Patents Issued in August 9, 2011
  • Patent number: 7992583
    Abstract: There is provided a modular walking support system separable into two independently functioning walking supports, typically cane-like structures. Fastening elements hold the two walking supports together in a unitary walking support until two independent supports may be required by a user. The two sections may be manually separated or, optionally, a force augmenting mechanism may also be provided to facilitate separation by users having very little hand strength. The tip of the walking support remains in firm contact with the ground during both separation and reunification operation thereby providing continuous support to a user of the device. A variety of interchangeable handles, shaft portions, and tips are provided. In addition, many accessories may be provided, either within the structure or as add-on devices. The modular walking support is provided in colors, with decorations, etc. to help overcome the stigma perceived by some users arising from usage of such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Inventive Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Marion Lisenby
  • Patent number: 7992584
    Abstract: A walker with wheels that are retracted upon the application of a force of predetermined magnitude to permit a user to move the walker when he or she partially leans on the walker while providing a solid anchored support if he or she leans with more weight exceeding a predetermined magnitude. The walker includes a structural elongated assembly with a handle and forearm cuff at one end. The other end is rigidly mounted to two base assemblies that are kept at a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other. The base assemblies have a bottom surface. Retractable wheels are mounted to the base assemblies. The wheels are spring biased to protrude beyond the bottom surface so that they support the walker when at rest and as long as the user does not apply a force that exceeds a predetermined magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Bernardo Birnbaum
  • Patent number: 7992585
    Abstract: A retrofit valve assembly for a frost-resistant hydrant comprises ceramic valve disks and a hydrant adapter to enable the valve assembly to be readily retrofit to existing frost-resistant hydrants produced by different manufacturers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Amerikam, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 7992586
    Abstract: A receptacle for catching and retaining unwanted liquids dropped by a spigot or nozzle. The receptacle is configured to hang on the spigot of a liquid dispenser such as a coffee urn, a water cooler, and the like. Because of the unique configuration of the opening in the back of the device, the device self levels, has the capability of more secure attachment to the liquid dispenser and prevents any unwanted liquids from escaping through the back opening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Teresa Bovee
  • Patent number: 7992587
    Abstract: By use of the vias a microfluidic autoregulator is fabricated comprising an origin of a fluid, a sink for the fluid, a main flow channel coupling the origin and the sink, a valve communicated to the main flow channel to selectively control flow of fluid therethrough, and means dependent on flow through the main flow channel for creating a pressure differential across the valve to at least partially activate the valve to control flow of fluid through the main flow channel. The means for dependent on flow for creating a pressure differential comprises either a dead-end detour channel from the flow channel to the valve, or a loop channel fed back to the control chamber of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Emil Kartalov, Axel Scherer, W. French Anderson, Christopher I. Walker
  • Patent number: 7992588
    Abstract: A valve device includes a tubular member fitted into an inflatable article, a flexible diaphragm having a peripheral region which engages a valve seat of the tubular member through a mounting support and an intermediate surrounding region which has a portion that can be flexed to deflect a corresponding portion of the peripheral region from the valve seat, and a positioning member which is actuated to be displaced between normally-closed and deflating positions so as to bring an engaging end thereof to be proximate to or distal from the valve seat. In the deflating position, the flexed portion is vested with an increment of biasing force that is counteracted by a resisting force at an actuated end so as to keep the peripheral portion in a deflected position for maintaining the valve device in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventors: Rong-Jyh Song, Tsung-Ping Yen
  • Patent number: 7992589
    Abstract: A valve including a body delimiting an inlet duct opening into a first and second outlet duct. The body includes a first butterfly valve element and a second butterfly valve element. The first butterfly valve element is mounted on a first transmission gearwheel connected to a drive motor and is movable into two closed positions on either side of an open position of the first duct. The first transmission gearwheel is connected to a second transmission gearwheel, on which the second butterfly valve element is connected by a one-way positive drive element. When the first butterfly valve element is moved from an open position to one of the two closed positions in the first duct, the second butterfly valve element is driven from a closed position to an open position of the second duct. The valve includes a member for returning the second butterfly valve element to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Laurent Albert, Samuel Leroux, Guillaume Davoult
  • Patent number: 7992590
    Abstract: A faucet including a spout body formed of metal and having an inlet end, an outlet end and a chamber extending between inlet and outlet ends. A tube formed of a non-metallic material is enclosed within the chamber and has receiving and dispensing ends. Tube defines a passage extending between receiving and dispensing ends. Receiving end is in fluid communication with water source to communicate water through passage. An inlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having an inlet opening extending therethrough is molded about receiving end such that receiving end is sealingly received within inlet opening. An outlet coupling formed of a non-metallic material and having an outlet opening extending therethrough is molded about dispensing end such that dispensing end is sealingly received within outlet opening. Inlet and outlet couplings are sealingly coupled to inlet and outlet ends of spout body, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Steven Kyle Meehan, Christopher Michael McGuire, Brian Matthew Jolliffe, Jeffrey Lee Moore, Darrell Scott Crowe, Derek Allen Brown
  • Patent number: 7992591
    Abstract: In one embodiment as described in this section, an apparatus for mixing of microfluidic streams on a chip is presented, which comprises a micro-channel and a plurality of magnetic valves on the chip. A guiding magnet produces a proximal magnetic field gradient to exert a force on a bead in a cavity when placed at in a vicinity of the chip. The bead-cavity combination form a magnetic valve. In one embodiment, the mouth of the cavity is tapered so to prevent the magnetic bead from completely blocking the corresponding micro-channel section to enhance the mixing of microfluidic streams at the narrowed fluid path. In one embodiment, magnetically actuated valves direct the flow in a microfluidic system in one of several flow paths wherein the mixing characteristics of the paths are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Emmanuel Delamarche
  • Patent number: 7992592
    Abstract: A piston accumulator (10) comprises a pressure chamber (40) which on one side is closed by a piston (50) axially displaceable in a pipe (20) in order to change its volume depending on the axial position of the piston (50). A detent mechanism is provided in order to hold back the piston (50) against a spring preload (190) in a second position differing from a first position. The piston (50) is formed in a multi-part fashion and comprises at least a first piston part (52) and a second piston part (54), wherein at least one of the two piston parts (52) is hardened and disposed to cooperate with the detent mechanism in a catching fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Rausch & Pausch GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Lauterbach
  • Patent number: 7992593
    Abstract: An electrically conductive confined space ventilation conduit formed of a substantially rigid non-metallic conductive material, such as plastic, and a related process for ventilating an enclosure accessed by a manhole or other port. In one embodiment, the conduit has a pair of outer cylindrical sections and a central section having a cross-sectional shape of a crescent or a segment of a circle where it passes through a port to provide a minimum of obstruction for men and equipment passing through the port. Intermediate sections of varying cross-section connect the central section to the cylindrical outer sections so that the outer sections are offset from the axis of the manhole. The central section is preferably configured to obstruct no more than about 10 percent of a standard manhole opening, while causing either no air flow rate reduction, or a reduction of no more than about 10 percent as compared to the flow rate through a cylindrical conduit similar to said outer sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Air Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David Frank Angelico
  • Patent number: 7992594
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a pipe having a defect or penetration comprises a housing coupled to the pipe by a clamp member. A piston is mounted in the housing and the piston and housing define a chamber. The piston further comprises a port for providing fluid communication between the pipe and the chamber. A seal member is provided between the piston and the pipe and, in use, the apparatus is located over and/or around the defect or penetration in the pipe such that the seal member engages the pipe. The piston is urged towards the pipe by a fluid pressure force generated by fluid in the pipe thereby maintain sealing engagement between the seal member and the pipe and to prevent leakage of fluid through the penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Stats (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Angus George Bowie
  • Patent number: 7992595
    Abstract: An artificial grass mat that is composed of a ground fabric and a number of artificial grass blades protruding from the ground fabric, at least one of the artificial grass blades being formed from a pile-warp yarn (1-6; 7-10; 15-18) having a density of less than 5,000 dtex; and a method for producing an artificial mat of this type. The artificial grass mat is suitable both for use in athletics, such as football, tennis, hockey, golf, and for other uses, including domestic and garden applications, as a decorative landscape element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: N.V. Michel Van de Wiele
    Inventors: Johny Debaes, Marc Delepierre
  • Patent number: 7992596
    Abstract: A method of weaving including warp and weft being supplied in the form of tapes, and not yarns. The method preferably carried out in vertical format and includes feeding positively flat tensionless warp for shedding and taking-up; selecting, feeding positively and inserting weft tapes of different widths and thickness by gripping in its fore end in flat condition; depositing inserted weft at fabric-fell in a flat condition without beating-up; and taking-up the woven material that includes either the same or different widths of flat wefts. The warps and wefts, preferably of partially stabilized type of fibrous tapes, can be overfed in a tensionless, positive and controlled manner when required to make the fibres of constituent fibrous tapes occur non-linearly in the form of wave/texture during weaving. Extra warps and wefts can be also fed in tandem whereby the warps and wefts become composed of two or more unconnected, mutually slipping, flat tapes in a stacked arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Tape Weaving Sweden AB
    Inventor: Nandan Khokar
  • Patent number: 7992597
    Abstract: Disclosed is a container and method for filling same. The container includes a thermally resealable portion that is fusible in response to thermal energy, and a container body having a sealed empty chamber in fluid communication with the resealable portion for receiving therein a substance. The container also includes a base, a mid-portion, and an upper portion axially spaced from the base on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the base. Each of the base and upper portion define a laterally-extending dimension greater than a maximum laterally-extending dimension of the mid-portion. The method of filling the container includes penetrating the resealable portion with an injection member and introducing a substance into the chamber, withdrawing the injection member while engaging the base of the body to substantially prevent axial movement of the body, and applying thermal energy to the resealable portion to thermally fuse the penetrated region thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Norbert M. Assion
  • Patent number: 7992598
    Abstract: A method for filling a dispensing bag includes inserting a collapsed bag within the chamber of a bin, the chamber being bounded by a floor and an upstanding sidewall. A first port formed on the collapsed bag is securely fixed within a port hole formed on the floor of the bin. A hoist mounted on the bin is manipulated so that the hoist raises an upper end of the collapsed bag within the chamber while the first port remains fixed within the port hole so as to expand the collapsed bag within the chamber of the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: HyClone Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Elgan, Brett L. Allred, Gary Graetz, Jeremy K. Larsen, Jim A. Austin
  • Patent number: 7992599
    Abstract: An apparatus for fueling a fuel-cell-powered device having a profile and a fuel inlet. The apparatus comprises at least one fuel port having an outlet and at least one adaptor associated with the fuel port. The adaptor is configured to receive the fuel-cell-powered device. Means for releasably and sealingly engaging the fuel inlet of the fuel-cell-powered device to the outlet of the fuel port are also provided. The outlet of the fuel port is operative to dispense fuel when it is in sealed engagement with the fuel inlet of the fuel-cell-powered device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Angstrom Power Incorporated
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Iaconis, Joerg Zimmermann, Duhane Lam
  • Patent number: 7992600
    Abstract: The apparatus for filling a motor vehicle cooling system includes a communication body, a valve, a flexible connecting hose, a pressure gauge, a relief valve and a hanging portion, in which the valve, the connecting hose, the pressure gauge, the relief valve and the hanging portion are all disposed on predetermined positions of the communication body, while the connecting hose is extended out of the communication body for a distance and it connects to a top opening of the cooling system tightly by a metallic cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Lai-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 7992601
    Abstract: A cut hole type air lock valve is disposed in an air chamber formed by allowing two outer films to be adhered to each other by means of hot sealing. A part of rims of both inner films folded together are adhered to each other and several portions of rims thereof are formed to be air inlets in the cut hole type air lock valve. Furthermore, the air inlet is connected to an air passageway between the inner films, and at least one cut hole is disposed on the inner films beside the air passageway. When outside air flows into the air passageway via the air inlet and is filled in an air chamber via the cut holes, the air chamber is caused to fill with air and inflate, and air inside air chamber thrusts the inner films so as to block the air passageway to cause the air to be locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventors: Chian Hua Liao, Yao Sin Liao, Bo Xin Jian
  • Patent number: 7992602
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices, kits and methods to aid the home owner in the transport of salt to their cellar-based water softening system. The device of the present invention uses rectangular piping because of the greater ease of supporting the piping and greater stability during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Robert F. Guenther
  • Patent number: 7992603
    Abstract: A saw speed readiness system for use with a forestry machine comprises a controller configured to receive a threshold selection signal, and change a speed readiness threshold from a first saw speed to a second saw speed in response to the threshold selection signal, the speed readiness threshold representing a non-zero saw speed above which a disk saw is considered to be ready for a tree-felling operation but below which the disk saw is considered not to be ready for the tree-felling operation. An associated method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jason L. Pellymonter
  • Patent number: 7992604
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes a ripsaw stabilizing device that has a moveable carrier arm subassembly, a hold-down subassembly, a hold-down support engaged to the moveable carrier arm subassembly and a force applying subassembly engaged to the hold-down subassembly and the hold-down support that applies downward force such that downward force is applied to a piece of material being cut on both sides of the blade. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for making a glue-line quality cut without further processing of the material being cut and without the use of a sacrificial material. Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a ripsaw including one or more ripsaw stabilizing devices of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Stiles Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell P. Suor, Valentino M. Villa
  • Patent number: 7992605
    Abstract: A tire assembly inserted in a conventional pneumatic tire that allows the driven vehicle to be operated in a normal operating condition as well as in both a low tire pressure and a “run flat” condition. The tire embodies a multifunctional tire support device that permits the tire even when punctured to continue to support the vehicle and never allows the tire to go entirely flat. The support device when installed reinforces the tire tread and its side walls by applying internal pressure against them should they collapse when tire is punctured. The invention embodies a means for supporting the tire with the multifunctional device and provides an additional embodiment that uses the same device with a backup redundant inner tube to provide support to the punctured or ruptured tire and permits it to be operated in a run flat condition. The inner tube is located in the assembly at a distance away from the tread so that any puncture of the tread would not also puncture the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Julian Yee
  • Patent number: 7992606
    Abstract: The offset amount that a sacrificial rib road contact surface is recessed to the inner side of a tire with regards to a shoulder rib road contact surface is equal to 0, and a circumferential fine groove is provided such that the opening side thereof is located on the inner side when the tire is filled to a proper internal pressure. The dimension Ws in the tire width direction of the shoulder rib road contact surface and the dimension Wa in the tire width direction of the sacrificial rib road contact surface are set such that 0.10?Wa/Ws?0.2. The dimension Wb in the tire width direction of the sacrificial rib road contact surface when the groove depth of the circumferential main grooves has worn 20% is set in a range such that 0.25?Wb/Ws?0.30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taisuke Sakaguchi, Hiroshi Ilzuka
  • Patent number: 7992607
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire for heavy load enabling the co-existence of wet performance and uneven wear resistance performance is provided. The pneumatic tire for heavy load includes three circumferential main grooves 31 and 33 extending on a tread in the circumferential direction, and ribs 11 and 12 defined by these circumferential main grooves 31 and 33. The centerline of the center circumferential main grove 31 among the three circumferential main grooves is positioned on the equator line of the tread, and a thin rib-shaped uneven abrasion sacrificing part (BCR) 21 having a step in a clearance thereof from the surface of the tread is formed only in the center circumferential main groove 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Tomita
  • Patent number: 7992608
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire where the positions of the groove deepest portions (33btm) in the circumferential grooves (33) vary in a predetermined cycle along the circumferential direction in a width direction of the tread within the circumferential grooves (33). Moreover, depth direction positions, where a groove bottom surface of the circumferential groove (33) contacts with each of perpendicular lines (perpendicular line P1, perpendicular line P2) which are perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to a tread surface and which pass respectively through edges (edge portion 11eg, edge portion 12eg) of the land portions on a side of each of the circumferential grooves of ribs, as well as angles which are formed by the perpendicular lines and a section line of a cross-section of the groove bottom surface in the width direction of the tread surface vary in the predetermined cycle along the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Arata Tomita
  • Patent number: 7992609
    Abstract: A sipe inner wall surface of a sipe is provided with a wavy first concave and convex row, a wavy second concave and convex row arranged in a sipe bottom side from the first concave and convex row so as to be spaced, and structured such that a wavelength is made shorter than the first concave and convex row so as to increase the number of waves, and a third concave and convex row extending toward the sipe bottom side in a branched manner while being inclined to a longitudinal direction side of the sipe with respect to a normal direction of a tread surface, and interposed between the first concave and convex row and the second concave and convex row so as to be connected to both elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ohashi, Shouta Satou, Takashi Numata
  • Patent number: 7992610
    Abstract: A device for selectively connecting a tire to a pneumatic unit of an aircraft, the tire forming part of a wheel mounted to rotate on a hollow axle of the aircraft, the device comprising a stator and a rotor that is mounted to rotate relative to the stator and that includes means enabling it to be rotated by the wheel. The stator is bell-shaped and is designed to be received as a push-fit in the axle, and includes an end wall carrying a first pneumatic port for connection to the pneumatic unit via a tube running along the inside of the axle, the rotor extending substantially inside the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti
    Inventors: Olivier Collet, Jean-Clair Pradier, Bertrand Maes
  • Patent number: 7992611
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes an axis of rotation, a carcass, a tread, and a belt structure. The carcass has at least one reinforced ply and a reinforcing structure providing a buffer for absorbing shear strain. The tread is disposed radially outward of the carcass. The belt structure is disposed radially between the carcass and the tread. The reinforcing structure comprises at least one layer of an open construction LENO weave fabric having warp yarns extending in the radial direction and weft yarns extending in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Serge Julien Auguste Imhoff, Yves Donckels
  • Patent number: 7992612
    Abstract: A simulation press having a main body and an actuator attached thereto. The actuator is substantially aligned with the main body. A first plate is coupled to the main body and a second plate is coupled to the actuator. Both plates are adapted to engage a workpiece so as to simulate various modes of deformation of an area or areas on the workpiece when the second plate is moved relative to the first plate. The simulation press further includes a drive controller for controlling operation of the actuator. The drive controller additionally responds to feedback from at least one feedback sensor included with the simulation press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter and Gamble Company
    Inventors: Stuart James Shelley, Richard Allan Roth, II, Allan Michael Burwinkel, Richard William Hamm, Larry Ray Gilliam, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7992613
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for the production of composite work pieces of layers laminated to each other, with at least one layer representing a glass plate. First, at least one composite work piece is laminated in a lamination press under the effects of pressure and heat in order to at least activate the adhesive material used for lamination. Then the composite work piece is removed from the lamination press and transported into a curing station and/or cooling station for curing and/or cooling. A testing device for detecting broken glass in the composite work piece is arranged between the lamination press and the curing station or between the lamination press and the cooling station, which detects potentially present broken glass by testing the inherent stability of the composite work piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Burkle GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Damm, Gerhard Dolker, Michael Pojtinger, Wolfgang Renz, Matthias Zufle
  • Patent number: 7992614
    Abstract: A horizontal hotpress system is provided, which can maintain the thickness of the boards (laminated boards) after hot-pressing within the allowable range, by driving and controlling the press cylinders individually, even when, for example, the size or material of the boards changes. Also, A horizontal hotpress system is provided, which can maintain the thickness of the boards (laminated boards) after hot-pressing within the allowable range, by driving and controlling the press cylinders individually or jointly without adjusting the pressing positions of the press cylinders, even when, for example, the size or material of the boards changes, and further, being able to adapt to change of the material of the boards or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Taihei Machinery Works
    Inventors: Reiji Yamada, Yasuyuki Ohdaira, Fumio Kurita, Mineo Masuda
  • Patent number: 7992615
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a shock-absorbing packing material inflated with air and to an apparatus for manufacturing the shock-absorbing packing material. As polystyrene plastic typically used for a shock-absorbing material becomes difficult to use because of environmental pollution, a shock-absorbing means that are formed by compiling plastic films or sheets, bonding them using heat or high frequency waves, and then inflating it by injecting air between the films are often used. However, it was difficult to develop an apparatus for manufacturing these shock-absorbing means with substantially high economical efficiency. Accordingly, the invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a shock-absorbing material with economical efficiency, and enhanced productivity without looseness or extension, as the plastic sheet or films rolled on a plurality of rolls are bonded by heat at a constant interval while unrolling them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Young Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 7992616
    Abstract: An apparatus for making a carbon nanotube film includes a substrate holder, a bar supplying device, a carrier device, and a stretching device arranged in alignment in that order. A method for making a carbon nanotube film is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liang Liu, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 7992617
    Abstract: A sheet laminating apparatus is provided for laminating two films and a sheet article between the two films. The sheet laminating apparatus includes a first side plate, a second side plate, a first laminating module and a second laminating module. The second laminating module includes a second conveying and laminating roller, a second heating member and a supporting member. The supporting member is disposed on the first side plate, and arranged between the second conveying and laminating roller and the second heating member. During operation of the sheet laminating apparatus, the two films and the sheet article are sustained against the second conveying and laminating roller to move the second conveying and laminating roller in a first direction. Due to the supporting member, the second heating member is also moved in the first direction, but the second conveying and laminating roller is not contacted with the second heating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Te Lee, Yung-Tai Pan
  • Patent number: 7992618
    Abstract: A coating-film transfer tool is configured to positively absorb rotation of a head part caused when pressed and an effect of lean of the head part, and such a configuration contributes to favorable and uniform transfer. A member 4 is disposed at one end of a support column 2 supporting a head part 1 at the other end. A distance between the axial center of the support column 2 and its periphery varies depending on a position in the rotation direction. Sandwiching plates 3 resiliently sandwich the facing sides of the member 4 with the narrowest gap, when the head part 1 is not pressing a transfer target. When the head part 1 rotates around the axis of the support column 2 in a state pressing the transfer target, the member 4 rotates to forcibly and significantly widen the gap between the sandwiching plates and generate a restoring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Plus Stationery Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Narita
  • Patent number: 7992619
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot pressing tool and a hot pressing apparatus having the same. According to the present invention, a hot pressing head attaching an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) on a liquid crystal display (LCD) substrate and a heater block supplying heat to the hot pressing head have the same thermal expansion coefficient, and the heater block is provided with a hot pressing tool connected to a moving block by connection units. Also, there is provided a hot pressing apparatus, including the hot pressing tool, which is provided with a support capable of attaching the LCD substrate on the ACF and a transfer instrument. Thus, according to the present invention, the operation can continue with almost no deterioration of the oblateness of the hot pressing head. Also, since the hot pressing apparatus has the structure of connecting the heater block and the hot pressing head together simply by the combination bolts with no need for adjustment bolts, it can be easily manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae Gyu Kim, Dong-Won Kim, Il Kwon Hwang
  • Patent number: 7992620
    Abstract: This invention relates to a shade arrangement for a motor vehicle with at least two shades having lengths of shade material (10a, 10b), which are located next to one another and to one end of which a respective pull (14a, 14b) is attached. Both of the lengths of shade material (10a, 10b) are drawn out and taken up in the same direction at their opposite end from/onto a common roller tube (12) which is pretensioned in the take-up direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Norbert Elbs, Manfred Hoeller, Thomas Stemmer, Horst-Martin Schulz, Wolfgang Wagner
  • Patent number: 7992621
    Abstract: A side dam for use in a continuous twin roll caster system includes a body of refractory material having opposed outer surfaces with one outer surface adapted to contact molten metal and casting rolls in a continuous twin roll caster system and retain molten metal, and an opposite outer surface having fastening portions of refractory material adapted to attach the side dam to a side dam holder to hold the side dam in place during casting; an aperture in the outer surface of the body positioned adjacent a nip of the continuous twin roll caster system and adapted to receive a side dam insert; and a side dam insert of a second refractory material harder than the refractory material of the body having a first surface adapted to contact molten metal and form with the outer surface of the body the outer surface of the side dam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Nucor Corporation
    Inventors: Brian E. Bowman, Michael A. Schueren, Walter N. Blejde
  • Patent number: 7992622
    Abstract: A fitting assembly for connecting an oil cooler assembly to a radiator assembly in a vehicle cooling system includes a radiator having an inlet header tank with an outer wall. The outer wall includes an inlet cooler opening and an outlet cooler opening disposed in the outer wall. The inlet cooler opening is disposed about an inlet axis and the outlet cooler opening is disposed about an outlet axis. An oil cooler having an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold is disposed within the header tank. A fitting interconnects the oil cooler and the header tank of the radiator. A pair of tracks are integrated with the outer wall and are disposed within the header tank. A spring clip extends between the tracks and the fitting for retaining the fitting to the header tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S Newman, Timothy John Peters
  • Patent number: 7992623
    Abstract: A wall covering system for radiant heating includes a first wall covering portion and a second wall covering portion. The first portion is releasably connectable to the second portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to an outer surface of the first portion. The first portion includes a bottom side and top channel portion downwardly depending from the bottom side. The second portion includes a top side and a bottom channel portion extending upwardly from the top side. The top channel portion and the bottom channel portion bound a channel for receiving a heating conduit. The channel extends longitudinally relative to the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Keller Komfort Radiant Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Keller
  • Patent number: 7992624
    Abstract: A heat sink module includes a heat transfer tube, a plurality of radiation fins respectively riveted to locating grooves around the periphery of the heat transfer tube, and a heat transfer panel fastened to the bottom side of the heat transfer tube and the radiation fin set and kept in contact with a heat source, such as a CPU or a light emitting unit of a LED lamp for transferring heat from the heat source to the radiation fins for quick dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Tsung-Hsien Huang
  • Patent number: 7992625
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for heat transfer are described. In particular, a heat transfer device includes a housing having input and output ports for ingress and egress of a medium. The housing defines an interior volume with a first portion having pins extending therein and a second portion defined in part by a network of micro-channels. An interface between the first portion and the second portion of the interior volume has orifices for providing passageways for flow of the medium therebetween. A first portion of the pins are spaced apart from the interface to promote generation of vortices of the medium in the first portion of the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: United States Thermoelectric Consortium
    Inventors: Michael Spokoiny, James M. Kerner, Xinliang Qiu, James W. Maurus, Boris M. Spokoyny
  • Patent number: 7992626
    Abstract: A combination spray and cold plate thermal management system for effectively thermally managing a heat producing device during startup. The combination spray and cold plate thermal management system includes a spray unit thermally managing a heat producing device and a coolant reservoir thermally connected to the heat producing device. The coolant reservoir includes a porous media with coolant channels for storing a volume of the waste coolant after spraying of coolant has terminated. The coolant reservoir is fluidly connected to the spray chamber within the spray unit to receive the waste coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Tilton, Donald E. Tilton, Thomas D. Weir, John D. Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 7992627
    Abstract: Low-pressure drop thermal assemblies, systems and methods of making low-pressure drop thermal assemblies for use in high power flux situations. A manifold body is attached to a distributor to form a subassembly. This subassembly is in communication with a substrate surface, which has a semiconductor device in need of thermal management thereon. An enclosed cavity is formed between the target substrate surface and the subassembly, and a seal of the cavity protects critical components residing on the active surface of the semiconductor device. The distributor includes a distributed liquid impingement microjet inlet array isolated from and parallel with a distributed microjet drain array for impinging cooling fluid and removing spent heated fluid in a direction orthogonal to a target surface for maximizing the heat transfer rate, and thereby providing high cooling flux capabilities while enabling low-pressure drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Raschid J. Bezama, Govindarajan Natarajan, Kamal K. Sikka, Hilton T. Toy
  • Patent number: 7992628
    Abstract: A liquid cooled charge air cooler includes a plurality of pairs of adjacent separator plates supported in parallel spaced relation. The pairs alternatingly define a first set of adjacent pairs in fluid communication with a charge air inlet and a charge air outlet, and a second set of adjacent pairs in fluid communication with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. Fins extend between adjacent plates of the first set of adjacent pairs to define a charge air flow path between the charge air inlet and the charge air outlet. A plurality of dams extend between adjacent plates of the second set of adjacent pairs in a select offset configuration to define a multi-pass coolant flow path between the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet. Each dam includes an associated bypass port allowing a portion of coolant to bypass at least a portion of the coolant flow path through the dams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Melby, Jason J. Braun, Thomas J. Reiss, David E. Janke
  • Patent number: 7992629
    Abstract: In an air amount control for controlling an air amount to be blown into a vehicle compartment, a water temperature control map in which the air amount is set based on a water temperature of cooling water for the vehicle is stored, and the air amount is determined based on control characteristics of the water temperature control map. The water temperature control map is learned and changed based on a set air amount, and the air amount to be blown into the vehicle compartment is determined based on the learned water temperature control map in a case where the set air amount is changed by a passenger and the water temperature is in a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takeda, Yasufumi Kojima, Hiroyuki Tomita
  • Patent number: 7992630
    Abstract: A method for nighttime pre-cooling of a building comprising inputting one or more user settings, lowering the indoor temperature reading of the building during nighttime by operating an outside air ventilation system followed, if necessary, by a vapor compression cooling system. The method provides for nighttime pre-cooling of a building that maintains indoor temperatures within a comfort range based on the user input settings, calculated operational settings, and predictions of indoor and outdoor temperature trends for a future period of time such as the next day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Davis Energy Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Springer, Leo I. Rainer
  • Patent number: 7992631
    Abstract: A temperature control system for a building comprises a thermal collection system, a plurality of underground heat sinks, and a heat exchanger. The thermal collection system includes at least one fluid channel. The thermal collection system is configured to heat or cool fluid within the at least one fluid channel. A first and a second underground heat sink are configured to receive the fluid from the thermal collection system. The first underground heat sink absorbs heat from the fluid in order to heat the first underground heat sink. The second underground heat sink transfers heat to the fluid in order to cool the second underground heat sink. The heat exchanger is configured to receive fluid from the first or second underground heat sink in order to heat or cool the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Kenton F. Brett
  • Patent number: 7992632
    Abstract: A system for power supply to subsea installations and plants for production of hydrocarbons, comprising a preferably heat insulated pipeline (10), in which the possibility for internal formation of detrimental hydrates or wax deposits are present, and comprising electrical power supply cables (12, 31) for direct electrical heating of the pipeline (10), and having an electrical connection (36) to the surrounding sea at an end of the supply cable. The power supply cable (12) is further configured, in a second circuit configuration, to provide a three-phase power supply to an electrically powered motor in an subsea installation unit (11) connected to the pipeline (10), and that means (18, 19) are arranged for switching so that the three conductors (28) forming the power supply cables (12) form parallel conductors in a second circuit configuration, wherein the power supply cables (12, 31) supply power for direct heating of the pipeline (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Statoil ASA
    Inventors: Atle Harald Børnes, Rune Mode Ramberg