Patents Issued in June 14, 2011
  • Patent number: 7958680
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting to the down spout of a gutter system to slow, disrupt, diffuse and absorb energy from runoff water to thereby eliminate erosion and destruction of surrounding landscaping is beneficial and desirable. The apparatus has an enclosure for passing runoff water therethrough. At least one upwardly extending baffle is used to slow and disrupt water from the down spout and at least one downwardly extending baffle is also used to slow, disrupt and diffuse runoff water from the down spout. The upwardly extending baffle and the downwardly extending baffle are for managing runoff water from the down spout to prevent erosion and destruction of surrounding landscaping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Dennis DeNooy
  • Patent number: 7958681
    Abstract: The principles described herein provide floor tiles and modular floors. The floor tiles include inserts that increase traction. The inserts may be removable and protrude from a top surface of the floor tiles. The tiles may include a locking system that allows adjacent tiles to interlock, while also permitting a predetermined amount of lateral sliding relative to one another. The modular tiles may be injection molded and the inserts may comprise an elastomer. The floor tiles may also provide four layers of traction, providing more sure footing than previous flooring systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Jorgen J. Moller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7958682
    Abstract: A window film anchoring having at least one film retaining limb, one frame retaining limb and central area, with the central area disposed between the at least one film retaining limb and the at least one frame retaining limb. In some embodiments, the device may have at least one anchor limb confluent with the central area working surface with at least one anchor ridge releasably engagable with at least one portion of a window frame. Windows barbs and anchor barbs may help attachment the device in use. In some embodiments, the body has a uniform material composition throughout, and may be attachable with double-sided tape, particularly with a heat activated double-sided tape. In another embodiment, the window film anchoring device may have a body with at least one film retaining limb at least one frame retaining limb and at least one central area having at least one bend promoting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Innovative Security Concepts
    Inventor: Sam Elzein
  • Patent number: 7958683
    Abstract: An improved wall panel system is disclosed. The system includes framed panels having side frame members, a top frame member, and a bottom support structure. Also included are a plurality of connection components including a connector post, an I-beam shaped connector, connectors, and decorative caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: HNI Corporation
    Inventors: Sam E. Abusada, Travis E. Wright, Nicholas Stubbe, Darren Zaugg, Benjamin J. Proctor, Steve V. Lindeen, Robert R. Hill
  • Patent number: 7958684
    Abstract: A device for suspending equipment such as a lighting fixture or public address speaker from a ceiling mounted track (5) used to suspend a movable partition and including an extruded rail (4) defining a channel having a longitudinal slot opening (8) between flanges (9) projecting inwardly from opposite lateral walls(6) of the rail. The device comprises a threaded stem (13) capped by an enlarged head (14) passes through the slot opening (8) and is engaged by a lug (17) which cooperates with the head to forcibly bear against or capture one or more of the flanges. In an alternate embodiment of the invention the axial movement of the lug along the stem and the rotational movement of the head in reference to the slot are accurately limited for ease of alignment. The device can be quickly loosened to allow horizontal adjustment of the suspended structure along the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Airwall Hangers, Inc.
    Inventor: Nevin Kleege
  • Patent number: 7958685
    Abstract: A decorative molding system and method of installation is provided that has a base piece and a crown piece that are adapted to be selectively engageable to each other. The molding system is easy to construct and allows for the separation of the base piece and crown piece for placing wiring or other materials behind the molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Todd Rowohlt
  • Patent number: 7958686
    Abstract: A drain support pan assembly has a drain body support pan which has a rectangular-shaped body connected to a rectangular-shaped drain receptacle body for use in floor drains. The distance between the support pan and receptacle body can be adjusted according to the depth of the floor space by selecting a predetermined length for the fasteners. The support pan has a center passageway for receiving a drain pipe and several slots that align with threaded passageways in the receptacle body for receiving the fasteners. The support pan contains concentric knock-out sections which can be removed for enlarging the diameter of the center passageway to accommodate varying diameter drain pipes or pipe connections for particular use in a deep floor space, and also has a rectangular knock-out section which can be removed for receiving the rectangular-shaped drain receptacle for use in a narrow floor space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher A. Majocka, David Gomo, Doug Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 7958687
    Abstract: A concrete building panel has a slab and a plurality of ribs and beams. A series of horizontal holes in the end ribs are spaced at a selected constant spacing such that adjacent panels may be fastened together through them. In one type of panel, the slab is separated from the ribs to provide an air gap. Connections between holes in two adjacent concrete wall panels are made by a hollow conduit having an abutment at either end to engage the concrete wall panels. Other connections between adjacent panels involve a stitch with legs which extend through holes in the beams. Other connections involve a space made by vertical channels of horizontally adjacent panels. A plate fitted into the space aligns the adjacent panels and may extend upwards to align upper panels. Load bearing horizontal holes through the ribs are reinforced with reinforcing bar in the concrete arranged in generally triangular shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Brentmuir Developments (1993) Limited
    Inventor: Nick Dilorenzo
  • Patent number: 7958688
    Abstract: An assembly system for floor and/or wall tiles includes anchors between tiles arranged in a coplanar plane. The anchors are determined from portions curved in the shape of a groove located in the underside of the tiles and matching the side edges of the tiles that guide the curved portions to converge on the edges. When the tiles are put together next to each other head to head and at the point where the corners converge, these curved grooved portions form a channel on the underside of the tiles inside which male elements fit tightly in at least a portion of it to couple and engage at least two adjacent tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Promociones Brial, S.L.
    Inventors: Natividad Vilar Llop, Salvador Llorens Miravet
  • Patent number: 7958689
    Abstract: A floor panel with coupling devices is provided. The coupling devices have locking elements which include a curved protrusion which is formed on a lower wall of an upper lip of a groove and adjacent to the entrance of the groove, and a curved recess which is formed in an upper side of a tongue and can match with the curved protrusion. Under the cooperation of the elastic deformation of the upper lip of the groove and the engagement of the locking elements, adjacent floor panels can be coupled together by exerting on them a horizontal pressing force and interlocked tightly by meshing engagement of the curved protrusion at the groove and the curved recess in the tongue without glue or other auxiliary binding material so as to ensure that the adjacent floor panels can not move in both horizontal direction and vertical direction. The floor panels are usually used in a floor decoration of indoor environment and have the advantages of easy installation and tight coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Anhui Yangzi Flooring Incorporated Company
    Inventor: Xiang Lei
  • Patent number: 7958690
    Abstract: A coupling system for securing an elongated wood member having a surface to a second body comprises a stitching body having a first end and a second end defining a length, and a first side and a second side. A first plurality of angled fastener bores is positioned generally on the first side of the stitching body, each configured to position a first side fastener element resting therein at least a first angle with respect to the surface of the elongated wood member. A second plurality of angled fastener bores positioned generally on the second side of the stitching body, each configured to position a second side fastener element resting therein at least a second angle with respect to the surface of the elongated wood member, such that ones of said second side fasteners and said first side fasteners form an intersection when viewed along the length of the stitching body. In one aspect, the coupling system is a hold-down securing a column having a surface to a foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Leek, Aram Khachadourian, Jin Jie Lin
  • Patent number: 7958691
    Abstract: A filler assembly for spanning, filling, and concealing a gap between an installed metal cabinet and an adjacent wall, or adjacent cabinet is disclosed. The assembly includes a bracket and a filler strip and the filler strip is formed with a projecting tongue. The bracket includes a narrow channel sized to receive the tongue of the filler strip in a sliding relationship. The tongue of the filler strip can slide into the channel to different depths so that the tongue and bracket span and fill the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Viking Range Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Newhouse, Troy McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7958692
    Abstract: A modular window well arrangement includes one or more window well members. The window well members can be interconnected in a vertically stacked arrangement to provide the required overall height. Snap-connectors interconnect the vertically adjacent window well members, and a plurality of steps provide for escape. The window well members may have different sizes, and extension walls may be utilized to increase the size of the window well members to provide for a wide variety of configurations. The window well members may be made of a relatively lightweight structural foam material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventor: Glen R. George
  • Patent number: 7958693
    Abstract: In a boom 15 for a working machine 10 attached to an upper rotational body 30 supported on a center of an upper portion of a crawler-type traveling device 40 to be transversely rotatable, the boom 15 includes, as portions cast by integral molding, a boom support point part 16, a boom cylinder rod support point part 18, and an arm support point part 19, and is configured so that the boom support point part 16 is connected to the boom cylinder rod support point part 18 by a general-purpose first rectangular pipe 61, and so that the boom cylinder rod support point part 18 is connected to the arm support point part 19 by a general-purpose second rectangular pipe 62.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Oyamada, Keiichi Nishihara, Takahiro Ikeda, Takafumi Nobayashi, Masao Nagata, Saizou Kondou, Masami Miyanishi
  • Patent number: 7958694
    Abstract: A packaging laminate includes at least one material layer provided with magnetisable particles. A roller can be configured to apply crease line patterns on the packaging laminate while also applying magnetic fields for magnetising at least some of the magnetisable particles in the packaging laminate. A method of controlling working operations on a packaging laminate in a filling machine involves supplying a packaging laminate to a filling machine, wherein the packaging laminate includes at least one material layer comprising magnetizable particles, with at least some of the magnetizable particles being magnetized particles. The method also involves controlling working operations of the filling machine on the packaging laminate supplied to the filling machine by reading information provided by the magnetized particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Hans Johansson, Lars Bergholtz, Lotta Klint
  • Patent number: 7958695
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is used with a group of bales. The group of bales is gripped with a bale handling apparatus. A flexible strip is positioned around the group of bales. The group of bales is then moved while the group of bales is gripped by the bale handling apparatus and while the flexible strip extends around the group of bales. The flexible strip is positioned relative to the group of bales by a positioning member which is connected with the bale handling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth Kuhns
  • Patent number: 7958696
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of vacuum packaging and vacuum packaging techniques. Embodiments of the present invention include bales and packages comprising a sealed chamber having an internal volume at a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the internal volume of the package comprises a bulk material, a bulk fiber material, fibers or fibrous materials. Also disclosed are methods for packaging, packaging systems and apparatus for packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Michael Ray McLaughlin, Charles Duane Mullins, Charles Clifton Sanders, Hillard Birdell Smithers, III, Gregory Kyle Nelson
  • Patent number: 7958697
    Abstract: A process for aseptic packaging of sterile liquids in flexible containers including a pre-chamber pressurized with a sterilized inert fluid that is injected through an auxiliary line and flows out to activate a sterile barrier such as to allow complete asepsis of the packaging process. A pressing device compresses the film to form a seal against the outer surface of the feed tube that introduces sterile liquid into the aseptic packaging chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Gino Rapparini
  • Patent number: 7958698
    Abstract: A method of removing a residual gas from inside a conventional shipping container is disclosed. The method first involves the step of accessing the container by opening a door of the container and fitting a panel to the open door space. Next the method involves extracting at least some of the residual gas present in the container via an outlet valve located at the panel using an external suction pump. Finally the method involves providing a flow of a flushing gas into the container via an inlet valve located at the panel to flush residual gas from the container. The total pressure of gases in the container can be monitored and controlled by adjusting the flow of gases in the inlet and outlet holes or valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Asiaworld Shipping Services Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kenneth George Brash
  • Patent number: 7958699
    Abstract: An apparatus for compressing a loose material that includes a compression chamber. Movement of a first ram discharges the loose material in a compressed state through an outlet port in the compression chamber. A packaging receptacle is positioned proximate the outlet port to receive the compressed material. The packaging receptacle is then moved to a second position where the movement of a second ram ejects the compressed material from the inner volume of the packaging receptacle. The second ram may be alternatively extended into and retracted from the packaging receptacle during ejection of the compressed material. The refilling of the compression chamber for the next cycle may begin prior to the retraction of the second ram from the packaging receptacle. A packaging jacket may be positioned about the packaging receptacle such that the ejection of the compressed material injects the compressed material into the packaging jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Rethceif Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Chris Allen Honegger
  • Patent number: 7958700
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system has components that include A) an interface to receive a signal associated with a point-of-sale transaction, the signal further indicating coins to be given to a customer in accord with the point-of-sale transaction; B) a first dispenser to access a number of coins in accord with the signal; and C) a packager to package the accessed coins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Scott Allen Weitzel
  • Patent number: 7958701
    Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. Several platens are provided, each of the plurality of platens having a machine-readable platen identifier. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is adapted to move in both an X axis and a Y axis and adapted to accept and hold a selected platen of a set of platens whereas the selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited and the machine-readable platen identifier is read by the device for dispensing pills to determine which of the plurality of platens is the selected platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: QEM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
  • Patent number: 7958702
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Wanda M. Weder and William F. Straeter
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 7958703
    Abstract: A positive orientation container and closure combination is provided. The container includes at least one flange segment having a front and a back face. The container further includes a gap defined by the front face of one of the flange segments and the back face of one of the flange segments. The closure includes a plurality of collar segments. The closure includes at least one collar segment having an engagement face to establish a positive orientation of the closure at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures Foreign, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret M. Miota, Alan P. Hickok
  • Patent number: 7958704
    Abstract: A waste disposal device includes a mechanism for scoring flexible tubing dispensed from a cartridge. The waste disposal device comprises a container housing a length of flexible tubing foldingly stacked therein and configured to permit dispensing of the flexible tubing to a predetermined length. The flexible tubing is scored periodically at predetermined intervals for ease of tearing during disposal of waste packages placed in the flexible tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Stravitz, Richard S. Chomik, Mark Yoho
  • Patent number: 7958705
    Abstract: A waterborne vegetation harvesting apparatus includes a watercraft, a conveyor assembly having a conveyor belt carried by the watercraft and at least one vegetation shredder disposed in communication with the conveyor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: John R. Bourque
  • Patent number: 7958706
    Abstract: In a swather formed by a tractor and attached heeder for cutting standing crop to form a swath, reel speed and optionally draper speed are controlled relative to ground speed by a control system including a manually operable input and display available to the operator. The control system can be used in an automatic mode to set an index value for an actual difference in reel speed relative to ground speed and to vary reel speed accordingly. In this mode a manually operable control varies the index. The control system can be switched by the operator to manual in which case the same control varies the actual reel speed. Minimum reel speed can be set by the same control and when operative the automatic system does not allow reel speed to fall below the minimum set value despite the values of index and ground speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ldt.
    Inventors: Rheal G. Remillard, James Thomas Dunn, Don MacGregor, Brent Gabriel, Leonard Bergman
  • Patent number: 7958707
    Abstract: A suspension system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head using a four-bar linkage and permitting the floating head to accommodate variations in ground surface elevation in a lateral or transverse direction. By permitting the floating head to float, a more consistent cutting height is realized when ground surface elevation varies in a transverse direction. A main frame is provided to which the ground engaging wheels are attached. A sub-frame is connected to the main frame via the four-bar linkage and the linkage arms of the four-bar linkage are not parallel to one another as viewed from above. The linkage arms of the four-bar linkage are pivotally attached to the main frame and sub-frame by spherical bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kent L. Thompson, Shane A. Bollinger, Rustin V. Bentzinger
  • Patent number: 7958708
    Abstract: As crop materials are severed from the field, they pass through two successive pairs of counter-rotating conditioning rolls before being returned to the ground. The front rolls are preferably ribbed, metal rolls wherein the ribs of one roll are intermeshed with those of the other roll so as to crimp the stems of the crop materials as they pass between the rolls. The hard metal ribs also aggressively feed the materials rearwardly into the second set of rolls, which are preferably compressive surface rolls made of rubber or the like and provided with wide, intermeshed bars about their periphery. The tension mechanism for the rolls includes single-acting hydraulic cylinders that squeeze the rolls together to the extent permitted by adjustable stop structure used to set gaps between the rolls. In typical operations, the gap between the rear rolls is set to be considerably smaller than the gap between the front rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Dwight E. Nickel, Michael L. O'Halloran
  • Patent number: 7958709
    Abstract: A grass treatment device height adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of a grass treatment tool above ground level includes a height adjustment mechanism and an elongate rotational element, such as a roller, having first and second ends. The rotational element has an axle extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the element about which the element rotates. The height adjustment mechanism includes a rotatable member connected to the axle of the rotational element wherein the rotatable member is associated with a second fixed axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to but offset relative to the first rotational axis. The second axis of rotation enables the height adjustment mechanism to adjust the position of the first axis of rotation relative to the second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Engineering Techniques Limited
    Inventors: John Coleman, Tom Slater
  • Patent number: 7958710
    Abstract: A rotary lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine having a power take-off. The mower further includes a connector adaptor attached to the power take-off, and a lawn mower blade. A connector base of the mower is attached to the blade. The connector base and the connector adaptor have extensions designed to interlock the connector base with the connector adaptor. At least one of the extensions forms a J-shaped structure arranged longitudinally along an axis of rotation of the connector base and connector adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Gilpatrick, Ryan Jaskowiak
  • Patent number: 7958711
    Abstract: The otherwise open end of the outboardmost belt guard over the interface between the flexible cutterbar assembly and flexible draper assembly of a harvesting header is closed by a deflector to prevent the ingress of crop residue into the void region defined beneath the overhanging belt guards. In this manner residue is prevented from migrating into the interior of the draper belt of the draper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher T. Sauerwein
  • Patent number: 7958712
    Abstract: A compact lawn mower that includes at least a shroud positioned a fixed distance from a lawn, by a common rear axle extended between and supported by a pair of rear wheels, is provided. The exemplary embodiment further includes a motor adjustment member confined within and supported by the shroud. The motor adjustment member interacts with a motor, which includes a cutting member attached to a motor shaft of the motor. By manipulating the motor adjustment member, the height of the cutting member relative to the ground surface is set. That is, the motor adjustment member is rotated in a first direction to move the motor closer to the lawn, and in the opposite direction to move the motor further from the lawn, allowing the grass to be cut to a desired length, while the shroud remains a fixed distance from the lawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Edward Kwok-Yen Cheung
  • Patent number: 7958713
    Abstract: A textile material with antenna components for an HF transponder is disclosed, which may be operated by connection of a circuit module to the antenna components, adjusted, or which may be adjusted to a working frequency. The antenna components comprise electrically-conducting components of the textile material itself, which may be formed as an E-field antenna, using the geometry thereof to match a working frequency in the UHF or microwave range, or by means of interruptions to, or extension of a conducting length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ASTRA Gesellschaft für Asset Management mbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Anatoli Stobbe
  • Patent number: 7958714
    Abstract: A false twisting yarn composed of monofilaments containing a polyester component of which main component is polytrimethylene terephthalate, wherein the false twisting yarn is a false twisting yarn which satisfies all of the requirements of (1) a shrinkage ratio by wet heat treatment at 98° C. for 20 minutes is 5% or less, (2) a ratio (TS/WS) of elastic stretch ratio after wet heat treatment at 90° C. for 20 minutes (WS) and elastic stretch ratio after dry heat treatment at 90° C. for 15 minutes (TS) is, 0<TS/WS?1, and (3) a tensile strength is 2.0 cN/dtex or more. By using the false twisting yarn, it is possible to produce a pile cloth having a soft touch and a low shrinkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Date, Noboru Ueno
  • Patent number: 7958715
    Abstract: A link member (e.g. a chain link or an elevator link) having a body, the body having two spaced-apart ends, wave-energizable apparatus (one or more) on the link body, and, in one aspect, a wrap or wraps securing the wave-energizable apparatus to the link. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Nathan Kinert, Leon Ellison, Reinhold Kammann, Manfred Worms, Clive Lam, Guy L. McClung, III
  • Patent number: 7958716
    Abstract: A natural gas production well secondary purpose turbine electric power generator system includes: a.) a natural gas production well from an underground or underwater natural gas well production field that produces natural gas at the surface at an elevated pressure of at least 500 psi and at least 200 psi in excess of desired pressure delivered to gas processing or gas distribution lines; b.) a natural gas valving subsystem connected to said well; and, c.) a power generating turbine subsystem, including at least one gas driven turbine located in at least one of said well and said gas valving subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Mark R. Ziegenfuss
  • Patent number: 7958717
    Abstract: A gas turbine power generator plant, intended to reduce its noise by making small the intake and exhaust outlets of the cooing air channel of a case, comprises an engine core in which a turbine, a compressor and a generator are installed on the same axis, a combustor for burning air for combustion compressed by the compressor and supplying the air to the turbine, a radiator for cooling a coolant or a lubricant, a cooling fan for ventilating the radiator with cooling air, an electric power converter for converting electric power generated by the generator, and the case for housing these constituent elements. And, a combustion air channel passing the compressor, the combustor and the turbine and a cooling air channel passing the radiator, the cooling fan and the electric power converter are formed as mutually independent channels from intake to exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Nakano, Masaya Ichinose, Masanori Watanabe, Kuniyoshi Tsubouchi, Toshihiko Fukushima, Masatoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7958718
    Abstract: A multiple-stage solid rocket motor is operated in a manner designed to control its mass discharge profile. This is accomplished by providing means for igniting one stage and then igniting a subsequent stage while the first continues to burn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: L. Don Berchtold, Ralph S. Tappan
  • Patent number: 7958719
    Abstract: A fuel injector system for combustion engines and motors, such as pulsed bipropellant thrusters, includes noncircular fuel and oxidizer injectors at the ends of respective dribble channels for controlling the mixture ratio of the propellants passing into a combustion chambers for maintaining a desire or ideal mixture ratio as determined by the cross-sectional area of the injectors well suited for pulse combustion fuel injector systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Blaise Brady
  • Patent number: 7958720
    Abstract: A combustion control apparatus is configured for a direct-injection spark-ignition internal combustion engine. The combustion control apparatus selects an extremely retarded combustion mode while the internal combustion engine is in a predetermined operating state. In the extremely retarded combustion mode, the combustion control apparatus sets ignition timing to be after compression top dead center, and sets fuel injection timing to be before the ignition timing and after compression top dead center. The combustion control apparatus inhibits the extremely retarded combustion mode while an exhaust purifier of the internal combustion engine is in a predetermined cold state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Okamoto, Masayuki Tomita, Taizo Horikomi, Taro Sakai, Akira Nakajima, Hitoshi Ishii, Mitsuhiro Akagi, Takao Maitani, Tomoyuki Takeda, Masatoshi Hidaka, Tomoyuki Shigefuji
  • Patent number: 7958721
    Abstract: A regeneration device is disclosed. The regeneration device has an injector configured to inject pressurized fuel during an injection event. The regeneration device also has a heater configured to ignite the pressurized fuel during the injection event. The heater is also configured to purge the injector between injection events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Craig, Justin Werner McMenamy, Glenn Brian Cox, Andrew John Kieser, Ronald Dean Shinogle
  • Patent number: 7958722
    Abstract: A valve device includes a control valve for manipulating a communication between a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel. The valve device further includes a pressure sensor for detecting pressure in the first fluid channel. The pressure sensor is provided on a side face defining the first fluid channel. The pressure sensor has a pressure detection face directly opposed to the first fluid channel. The pressure detection face is substantially in parallel with a first axis of the first fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Komiyama, Satoshi Ishigaki, Takahiro Kouzu
  • Patent number: 7958723
    Abstract: A control system that controls regeneration of a particulate filter is provided. The system generally includes a regeneration module that controls current to the particulate filter to initiate combustion of particulate matter in the particulate filter. A propagation module estimates a propagation status of the combustion of the particulate matter based on a combustion temperature. A temperature adjustment module controls the combustion temperature by selectively increasing a temperature of exhaust that passes through the particulate filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, Jr., Frank Ament
  • Patent number: 7958724
    Abstract: A blade for a torque converter including a body having an outer edge, the outer edge arranged to conform to an inner surface of a shell in the torque converter, the shell having at least two slots arranged therethrough, and a surface extending from the outer edge, the surface having at least two tabs, wherein the surface is arranged to conform to the inner surface of the shell to provide a fluid seal, the at least two tabs are disposed through the at least two slots and at least one of the at least two tabs is arranged to engage an outer surface of the shell. The invention further includes a torque converter including the present invention blades and a method of assembling the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Benedikt Wiegert
  • Patent number: 7958725
    Abstract: A drivetrain system for use in a mobile machine is disclosed. The drivetrain system may have a first rotary fluid actuator, a second rotary fluid actuator, an input device, and a controller in communication with the first rotary fluid actuator, the second rotary fluid actuator, and the input device. The controller may be configured to determine a desired change in an effective gear ratio of the drivetrain system, and determine a total displacement change associated with the first and second rotary fluid actuators that produces the desired change in the effective gear ratio. The controller may also be configured to compare the total displacement change to a threshold change level, affect simultaneous displacement changes in the first and second rotary fluid actuators when the total displacement change exceeds the threshold change level, and affect sequential displacement changes in the first and second rotary fluid actuators when the total displacement change is less than the threshold change level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Mark Elliott
  • Patent number: 7958726
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and associated methods for generating energy by capturing and taking benefit of the energy generated by any quantity of air surfacing inside water. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus comprises compressing a lower density gas in a liquid medium, allowing the gas to naturally rise to the surface of the liquid medium and then capturing the energy generated by the surfacing gas. An apparatus and method is disclosed to provide a low energy technique to compress air into water. In exemplary embodiments, air is introduced into water by simultaneously providing a low pressure area in the liquid medium and compressing the air into the low pressure area. By compressing the air into water in low pressure areas, the energy required to compress the air is greatly reduced. The amount of energy generated by the rising air is less than the amount of energy required to compress air underneath the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Renato Bastos Ribeiro
  • Patent number: 7958727
    Abstract: An exemplary system for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust turbine operably coupled to a generator, an intake air compressor operably coupled to an electric motor and mechanically decoupled from the exhaust turbine and a controller to direct electricity generated by the generator to one or more members of the group consisting of the electric motor, an additional electric motor, and a power storage. Various other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Don Arnold
  • Patent number: 7958728
    Abstract: A device for turbocharging an internal combustion engine including a turbocompessor including a turbine driven by the engine exhaust gas and a compressor driven by the turbine and compresses the engine intake air. An air intake conduit connects the compressor output to an air intake manifold to the engine and includes a chamber for damping pulsations generated at the compressor output. The damping chamber is connected directly to the compressor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Eric Dumas, Frédéric Everard, Gérard Stefani
  • Patent number: 7958729
    Abstract: A compressor in the intake tractate of an internal combustion engine has a compressor chamber and a compressor wheel arranged in the compressor chamber. A drive unit with shaft is provided, wherein the compressor wheel is coupled to the shaft. An intermediate chamber separate from the compressor chamber is provided. A centrifugal separator is arranged in the intermediate chamber and coupled to the shaft. The intermediate chamber has an inlet for supplying separator gases and also has at least one connecting opening that connects the intermediate chamber to the compressor chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Thorsten Hilpert