Patents Issued in December 6, 2011
  • Patent number: 8069633
    Abstract: A flooring system including horizontal metal framing members, for example, C-joists, U-joists, open web joists, HAMBRO or other metal frame systems that support a reinforced, lightweight, dimensionally stable SCP panel. The flooring system is non-combustible, water durable, mold and rot resistant, termite resistant and is capable of resisting shear loads equal to or exceeding shear loads provided by plywood or oriented strand board panels. The panels employ one or more layers of a continuous phase resulting from the curing of an aqueous mixture of inorganic binder, for example, calcium sulfate alpha hemihydrate, hydraulic cement, an active pozzolan and lime. The continuous phase is reinforced with glass fibers and contains lightweight filler particles, for example, ceramic microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: U.S. Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Timothy D. Tonyan, James M. Ullett, James E. Reicherts
  • Patent number: 8069634
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a wind turbine and blade assembly on the upper end of a wind turbine tower. In one aspect the apparatus generally includes a ginpole that is used to assemble the tower and a lifting frame or truss that is removably secured to a top bay assembly of the tower using the ginpole. The lifting frame or truss is operated using either cables or hydraulic rams and extends fore of the tower when the frame or truss is in a first position and generally above the tower when in a second position. When in the first position, a wind turbine or blade assembly can be hoisted to the top of the tower. The wind turbine or blade assembly is then moved into position for mounting to the tower as the frame or truss is pivoted to a second position. When the turbine and blade assembly are secured to the tower, the frame or truss is disconnected from the tower and lowered to the ground followed by the ginpole being lowered to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tracy Livingston, James Goldhardt, Terry Schrader, James Lott, David Oliphant, Harry Daugherty
  • Patent number: 8069635
    Abstract: Methods for forming packages from a web of preformed bags. In one exemplary method of forming packages from a web of preformed bags, a first bag is held open with air. A product is loaded into the first bag that is held open with air. An opening of the first bag is sealed. A next bag is indexed such that an opening of the next bag is proximate to an engagement member. The web is engaged with the engagement member to pre-open the next bag. The web is disengaged by the engagement member. The next bag is opened with air for loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Riccardi, Bernard Lerner
  • Patent number: 8069636
    Abstract: An improved adhesive-backed carrier tape system for packaging of components. Components or devices are held within the compartments of the carrier portion by a low tack adhesive level layer while a high tack adhesive layer is affixed to the carrier portion to provide means for high speed, low cost automated handling of the packaged components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Charles Gutentag
  • Patent number: 8069637
    Abstract: A system for sealing thermoplastic film includes one or more bag sealing units, each comprising a lower vacuum platen and a vacuum chamber cover adapted for sealing engagement on the platen to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly includes a sealing bar designed for constant heated operation and a pair of cooling plates which function as heat sinks. The sealing bar assembly is pneumatically reciprocated between a raised, disengaged position and a lowered position with the sealing bar engaging the neck of a bag for hermetically sealing same. The cooling plates clamp the bag neck against a sealing support assembly. A method of sealing a thermoplastic film bag includes the steps of placing a packaging object in a thermoplastic bag and placing the bag on a cradle with the bag neck extending over a bag support assembly. A. vacuum chamber cover is placed on the platen and evacuated to form a vacuum chamber. A sealing bar assembly melds the thermoplastic to form a sealed area across the bag neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventors: Mark W. Taylor, Sr., Mark W. Taylor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8069638
    Abstract: A baler for making large cylindrical modules of cotton includes an expansible module-forming chamber comprising a plurality of module-forming belts that are supported in side-by-side relationship across a plurality of fixed and movable belt support rolls. The module-forming chamber includes a fixed front section and a movable rear section in the form of a discharge gate mounted to an upper rear location of the front section for pivoting between a lowered baling position and a raised discharge position. Located at the bottom of the baling chamber between a bottom fixed belt support roll and a lower front roll of the lowered discharge gate is an inlet through which cotton passes into the module-forming chamber. A module wrapping arrangement is carried on the discharge gate for selectively feeding a length of plastic sheet material into the inlet for being wrapped about the circumference of a cotton module formed in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Wigdahl, Scott David Weber
  • Patent number: 8069639
    Abstract: A mower is provided that includes a height-adjuster assembly that adjustably connects the ground engaging wheel to the housing of the mower at an adjustable height from the ground. The height-adjuster assembly includes a bracket fixed to the housing, an arm, a sleeve, a wheel mount, a pin, and a handle. The arm is rotatably mounted relative to the housing and the bracket about a pivot point. The sleeve is fixed to the arm for rotation with the arm relative to the housing and the bracket about the pivot point. A handle overlays the pin and the sleeve. The handle is configured to be grasped by a user for movement along a first direction to move the pin from a first position into a second position. Upon reaching the second position, the handle and the sleeve can be rotated to rotate the ground engaging wheel relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Husqvarna Outdoor Products Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Fancher, III
  • Patent number: 8069640
    Abstract: A crop header has generally horizontal flail disks mounted for driven rotation about generally upright axes. A pair of conditioner rolls is mounted in a discharge opening. A crop converging system includes two over-shot auger elements defined by a common auger shaft with an auger flight carried thereon arranged generally longitudinal of the cutter bar so as to carry the cut crop longitudinally of the cutter bar to the entrance opening. Each auger element is arranged with a forwardmost tangent to the auger flight located behind the axes of the rotary disks and with an outer end thereof spaced outwardly of the respective end of the entrance mouth. The common auger shaft is driven by a common rotary drive with the bottom roll of the conditioner rolls. The augers terminate inwardly of the outer end of the cutter bar to locate the drive inboard of the end plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: MacDon Industries Ltd
    Inventors: Neil Gordon Barnett, Geoffrey U. Snider
  • Patent number: 8069641
    Abstract: A shaking system for a harvesting head used in picking fruit from orchards has a fruit separating assembly with a lower subassembly and an upper subassembly. The upper subassembly is positioned rearwardly of said lower subassembly at a higher level than the lower subassembly. First and second oscillating drive shafts are independently and drivingly connected to the respective first and second subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Pellenc (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Roger Pellenc, Jean-Marc Gialis, Christian Rolland
  • Patent number: 8069642
    Abstract: A yarn, fabric, and garment suitable for use in arc and flame protection and having improved flash fire protection, consisting essentially of (a) 50 to 60 weight percent meta-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%; (b) 31 to 39 weight percent modacrylic fiber; and (c) 5 to 15 weight percent para-aramid fiber; said percentages on the basis of components (a), (b), and (c). In some embodiments, 1 to 3 weight percent of the meta-aramid fiber is replaced with an antistatic fiber comprising carbon or metal with the proviso that at least 50 weight percent meta-aramid fiber is maintained. Garments made from the yarns provide thermal protection such that a wearer would experience less than a 65 percent predicted body burn when exposed to a flash fire exposure of 4 seconds per ASTM F1930, while maintaining a Category 2 arc rating per ASTM F1959 and NFPA 70E.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Reiyao Zhu
  • Patent number: 8069643
    Abstract: A yarn, fabric, and garment suitable for use in arc and flame protection comprising aramid fiber and modacrylic fiber wherein the modacrylic fiber has less than 1.5 percent antimony and is preferably antimony-free. In one embodiment, the yarn, fabric, and/or garments consist essentially of (a) 50 to 80 weight percent meta-aramid fiber having a degree of crystallinity of at least 20%, (b) 10 to 40 weight percent modacrylic fiber that is antimony-free, (c) 5 to 20 weight percent para-aramid fiber, and (d) 1 to 3 weight percent antistatic fiber, based on the total weight of components (a), (b), (c) and (d). In some embodiments, garments made from the yarns provide thermal protection such that a wearer would experience less than a 65 percent predicted body burn when exposed to a flash fire exposure of 4 seconds per ASTM F1930, while maintaining a Category 2 arc rating per ASTM F1959 and NFPA 70E.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Reiyao Zhu
  • Patent number: 8069644
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electric cable includes winding together two groups in such a manner as to form a group helix, each group having two twisted-together conductor wires, and where the groups are wound together at a speed that varies between two limit speeds having the same sign and in such a manner that the pitch of the group helix varies along the cable between two limit values having the same sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventor: Jonathan Nevett
  • Patent number: 8069645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a link chain having two or more rows of chain elements, wherein the chain elements of one row are rotatably connected to those of the adjacent row in the chain plane in such a way that each chain element has two rotational axes, of which in each case one of the two rotational axes belongs to two different chain elements in adjacent rows, and that the chain elements of one row are connected to one another by means of toothed devices at their ends in such a way that the chain is flexible in the chain plane. The chain elements at one end of the link chain are likewise provided, at their outer side, with a toothed device, which is in engagement with an actuator. The actuator is a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electromotive actuator or a manual drive actuator. The actuator may have a latching fitting, wherein the latching fitting is provided with a toothed surface that is in engagement with a toothed surface of a chain element in one row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Kintec-Solution GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Mackert
  • Patent number: 8069646
    Abstract: A pressure vessel bypass valve forms a bypass system for enabling a part of the air compressed by a compressor to directly flow into a combustor while preventing the part of the air from flowing through a humidification tower and a recuperator. A turbine bypass valve forms another bypass system for enabling a part of a humidified air to be discharged to an exhaust duct after a heat exchange between the humidified air and a turbine exhaust gas is performed in the recuperator while preventing the part of the humidified air from flowing through a turbine. A turbine control system controls the bypass valves to be opened and closed in accordance with increase and decrease of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Nakano, Yukinori Katagiri
  • Patent number: 8069647
    Abstract: An external jet nozzle mixer includes identically formed lobes. The external mixer works with the internal mixer further to mix the engine internal bypass flow with the internal jet engine core flow to level the disparate flow velocities, to reduce the peak velocities from the jet engine core and increase the lower bypass velocities of the engine internal bypass flow, and thereby reduce noise. The internal lobe contours act as lifting flutes, causing mixing of the primary hot and cold flows to mix before exiting the nozzle. The external lobe contours act as venturi chutes, accelerating the cooler ambient secondary air flow. The lobes thus act collectively as an injector to force the cooler ambient secondary flow into the previously mixed primary flow as it exits the nozzle. Also obtained is an increased thrust efficiency and, consequently, decreased fuel consumption and engine emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Comtran Limited
    Inventor: Jack H. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8069648
    Abstract: A cooling system for a turbine exhaust assembly comprises an annular case, a flowpath ring and a splash plate. The flowpath ring is coaxially disposed within the annular case. The splash plate extends axially between the annular case and the flowpath ring. A plurality of cooling fluid apertures is formed in the annular case, in order to provide cooling fluid flow onto the splash plate. A plurality of impingement holes is formed in the splash plate, in order to provide impingement flow onto the flowpath ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy S. Snyder, Francisco J. Cunha
  • Patent number: 8069649
    Abstract: When a concentration measured by a sensor is lower than a predetermined threshold, it is judged that a liquid is any different type of aqueous solution, and also, it is judged whether or not the different type discrimination is adequate. When the discrimination is adequate, the number of different type discriminating times is counted up based on a predetermined counted value, and when the number thereof is equal to or larger than a determination threshold, the different type discrimination is determined. At this time, at least one of the predetermined counted value and the determination threshold is dynamically set based on a liquid level of a reducing agent tank, so that the counting and/or the different type discriminating determination is performed considering convection which is changed according to a level change to thereby discriminate with high precision whether or not the liquid is the different type of aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8069650
    Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining the heat in an exhaust after treatment system connected to the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine. The engine is used to propel a vehicle and is equipped with a valve-controlled EGR duct for the adjustable recirculation of exhaust gases from the exhaust side of the engine to its induction side. According to the invention, it is detected that neither the braking system nor the throttle control mechanism of the vehicle is activated and that the vehicle is being driven at a speed in excess of a predetermined value. After this, the gas flow through the EGR duct is regulated so that the gas flow to the exhaust aftertreatment system is reduced to a level which is less than about 50% of the gas flow to the exhaust aftertreatment system with shut-off EGR valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Christer Alm, Hans Bernler
  • Patent number: 8069651
    Abstract: A method of operating an engine system includes compressing intake air, restricting exhaust flow from the engine via a flow restriction device, and supplying compressor air to a compressed air subsystem of the engine during restricting exhaust flow. Supplying of compressor air may occur by selectively actuating a pressure control device to fluidly connect an inlet of a compressed air subsystem with the compressor. An associated machine and engine system include a compressor, a flow restriction device, a compressed air subsystem and a pressure control device to selectively fluidly connect the compressed air subsystem with the compressor when the flow restriction device is in a relatively more closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Crosby, Anil Raina
  • Patent number: 8069652
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine has an oxygen storage volume computing unit for computing an oxygen storage volume of a catalyst by using a real air/fuel ratio detected by an air/fuel ratio sensor installed on the upstream side of a catalyst, a center air/fuel ratio representing a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio and an estimated air flow volume or detecting a flow rate of air flowing into the catalyst. A center air/fuel ratio correcting unit for correcting a center air/fuel ratio based on output of a rear air/fuel ratio sensor provided on the downstream side of the catalyst, and an oxygen storage volume computed by an oxygen storage volume computing unit, and the oxygen storage volume computing unit computes an oxygen storage volume by using a center air/fuel ratio corrected by the center air/fuel ratio correcting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Iihoshi, Shin Yamauchi, Toshio Hori, Yoshikuni Kurashima
  • Patent number: 8069653
    Abstract: A dispensing module having a dispenser body having a liquid passageway, a valve element movably mounted within the liquid passageway, and a nozzle removably coupled with the dispenser body. The nozzle has a valve seat contacted by a tip of the valve element for modulating liquid flow through the liquid passageway. The tip may be made of a harder material than the valve seat and may have a surface finish characterized by an Ra less than or equal to about 32 microinches. The tip may have a compound angle provided by contiguous frustoconical surfaces of differing included angles in which one frustoconical surface contacts the valve seat. The nozzle is configured to be attached to the dispenser body so that the valve seat and a sealing surface of the valve element tip form a circular line of contact when among multiple different nozzles and dispenser bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Charles P. Ganzer
  • Patent number: 8069654
    Abstract: Rhodium utilization in LNT/SCR-based exhaust after treatment systems for medium and heavy duty trucks is reduced by operating inline fuel reformers in a certain manner. The fuel processors are operated at steam reforming temperatures to produce a reformate-containing exhaust having a hydrogen to CO ratio of at least about 3:2 or at least about 3% hydrogen, This generally involves operating the fuel reformers at temperatures from about 500 to about 625° C. and with an overall fuel to air ratio from about 1.10 to about 1.40. In this manner, regeneration can be efficiently carried out while limiting the catalyst loading of the fuel processors to no more than about 1.0 grams rhodium per liter maximum displacement of the diesel engine and the catalyst loading of the LNTs to no more than about 0.50 grams rhodium per liter maximum displacement of the diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: David Mark Ginter, James Edward McCarthy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8069655
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for delivering a dosant with engine exhaust. The apparatus includes a flow-rate regulator disposed downstream from an engine exhaust manifold that operates to control a fraction of exhaust from the engine exhaust manifold. The apparatus also includes a doser disposed downstream of the flow-rate regulator that provisions a supply of dosant to the path of the controlled fraction of exhaust, which atomizes, vaporizes, disperses, mixes with, and/or delivers the dosant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Laszlo D. Tikk
  • Patent number: 8069656
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method of operating an internal combustion engine system comprising an engine, an oxidation catalyst, and a particulate filter, the method comprising: determining if the outlet temperature of exhaust gas from the oxidation catalyst is below a first temperature, measuring the time that the outlet temperature of exhaust gas from the oxidation catalyst is below the first temperature, determining if the measured time has exceeded a first time period, and if so, elevating the temperature of the exhaust gas exiting the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew T. Baird, Amr M. Radwan, Kevin D. Sisken, Bryant C. Pham, Mark A. Zurawski, Heather A. Staley
  • Patent number: 8069657
    Abstract: A diesel combustion engine comprises multiple particulate filters and corresponding exhaust piping and valving in the exhaust manifold and/or exhaust line, configured to enable regeneration to occur in one of the DPF filters through heating the exhaust from a single cylinder of the engine, while the exhaust from the remaining cylinders is temporarily routed through the other DPF filter during the regeneration event. Flow redirection devices are placed within the DPF filters to direct flow of exhaust gas through the DPF filters during regeneration in a manner to facilitate complete regeneration, including in outer volumes along the interior walls of the DPF filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8069658
    Abstract: A method for regenerating a particulate filter may comprise calculating a first estimated soot load of a particulate filter based on a pressure drop of an exhaust gas flowing through the particulate filter, and calculating a second estimated soot load of the particulate filter based on a mass balance of soot in the particulate filter. The method may further comprise calculating a hybrid estimated soot load based on the first estimated soot load and the second estimated soot load, wherein calculating the hybrid estimated soot load comprises applying at least one gate so as to weight a relative contribution of each of the first estimated soot load and the second estimated soot load to the hybrid estimated soot load, and causing regeneration of the particulate filter when the hybrid estimated soot load is greater than or equal to a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Suhao He, Achim Karl-Erich Heibel, Pushkar Tandon
  • Patent number: 8069659
    Abstract: An exhaust system for an internal combustion engine includes an outer housing having a front shell and a rear shell, a prechamber in which exhaust gas from the combustion chamber enters, and an intermediate shell having a front and back as well as a catalytic converter holder. A catalytic converter element is arranged on the catalytic converter holder where an exhaust port directs exhaust gas from the catalytic converter element. To place the center of gravity of the exhaust system near the internal combustion engine or cylinder, the intermediate shell forms the prechamber and the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Dolmar GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Kellermann
  • Patent number: 8069660
    Abstract: One or more systems for silencing and extracting waste heat from exhaust of a combustion system for performing an operation and using the waste heat to perform an additional operation are provided herein. The system can include a heat recovery silencer. An inner housing of the heat recovery silencer can be in fluid communication with a combustion system. A heat recovery flow path of the heat recovery silencer can have an outlet port in fluid communication with an auxiliary device inlet, and the heat recovery flow path can have an inlet in fluid communication with an axially device outlet of the auxiliary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Maxim Silencers, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Cone, Mitzi Jones Gass, Matthew Wayne Wishert
  • Patent number: 8069661
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for actuating at least one torque transmitting device in a transmission includes a sump, a pump in communication with the sump, and an accumulator. A first control device and a second control device control the communication of hydraulic fluid between the pump, the accumulator, and the torque transmitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James D. Hendrickson, Henryk Sowul, Brian W. Whitmarsh
  • Patent number: 8069662
    Abstract: An electric power booster (12) where driver command is monitored by a transducer (38) on an input rod (34). This signal is converted to the appropriate voltage/current and operates an electric motor (42). The motor output shaft (68) is connected to a planetary gear reducer (72) appropriately sized to provide no more than +/?1/4 turn of an eccentric cam (14). Two master cylinders (16, 18) power piston rods (22, 24) ride diametrically opposed on the cam surface (20). As the cam rotates the piston rods are forced out pressurizing the respective hydraulic circuits and thereby providing fluid to each brake circuit (28, 30). In the event of power failure as well as to augment the output of the motor, the input rod is mechanically linked directly to the cam offset from the center allowing the driver to manually rotate the cam thereby pressurizing the brake circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Timothy J. Albert
  • Patent number: 8069663
    Abstract: A method for improving operation of a turbocharged engine is presented. In one embodiment, the method may reduce engine emissions and improve engine efficiency during an engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Norman Ulrey, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 8069664
    Abstract: A supercharged engine has a charge air intake and an engine exhaust outlet, a positive displacement supercharger connected to the air intake, a charge air and bypass control valve comprising a rotary body throttle valve including a rotary valve body, a primary air passage and a separate bypass air passage each extending through the rotary body. The primary air passage is fully open in a first rotary position of the rotary body wherein the bypass air passage is closed, and the bypass air passage is fully open in a second rotary position wherein the primary air passage is closed. Airflow through the passages varies in an inverse manner as the rotary body is rotated between the first and second positions, whereby airflow through the control valve is controlled with a single actuator movable through the full range of positions and airflow through the primary and bypass passages is inversely varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: John R Bucknell
  • Patent number: 8069665
    Abstract: A method for providing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, the engine including a compressor and a boost tank selectably coupled to an intake manifold. The method includes varying a relative amount of engine exhaust in air pressurized in the boost tank based on engine operating conditions, and discharging the air pressurized in the boost tank to the intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Dykstra Pursifull, Ralph Wayne Cunningham, Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Patent number: 8069666
    Abstract: One or more systems for generating shaft horsepower by using waste heat from combustion exhaust are provided herein. The system can include a heat recovery silencer, a turbine, a compressor, a combustion source, and a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Maxim Silencers, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Cone, Mitzi Jones Gass, Matthew Wayne Wishert
  • Patent number: 8069667
    Abstract: A power generating system comprises a condenser and a deaerator apparatus. The condenser condenses a working fluid into a condensate and operates at an internal pressure above ambient pressure during a normal operating mode. The deaerator apparatus uses steam to remove contaminants from the condensate to bring the condensate to a desirable purity. The deaerator apparatus is deactivated during a typical operating state of the power generating system such that the condensate bypasses the deaerator apparatus. The deaerator apparatus is activated during a non-typical operating state of the power generating system such that the condensate passes into the deaerator apparatus wherein contaminants can be removed from the condensate. The typical operating state of the power generating system occurs when the condensate comprises a desirable purity and the non-typical operating state of the power generating system occurs when the condensate comprises an undesirable purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Bellows
  • Patent number: 8069668
    Abstract: A method of autonomously sharing a load between at least two output generation devices, the method including: providing at least two output generation devices, wherein the at least two output generation devices operate autonomously with respect to one another and the at least two output generation devices are in fluid communication with output receiving means adapted to receive output generated by the at least two output generation devices; monitoring output generated by the output generation devices; and cycling each of the at least two devices through an activated mode and a standby mode independently of one another in an automated manner to meet an output demand thereby sharing a load demand between the at least two output generation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: On Site Gas Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Haggerty, Guy Hatch, Sanh Quang Phan
  • Patent number: 8069669
    Abstract: A combustion chamber which is fitted with a separator disposed between the radially inner wall of the chamber and the inner flange of the chamber is disclosed. The separator includes a tubular portion and a fastener portion. The tubular portion is centered on the main axis of the combustion chamber, with the upstream end thereof being situated upstream from orifices in the radially inner wall of the chamber. The fastener portion is secured to the combustion chamber. The tubular portion splits the flow of air running along the radially inner wall into an inner air flow passing between the tubular portion and the inner flange of the chamber, and an outer air flow passing between the radially inner wall and the tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Snecma
    Inventors: Christophe Pieussergues, Denis Jean Maurice Sandelis
  • Patent number: 8069670
    Abstract: A combustion chamber wall in a combustion chamber is proposed, The chamber wall has a support structure with a number of heat shield which are attached to the support structure with the aid of a fastening unit. The fastening unit encompasses a spring device which is fixedly connected to the support structure and is composed at least of a spring that is mounted in a jacket. The spring is secured against falling out on the side facing away from the combustion chamber by a first removable retainer. The interior of the spring device is provided with an axial hole for accommodating the fastening unit. The spring is secured against falling out on the side facing the combustion chamber by a second removable retainer. The spring device can be dismounted on the side facing the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Milan Schmahl, Marc Tertilt
  • Patent number: 8069671
    Abstract: A burner (1) for a combustion chamber of a turbogroup includes a swirl generator (2), a mixer (3), and a lance (4) for introducing pilot fuel into a combustion space (10). In order to stabilize combustion, the lance (4) is designed and/or arranged so that, at least in the pilot mode of the burner (1), it extends far enough into the burner interior (5) for a flame front (16) of a combustion reaction, which takes place in the combustion space (10), to extend at least partially into the burner interior (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaan Hellat, Adnan Eroglu, Jan Cerny, Douglas Anthony Pennell
  • Patent number: 8069672
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention may provide a variable speed booster, which receives air from a compressor of a gas turbine through an intercooler, to supply air at a relatively constant pressure to an air processing unit. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a speed adjustable booster turbine to energize a variable speed booster; which provides air at a relatively constant pressure to an air processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ping Yu
  • Patent number: 8069673
    Abstract: Provided is a seal structure, according to the present invention, for sealing opposite surfaces of flanges between adjacent tail ducts, which can be prevented from being worn or aged deteriorated due to a thermal deformation in a high temperature atmosphere or vibration of a gas turbine combustor, and which can maintain a satisfactory sealing function for a long time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kunitake, Kuniaki Aoyama, Kiyoshi Fujimoto, Masaharu Minami
  • Patent number: 8069674
    Abstract: A personal environment appliance is disclosed in which a person in a localized area can individually control the ambient conditions of the person's localized area. The control permits highly localized adjustment to suit individual preferences, thereby, reducing the impact of individual environmental preferences on the individuals. In addition to environment conditions, a variety of accessories may be provided such as beverage heaters and/or coolers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: BSST LLC
    Inventor: Lon E. Bell
  • Patent number: 8069675
    Abstract: A novel thermal coupler apparatus and method to couple a cryocooler or another cooling device to a superconducting magnet or cooled object allows for replacement without a need to break the cryostat vacuum or to warm up the superconducting magnet or other cooled object. A method uses a pneumatic actuator for coupling, and a retractable mechanical actuator for uncoupling. Mechanical closing forces are balanced between the intermediate temperature and low temperature cooling surfaces and do not transfer to the cooled object. The pneumatic actuator provides permanent control under mechanical closing forces in the thermal coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Alexey L. Radovinsky, Alexander Zhukovsky, Valery Fishman
  • Patent number: 8069676
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stanley B. Smith, III, Prashant Bhat, Ryan LaRocque, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Otis L. Clapp
  • Patent number: 8069677
    Abstract: Liquefied natural gas is regasified to form natural gas, including circulation of an intermediate fluid between a vaporizer and an ambient air heater, where the intermediate fluid is warmed by exchanging heat with the ambient air as the intermediate fluid passes through the ambient air heater, and the intermediate fluid is cooled by exchanging heat with LNG as the intermediate fluid passes through the vaporizer. The ambient air heater is subjected to a defrosting cycle by intermittently regulating the temperature of the intermediate fluid fed to the ambient air heater to a temperature greater than zero degrees Celsius using a source of supplemental heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Woodside Energy Ltd.
    Inventor: Solomon Aladja Faka
  • Patent number: 8069678
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for regasifying liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other cryogenic liquids on a continuous basis utilizing improved atmospheric air vaporizer heat exchangers of the vertical single pass and parallel connected type. A multiplicity of such heat exchangers is positioned on a defined grid, such as to improve the natural convection of the ambient air heat source. An improved heat exchange system includes heat exchange elements within the heat exchangers comprised of hybrid externally finned elements, smooth interior stainless steel tubes thermally bonded within the externally finned elements, the tubes containing vortex generators. Flow distributors in the form of venturi shaped injectors are positioned at the inlet of each tube of the multiplicity of heat exchangers of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Robert E. Bernert
  • Patent number: 8069679
    Abstract: The invention concerns an installation for cryogenic cooling comprising: a main reservoir (1) for a two-phase cryogenic fluid wherein is immersed a superconductor device (4) to be cooled; an auxiliary reservoir (9); and a hydrostatic duct between the bases of the main and auxiliary reservoirs; the auxiliary reservoir being arranged relative to the main reservoir and being dimensioned so as to be able to receive at least a large part of the cryogenic fluid present in liquid form (2) in the main reservoir; restricting means (11) being incorporated in an output manifold (7a) connected to the main reservoir; thus, when the superconductor gets rapidly heated, cryogenic liquid from the main reservoir is delivered, by the vaporized cryogenic fluid pressure, into the auxiliary reservoir wherefrom it flows again by gravity towards the main reservoir when the pressure of the vaporized fluid decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Organisation Europeenne pour la Recherche Nucleaire
    Inventors: Philippe Lebrun, Bruno Vullierme
  • Patent number: 8069680
    Abstract: Methods disclosed herein include methods of manufacturing integrally thermally-sealed storage containers. Methods include creating at least one indentation in at least one layer of first thermal barrier sheet, wherein the at least one layer of first thermal barrier sheet includes at least one first ultra efficient insulation material and wherein the at least one indentation is in a size and shape substantially conforming with material to be stored; placing material to be stored within one or more of the at least one indentation; placing at least one layer of second thermal barrier sheet adjacent to the material to be stored, wherein the at least one layer of second thermal barrier sheet includes at least one second ultra efficient insulation material; and creating a thermal seal between at least two layers of thermal barrier sheet, substantially thermally sealing the material to be stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Tokitae LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K. Y. Jung, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, William H. Gates, III, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8069681
    Abstract: A cross-flow heat exchanger, method of making a cross-flow heat exchanger, and a dehumidifier are provided. The cross-flow heat exchanger has an axial flow path extending through the heat exchanger from an inlet to an outlet and a transverse flow path oriented transversely to the axial flow path and extending through the heat exchanger from an inlet to an outlet. The transverse flow path is adjacent to and separate from the axial flow path. The surface area of the inlet of the axial flow path is less than the surface area of the outlet of the axial flow path. In a preferred embodiment, the heat exchanger has an exterior shape that is trapezoidal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: David M. Cink, Vincent Yu, Kenneth C. Gehring, Timothy S. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8069682
    Abstract: An air conditioner performs a refrigerant quantity judging operation to judge the refrigerant quantity in a refrigerant circuit, and includes a heat source unit, utilization units, expansion mechanisms, a first refrigerant gas pipe, a second refrigerant gas pipe, a refrigerant liquid pipe, switching mechanisms, a temperature detector, and a controller. The heat source unit includes a compressor and a heat source side heat exchanger. The first refrigerant gas pipe is connected to the discharge side of the compressor. The switching mechanism can switch between a first state and a second state. The temperature detector is mounted on the first refrigerant gas pipe, and configured to detect a refrigerant temperature on the first refrigerant gas pipe side and output a refrigerant temperature detection value. The controller corrects the refrigerant quantity judged by a refrigerant quantity judging operation based on the refrigerant temperature detection value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Yoshimi, Tadafumi Nishimura