Patents Issued in June 14, 2011
  • Patent number: 7958931
    Abstract: A method for continuous casting and rolling at increased casting speed followed by hot rolling of relatively thin metal strand, especially steel strand (1), where presetting of target temperatures (6) of the hot strip (2) reduces temperature losses in the hot strip (2) by increasing the temperatures of the work rolls (4) at a predetermined rate of increase, starting from a low initial temperature (5), and by adjusting the strip temperature (15) to a target rolling temperature (6) of the hot strip (2) and/or by automatically controlling or regulating the intensity of the roll cooling (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: SMS Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jürgen Seidel, Jürgen Klöckner
  • Patent number: 7958932
    Abstract: A foam material comprises a liquid polymer and a liquid isocyanate which is mixed to make a solution that is poured, injected or otherwise deposited into a corresponding mold. A reaction from the mixture of the liquid polymer and liquid isocyanate inside the mold forms a thermally collapsible foam structure having a shape that corresponds to the inside surface configuration of the mold and a skin that is continuous and unbroken. Once the reaction is complete, the foam pattern is removed from the mold and may be used as a pattern in any number of conventional casting processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Fopat LLC
    Inventors: Anil R. Chaudhry, Robert Dzugan, Richard M. Harrington, Faurice D. Neece, Nipendra P. Singh
  • Patent number: 7958933
    Abstract: A heat exchange unit, adapted to performing heat exchange between first and second fluids at different temperatures, comprises a heat exchange apparatus provided with a tube bundle, crossed internally by said first fluid, and containing means of the second fluid, adapted to receiving the exchange apparatus so that at least one portion of the tube bundle is externally surrounded by the second fluid. The exchange apparatus further comprises connection means which are structurally separate from said retainer means and to which one end of the tube bundle is operatively connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Ruths S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Castello
  • Patent number: 7958934
    Abstract: A counter-stream-mode oscillating-flow heat transport apparatus improves heat transport capability by imparting oscillatory displacement to a fluid located near a heat-generating element such that the fluid is directed toward the heat-generating element. Turning portions of serpentine flow paths are disposed to face the heat-generating element. The flow paths are stacked in multiple layers in the direction from the heat-generating element to the flow paths, and a plurality of flow paths are disposed adjacent to the heat-generating element in the direction of fluid oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Nara, Yasumasa Hagiwara, Kimio Kohara, Shinichi Yatsuzuka, Seiji Inoue
  • Patent number: 7958935
    Abstract: This invention provides a cooling system comprising a thermosyphon for computer and electronic devices. The thermosyphon comprises an evaporator placed on top of a heat source, such as CPU. Heat from the heat source causes liquid coolant inside the evaporator to evaporate or boil. The resulting vapor enters a condenser and returns to a liquid phase. Cooling fins are attached to the condenser to facilitate heat transfer with the surrounding airflow. The cooling system and computer or electronic device fit within standard computer cases and high density server rack-mountable cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Belits Computer Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Belits, Valeriy Belits
  • Patent number: 7958936
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for downhole sampling are presented. The sampling system includes a control unit and a housing to engage a conduit. The housing at least partially encloses at least one formation sampler to collect a formation sample. The formation sampler is stored in a sampler carousel. A sampler propulsion system forces the formation sampler into the formation. The propulsion system is in communication with the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Douglas McGregor, John C. Welch, Michael T. Pelletier, Anthony Herman van Zuilekom, Thomas F. Ballweg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7958937
    Abstract: A process for hydrofracturing a specific interval or zone in a water aquifer from a water well borehole and introducing high-pressure water and gravel proppants for increasing water flow production from the water well. The process uses a hydrofracture tool having a pipe section with a pair of inflatable packers. The tool is lowered into the borehole to the deepest interval to be fraced. The packers are then inflated thus sealing off the area in the borehole above the interval. High-pressure water is then introduced through the drill stem and out a high-pressure injection port in the lower end of the pipe section. After sufficient high-pressure water has fractured the surrounding interval, gravel proppants are forced into the surrounding fractured interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Well Enhancement & Recovery Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Courtney Hemenway
  • Patent number: 7958938
    Abstract: A system for supporting multiple-well-site, offshore, hydrocarbon-bearing fields, each well-site has one or more wells. In general, the system first comprises a floating vessel that is relocatable from a first subsea well-site to a second subsea well-site. The system also comprises two separate systems: (1) an operations control system for providing subsea well-site operations such as power and communications; and (2) an intervention system for conducting intervention services to an individual subsea well such as workover services and maintenance services. The operations system may provide control to wells and other subsea equipment at either the first well-site or the second well-site, regardless of the location of the floating vessel. The intervention system may provide workover and/or maintenance to subsea equipment or individual wells at the well-site at which it is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Calvin W. Crossley, Tracy A. Fowler, M. Sidney Glasscock, Matthew N. Greer, Roald T. Lokken, Dinesh R. Pejaver, W. Brett Wilson, David B. Yost
  • Patent number: 7958939
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a process for providing a pumpable hydrate slurry in a hydrocarbon pipeline fluid mixture having a water-cut greater than about 50 volume percent. In one or more embodiments the process comprises treating the fluid mixture with an anti-agglomerant and adding water to the fluid mixture in an amount sufficient to lower the gas-water ratio sufficiently to achieve a pumpable hydrate slurry. Also disclosed are methods for producing hydrocarbons utilizing a process for providing a pumpable hydrate slurry in a hydrocarbon pipeline fluid mixture having a water -cut greater than about 50 volume percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventor: Larry D. Talley
  • Patent number: 7958940
    Abstract: A process is provided to drill through a composite frac plug. The plug is in an oil well. The process utilizes an improved mill. The process also rotates drill pipe at one hundred to five hundred rpm and circulates drilling fluid such that the velocity of the fluid upwardly over the exterior of the drill pipe is in the range of three hundred to four hundred and seventy-five feet per minute. One thousand to three thousand pounds of slack off weight is applied during the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Steve D. Jameson
  • Patent number: 7958941
    Abstract: An assembly and method for downhole equipment deployment comprising a liner hanger attachable to deployable equipment, a top sub insertable into the liner hanger and attachable to a tubing string, a lock piston releasably connectable to the top sub, and lock pins insertable through the top sub, the liner hanger, and the lock piston, the liner hanger and associated equipment remotely releasable from the top sub and the lock piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Sturni-Hueston Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth J Hueston, Brian K Klimack, Michael Shoyhetman
  • Patent number: 7958942
    Abstract: A potato harvester has a lifting device for lifting soil ridges, wherein the lifting device has a digging device with digging shares. At least one support element for supporting the lifting device on the ground is provided. The at least one support element has at least two wheels that are movable along opposite sides of an intermediately positioned soil ridge, respectively. The wheels form a guide unit that supports at least one part of a weight of the at least one digging device, wherein the guide unit controls the digging shares and acts on a soil ridge to be lifted as an intake aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Grimme Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klemens Kalverkamp
  • Patent number: 7958943
    Abstract: A wheel mounting and height adjustment mechanism for use with a power equipment unit/implement such as a lawn mower. In one embodiment, the mechanism may include a block defining a plurality of bores, each bore to selectively receive an axle of a wheel assembly. A plate member may be provided in or near the block. The plate member may include a plurality of elongate cutouts such that a separate cutout is selectively alignable with each of the plurality of bores. When the plate member is in a disengaged position such that a first portion of each cutout is aligned with its respective bore, each cutout permits the axle to fully enter its respective bore. However, when the plate member is moved to an engaged position, each cutout may engage the axle to capture the respective wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Exmark Manufacturing Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Tommy Joe Vachal
  • Patent number: 7958944
    Abstract: A discontinuous drive power tool assembly for generating rotational torque includes a spindle having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the spindle is configured to engage and rotate an object. The tool assembly also includes a pulse hammer selectively engagable with the second end portion of the spindle, and a motor that includes a motor shaft engagable with the pulse hammer. The motor is configured to rotate the pulse hammer. The tool assembly also includes a rotational position sensor disposed adjacent the motor. The rotational position sensor is configured to measure the rotational position of a second portion of the motor shaft which is opposite the first end portion of the motor shaft during operation of the tool assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Lehnert, John M. Schiappacasse
  • Patent number: 7958945
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pneumatic tool enabling sectional adjustment of torsional force, including a main body and a cylinder mounted into the accommodation space of main body. The cylinder is fitted with air vents and also a rotor. A plurality of exhaust holes is arranged at one side of the cylinder tube of the cylinder. An exhaust duct switching member is arranged between the exhaust holes of the cylinder tube and air exhaust duct of the main body and used to switch the airflow for air exhaust by different exhaust holes. The pneumatic tool enables sectional adjustment of its torsional force, thus promoting the torsional force efficiently with better applicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cheng Huan Industry, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Chou Lu
  • Patent number: 7958946
    Abstract: A handheld work apparatus has a housing (2) wherein an internal combustion engine (10) and a fuel-metering unit for the engine (10) are mounted. A throttle lever (6) is provided which is pivotally journalled on a handle (3). The handle (3) is connected to the housing (2) via at least one antivibration element (33). A vibration gap (9) is formed between the handle (3) and the housing (2). A transmitting unit (13) is provided for transmitting the pivot movement of the throttle lever (6) to the fuel-metering unit. The transmitting unit (13) includes a rigid transmitting element (17, 77) which bridges the vibration gap (9). The transmitting element (17, 77) is rotatably journalled on at least one bearing (18, 19, 59) and transmits the pivot movement of the throttle lever (6) as a rotation about a rotational axis (22) lying transversely to the vibration gap (9). A first bearing (19, 59) of the transmitting element (17, 77) is located on the fuel-metering unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jan Kurzenberger, Alexander Kraus
  • Patent number: 7958947
    Abstract: A damping device for inserting into a housing of an impulse producing drill machine, for damping Shockwave reflexes from a drill string connected to the drilling machine, is distinguished in that a first damping piston (7) for direct or indirect action against the drill string and for applying a pressure in the direction of the drill string an a second damping piston (9) for applying pressure in the direction against the drill string against a fixed stop (11) arranged in the housing, wherein the first (7) and the second damping piston (9) are arranged to co-operate for joint damping action with a drill bushing or shank adapter in a certain relative position. The invention also concerns a drilling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventors: Per-Erik Larsson, Thomas Östling
  • Patent number: 7958948
    Abstract: A system and method is described for use and return of drilling fluid/cuttings from a well, which is drilled on the ocean floor, in connection with offshore related oil production and gas production, where, from a drilling rig or drilling vessel (10), a drill stem (12) runs down into the bore hole and where a blowout preventer (BOP) is placed on said well, without mounting a riser between the rig or the vessel and said blowout preventer. A sealing and pressure-regulating device (16) is arranged on the blowout preventer (14) arranged to regulate the level of the drilling fluid, and thus the outlet pressure of the drilling fluid in said sealing and pressure-regulating device, and a pump module (18) is set up at a suitable distance adjacent said sealing and pressure-regulating device, where the pump module is arranged to pump said drilling fluid up to the ocean surface via an external return pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: AGR Subsea AS
    Inventor: Roger Stave
  • Patent number: 7958949
    Abstract: A technique for drilling a borehole includes obtaining data from a tool in the borehole for a plurality of positions in the borehole that is being drilled to form acquired data indicative of directional electromagnetic propagation measurements. The technique includes identifying a plurality of distances to a boundary between formations in ground from the plurality of positions in the borehole based on the measurements; identifying a trajectory of the borehole using the plurality of distances; and deciding whether to change the trajectory of the borehole using a change in the plurality of distances between the trajectory and the boundary. The trajectory of the borehole may be changed in both inclination and azimuth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Mohsin Hamed Al Hadhrami
  • Patent number: 7958950
    Abstract: A reamer for underground boring is provided. The reamer includes at least: (a) a center mandrel, wherein the center mandrel defines a mandrel axis; (b) a plurality of radial members extending radially from the center mandrel; (c) a plurality of cutting heads, wherein each of the cutting heads: (i) is supported by at least one of the radial members; (ii) is arcuately spaced-apart around the center mandrel from the other cutting heads; (iii) has a rounded surface; and (d) a plurality of cutting teeth on the rounded surface of each of the cutting heads. A method of horizontal drilling with the reamer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Southeast Directional Drilling, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Osadchuk, Steven L. Ugrich
  • Patent number: 7958951
    Abstract: An underreaming tool may include a tubular body, a drive tube, at least one blade element (“the blade element”), at least one wedge element (“the wedge element”), and a stop mechanism. The drive tube may include at least one longitudinal groove (“the longitudinal groove”) axially disposed along a length of the drive tube. The wedge element may include a first side having at least one lateral projection (“the lateral projection”) configured to axially slide into the longitudinal groove to couple the wedge element to the drive tube. The stop mechanism comprises a threaded sleeve configured to screw onto the drive tube to lock the wedge element in the longitudinal groove once the lateral projection is slid into the longitudinal groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Lassoie, Valerie Sillen, Philippe Fanuel, Olivier Mageren
  • Patent number: 7958952
    Abstract: The system and device described relates to flow pulsing for use in down-hole drilling rate of penetration (ROP) enhancement and measurement while drilling (MWD) using a pulse drilling device (PDD) with a fast acting valve in conjunction with a pilot valve to produce high pressure, high amplitude, low duration pressure pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Teledrill Inc.
    Inventors: David John Kusko, Gabor Vecseri, Daniel Maurice Lerner
  • Patent number: 7958953
    Abstract: A bi-center drilling tool comprises a main reamer region located eccentrically to an axis of rotation of the tool, and a leading cutting structure located ahead of the main reamer region, in the drilling direction. The leading cutting structure is located so as to apply a side loading to the drilling tool. The side loading is in direction to counter the loading which, in use, is due to the main reamer region being eccentric to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Ridha Chafai
  • Patent number: 7958954
    Abstract: Core drill bits with long crown heights are described herein. The core drill bits have a series of slots or openings that are not located at the tip of the crown and are therefore enclosed in the body of the crown. The slots may be staggered and/or stepped throughout the crown. As the cutting portion of the drill bit erodes through normal use, the fluid/debris notches at the tip of the bit are eliminated. As the erosion progresses, the slots become exposed and then they function as fluid/debris ways. This configuration allows the crown height to be extended and lengthened without substantially reducing the structural integrity of the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Longyear TM, Inc.
    Inventors: K. Shayne Drivdahl, Michael D. Rupp
  • Patent number: 7958955
    Abstract: An automotive device for the inspection of internal spaces having ferromagnetic surfaces includes at least two magnetic wheels (3) or caterpillars, or at least two magnetic legs for the advancement of the device along the surfaces to be inspected. According to the invention, the device includes actively powered rotating arms (1) attached to a wheel (3), caterpillar, or leg of the device. Each rotating arm (1) has a length longer than the shortest distance between the point of attachment of the rotating arm to the device and the surface. When the device is in a position, where there is magnetic contact to the surface in two or more points and the device is no longer able to advance due to the strength of the magnetic forces, the rotating arms are brought into non-magnetic contact with the surface in order to create an air gap between the surface and the magnetic wheel and thus reduce the magnetic forces. The device is thereby enabled to overcome the magnetic forces and advance the device along the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Roland Moser, Wolfgang Fischer, Fabien Tache, Roland Yves Siegwart, Francesco Mondada
  • Patent number: 7958956
    Abstract: A coaxial two-wheel vehicle on which a rider stably travels without the upper body being swayed left and right in a riding state of the center of gravity being positioned high is provided. The coaxial two-wheel vehicle includes: a step plate for a driver to ride; a vehicle body that supports the step plate so as to be capable of changing a posture in a roll direction of rotating around a roll axis as the center, when a traveling direction is made the roll axis; a pair of wheels disposed on both sides on the same axis in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the vehicle body and rotatably supported by the vehicle body; a pair of wheel drive means to drive and rotate the pair of wheels independently; and a handle for directly changing a posture of the step plate or indirectly changing the posture through the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takekazu Kakinuma, Ikuo Yamano, Kunihito Sawai
  • Patent number: 7958957
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle 20 sets a tentative limit value Win0 of determining a fuel increase relation with respect to a selected gearshift position SP for driving (S220, S230, S350), and performs increasing correction of a fuel injection amount according to either a first OT increase factor setting map or a second OT increase factor setting map that is enabled based on a relation of an input limit Win of the battery 50 to the tentative limit value Win0. Prohibition of fuel cutoff may be cancelled, based on a relation of the input limit Win to a driving force demand in an accelerator-off state set at the selected gearshift position SP. Even in this case, the increasing correction enables temperature regulation of an exhaust gas purification catalyst, with a view to controlling deterioration of the exhaust gas purification catalyst in an actual fuel cutoff condition after cancellation of the prohibition of the fuel cutoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Daigo Ando
  • Patent number: 7958958
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle controller operates to use GPS navigation information to determine how much energy should be delivered from or sent to, the battery. The battery charge can be better managed by using knowledge of the future path of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Law Office of Scott C. Harris
    Inventor: Jose de la Torre Bueno
  • Patent number: 7958959
    Abstract: A breather device provided on the outer peripheral section of a case of an in-wheel motor is located at a position above the rotation shaft of the in-wheel motor, between the in-wheel motor and a wheel. The position is inside the wheel in the width direction of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yogo, Ryoji Mizutani, Yuki Tojima, Shuuetsu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7958960
    Abstract: Right front wheel units (FL, FR) are driven independently by motor generators (MGL, MGR). A power control unit (1) is provided common to the motor generators (MGL, MGR) and integrally controls driving them. Each motor generator (MGL, MGR) and the power control unit (1) are selectively connected by switch circuits (SWL, SWR). The switch circuits (SWL, SWR) are switched by an ECU (3), as appropriate, in accordance with how the vehicle (100) is currently traveling (i.e., a driving force that the vehicle is required to output, and a direction in which the vehicle is traveling). In other words, the vehicle (100) can selectively implement traveling with the left and right front wheel units (FL, FR) both serving as driving wheel units, and traveling with only one of the left and right front wheel units (FL, FR) serving as a driving wheel unit, depending on how the vehicle is currently traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Mizutani, Michitaka Tsuchida, Tomohiro Fukushima, Masafumi Sakuma
  • Patent number: 7958961
    Abstract: A SEGWAY adapted with a mechanism to manually override the rider detection mechanical sensors to allow a golfer to choose to ride or not ride the SEGWAY while playing golf. A handle attachment extends outwardly enabling the golfer to manually steer and thus control the speed and direction of the SEGWAY while not riding the SEGWAY. The golfer can ride, walk, or run as desired in unison with the improved SEGWAY. A rider detection override mechanism is positioned under each existing step pad. A counterweight is placed at the rear of the SEGWAY to balance the SEGWAY when there is no rider present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher W. Schade
  • Patent number: 7958962
    Abstract: A device is proposed for detecting a collision of a vehicle with an obstacle, in which an ultrasonic receiver unit is used to detect the sound produced by the collision, and a collision of the vehicle is thus detected through the evaluation of the ultrasonic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Dukart, Thorsten Sohnke, Mirko Ruhs
  • Patent number: 7958963
    Abstract: An assembly support has a supporting element which is connected to the vehicle body and has an upper shell with a connected closing plate, and reinforcing bars are arranged in the region of fastening openings between the upper shell and the closing plate. A bridge support is connected to the supporting element, the bridge support is held with free limb ends in bearing eyes of the supporting element, and a bearing spindle for a transmission bearing being arranged between the bearing eyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Werner Hornisch, Francesco Germano
  • Patent number: 7958964
    Abstract: A power steering system for a vehicle includes a steering shaft with its rear end in connection with a steering handle and with its axis inclined forwardly downwards. An electric motor is disposed with its axis orthogonal to a plane containing the axis of the steering shaft. The electric motor applies a steering force to the side of a steering wheel or wheels according to an operational torque exerted on the steering handle. This enables the power steering system to be easily applied to a vehicle in which the portion on the front side relative to the steering handle is short. A steering shaft is rotatably supported on a support case, at least a part of which is disposed on the inner side of the rotational locus of a steering handle in plan view. The rear end of an electric motor mounted to the support case is disposed on the front side relative to the rear end of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7958965
    Abstract: A box-shaped enclosure of a storage box includes a deadening wall or walls defining a storage space between first and second planes. The storage space is open at the first and second planes. A deadening wall member extends along the first plane. An auxiliary box-shaped enclosure is connected to the box-shaped enclosure so as to close the first plane of the box-shaped enclosure. The auxiliary box-shaped enclosure defines an auxiliary space isolated from the storage space with a deadening wall member. The storage space is connected to the fresh air through the ventilation opening and the auxiliary space. The deadening wall or walls of the box-shaped enclosure and the deadening wall member serve to prevent the leakage of the operating sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamaguchi, Junichi Ishimine, Masahiro Suzuki, Tadashi Katsui, Shin-ichirou Kouno, Akira Takahashi, Akihiro Watanabe, Tomohiro Okazaki
  • Patent number: 7958966
    Abstract: A fairing is configured for use with the exhaust stack of a heavy-duty vehicle. The exhaust stack has an exhaust pipe with an intake end for receiving exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine and a discharge end for discharging the exhaust gases. The fairing includes a streamlined exterior surface and a cavity for receiving the discharge end of the exhaust pipe. An aperture extends through a rear portion of the exterior surface so that exhaust gases discharged from the discharge end of the exhaust pipe pass through the cavity and out of the aperture. The fairing further includes a coupler to couple the fairing to the exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Smith
  • Patent number: 7958967
    Abstract: The combination of: a scaffold assembly comprising a vertical member; a baseplate on the vertical member and having a downwardly facing surface; and a foot having a top surface and a bottom surface spaced in an axial direction. The foot has an opening in the top surface and a recess extending axially from the opening toward the bottom surface. The recess accepts the baseplate with the baseplate in an operative position. The downwardly facing surface bears on the foot so as to cause a downward force produced by the vertical member to be applied to the foot and distributed by the foot through the bottom surface to an underlying support surface for the scaffold assembly. The bottom surface on the foot has a peripheral edge that bounds an area that is greater than an area bounded by a peripheral edge of the baseplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: James Lambdin
  • Patent number: 7958968
    Abstract: A tree stand blind system for concealing a hunter on a tree stand and protecting the hunter from rain includes a pair of mounting brackets is secured to a tree adjacent a tree stand. Each of the mounting brackets has one of a pair of arms mounted thereto. A vertical orientation of each of the arms is adjustable with respect to the associated one of the mounting brackets. Each of the arms is positioned horizontally and extending outwardly from the tree. A suspension rod is insertable into each of the arms. A pair of blind curtains is suspended from the suspension rod. The blind curtains hang down from the suspension in a semi-circle around the tree stand to conceal the hunter on the tree stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: David B. Stabler
  • Patent number: 7958969
    Abstract: A transfer device for a vehicle includes a casing, a cylindrical input shaft supported by the casing, a first end of the input shaft engaging with a driveshaft, an output shaft supported on an internal surface of a second end of the input shaft and engaging with the second end of the input shaft, the output shaft including an oil passage formed therein in an axial direction, and a lubrication fluid supply passage supplying a lubrication fluid from the casing to the oil passage. The lubrication fluid supply passage includes an inner fluid tight chamber annularly formed with an external surface of the output shaft and an internal surface of the input shaft, a first passage establishing a communication between the inner fluid tight chamber and the oil passage, and a second passage establishing a communication between the inner fluid tight chamber and an external surface of the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Aisin Ai Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Inoue, Satoshi Munakata
  • Patent number: 7958970
    Abstract: A hoist positioning system includes an accelerometer attached to a hoist, a control unit for processing signals from the accelerometer and comparing the processed signals with reference data to determine a position of the hoist, a drive system for moving the hoist up and down, and a relay that is switched ON and OFF by a control signal from the control unit. When the relay is switched ON, power is supplied to the drive system from a high-voltage power source and the hoist is driven up or down. When the relay is switched OFF, power from the high-voltage power source to the drive system is cut off and the hoist stops moving up or down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Pengfei Ma, Shihan Zhang
  • Patent number: 7958971
    Abstract: A wireless, portable call request entry kiosk (14) has a control panel (19) with keys (20, 21) and a display panel for entering calls and informing passengers of the responding elevator. The kiosk has wireless communication (42, 56) with a building (43) where the kiosk is located, to transmit call requests to a dispatching controller (48). The kiosk operates on a rechargeable source such as a battery (51). A sensor (52) determines a lull in traffic, causing the kiosk to operate in a low power consumption mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Mangini, Richard J. Pulling, Paul Stranieri
  • Patent number: 7958972
    Abstract: A sealing device for an elevator door includes a doorway member, doors, a movable member, a push-down mechanism and a sealing mechanism. The doorway member is provided for a gate. The doors open or close along the doorway member. The movable member is set horizontally and provided to be movable in a vertical direction in the doorway member, and it is urged upwards by an urging unit. The push-down mechanism pushes down the movable member against the force of the urging unit just before the doors are closed. The sealing mechanism is kept non-contact with the doors while they are moving, and seals the gap between the doors and the doorway member as it is brought into contact with upper section of the doors when the movable member is pushed down by the push-down mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shin Murakami, Toru Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7958973
    Abstract: A method of chocking a wheel comprises a step of providing a wheel chock. The wheel chock comprises a stationary body and a rocking body. The rocking body is pivotally connected to the stationary body. The method also comprises a step of rolling a wheel into contact with the rocking body in a manner causing the rocking body to rotate to a wheel securing position relative to the stationary body and causing the wheel to reach a chocked position relative to the stationary body. The method further comprises a step of activating a locking mechanism that limits pivotal movement of the rocking body away from the wheel securing position relative to the stationary body. The activating of the locking mechanism occurs while the wheel is in the chocked position. After activating the locking mechanism, the wheel is fully secured to the wheel chock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Brad Swasand
  • Patent number: 7958974
    Abstract: A self-boosting electromechanically actuable disc brake, having an application device for applying the brake pad, which application device has a rotary brake lever and a self-boosting device, wherein the rotary brake lever acts on an actuating plunger which acts on the application-side brake lining directly or via a pressure plate, is characterized in that the actuating plunger is pivotably mounted on the rotary brake lever and on the pressure plate or the application-side brake lining with an intersecting rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Baumgartner, Robert Gruber, Robert Trimpe
  • Patent number: 7958975
    Abstract: A brake caliper on a brake, such as a disc brake includes raised sections, which can be embodied as plateaus. The raised sections are tensioned against each other via a connector device by the introduction of tensile or compression forces. Noises occurring during braking can thus be significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: TMD Friction Service GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Eisengräber, Kristof Terfloth
  • Patent number: 7958976
    Abstract: The pad clip 14d is arranged between pins 12, 12 made to bridge an outer body portion and an inner body portion constituting a caliper and the two pads 10b, 11b. An engaging plate portion 27 is engaged with the respective pins 12, 12 without play. Press pieces 28, 28 formed by folding to bend both end portions in a rotational direction of the engaging plate portion in directions in which the more proximate to the two pads 10b, 11b, the more directed to an outer side in a radial direction are brought into elastic contact with outer peripheral edges of both end portions in a rotational direction of pressure plates 13b, 13b of the two pads 10b, 11b. Thereby, amounts of projecting portions in correspondence with the respective press pieces 28, 28 in a state of a material plate before being folded to bend from the engaging plate portion 27 can be restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takefumi Morio, Takaaki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7958977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting of one or more electromagnetically bleeding spring-loaded brakes (a, b) on a machine wall or the like. The invention is characterized in that the brakes are, while distributed over the periphery on the face, act upon an axially moving brake rotor (5) with continuous friction linings (6) on both sides (i.e. left and right), whereby braking (left) surface of the friction lining (6) and on the opposite side with the armature discs of the brakes on the second (right) friction lining (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Gunter Klingler, Harald Weiss, Johann Eberle, Christoph Dropmann
  • Patent number: 7958978
    Abstract: A brake hub assembly including a hub defining a central axis, a plurality of guide pins, each of the plurality of guide pins extending from the hub and being generally aligned with the central axis, and a disc having at least two friction surfaces, the disc defining a plurality of guide pin receiving bores, wherein each of the plurality of guide pin receiving bores are positioned to receive an associated one of the plurality of guide pins therethrough such that the disc is moveable relative to the hub along the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: BWI Company Limited S.A.
    Inventors: Marshall D. Snyder, Eunjoo C. Hopkins, Thomas V. Valvano
  • Patent number: 7958979
    Abstract: In a variable damper using magneto-rheological fluid that comprises a cylinder (12) filled with the fluid, a piston (16) slidably received in the cylinder and including an inner yoke (32; 62; 126), an outer yoke (31; 64, 65; 140) and a coil (34; 130), a piston rod (13) having an inner end attached to the piston and an outer end extending out of the cylinder and a magnetic valve formed in a gap between the inner and outer yokes, at least one of the outer yoke and inner yoke consisting of at least two parts that are joined to each other in an axial direction. The two piece arrangement of the inner yoke or outer yoke allows the end plates to be omitted because the gap spacer can be installed without requiring end plates, and this contributes to a compact design and a favorable damping property. Also, the manufacturing and servicing of the damper can be simplified. When end plates (134) are used, the freedom in the positioning of the coil is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenobu Sekiya, Yoshitomo Azekatsu
  • Patent number: 7958980
    Abstract: A conventional solid protection device disposed on an exposed side of a cylinder for actuating a working device had a possibility of being permanently deformed by contacting an obstacle so as to be prevented from sliding properly corresponding to the telescopic movement of the hydraulic cylinder. An object of the invention is to provide a hardly deformable protection device. To protect an exposed side of a cylinder for a working device, a protection device includes a guard member and a slide guide into which guard member is telescopically fitted. Slide guide is attached to a cylinder tube, and a tip of guard member is attached to a tip of piston rod. Guard member is a flat plate made of spring steel. A width of guard member is larger than a diameter of the piston rod. Notches are provided on lateral opposite sides of a basic side end of guard member. Sliders are fitted to respective notches. The top of guard member is bent into a roll-shape so as to serve as a pivotal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Seino, Takao Matsumoto