Patents Issued in May 17, 2011
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Patent number: 7941975Abstract: An affordable, sustainable building, comprising substantially entirely mass-produced, prefabricated constituent parts manufactured off-site, the prefabricated constituent parts comprising a foundation, a frame module comprising a plurality of frames, wherein the frame module is secured to the foundation, a reversible connector to connect the plurality of frames to form the frame module, a wall panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, a floor panel configured to be mounted onto the frame module, and a ceiling panel configured to be mounted on to the frame module. Each constituent part forms part of a library of parts from which the constituent parts are selected. The constituent parts are preferably made in standardized sizes to facilitate efficient mass production. The constituent parts are predominantly made of recyclable material so as to be environmentally friendly.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventors: Erla Dogg Ingjaldsdottir, Tryggvi Thorsteinsson
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Patent number: 7941976Abstract: A construction block is provided that includes at least one base member that includes a plurality of lower side wall receptacles. The construction block further includes a plurality of side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies includes a plurality of interconnected panels. Each of the panels is hingedly connected to each adjacent one of the panels of the respective one of the side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies defines a hollow load chamber having an open top and an open bottom. At least some of the panels of each of the side wall assemblies are angled relative to one another. Each of the lower side wall receptacles receives one of the side wall assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Global Shelter Systems, Inc.Inventor: Burke A. Herron
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Patent number: 7941977Abstract: A bird repellent apparatus having an integral base member and a plurality of prongs. The base member, by means of a plurality of tabs having holes for receiving screws or other fasteners, can be affixed to virtually any desired surface. The plurality of prongs with sharp tips presents an impossible barrier to birds that would otherwise land or perch on the surface to which the present invention is affixed. The combined base member and prongs are formed from injection molded plastic structure that also provide the tabs having holes to secure the base member to the underlying surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Bird-B-Gone, Inc.Inventor: Bruce Donoho
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Patent number: 7941978Abstract: A collapsible and deployable hierarchical open lattice assembly comprised of hinge boxes of 12 battens connected by hinge nodes. The hinge nodes are made of a plurality of resilient flexure joints, each joint connected to a batten and giving said batten a 90-degree in-plane rotation capability with a neutral-shaped flexure in a deployed state and a deformed-shaped flexure in a compressed state, whereby a restorative moment is created tending to return said flexure to its neutral state. One or more trusses are formed by sets of four longerons connected to the hinge boxes by the resilient flexure joints. Multiple hub boxes connected by longerons may be used to create a hierarchical truss of trusses in either two or three dimensions. These assemblies may be collapsed to a linear dimension by shearing the hub boxes and trusses in a parallelogram manner. The folding kinematics occur in three stages, which may be performed either sequentially or simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Eric L. Pollard, Thomas W. Murphey
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Patent number: 7941979Abstract: Smokehouses (20) or other similar thermal processing cabinets or houses are provided with improved floor assemblies (22) which eliminate fluid collection and provide a high degree of structural integrity. The smokehouses (20) include upright walls (24, 26) supported on the floor assemblies (22). Each floor assembly (22) has one or more weldment frame assemblies (38) including a peripheral frame assembly (46) with opposed wall receiving channel segments (52) and frame elements (54). Drainage structure such as one or more tubular drain units (44) are also preferably secured to the weldment frame assemblies (38) and are positioned to effect proper liquid drainage. Tread plates (42) are secured to the weldment frame assemblies (38). In order to construct a floor assembly (22), an appropriately sized recess (66) is formed and the weldment frame assemblies (38) and drain units (44) are installed. A monolithic pour of concrete (40) is then placed within the weldment frame assemblies (38) and allowed to cure.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Marlen International, Inc.Inventor: Paul Hardenburger
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Patent number: 7941980Abstract: A window drain for preventing stains on a building wall and damage caused by (frozen) rain water, which is installable and sealable easily without impairing the appearance of a building. The present invention relates to a window drain adaptable to be positioned beneath a sill of a sash window frame having a vertical portion, a sloping portion, a front portion, and a horizontal portion for latching to an upper portion of an external wall. Further, the present invention relates to a window drain, wherein the horizontal portion has notches at both ends thereof. Further, the present invention relates to a window drain, further having upstanding portions at both ends of the window drain to regulate a stream of water so that the water is kept between the upstanding portions.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Nichiha CorporationInventor: Koji Sawada
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Patent number: 7941981Abstract: Multi-directional, one-piece, tested and rated, inside-mount fire barriers requiring no splicing to fit into expansion joint corner-type spaces are presented. Accompanying low-cost, re-useable, size-adjustable installation tools designed for one-step, drop-in, installation of each style barrier, are also taught. To insure a tight-fit between each installed barrier and the building units forming the joint space, spreader press-fit tools which, if desired, may serve as fire barriers covers are taught. Described herein is a barrier that needs no splicing to be installed into a T-shaped joint space that is created by the convergence of three building structures. The present invention contemplates inside-mounted, one-piece barriers shaped to fit cross-shaped and various L-shaped expansion spaces. L-shaped fire barriers include barriers having a horizontal and a vertical arm that can occur in various configurations and barriers having two horizontal arms.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Fireline 520, LLCInventor: Alan Shaw
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Patent number: 7941982Abstract: A curtain wall including an extruded aluminum sill having a first channel for receiving a glazed panel, a sill anchor/access portion for securing the sill to a poured concrete slab or slab wall, and toward the interior side of the sill, a wireway is defined in part by the sill and in part by a wireway cover for concealing power and/or data/telecommunication cables. The wireway cover may also include outlet devices or plugs arranged in a longitudinally spaced relationship.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventor: Anne Elliott Merica
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Patent number: 7941983Abstract: The current invention provides a runner for constructing curved surfaces. The runner has at least two sections with each section having at least two layers. The layers used to prepare the sections are substantially identical. However, when assembled to form a section one layer is reversed compared to another layer. Alternatively, each section may be integrally formed. Adjacent sections are pivotal with respect to one another until secured on a desired radius. The runner of the current invention is suitable for constructing curved walls, archways and other curved structures.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Flex-Ability Concepts, L.L.C.Inventor: Frank L. Wheeler
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Patent number: 7941984Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a box-shaped structure of inter-related structural components. The structural components are combined to create a single three dimensional component the shape of a rectangular prism. The structure is formed by creating a pair of exterior walls from horizontal members and a series of laterally spaced vertical members that are coupled to the horizontal members by truss plates. The structure also includes a series of laterally spaced rectangular ribs that are coupled to the exterior walls by additional truss plates. The ribs and the walls are further coupled by use of wood sheeting along the top of the structure to form the resultant assembly. The entire assembly is connected together with a series of bolt and steel angle connectors, allowing the entire module to act monolithically.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventors: Charles Roig, Daniel Roig
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Patent number: 7941985Abstract: A column/beam connection in a building frame, including an elongate column having faces which join through corners, an elongate beam having an end, and a full-moment nodal connection connecting the end of the beam to the column solely through a pair of next-adjacent corners in the column, with the beam end, as so connected, being spaced from the column face which lies between the mentioned pair of corners. The connection per se features (a) plural standoffs joined to and extending, one each, outwardly from the column's corners at a selected, common elevation located along the length of the column, and (b) a halo collar joined through a gravity-seat-and-lock, full-moment interface connection to each of the standoffs, and, as so joined, spaced by the standoffs from the column faces which lie between the column corners.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: ConXtech, Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Simmons
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Patent number: 7941986Abstract: The invention includes a work platform and support system that includes a hub and joist configuration, wherein the hubs and joists are capable of articulation, or pivoting. One method of installation allows for sections of new work platform system to be extended from an existing suspended work platform system. The system is also capable of supporting, without failure, its own weight and at least four times the maximum intended load applied to it.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Safway Services, LLCInventors: Paul Jolicoeur, Roy Scrafford, Clifford Westrick, Dave Gordon, Tom Silic, Edward Tifft, Mathieu Grumberg
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Patent number: 7941987Abstract: A tile spacer is made from a pair of parallel planar members joined by a series of connectors forming a series of channels. The tile spacer is positioned between two adjacent tiles and sunk into the adhesive so that excess adhesive enters the channels and is subsequently removed. One or more appropriate cuts can be made to the tile spacer in order to open desired channels which allows the tile spacer to curve or otherwise bend from linear.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventor: Michael E. Raim
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Patent number: 7941988Abstract: A tile system includes a tile and at least one removable tile insert. One of the tile and the at least one tile insert has securing means for removably retaining the at least one insert within or to the tile. The tile is configured to be installed on a surface through conventional means. The insert may incorporate both decorative and/or functional features and may be removed, replaced and/or reused to change the appearance of a single tile, multiple tiles, mural, liner or decorative scheme.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventor: Montgomery Mars
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Patent number: 7941989Abstract: An article of flashing for a deck includes a channel with a back leg, a first side leg, and a second side leg and further includes an attachment flange fixedly connected to the channel where the channel is adapted to receive decking. A deck flashing system includes a deck with a surface and at least one edge, decking forming the surface of the deck, and flashing extending along the at least one edge, the flashing having a channel adapted to receive the decking. A method of trimming a deck includes erecting deck framing, installing decking on the framing, and installing flashing on at least one edge or the entire perimeter of the deck.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Everflash, LLCInventor: Mark William Morsching
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Patent number: 7941990Abstract: An apparatus for packaging products into a container, comprising a first supply conveyor (10); reorientation means (60, 62), associated with said first supply conveyor and configured for selectively changing the orientation of products (74-76, 81) being transported thereon; a second supply conveyor (20), disposed downstream of the first supply conveyor and having a product-carrying surface (21) that is moveable in both a transport direction and a direction substantially perpendicular thereto; a collecting conveyor (30), disposed downstream of the second supply conveyor, whereby a portion of the third product-carrying surface is extendably and retractably arranged; and a suction pick up head (66) that is disposed in a substantially vertically moveable manner above the retractable portion of the collecting conveyor, the suction pick up head being configured for engaging a layer of products to be placed into the container (90).Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: PI-WI Beheer B.V.Inventor: Pieter Theodorus Joseph Aquarius
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Patent number: 7941991Abstract: A split crimper for use in a crimping assembly for engaging and heat sealing overlapping layers of a packaging material includes a first crimper portion having a crimping surface and a second crimper portion that is secured to the first crimper portion to form a crimper. Portions of the first and second crimper portions cooperate to define an interior cavity, and a heating element is disposed completely within the interior cavity.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Lako Tool & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Louis M. Montano, Larry E. Smith
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Patent number: 7941992Abstract: A method and unit for feeding products to a group-forming unit for forming groups of products, each containing a given number of products; an orderly succession of products is fed in a first direction by means of a first conveyor; an orderly succession of products is fed in a second direction, parallel to the first direction, by means of a second conveyor parallel to the first conveyor; and the products are transferred from the first conveyor to the second conveyor by means of a transfer device which is permanently integral with an output end of the first conveyor, is moved in the second direction upon detection of a gap along the first conveyor, and is moved in the opposite direction to the second direction to form, along the second conveyor, a number of consecutive gaps equal to the number of products in each group of products.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: G.D Societa'per AzioniInventors: Mario Spatafora, Fabrizio Tale′
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Patent number: 7941993Abstract: Cavities 4 are defined within an engine nacelle 1 with an inner surface 2 and an outer surface 3. Within these cavities 4, an evaporatable liquid 5 is arranged such that a proportion of the liquid 5 is in a gaseous phase in order to facilitate heat transfer between the inner surface 2 or the outer surface 3 and a hot surface. The liquid condenses upon the inner surface 2 or the outer surface 3 and collects into a pool for subsequent further evaporation by the hot surface of an insulated gate bi-polar transistor or convertor/generator components in order to facilitate further cooling of electric components housed or arranged in the nacelle 1 or nearby.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Rolls-Royce plcInventor: Annegret W. Siebert
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Patent number: 7941994Abstract: An engine having a first and second bank of cylinders is disclosed. The engine may have improved fuel economy and emission as compared to other similar engines. In one example, engine cylinders may be deactivated.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Christian T. Goralski, Jr., Stephen B. Smith, James P. O'Neill, Garry Zawacki
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Patent number: 7941995Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system includes first and second exhaust tubes or assemblies and a coupler compliantly permitting movement of one of the exhaust tubes relative to the other along at least one of axial and transverse directions.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.Inventors: James R. Goss, Randolph G. Zoran
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Patent number: 7941996Abstract: An actuation system for a servo-assisted transmission; the actuation system is provided with: a hydraulic circuit comprising a reservoir containing a control fluid, a hydraulic accumulator containing the pressurized control fluid, and a pump which draws from the reservoir and feeds the hydraulic accumulator; at least a hydraulic actuator comprising at least one actuation chamber and a mobile piston which slides within the actuation chamber; a solenoid valve for connecting the actuation chamber of the hydraulic actuator to the hydraulic accumulator and to the reservoir; and a recirculation circuit, which departs from at least one environment bordering with the actuation chamber of the hydraulic actuator and ends in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain, S.p.A.Inventors: Luca Bovina, Giuseppe Medico
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Patent number: 7941997Abstract: A personal care article (20) has a longitudinal-direction (22), a relatively shorter, lateral cross-direction (24), a first end-section (72), a second end-section (72a), and an intermediate-section (76) which is contiguous with and interposed between the first end-section (72) and the second end-section (72a). The article includes a liquid permeable topsheet layer (26), and a backsheet layer (28) which is operatively connected to the topsheet layer (26). The article has been folded about a first, supplemental-fold-region (64) and a second, supplemental-fold-region (66) to provide a preliminary-folded article (82). The preliminary-folded article has been operatively enclosed in a wrap member (98), and the preliminary-folded article and wrap member have been folded along a composite-fold-region (96a) to provide a composite-folded, wrapped-article (114).Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Garry Roland Woltman, Carrie Nicole Pateras, Angela Rae Heck, Karyn Clare Schroeder, Marcille Faye Ruman
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Patent number: 7941998Abstract: A hydrostatic continuously variable transmission includes a swash plate type plunger hydraulic pump and a swash plate type plunger hydraulic motor connected via a hydraulic closed circuit, an inclined angle of a swash plate of the hydraulic motor is variably controlled for continuous shift control. A lock-up mechanism closes the hydraulic closed circuit to make lockup executed when the quantity of oil that flows from the hydraulic pump into the hydraulic motor decreases according to variable control over the inclined angle of the swash plate. The input rotation of the hydraulic pump and the output rotation of the hydraulic motor are substantially synchronous. The lock-up mechanism is operated when lockup control oil pressure is applied and closes the hydraulic closed circuit. A lockup control oil passage that supplies the lockup control oil pressure is provided with an opening opened and closed according to the inclination of the swash plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Nakano, Yoshihiro Yoshida
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Patent number: 7941999Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with at least one turbocharger supplying compressed air to the engine cylinders which are divided into a first group and a second group, a first exhaust gas line connecting a first section of an exhaust gas collection line to the turbine, a recirculation line for returning exhaust gas from a second section of the exhaust gas collection line to the charge air supply line, a first control device controls the exhaust gas flow from a section of the cylinders to the first section of the exhaust gas collection line, a second control device controls the exhaust gas flow to the turbine and a third control device controls the exhaust gas flow recirculated to the charge air supply line for the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbHInventors: Werner Kasper, Rolf Traub
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Patent number: 7942000Abstract: A rotary vane engine system for using exhaust heat energy of a fuel-based heat engine. The heat engine includes a crankshaft being driven by a combustion cycle, and the heat engine generates exhaust gases by combustion. The system comprises an independent air system, wherein the independent air system contains air separate to the exhaust gases. A heat exchanger system is provided for transferring exhaust heat energy from the exhaust gases to the air contained in the independent air system to generate pressurized air. A rotary vane engine is also provided having a housing, a rotor contained within the housing and coupled to the crankshaft of the heat engine, and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the rotor. The pressurized air is expanded within the rotary vane engine for rotation of the rotor thereby providing drive to the crankshaft of the heat engine.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Engine-Uity LimitedInventor: Barry T. Crate
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Patent number: 7942001Abstract: A pair of organic Rankine cycle systems (20, 25) are combined and their respective organic working fluids are chosen such that the organic working fluid of the first organic Rankine cycle is condensed at a condensation temperature that is well above the boiling point of the organic working fluid of the second organic Rankine style system, and a single common heat exchanger (23) is used for both the condenser of the first organic Rankine cycle system and the evaporator of the second organic Rankine cycle system. A preferred organic working fluid of the first system is toluene and that of the second organic working fluid is R245fa.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: UTC Power, LLCInventors: Thomas D. Radcliff, Bruce P. Biederman, Joost J. Brasz
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Patent number: 7942002Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel nozzle system having a fuel conveying member with a channel formed in a surface thereof defined between a pair of facing spaced apart walls, and at least one sealing member disposed within the channel and sealingly fastened to the spaced apart walls.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.Inventor: Jason Fish
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Patent number: 7942003Abstract: A fuel injector system for injecting fuel into a turbomachine combustion chamber, the system comprising first and second fuel injectors wherein the first injector (22) is positioned in the center of the injector system (20) so as to inject a first fuel spray (42), and wherein the second injector (28) surrounds the first injector in such a manner as to inject a second fuel spray (48) of generally annular shape around the first fuel spray. The injector system further comprises an air admission duct (22) with outlet orifices (62) opening out between the first and second injectors so as to create a separator air film (f1) between the respective combustion zones of the first and second fuel sprays.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Christophe Baudoin, Michel Andre Albert Desaulty, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
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Patent number: 7942004Abstract: It is known to assist cooling of a combustion chamber in a gas turbine by fixing an exo-skeleton tile structure to an inner annular combustion liner shell. To improve structural integrity of the exo-skeleton tile structure, each tile is formed with at least one rib extending circumferentially across the outer surface of the tile. An end of each rib projects beyond one edge of the tile, like tiles being linked at overlapping edges by the inter-engagement of a projecting rib of one tile with the rib of an adjacent tile. The inter-engaging ends of the ribs are relatively slideable circumferentially to allow thermal expansion and contraction of the exo-skeleton structure, but sockets are provided where the ribs engage so as to resist relative bending of the adjacent tiles about their linked edges and impart rigidity to the structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Alstom Technology LtdInventor: David Hodder
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Patent number: 7942005Abstract: A turbomachine combustion chamber has primary and dilution air inlet orifices formed by die stamping to have edges that project into the inside of the combustion chamber, and stress relaxation and/or reduction means in the edges or in the vicinity of the edges of said orifices, said means comprising, for each orifice, one, two, or three slots formed in the edge or around a fraction of the edge of said orifice.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Florian Andre Francois Bessagnet, Patrice Andre Commaret, Mario Cesar De Sousa, Didier Hippolyte Hernandez
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Patent number: 7942006Abstract: A combustion system includes a combustor having a forward annular liner having a first plurality of effusion holes, and an aft annular liner having a second plurality of effusion holes and forming a combustion chamber with the forward annular liner. The first plurality of effusion holes and the second plurality of effusion holes are adapted to receive compressed air from a compressor and contribute to a single toroidal recirculation air flow pattern in the combustion chamber. The combustion system further includes a rotary fuel slinger further adapted to receive a flow of fuel from a fuel source and to centrifuge the received fuel into the combustion chamber; and an igniter extending at least partially into the combustion chamber to ignite the fuel and compressed air in the combustion chamber, to thereby generate combusted gas.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Ian L. Critchley, Frank J. Zupanc
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Patent number: 7942007Abstract: The invention relates to a heat shield element for lining a combustion chamber wall, to a combustion chamber and to a gas turbine. The heat shield element comprises a hot side that can be exposed to a hot medium, a wall side opposite said hot side, and a peripheral side adjoining the hot side and the wall side and having a peripheral side surface. Relief slots are introduced into the material in an area of the heat shield element that is susceptible to material cracks induced by thermal stress, thereby limiting crack propagation.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Christian Scholz, Andreas Heilos, Stefan Hoffmann
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Patent number: 7942008Abstract: A method for operating a power plant to facilitate reducing emissions, wherein the power plant includes a gas turbine engine assembly and a carbon dioxide (CO2) separator. The method includes increasing an operating pressure of exhaust gas discharged from the gas turbine engine assembly, separating substantially all the CO2 entrained within the gas turbine engine utilizing the CO2 separator to produce a CO2 lean airstream, reducing the operating temperature of the CO2 lean airstream, and utilizing the cooled CO2 lean airstream to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of air entering the gas turbine engine assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Narendra Digamber Joshi, Lautaro Aspiazu Montgomery, James William Stegmaier
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Patent number: 7942009Abstract: A small gas turbine engine with a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine located downstream of the combustor. The compressor and turbine are supported on a rotary shaft, and a main bearing is support on the rotary shaft, the main bearing being located in a hot zone of the combustor. The main bearing includes cooling air passages within the races to provide cooling for the bearing. A cooling air is diverted from the compressor and passed through the bearing cooling passages for cooling the bearing, and then the cooling air is directed into the combustor. The cooling air is also passed through a guide nozzle before being passed through the bearing to cool both the guide nozzle and the bearing. A swirl cup injector is sued to deliver the compressed air from the compressor and the cooling air from the bearing into the combustor, the swirl cup injector also acting to draw the cooling air through the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark M Harris, Wesley D Brown, Angel M Garcia
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Patent number: 7942010Abstract: A thermoelectric system includes a first thermoelectric element including a first plurality of segments in electrical communication with one another. The thermoelectric system further includes a second thermoelectric element including a second plurality of segments in electrical communication with one another. The thermoelectric system further includes a heat transfer device including at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is sandwiched between the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element. The second portion projects away from the first portion and configured to be in thermal communication with a working medium.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: BSST, LLCInventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas Todd Crane
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Patent number: 7942011Abstract: A system and method for managing water content in a fluid includes a collection chamber for collecting water from the fluid with a desiccant, and a regeneration chamber for collecting water from the desiccant and transferring it to a second fluid. An evaporator cools the desiccant entering the collection chamber, and a second evaporator cools the second fluid to extract the water. The evaporators use a refrigerant, the flow of which is controlled by a flow control valve. When the temperature in the second evaporator drops below a set point, the refrigerant flow to the second evaporator is stopped, and the refrigerant flow to the first evaporator is increased. This increases the water collection in the collection chamber, and causes a rise in the temperature in the second evaporator. The valve is then opened to increase the cooling in the second evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: DUCool Ltd.Inventor: Dan Forkosh
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Patent number: 7942012Abstract: A dual evaporator refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment with an enclosed pan. A freezer evaporator with a freezer fan is in the freezer compartment for cooling the freezer compartment and a refrigeration evaporator with a first refrigeration fan is in the refrigeration compartment for cooling the refrigeration compartment. A compressor provides refrigerant flow to the freezer and the refrigeration evaporators. A second refrigeration fan moves air from the refrigeration evaporator to the enclosed pan.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sheena L. Ritchie, Mark Wilson, Alexander Rafalovich
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Patent number: 7942013Abstract: The present invention is directed to a display for a refrigerator, comprising a display case mounted to a display mounting portion provided to a front surface of a refrigerator door and provided with a predetermined installation space therein; a printed circuit board (PCB) installed to the display case and including an input portion for receiving various operation signals for the refrigerator and a display portion for displaying a variety of operating information for the refrigerator; and a display cover provided to one side of the PCB and defining a front surface of the display. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that errors occurring at an installation process can be minimized, the assembly and installation processes can be more easily made, and the repair and exchange can also be easily performed.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Ung-Su Kim
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Patent number: 7942014Abstract: A method for defrosting an evaporator of a refrigeration sealed system, the system including at least one refrigeration compartment and a controller operatively coupled to a compressor, an evaporator, an evaporator fan and a condenser fan, wherein the method includes initiating a defrost cycle, operating the sealed system to prechill the refrigeration compartment, and selectively operating the evaporator fan and the condenser fan to raise a temperature of the evaporator.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alexander Rafalovich, Ziqiang Hu, Anil Kumar Tummala, Richard DeVos
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Patent number: 7942015Abstract: A water sump structure (1) is provided. A channel, trough, trench or the like is formed as or provided with an impermeable member (7) for trapping water. One or more heat exchange pipes (6) for carrying a heat exchange fluid are located, in use, so as to pass through water trapped by the impermeable member thereby forming a heat exchange water sump structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2005Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Formpave Holdings, Ltd.Inventor: Peter Leslie Hart
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Patent number: 7942016Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet having at least one door, an ice dispenser operatively connected to one of the at least one door having an opening for dispensing ice, an ice storage receptacle for storing ice disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, an ice crusher, an ice transfer mechanism for moving ice from the ice storage receptacle to the ice crusher, an ice chute for conveying ice from the ice crusher to the ice dispenser, and an intrusion barrier positioned within the ice chute to assist in preventing objects entering the ice chute through the ice dispenser from reaching the ice crusher without stopping ice flow through the ice chute. The ice dispenser may include a first switch and a second switch, the first switch being spaced apart from the second switch, and the ice dispenser adapted to require simultaneous activation of the first switch and the second switch to dispense ice.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Daniel L. Johnson, Brian M. Midlang, Robert Wetekamp
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Patent number: 7942017Abstract: A refrigerator door is provided. The refrigerator door has an outer case forming a shape of the refrigerator door, an inner case provided within the outer case to configure a backside of the refrigerator door wherein a space between the inner case and the outer case is charged with a foaming liquid, an ice making unit provided to one side of the inner case to make ice, a fixing unit provided to the space charged with the foaming liquid between the inner case and the outer case and fixing the ice making unit to the refrigerator door, and a dispenser provided to one side of the outer case to discharge the ice supplied by the ice making unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Bok Dong Lee, Seung Mok Lee, Sam Kyu Park
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Patent number: 7942018Abstract: A thermal storage system includes a thermal storage device that includes an aqueous slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change material, a thermal collector in a heat exchange relationship with the thermal storage device through a first heat exchanger, and a thermal service device in a heat exchange relationship with the thermal storage device through a second heat exchanger. The aqueous slurry of micro-encapsulated phase change material is configured to convert between solid and liquid states.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityInventors: Jianlei Niu, Xichun Wang
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Patent number: 7942019Abstract: The present invention concerns a cooling or heating system including at least a compressor (10), a coolant tank/accumulator (4), a condenser (11), an inspection glass device with ejector pump (1, 2) for circulation and control of coolant, coolant and a vaporizer (13). The invention is characterized essentially in that the system comprises: a connection (8) to the ejector pump (1, 2), for intake of condensate from the condenser (11), an exit connection (9) from the ejector pump (1, 2), for connection to the vaporizer (13) and means (3) for visually controlling the ejector pump (1, 2). The invention also concerns a device (12) for controlling the coolant of a cooling or heating apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Inventor: Svenning Ericsson
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Patent number: 7942020Abstract: Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems and multi-slab heat exchangers are provided that include fluid connections for transmitting fluid between groups of tubes. The fluid connections may include generally tubular members fluidly connected to manifold sections. The fluid connections also may include partitioned manifolds containing tubes of different heights. Multichannel tubes are also provided that include a bent section configured to locate a flow path near a leading edge of a tube within one section and near a trailing edge of the tube within another section.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: John T. Knight, William L. Kopko, Stephen B. Pickle, Jose Ruel Yalung de la Cruz, Tony Clive Coleman, Mahesh Valiya-Naduvath
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Patent number: 7942021Abstract: A needle cam assembly is provided in a circular knitting machine or a flat-bed knitting machine, said needle cam assembly allowing an adjustment of at least one cam assembly part with respect to at least one other cam assembly part. As a result of this, the timing of the closing and opening of the inside space of the hook of the slider needle can be adjusted relative to the timing of the retraction of the slider needle and can be set as needed. This measure may be utilized to increase the knitting quality and operational safety of a knitting machine that has been loaded with slider needles.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Groz-Beckert KGInventor: Uwe Stingel
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Patent number: 7942022Abstract: A multiple laundry machine, in which an auxiliary drying device is coupled to a general laundry machine, is disclosed. The multiple laundry machine includes a laundry machine for washing or drying laundry contained in an interior of the laundry machine, an auxiliary drying device arranged at one side of the laundry machine, the auxiliary drying device having a laundry container formed in an interior of the auxiliary drying device, and a driver provided at the auxiliary drying device, to drive the auxiliary drying device.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sang Ho Park, Phal Jin Lee, In Haeng Cho
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Patent number: 7942023Abstract: Disclosed herein are a drum type washing machine and a control program therefore. The washing machine includes a control mechanism to control a motor. The control mechanism includes a torque control unit to perform torque addition processes of adding pulse type torque during only a period for which a drum makes one rotation in a uniform torque control state in which torque of the motor is uniformly controlled at least two times and to perform the second torque addition process after n+0.5 rotations of the drum (n is an integer not less than 1) on the basis of the first torque addition process, and a weight calculation unit to calculate an average value of rotational accelerations of the motor at the respective torque addition processes and to calculate a weight of laundry received in the drum based on the average value.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Naoki Kanazawa
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Patent number: 7942024Abstract: A washing machine comprising a tub, a water supply unit for supplying water to the tub and a silver solution supply device for supplying a silver solution to the tub, wherein the silver solution supply device includes a housing provided with an inlet and an outlet, a water feed unit for connecting the inlet of the housing and the water supply unit of the washing machine, two silver members installed in the housing and ionized by the electrolysis, and a current speed reduction member positioned between an end of the silver member located at the outlet and the outlet of the housing. The current speed reduction member reduces the current speed of the wash water supplied to the silver solution supply device and changes the current of the wash water, thereby allowing the silver members to be sufficiently ionized and providing sufficient antibiotic and bactericidal effects.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Samung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Young Su Lee