Adam Vivian Benjafield, Peter John Sweeney, Richard Sokolov, Philip Rodney Kwok, Gerard Michael Rummery, Scott Alexander Howard, Robert Edward Henry, Renee Frances Doherty, Enrico Brambilla, Dieter Heidmann, Glenn Richards, Ian Frederick Johnson
  • Publication number: 20110067705
    Abstract: An on/off fertility regulator device in the form of a male vas deferens or female fallopian tube bypass mounted device incorporating an open/close valve actuator. A separate handheld controller is positioned above the skin and in proximity to the previously implanted regulating device. Wireless energy transfer receiver circuitry is built into the device and, upon receiving a electric generated signal the inductive circuit printed coil activates the actuator in order to actuate any of a clamp, ball, globe or flow interrupter associated with a bypass connection tube associated with each of the pair of vas deferens. As a result, passage of semen from the seminal vesticle (or alternatively eggs through the fallopian tube) can be instantly interrupted or permitted in on/off fashion as a viable alternative to the user undergoing an irreversible vasectomy operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick J. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20110067706
    Abstract: The Ejaculation Cap is a containment chamber and receptacle for semen from the penis resulting from sexual activity. The device is tubular with a closed end and an open end with the body of the device to covering the length of the penis. The closed end can be flat, circular, or gusseted. The material used can be of some soft, flushable, disposable or lubricated tissue or washable fabric. The construction can be seamed or seamless and made to fit different sized penises. The purpose of the device is to enhance cleanliness, but construction and/or materials can include features that also enhance pleasure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Minh Cong Dang